Air seals

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  • rangerguy302
    Truly XSive
    • May 2014
    • 125
    • Billings Montana

    #1

    Air seals

    I did the fork seals last weekend, no oil leak but I used 79special upper tubes and 79standard lowers. The special had air shocks which I wanted but they don't seem to hold air. Soon as I drop it off the stand they go splat. Still no oil leak though.... Did the air shocks take a different fork seals to keep the pressure?
    79 XS11 F
  • motoman
    Master of XSology
    • Aug 2005
    • 8413
    • Grand Junction, Colorado

    #2
    Special and Standard use different diameter uppers and lower, plus Special uses Shoei and Standard uses KYB forks.
    81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

    Comment

    • motoman
      Master of XSology
      • Aug 2005
      • 8413
      • Grand Junction, Colorado

      #3
      Hey Robert, last statement referring to which?......air shocks or fork seals. As far as forks, no, front forks use same seal whether air assited or not. No help associated with the rear air shocks, which were only offered on the XJ models.
      81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

      Comment

      • bikerphil
        Master of XSology
        • Jan 2008
        • 8628
        • South Flori-DUH

        #4
        Maybe the Schrader valve O rings are leaking at the fork caps. The OEM fork seals for the 80-81 Standard are probably the best bet for not leaking, they were designed for air assist.
        2H7 (79) owned since '89
        3H3 owned since '06

        "If it ain't broke, modify it"

        Comment

        • rangerguy302
          Truly XSive
          • May 2014
          • 125
          • Billings Montana

          #5
          I know the uppers were longer, had to use risers for the handlebars but they're 37mm tube right? They were tight and true on the beach and bike so far less the air deal .
          79 XS11 F

          Comment

          • bikerphil
            Master of XSology
            • Jan 2008
            • 8628
            • South Flori-DUH

            #6
            Yes, both are 37MM.
            2H7 (79) owned since '89
            3H3 owned since '06

            "If it ain't broke, modify it"

            Comment

            • rangerguy302
              Truly XSive
              • May 2014
              • 125
              • Billings Montana

              #7
              Ya know bikerphill....that's 1 link I didn't even think about. The o rings looked good, no tears or anything wierd and I reused them. Are they a specific ring or can I substitute a good automotive one to replace it?
              79 XS11 F

              Comment

              • rangerguy302
                Truly XSive
                • May 2014
                • 125
                • Billings Montana

                #8
                Motoman, I put air shocks from a sec 650 turbo in the bike about 3yrs ago. I couldn't be happier with them, they are starting to show there age and the first oil ring has appeared.
                79 XS11 F

                Comment

                • bikerphil
                  Master of XSology
                  • Jan 2008
                  • 8628
                  • South Flori-DUH

                  #9
                  Matching up the O ring(s) with automotive ones would be fine.
                  2H7 (79) owned since '89
                  3H3 owned since '06

                  "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                  Comment

                  • DiverRay
                    Moderator
                    • Nov 2004
                    • 7592
                    • Star, IDAHO

                    #10
                    I did the fork seals last weekend, no oil leak but I used 79special upper tubes and 79standard lowers. The special had air shocks which I wanted but they don't seem to hold air. Soon as I drop it off the stand they go splat. Still no oil leak though.... Did the air shocks take a different fork seals to keep the pressure?
                    IIRC the special needed a spacer for the springs if they are aftermarket OR the standard springs. About 3" of PVC pipe is what was used. But PLEASE check FIRST, don't take the size as correct as it's been too many years since I worked with them. If the fork caps went right on without pushing them down, you have a problem.
                    Ray Matteis
                    KE6NHG
                    XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                    XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

                    Comment

                    • BA80
                      Doctor of XSology
                      • Oct 2010
                      • 9980
                      • Tulsa, Ok

                      #11
                      80 & 81 standards had air forks that are a direct bolt on swap to your F and you don't have to mix and match internals.
                      Greg

                      Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

                      ― Albert Einstein

                      80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

                      The list changes.

                      Comment

                      • rangerguy302
                        Truly XSive
                        • May 2014
                        • 125
                        • Billings Montana

                        #12
                        Driverray, I had to stuff them in about 3in to tighten the caps. Forks are solid as they are just seem squishy to me.
                        79 XS11 F

                        Comment

                        • rangerguy302
                          Truly XSive
                          • May 2014
                          • 125
                          • Billings Montana

                          #13
                          Ba80, I didn't really want to go the route I did. It's what I had on hand, any tips on making the front end stiffer?
                          79 XS11 F

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