Fork Question

[Bob]

been kicking around an idea for a while, & my local buds can't seem to agree on an answer (none of them have THE BIKE). I have a 79 xs 1100f. Picked up a 79 1100 Special for parts for $75, a lot of which was garbage. I have been thinking about swapping front ends, i.e. replacing my forks with the air forks. Been checking out the threads on suspension in these forums, & have gotten (is that a word?) some great info. My questions is: which forks are better: "standard" or air? At any rate, I need to "fix" my forks (read service). Just wondering which would be the better forks to work on. & I will probably get different answers, but at least they will come from "the right crowd". Thanks, fellow xssives.

[Robert Haller]

I'm sure you get more flexibility with the special's air forks, but they can be a pain to fill (due to the small volume, they fill VERY quickly) and keep equal between forks. The consensus for the best fork setup is to install progressive fork springs (which is next on my list).

[Jerry]

My XJ came stock with air forks. Opinion: rebuild your 'stock' forks with a set of progressive-rate fork springs. (Progressive brand is best known, but hagon also supplies them.) Since I did this I have not put any air in my front forks.

Advantage of progressive-rate springs is that they 'give' more on small bumps like expansion strips, but it takes more force to compress them over larger bumps. You get a better ride for general riding and still get good handling with a more aggressive style.

Air forks can be adjusted, an advantage when the load on your bike varies from trip to trip or roads you are riding on vary greatly in smoothness. Disadvantage is that air leaks out, and you need to check the pressure occasinaly. Add to the situation is that the OEM springs are 20+ years old and should be changed anyway.

My opinion, based on rebuilding my XJ air forks, is to rebuild your stockers with progressive springs, new seals, and 7.5 or 10 weight fork oil, then add a fork brace if you don't already have one.

[Snow]

If you switch to the special forks, you just might need to switch the brake calipers and fender as well - I had to when I put standard forks back on my standard (she came with air forks from a PO).

IMHO, I would suggest just putting progessive springs in your standard forks unless you have pitting problems or some other reason to swap.

[Bob]

Xssive Thanks

Thanks for your input, guys. Finally got some answers with reasons instead of the "you won't like air forks" statement. I am going to go with the rebuild of the stock forks.
I kept seeing posts about "fork braces", but never saw the need for them until I dug a bit deeper in this forum. Soon as I can, I'm putting fork braces on my yet-unnamed scoot...You guys not only give opinions & advice, but good, solid reasoning to back up your answers. Can't thank you enough. BTW....I'm gonna do more "deep-digging". Invaluable information here.....but then I already knew that.
Now I just need some new shocks & springs that will handle quite a load...I am 6'3" & tip the scales at 235........plus I have a passenger & gear on road trips.

[Snow]

Re: Xssive Thanks

Originally posted by Bob

Now I just need some new shocks & springs that will handle quite a load...I am 6'3" & tip the scales at 235........plus I have a passenger & gear on road trips.

There seem to be a few of us larger than the average person. I'm 6'4" and about 242 (started about 275, still on the way down). I've got the partsnmore shocks on my bike, they work better than the blown original shocks I had, but if I ever decide to put a load on my fairlingless bike, I'd consider buying Ikon shocks or the like (Ikons are pretty much Koni shocks, just a different company running the equipment).

[John]

XJ 1100 air shocks

Bob, I swapped out my worn out 80 SG OEM shocks for a set of air shocks from an XJ, and I love what it has done for the ride. I don't know what new shocks would feel like, but I am quite happy with the ride now. I am not a canyon racer, and I don't drag a knee on the pavement when I take a turn, so the XJ set up works well for me. You might want to try some if you can find some.

[sixtysix]

You would definatly need to change the whole front end, the fender, brakes and tube size are different. (special 1mm smaller IIRC) It would change the geomety too, I think special forks are longer but maybe not. My 80 G had air forks (and it was a standard) I got rid of it and went to progressives with 0 psi and was very happy with that set up.