Front end swap

[Spootinay]

Hey guys, I am swapping the front ends of the 79xs11sf and the 79xs11f. The standard I have completely torn down and refurbished, the special is in rough shape. The front end of the standard is in rough shape compared to the special, hence the swap. everything is working out great except the differences in wiring connections.

Basically I need the wiring diagrams for the two bikes. Anybody have them?

[jwhughes3]

Special to standard is ok

Standard to special is dicey.

Unless you are taking the whole triple tree. Its swapping the standard forks into the special tree that quickens the steering and is discussed as "twitchy" due to a loss of proper trail.

My standard has special forks and does fine.

John

[crazy steve]

...Basically I need the wiring diagrams for the two bikes. Anybody have them?

The wiring color codes (and number of wires) are identical between the two bikes, so match color to color. I assume you're planning on using the special gauges. You'll have to reconfigure the harness plugs to accept the gauges, the handlebar controls should be the same. You'll lose the fuel light unless you install the special sending unit into the standard tank.

And you don't even need to cut the wires; if you disengage the connectors in the plugs you can pull them out then reinsert them into the correct plug.

[jwhughes3]

Fuel light

I swapped sending units when putting the Venturer tank on my 80 Special and light works as Steve said...I will likely swap units back when I swap guages for Standard and fuel gauge.

John

[fredintoon]

Standard to special is dicey.
Unless you are taking the whole triple tree. Its swapping the standard forks into the special tree that quickens the steering and is discussed as "twitchy" due to a loss of proper trail.
My standard has special forks and does fine.

Hi John,
either fork swap works just fine and retains the stock trail as long as you swap them fender, triple trees and all.
But you got the fork/tree mix backwards.
Special fork legs in Standard 'trees moves the wheel forward to reduce the trail and make the steering lighter.
Standard fork legs in Special 'trees moves the wheel backwards to increase the trail and make the steering heavier.

[crazy steve]

Hi John,
either fork swap works just fine and retains the stock trail as long as you swap them fender, triple trees and all.
But you got the fork/tree mix backwards.
Special fork legs in Standard 'trees moves the wheel forward to reduce the trail and make the steering lighter.
Standard fork legs in Special 'trees moves the wheel backwards to increase the trail and make the steering heavier.

And neither 'mixed' combo is a good thing... unless you have a trike or sidehack, eh Fred?

[bikerphil]

I've run the Special leading axle forks in the standard trees before, It looks a little more raked ↓ but gets real funky at 75MPH.



Here's with FJ forks and trees, just the opposite ↓

[DCracer25]

Ok can you tell me the difference between the forks? I am building a trike out of a 81 xs1100 standard venture. if I swaped special forks into my standard would I have to use the brake caliper and front wheel from a special?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Dont think the wheel makes a difference, but the offset is different so the brakes and finder are different, you need to use the correct offset stuff if you change

Ok can you tell me the difference between the forks? I am building a trike out of a 81 xs1100 standard venture. if I swaped special forks into my standard would I have to use the brake caliper and front wheel from a special?

[crazy steve]

Ok can you tell me the difference between the forks? I am building a trike out of a 81 xs1100 standard venture. if I swapped
special forks into my standard would I have to use the brake caliper and front wheel from a special?

In your case, a swap to special forks with standard trees would make sense, as that will reduce steering effort (which can be quite 'heavy' with 'normal' forks). The handling problems associated with too little trail aren't a problem on a trike or sidecar unless you go to negative trail.

What do you have to swap besides the forks? Well, the wheel/brake rotors and axle are the same, but that's it. You'll need the special calipers, fender, and speedo drive/cable also. The calipers are completely different from the standards, and a bit funky...

[DCracer25]

alright thanks for the info, Now does anyone have a set of special forks, calipers.fender, and speedo gear and cable? for sale or trade for the standard forks and stuff.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Here are the forks, I am sure you can ask him about the rest, might make a deal on all
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRONT-FORKS-...sories&vxp=mtr

alright thanks for the info, Now does anyone have a set of special forks, calipers.fender, and speedo gear and cable? for sale or trade for the standard forks and stuff.

[DCracer25]

Thank you again, I emailed him on the forks and calipers and stuff so we will see what happens. Can someone please explain the difference between the forks? Is it the length? I am just curious to know.

[crazy steve]

...Can someone please explain the difference between the forks? Is it the length? I am just curious to know.

The Special forks were a styling thing; while built differently, they primarily were to give the illusion that the bike had a 'raked' front end like a chopper, but the as-mounted geometry is the same as the standards. Yes, they are longer, but the front axle is mounted on the front of the forks instead of the bottom, so 'effective' length is the same. The triple trees have less offset to compensate for the leading axle. The brakes are a weird 'pivoting'-mount setup, being held onto the forks with a single long bolt that the calipers rotate on to allow pad wear. The pads are angle-cut for this reason, and come as left and right sets. No parts will interchange between the two types other than what's been noted.

[DCracer25]

Now I understand the difference, thankyou again for the help, as usual this forum has been a big help to me as I am rebuilding the bike into a trike for my wife. I have also learned a great deal from everyone who has helped me. So if I can help anyone I will do itin a heart beat, this forum is the best. thanks again Dennis