pondering about a front end swap...

[lee_dutcher]

just wondering if there is any front ends out there (exept the standered) thst would swap over with little to no effort. i was thinking of a r1 front end or r6 but dont know if anyone on here has tryed. any imput?

[crazy steve]

I'm not aware of any 'easy' fork swap (i.e. bolt-on with little or no mods), but there's several choices if you're willing to do some fab work... here's one: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ight=fork+swap
... and there's been several other swaps performed using other forks. But all will require at least some fabrication, and some will need mods to the rear suspension to 'balance' the bike.

[lee_dutcher]

looking for a more sport bike set up. ie (r1 r6) i think there is a thred on a list of bike with the same stem size... i think anway...

[motoman]

think there is a thred on a list of bike with the same stem size... i think anway... //////there is..........just don't remember where and title...........and yes, was done with R-1 front with minimal or almost no mods.

[lee_dutcher]

do your remember what year of forks.... i was looking at a set from a 2000

[latexeses]

Those bikes aren't near as heavy as the XS1100 are they? Pretty light compared to the xs I think. Didn't look it up though.

For the fork sizes.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24996&highlight=fork+sizes

[yamahansolo]

What is your goal?

Looks or handling? If only handling I would buy the racetech emulators. I live in the close to the mountains and the emulators make this thing eat up the curves. You cannot understand the difference until you have them!

[lee_dutcher]

well im looking for handleing and i would think i would have more aftermarket options with a differant front end.

[Rooster]

The XS UK site is jammed full of modified XS11's that have different forks, turbo's and the like. I have a memory of someone on this site in the last two years talking about having the tapered bearings machined slightly to allow a more modern fork onto the XS. and with 50+ mm fork tubes on a crotch rocket vs. the 38mm tubes on the XS who needs to worry about the weight issue, the rocket riders that wreck thier bikes doing stoppie's usually snap off the frame back above the engine not bend the forks.

[bikerphil]

Stoppie...

[NewGuy]

I'm interested in this too. after looking at finding a standard front end, then knowing you'll need new fork seals, a fork brace, emulators, and maybe springs. the cost of making the stock front end handle is not cheap. if an r1 fork can be made to fit I would rather do that. plus brakes would be better along with brake options and upgrades.

[crazy steve]

I'm interested in this too. After looking at finding a standard front end, then knowing you'll need new fork seals, a fork brace, emulators, and maybe springs, the cost of making the stock front end handle is not cheap. If an r1 fork can be made to fit I would rather do that. Plus brakes would be better along with brake options and upgrades.

Not to rain on your parade, but do some research before you leap; while a fork swap can offer very real improvements, it's not a money-saving solution. Things you need to check are fork length, triple-tree stem length (the XS has a rather short stem compared to more modern bikes, and this can complicate a swap), and the weight of the bike the forks came off of, to name just a few things. The weight is a biggy, as many late sport bikes are up to 150 lbs lighter and may require custom springs for a XS. Another issue than has been mentioned is replacement parts costs; it's been reported that rebuild cost for some of the exotic calipers on these can be up to $100 each. 'Better' brake options (when available) are just as expensive.

And even the so-called 'bolt-on' swaps mentioned really aren't; while getting the forks onto the frame may be simple, the devil is in the details. How do you mount your headlight? Or the gauges? Are the fork stops in the right place? How about the handlebar controls and cables; will they fit? You'll likely end up up with mis-matched front/rear wheels; is this acceptable? While getting the parts on the bike isn't always all that hard, making them look like they 'belong' there can be...

I'm not trying to discourage anybody, but just to make you aware of all this; it's very rarely as simple as some make it. I'd hate to see somebody spend $$ acquiring parts for a swap, only to become frustrated with all the 'little' stuff that will probably require custom-fabbed bits to make it work... and maybe throwing away another XS because of it...

[WMarshy]

All this talk about fork swap made me dig out the FJ forks I bought a while ago. They will be going on this winter! Hey Steve, any chance you are working with Phil to consolidate his thread into a tech tip?

[crazy steve]

Hey Steve, any chance you are working with Phil to consolidate his thread into a tech tip?

Yeah, I've talked with Phil about this, I/we just need to find the time. Hopefully, I should being starting assembly of my XS with the FJ forks soon, so I can get the final details on my version...

[bikerphil]

Well that takes the fun out of it, having step by step instructions.