XS650 Progressive Shocks? Hmmm

Yamaha77 · Aug 21, 2016

I have mint 1977 Yamaha XS seen below. I was out riding today and I think its time for the forks/front shocks to be redone. Any suggestions?

Links to my bike:

1. https://www.instagram.com/p/BJYqpO6hFu_/?taken-by=j.j.wilde

2. https://www.instagram.com/p/BI1A9AahzTw/?taken-by=j.j.wilde

3. https://www.instagram.com/p/BJYq1OcB06u/?taken-by=j.j.wilde

650Skull · Aug 21, 2016

Post the pics on here. I refuse to let Fecesbook and it's affiliates snoop on my computer.

That been said do a search for..............EDIT: After reading all Yamaha77 posts, up to #21, often condescending, there is no interaction, I won't be posting in your threads again. :umm:

...................Go to the advanced search, (click on "More" in the drop box), and type those headings in the search , then click on titles only, then enter.

All the information needed unless you decide to swap a different set of forks from another Make.

Royboy · Aug 21, 2016

What Skull said.

roy

Yamaha77 · Aug 22, 2016

650Skull said:
Post the pics on here. I refuse to let Fecesbook and it's affiliates snoop on my computer.

That been said do a search for "Front fork upgrades" or "Minton mods" Go to the advanced search, (click on "More" in the drop box), and type those headings in the search , then ckick on titles only, then enter.

All the information needed unless you decide to swap a different set of forks from another Make.

Thanks for your advice but ive been steered in the right direction by an offline convo. Had a talk with one of my grandfather's biker friends (hes very old and retired has had bikes ll his life and long before I was born) last night who is a bike genius. He advised me what to get and how to go about it.
"

have a great day.

650Skull · Aug 22, 2016

No problem......................So easy to drag and drop from a folder..................Quicker and don't have my personal rights trampled on.

Good luck on the front forks, tell us what your granfathers friend advises. Maybe something different than what is known on here...... give a little back also finishes the thread

Yamaha77 · Aug 22, 2016

he suggested these: https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-11-1126-Fork-Spring/dp/B000GTU5E6

weekendrider · Aug 22, 2016

Did he mention how to address the fact those are almost an inch short?
The free spring length you have as stock is 482 mm.

Yamaha77 · Aug 22, 2016

650Skull said:
No problem......................So easy to drag and drop from a folder..................Quicker and don't have my personal rights trampled on.

Good luck on the front forks, tell us what your granfathers friend advises. Maybe something different than what is known on here...... give a little back also finishes the thread

I uploaded the pics for you.

Yamaha77 · Aug 22, 2016

weekendrider said:
Did he mention how to address the fact those are almost an inch short?
The free spring length you have as stock is 482 mm.

He told me that offhand as a brand name. Im going to have further talks with him during the week.

Yamaha77 · Aug 22, 2016

weekendrider said:
Did he mention how to address the fact those are almost an inch short?
The free spring length you have as stock is 482 mm.

decided on these from MikeXS http://www.mikesxs.net/parts/yamaha...oem-2f0-23141-00-2f0-23141-10-3j2-23141-00-00

650Skull · Aug 22, 2016

Did your Grandads biker friends advise you to go with MikesXS springs

Sci85 · Aug 22, 2016

I suggest you do some more research on the forum before spending any hard earned money...That said, you usually get what you pay for, especially when it comes to shocks. There are a lot of cheap options out there that are just junk. I've never been a fan of progressive springs. Race tech offers a spring rate calculator you can use to determine the proper spring rate for your weight and riding style. That's how you should buy springs. And the Race Tech emulators make a huge difference in overall fork performance.

Yamaha77 · Aug 22, 2016

Sci85 said:
I suggest you do some more research on the forum before spending any hard earned money...That said, you usually get what you pay for, especially when it comes to shocks. There are a lot of cheap options out there that are just junk. I've never been a fan of progressive springs. Race tech offers a spring rate calculator you can use to determine the proper spring rate for your weight and riding style. That's how you should buy springs. And the Race Tech emulators make a huge difference in overall fork performance.

This is very useful information and I thank you for it! We can always stand to learn something new, and I found what you said very helpful

lakeview · Aug 22, 2016

Here is an hour's work that may make some difference. Unscrew the drain plug on bottom of the forks, drain whatever goop is left in there, flush with some light oil, drain, put the recommended amount of fork oil (I think 7 oz of 10 weight, check that) button them up and test ride, assuming that your seals are good. your suspension may only need some maintenance. Someone may have put later style 3 way adjuster tops on your forks, if so, free the adjuster up so it can be used. These machines are more for a stately progression rather than knee down thrashing.
That machine looks like someone has loved it before you, check it out thoroughly to see what improvements previous owners have done.

hooser · Aug 23, 2016

lakeview said:
Here is an hour's work that may make some difference. Unscrew the drain plug on bottom of the forks, drain whatever goop is left in there, flush with some light oil, drain, put the recommended amount of fork oil (I think 7 oz of 10 weight, check that) button them up and test ride, assuming that your seals are good. your suspension may only need some maintenance. Someone may have put later style 3 way adjuster tops on your forks, if so, free the adjuster up so it can be used. These machines are more for a stately progression rather than knee down thrashing.
That machine looks like someone has loved it before you, check it out thoroughly to see what improvements previous owners have done.

Here is the Progressive Spring web site,,,http://www.progressivesuspension.com/ I use PART# 771352 Springs and PART#771283 Shocks. And 11-1119 front fork springs. On the Front forks I also ad a 1" pre-load. Gary

nhsteve · Aug 23, 2016

Sci85 said:
I suggest you do some more research on the forum before spending any hard earned money...That said, you usually get what you pay for, especially when it comes to shocks. There are a lot of cheap options out there that are just junk. I've never been a fan of progressive springs. Race tech offers a spring rate calculator you can use to determine the proper spring rate for your weight and riding style. That's how you should buy springs. And the Race Tech emulators make a huge difference in overall fork performance.

This is just so accurate in my opinion. For a rebuild on a '74 I bought fork springs and a set of "shocks" (their term) from Mikes'XS, and honestly I think I will be putting them on craig's list shortly. Not impressed with them at all after not many miles. I have a '77 also, and put a set of Progressive Suspension shocks (only) on that one, and changed the fork oil. Much better.
Attended a RaceTech session at Barber last year. They know their stuff, are willing to help, and sell solid bits. Expensive, but I am soooo thinking about it.

650performance · Aug 25, 2016

Talk with Michael Morse at 650 Central. He's successfully set these bikes up to handle properly for both street and road racing and can tell you exactly what works and what doesn't. 650central.com is the url.

scott s · Aug 25, 2016

And you still have the rear shocks to consider. The front will be way stiff compared to the stock rear shocks.

angus67 · Aug 25, 2016

My bike was very mushy. Drained and flushed oil, 8 oz of 15wt. Rides nice. Maintenance is cheap. You just might think its good enuf.

650Skull · Aug 25, 2016

hes made his decision....................MikesXS

XS650 Progressive Shocks? Hmmm

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