Airfork ???

[madmax-im]

I Know that airforks off an 81 Venturer will fit onto a 79F but will airforks off an 82 XJ fit onto the 79F

[bikerphil]

Ben, no they won't without some extensive modification. I don't know why you are looking to convert to air assist, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Your forks could be converted to air assist by changing the caps.

[motoman]

Hi Ben,
As a many decade Venturer owner, the last five yrs. I use absolutely no air in its front forks, loaded down or empty. Since from factory, having progressive springs already I opted for 15w fork oil to compensate for dampening orfices enlargement from friction over the decades. Has made for a nice ride if having to spend a few hours at a time in the saddle.

[madmax-im]

Thanks guys..looks like I should go the way Marty has been advocating for years...Traxxion Dynamics and Gold emulators...I already have progressive springs with 15w oil ...still dont like how the front end dives under braking...

[bikerphil]

If you want to take the cheapo route, cut a couple of spacers out of 3/4" PVC pipe an inch long and add them on top of the springs. That should lessen the diving considerably and will cost next to nothing. The fork oil level can also be raised to limit diving. Bring it over to my place and I'll do it for you no charge.

[donebysunday]

Marty has expressed that you can waste lots of money to find the right combo. He did say best results for $ was to send your forks to the company for the best upgrade. This would be for someone with limitless funds as the cost will still be great, more than $500, less than $1000.
RIDE IT LIKE YOU JUST STOLE IT !!!!!

[MPittma100]

Traxxion Dynamics

You can take/send your forks to Traxxion Dynamics. You will get custom springs from them as well as revalving of the forks. They sometimes use 2 different weight oils - one in each fork. You will no longer use the fork air pressure feature - if so equipped.

Their fork reprogramming works wonders for the XS11's handling and steering. They do lots of bikes - HD, Gold Wings, Triumph, etc. All factory bikes (new and old) have a "generic" suspension setup. TD will remove "generic" from your ride. You will be very impressed with their suspension program specific to your bike. You will also have to get in line to have this done, but not too long.

The many racing bikes that use the TD suspension packages win a lot of races. You will get your money's worth - Nough said.

[crazy steve]

If you want to take the cheapo route, cut a couple of spacers out of 3/4" PVC pipe an inch long and add them on top of the springs. That should lessen the diving considerably and will cost next to nothing. The fork oil level can also be raised to limit diving. Bring it over to my place and I'll do it for you no charge.

This works better than you might think. I'd try this before spending big $$$ for a possible minimal improvement over this....

[madmax-im]

If you want to take the cheapo route, cut a couple of spacers out of 3/4" PVC pipe an inch long and add them on top of the springs. That should lessen the diving considerably and will cost next to nothing. The fork oil level can also be raised to limit diving. Bring it over to my place and I'll do it for you no charge.

Ha ha Thanks Phil...I'll be down next week...

[MPittma100]

Limitless Funds

Marty has expressed that you can waste lots of money to find the right combo. He did say best results for $ was to send your forks to the company for the best upgrade. This would be for someone with limitless funds as the cost will still be great, more than $500, less than $1000.RIDE IT LIKE YOU JUST STOLE IT !!!!!

Simply add that to the price of the bike when you sell it. Get your enjoyment out of it in the mean time.

[jetmechmarty]

Ben,

Put oil in the forks until the level is 130 mm from the top with the springs out. If it still dives too much, add more fluid. Not less than 110 mm air space is recommended. That gives you a 20 mm tuning range. It won't fix it, but it will make it better. Remember, your springs are dual range, one size fits all. The soft portion of the spring is going to collapse very quickly.

If you can afford it, the Traxxion Dynamics solution is worthwhile. If you do it yourself, I can help you avoid the errors that I made. The progressive wound spring won't play well with emulators. I have a friend who did that with an XS650 cafe racer. The performance was less than stellar.

[bikerphil]

Ha ha Thanks Phil...I'll be down next week...

Ben, maybe you could get Mark to help you, he's a bit closer.

[madmax-im]

Ben, maybe you could get Mark to help you, he's a bit closer.

Joking Phil...
I was just over there today working on the XJ rear shocks...I will certainly get some 3/4" PVC and put it in there...Thanks

[madmax-im]

Marty I totally get it...I'm no longer convinced airforks will serve my purpose...for the interim adding more fork oil and some PVC will be the way to go...