XJ Air forks Worthwhile?

[WSL91]

I bought a new Virago in 81 and used to adjust the fork air pressure to dial in the ride particularly when I put my Windjammer 2 on and took it back off. Fast forward to 2012 and my new to me XJ has them too. Still looking for my low pressure gauge and tiny pump but 30 years later are the air forks worth while? Do they usually still hold air? Should I just move on and buy progressive springs?
Some of my tools are in storage and my low pressure gear may be there so I'll admit I haven't had a gauge on them yet but the front is mushy and the dampener is already on 4 plus I have a Windjammer5 on the front. I guess the same holds tru for the rear. I sure liked the air adjustable rear mono shock on the Virago, wonder why it was never used elsewhere.
Thanks

[crazy steve]

Air suspension was kind of a 'fad' for a while; while it can work very well, one problem was that you really need a regulated low-pressure air source when adjusting it. Because of the small volume of air in them, it was way too easy with your 'standard' 100+ PSI air source to blow out the seals. It was also an issue with some as you had to fill each fork individually and failing to get them equal could cause strange handling. The XJ at least had a balance tube with a single fill point for both front and back. As long as you pay attention to the pressure and take care when filling, it can offer nearly infinite tuning. If you're a 'ride it and forget it' guy, a swap to 'conventional' springs might be better.

Air suspension has come back to a degree, but now most of the bikes have on-board compressors.

[XJkid]

I just aired my XJ shocks up for the first time since '94. They are holding just fine. I have been hauling it around out of commission that long and have just gotten it back to working order. It took about 1/2 second of 80 psi to get it to 40 psi and then I had to bleed it in very small increments to get it to the 14 psi minimum. The manual says running it with no air can cause damage, and me being only 165 lbs, I put in the min and put the dampers on 1. There are damping adjusters at the top of the forks and at the top of the rear shocks, 1 being the lightest and 4 if you are big and/or riding 2 up.

[WSL91]

Air suspension was kind of a 'fad' for a while; while it can work very well, one problem was that you really need a regulated low-pressure air source when adjusting it. Because of the small volume of air in them, it was way too easy with your 'standard' 100+ PSI air source to blow out the seals. It was also an issue with some as you had to fill each fork individually and failing to get them equal could cause strange handling. The XJ at least had a balance tube with a single fill point for both front and back. As long as you pay attention to the pressure and take care when filling, it can offer nearly infinite tuning. If you're a 'ride it and forget it' guy, a swap to 'conventional' springs might be better.

Air suspension has come back to a degree, but now most of the bikes have on-board compressors.

I've got to find my low pressure gauge and syringe pump. I suppose I knew the answer was to check them, air them up and ride it and see what happens. The rears seem just about perfect as is.

[trbig]

The cheap compact tire pumps that strap to the frame of a bicycle are perfect for the air shocks. As Steve said, it takes very little actual air to inflate them. The amount of air used to check the front shocks with an air gauge, removes about a pound from them. The rear hold a little more and isn't quite as touchy. With a full fairing and me in the 250-260lb range, I like to keep about 17psi in the front shocks and 40 in the rear. This leaves it a bit on the stiff side, but that's the way I like it. YMMV.

It's an opinion, but many prefer the XJ's air shocks as a much better upgrade compared to the progressives. Not everyone will feel this way, of course, but most do. I love the adjustability of them. Mine will lose a couple pounds of air over the course of a riding season, but I don't really consider that a leak.

[XJkid]

TRbig, what do you set your dampers at?

[trbig]

Nuthin' but 4 all the way.. lol.

At the settings noted, and tire pressures approaching max safe inflation (38-40 psi) it may be a bit stiff for riding around town on bumpy roads and potholes, (Or carrying eggs home from the store) but on the highway and in the corners, this lets the XJ hook up very nicely. That being said, I've always prefered more of the sportscar stiffer suspension that gives you feedback from the road on things versus the Cadilac smooth float down the road, so it may not fit your preferences.

[jetmechmarty]

Suspension Setup 101

This article may be helpful to anyone trying to properly set up their suspension. I used the technique discussed in the linked article.

MOTORCYCLIST ONLINE

Whatever suspension you are using, your ride will be improved by getting the sag set properly. I suppose setting laden sag with air pressure is OK. Otherwise, on the XS1100 it is done by adjusting preload on the rear shocks and spacers in the front. In my case, getting it right meant replacing all of the springs.

I'm not a fan of progressive springs, but I have them on my rear shocks and they set up the same way. I have my laden sag set at 35 mm and nothing drags in the corners anymore. I chose straight rate springs for the front and added emulators, but that's another story.

[trbig]

I have my laden sag set at 35 mm and nothing drags in the corners anymore.

You aren't leaning far enough then..

[jetmechmarty]

You aren't leaning far enough then..

You're probably right! I do have every opportunity here in "Motorcycle Disneyland". That being said, I don't think I can make the XS11 much better without major alterations and/or $$$$. For me, the bike looks stock, and goes like stink!

[WSL91]

FWIW I dug out an air guage and the ole 82 is still holding air the forks and shocks. I bought a cheap tire pump at Walmart and pumped the forks to around 17 and screwed the cap on and its better! I would have never guessed this old beast would still hold air. My original post was really about learning if the majority of these old bikes still held air or if 30 years later its was just easier to move on.

I installed progressives and upgraded fork oil in a Shadow 1100 as they were way to spongy from the factory. My 1800 is almost too stiff out of the factory but it does better fully loaded. Gonna ride the XJ for a while and evaluate before doing anything major. Fork oil change is quite likely though.

[cywelchjr]

My XS11 Holds air in it's air forks (don't know if the forks I have on it have the original seals or not) and don't leak, and the XJ shocks I have on the rear hold air as well (the caps won't come off my original forks so I bought a set off ebay and since the don't leak and they hold air I just changed the oil in them and installed them)

[Jerry]

When I went to progressive springs I quit using air in my XJ forks. Keep in mind the only thing air pressure does is to determine how much force it will take to move (compress) the forks. Air does not affect damping or rebound. More air yields a 'stiffer' front end, a bit harsher going over small irregularities, but less dive in braking. Same adjustment can be done by putting PCV spacers on the top of the springs, albeit not as eaily done!

I use a pump made by Fox Shocks, originally came with a set of snowmobile shocks. Works really well with the rear units, probably would work as well for the forks.

I use air to adjust the rear air shocks, more when I am pulling my trailer, less riding solo, but have been satisfied going no air in the front forks. YMMV.

[WSL91]

When I went to progressive springs I quit using air in my XJ forks. Keep in mind the only thing air pressure does is to determine how much force it will take to move (compress) the forks. Air does not affect damping or rebound. More air yields a 'stiffer' front end, a bit harsher going over small irregularities, but less dive in braking. Same adjustment can be done by putting PCV spacers on the top of the springs, albeit not as eaily done!

I agree, I have them pumped up but they dive too much for me. I really like progressives and will be changing them out later this year after I get through the "must haves" like brake repairs. I'm going to change the fork oil to 20wt and see how that changes it. it should be changed anyway at 30 years old. The Honda Shadow guys upgrade to 15 or 20wt as the Shadow forks are pretty spongy too.