Scraping - bottoming out

[bikerphil]

Sounds like you need some new shocks. This type should be pretty much a direct fit and are readily available.....

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30050&highlight=showa+shocks+great

[MPittma100]

Suspension Circa 1980

So, I put some new skins on: Shinko 712's what a difference over those old Dunlop 404's, literally night and day. Now I can push it harder in the corners but I noticed that it bottoms out, there is a scrapping sound, especially in right hand leaners. My rear suspension is set at the second firmest setting and it pogos when I am pushing it (zero rebound dampening). Can these shocks be rebuilt? I am looking for a cost effective solution. Thanks

You have to re-valve/re-spring the front forks and upgrade to a better rear shock and spring to "transform" the ride/steering/handling of these bikes. Once accomplished, there will be no more "scrapping".

No doubt the rear springs on your shocks are all that is likely working if they are OEM. I strongly suspect that the shocks themselves wore out long ago.

Lots of options - just pick a price range.

A vendor worth talking to, if interested, is Traxxion Dynamics at 770-592-3823. Located in Georgia.

[MPittma100]

Rear Shocks

The XS1100 lower right shock bushing inside diameter is smaller than the others. Be aware of this when fitting different brands of shocks as they may have a larger ID. You may have to make a bushing.

If you end up running into this problem, the bushing specs are here:

Length - .855"
OD - .550"
ID - 25/64"

[BA80]

Is it bottoming out the suspension or is the rear tire hitting the top of the fender well?

When I helped RockinD go through his SG he was complaining about the tire rubbing the top of the fender well when he hit bumps. We looked at all the normal stuff, shocks, springs, ect. but with further inspection found that the rear of the frame had been somehow bent down. It's in the scrap pile now.

Maybe a VERY large girlfriend?????

[1887]

It's hitting the center stand. Thanks for the info on the bushing size, that's a big help.

[jetmechmarty]

I fixed mine. It rides way better than most of these old bikes. I'll tell about it if you care, but it involves spending money.

[BA80]

Fixed mine too and the expense was minimal.......

[madmax-im]

I spent a total of $135 for a set of XJ airshocks and the new seals that I replaced as well...new fork oil and bam...It has transformed the ride and cornering characteristics...YMMV

[TopCatGr58]

A correction.

All shocks have rebound dampening (except possible mine, haha).

Hey again,

Okay, I just finished reviewing a few of the REVIEW articles on our bike from Biker Magazine and Cycle World, as well as an article written later about how to improve the suspension shortfalls of the XS11. They do talk about how the REBOUND Damping is way too soft/weak for the heavy bike. I just know that when I had my bike NEW...and got into the throttle after it was broken in, that the rear end would rise up as the rear wheel/driveshaft would perform the jackshaft affect....and this was with brand new shocks! I got used to that action after a short while, but it remained an aspect of it's handling for the next 10 years. The bike then fell on hard times, 2nd/1st gear malady, parked/rotted for 10 years. I then rebuilt it...and put on NEW more modern el cheapo Monza style shocks....and again after a short big bore top end rebuild breakin, I again got into the throttle, and was pleasantly surprised to NOT experience the jackshaft affect whatsoever, and this was with just cheap shocks....but some 20 years later/newer technology!

SO...yes...I guess I was incorrect is stating that the OEM shocks didn't have any rebound dampening...the correct statement should have been that they never had adequate rebound dampening which was/is essentially the same as not having any at all!

If you haven't seen them, you might want to check out the menu bar at the top of the webpage...XS11 Info..and then Articles...and check out the early 78/79 articles.

T.C.

[bikerphil]

The factory XS11 and many other factory shocks have no compression damping. All shocks have rebound damping, somthing has to slow the spring down when recoiling. Good performance shocks will have compression damping and rebound damping. They will handle better sacrificing some comfort for performance.

[1887]

I fixed mine. It rides way better than most of these old bikes. I'll tell about it if you care, but it involves spending money.

Yes, I am interested to hear what you did

[1887]

The factory XS11 and many other factory shocks have no compression damping. All shocks have rebound damping, somthing has to slow the spring down when recoiling. Good performance shocks will have compression damping and rebound damping. They will handle better sacrificing some comfort for performance.

There is compression dampening as well as rebound dampening as the piston travels through the compression and extension cycles. Even though the fluid is 35 years old and pulverized it still provides some dampening characteristics as pathetic as it may be. Sport bikes are blessed with low speed and high speed compression adjustements as well as rebound. I have not seen any replacement shocks for the XS that come close to this (not that I am willing to fork out the pesos).

[bikerphil]

You will be surprised when you remove the spring from one of these factory shocks, you can push the piston down with very minimal/almost no effort, but pull up on it and you have definite resistance of the rebound damping circuit. A performance and even cheaper aftermarket shock will have a decent resistance in both directions. I am not just making this up, I have built many shocks over the years. I like finding S&W street strokers on Ebay and using my own spring setup. Actually the XS spring will work pretty well, it just may need an aditional spacer to give it more preload. Yes, modern bike suspension has come a very long way since our bikes were made.

[Prothec]

id be extremely careful going around corners too fast with the shaft drive. the rear wheel will kick out on you. my footpegs also bottom out when im too low around the corners too givin me a warning lol

When I get aggressive on turns on my XJ, I can push it and get my rear wheel to slip a little, but nothing like sliding sideways across a painted arrow on a wet road

[Prothec]

Part of my daily commute; watch out for these deathtraps in the rain :