My plans your recommendations

[ratbyk]

XS vrs CBX

I bought the first CBX sold in Canada. Took delivery June 20, 78. At the time I had a couple of friends who had XS11's. In acceleration from a dead stop, in roll on at speed and through the twisties the CBX was just marginally quicker. It did not run away and hide but would ease away non the less.
I also owned an 1980 CBX. The XS11 and 79 CBX was faster. Also owned a 1981 CBX-B with the factory fairing and Pro-Link rear suspension. All three of the previously mentioned bikes could out accelerate the 81 B but in the twisties even though it weighed much more than the other bikes the stability of the Pro-Link suspension Allowed the 81 to move away in the twisties without much drama. In fact in the big sweepers at over 100 mph the 81 was so stable with the good fairing and Pro-Link it was no contest with the 3 earlier bikes.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[Jerry]

Even new the XS/XJ did not have a reputation for good handling. Characteristics can be improved quite a bit. (These mods assume the stock systems are in good operataing condition, including clean calipers, pistons. etc...)

Fork brace
SS brake lines
Better rear shocks
upgrade front springs
Free-floating brake rotors
Drill passages larger in front fork dampeners
Move forks up in tripple-clamp for 'faster' steering

Given the restictions on tire size and brake caliper availability, the XS/XJ will never handle like a modern sports bike unless you do a major rebuild/conversion on the swing arm and front end. Within the framework of a stock bike the above mods will improve handling quite a bit.

[pgg]

I did all the mods on Jerrys list bar the floating discs. Also braced up the frame around the steering head. The handling improves a lot. After trying heaps of triple clamp adjustments, I eventually went back to keeping the clamps and forktops even, as quicker steering made the font end twitchy on acceleration and the bike felt more unstable on bumpy roads.

[ratbyk]

Suspension mods

I also have done everything on Jerrys list except for the floating rotors and the drilling out of the front shocks passages.
I'm not familiar with this mod. Is there a thread somewhere on this drilling out? It would appear to me that if you enlargened these venting holes inside the fork tubes you would soften up the front suspension as the oil could escape faster on an impact with pot holes etc.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[webbcraft2150]

There is always going to be a faster bike, a slower bike and some guy sitting on the curb wishing he had a bike. I rode my first XS11 in 1979 while my Laverda 1000 Jota was in the shop. I was mucho impressed. I have had my full dress 80g for over 11years now. It is still fast, not the fastest. I get more comments on it at rallies than any of my buds riding late model rockets and cruisers. Its old, paid for, runs great. People still fear Godzilla, and he is dead.

[pgg]

I drilled out the damper rod holes an extra 1mm just as an experiment really. No great noticable difference. Thicker or thinner fork oil probably has more effect on damping.

[scalded dog]

I ride with Southern Cruisers Riding Club, and have yet to be beat by any other cruiser, including the Honda 1800.

[Jerry]

An excellent source of suspension information, including drilling of the front dampers, is found in this article:

http://www.xs11.com/stories/handling.shtml

I've not tried drilling the dampers on my XJ, which has factory adjustable dampers built into the fork tube caps.

[buggrin]

H2, CBX, XS

Sold my H2 after complete customizing. Couldn't bear to ride it for fear of scratches. It was so fast from stoplight to stoplight you really had to hang on for dear life. It would kill you fast if you tried to corner at any speed. Can't imagine doing a 6 hour on one. I bought the H2 after the 500 tried to kill me one too many times. Shoulda known better, but loved them tripples.

Bought the 78E with the money. Always felt it wouldn't have a chance against the H2 in an eighth mile, but after that was no contest. H2 was sluggish over 100mph and you were taking your life in your hands at that speed with that microlite chassis. Used to race a CBX with the XS -- don't know what year. They were so near equal it was hard to tell which bike was faster.

[pgg]

Traded my H1 in on a CB750F. The H1 was a rocket but nothing happened till 6000 revs. The triple was silky smooth below 5000. Most unpracticle bike I ever owned. 15 mpg was the best it would do. Shocking handler. Tricked up the 750 to GS1000 performance but hit a horse and demolished it. (the horse and bike) Got a GS1000 but couldn't match XS11's and GSX11's in a drag. Tricked it up but got a few frights. Got a GSX11 but wiped out on diesel. Got the hell out of big road bikes and went back to dirtbikes. Good fun. Got an XS11 a few years ago and tricked up another one a while ago. Ride at a relaxed pace now!

[sksxs1100]

I have a cousin who has a H2 sitting in his garage,,, it has been warmed over to the tune of 10,50's in the 1/4 ... and that was in 1982. It has been sitting since 1984.... now if i can just get him to sell/give it to me.. i will be happy