Shocks & bushings

[dntemp_ca]

Hey, thanks, Marty! They don't look too expensive either! I'll have to see if I can measure mine up. Not sure if the age and distortion will skew my measurements though. Has anyone got the stock measurements...maybe from an offical Yamaha shop manual?

Shack, sorry I can't offer any help on the psi for your special front end. I'm sure other XSives out there have advice. Anybody?

[MartyA]

Shack, I have no experience with air / oil shocks. My 78E has just oil. I put 15 wt in 4 years ago and I have only a little dive. It also stiffened the front, very sure footed. I have scraped the pegs and center stand on some vigorous curves, but I normally don't ride that hard. Totally in control.

However, in the Clymers, it has a chart for front psi as it relates to the rear adjustable damper. On some there is a little wheel on the top of the shocks, the damper, 4 position I think. The chart looks like this: (hope this comes out)

Load Fork pressure Damping Adj.
Rider 5.7 - 14 psi damper at 1
Rider plus passenger 5.7 - 14 damper at 2
Rider, pass, luggage 14 - 21 damper at 3
Maximum load 21 damper at 4

Along with this is settings for the lower shock spring, it says A - E (low to high) for the first two, C - E for the luggage, and E for max weight. I think this is just to keep the bike level.

[TopCatGr58]

Front Forks PSI

According to my 81SH manual, front forks pressure should not exceed 36 PSI. The higher weight oil will help to slow down the dive action, will stiffen the front end, but may also let you feel the bumps more in your handlebars. BTW, that's a special fork oil, not just any motor oil, kinda expensive as well!

[MartyA]

Yeah, I see that 36psi. It also states that the difference between should not exceed 1.4psi.

When I got the bike in 94, the seals were leaking a little, and on a visit to the dealer the following year he suggested I replace them as it would not pass inspection the next year. While I was there I mentioned how much the front dives on braking. He was the one who suggested 15 weight, instead of the 10. He said some of his Harley customers go as high as 20, but he thought that would be too stiff in the XS.

I don't recall the price, but I don't think it was different than the regular 10 wt. $3 or $4 maybe? Anyway, that is 16 oz, the forks take 7.17oz (SF 7.61) so the bottle is good for both sides. Still not leaking.

I was also told to never put ATF in, a common prictice years ago, but I know a guy who did, 4 years no leaks yet. I won't try it, though.

[Robert Haller]

Re: Air Pressure?

Originally posted by Shack
XS xperts,
I have a 79 xs special with a windshield not a fairing..how much air pressure should i keep in the forks? The bike sure dips when I brake, it has about 7psi now..

Articles I've seen regarding handling set up on our bikes generally suggest 13-15 psi.

[johnstewart]

I've read some articles recommending a fork brace and new front springs to improve handling "issues".

I've also seen people say they don't bother with oil/air(?) in the front once they get new progressive springs.

I've installed a tkat brace, but the bike (79 XS11 Special) is still a little wobbly at times, so I'm thinking the front springs may be due for a replacement.

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend specifically what I need to buy? I see springs in Dennis Kirk, but have no clue what I need to get.

thanks!

[Shack]

Robert,
THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE i WILL GIVE IT A TRY..
sHACK

[skids]

You will break the adjuster slots if you try to unscrew the caps that way!

Originally posted by strom
it unscrews the top caps, but I don't know if that's the function of that particular screw, since my bike is half rusted - half neglected and half... weird (a bike and a half, the XS)

LP

[Robert Haller]

Originally posted by johnstewart

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend specifically what I need to buy? I see springs in Dennis Kirk, but have no clue what I need to get.

Progressive fork springs #11-1110
Dennis Kirk part #58-963

[strom]

Is it safe to assume that my front fork seals are leaking, if there's a pool of oil under the fork?

The other one seems fine... looks like all the oil alredy dripped out

Are the fork seals standard (I don't mean the dust ones) sizes or some special stuff?

LP