suspension

Hi all, I've seen a lot about the 12 series shocks but I'm on a bit of a budget and am interested in the 14 series. My current setup on the 81 special I just picked up measure 11 1/2 eye to eye. I am going with more of a cafe build so I want to go higher. The 14 series measure 13 inches eye to...

Hi folks-I have got an 84 Special I am rebuilding. I am trying to get the fork seals removed and they appear to be welded to the lower fork tube. I have tried boiling them, soaking them in hexane and pried on them with a rounded screwdriver. (don't worry, I protected the top by putting a "pry...

Is this a big chore? Is it worth the hassle to have the 35mm front end and the adjustable preload?

Hello: Just got a few boxes of parts, found these triples, they do not fit the XS-1 fork tubes that were with them, the holes for the forks are on 7" centres, the top one appears to be alloy and the bottom chrome steel. The bottom one is very thin, the stem is just over 8.5" long. I have no...

Hey everyone I wanted to see if someone can help me out. I found on wiki " Mid-'77 the front forks had a major redesign. Fork tube diameter increased from 34 to 35 mm and internals were changed (although this also holds true for various years of the same tube size).The entire fork assembly...

Pushes hard forward or backward, a lot of resistance, when handles are turned but not hard when straight. Also the whole bike will start to shake if I have the handles turned all the way to the left and try to push/pull. Seems to start in the front. It takes a lot of effort to move the bike on...

How can I go about checking for any kind of bends in the front end? It has an odd lean~ish stance when I'm rolling it I've heard of pulling the fork tubes out and rolling them on a pool table or something of sorts any tips? tricks? :shrug:

Ok I know there a lot of new springs out there I just need to stiffen up the front end a little it saggs (about 2" just setting there and don't return on there own)( it kinda hard to explain) a lot and bottom's out too easy need it to set a little higher in the front . if I get off the bike a...

Hey guys, I have an 03 xs650 custom and looking to make my first bobber. I hate buying things straight off the shelf because I like being different. :banghead: My question is, how much clearance should I allow between the rear fender and tire for suspension travel? I don't want the fender to be...

installing a new ushing (swing arm Bolt tube) Swingarm Pivot Bolt (Shaft) & bushings on my rear end Bushing installed into the swing arm just fine the shaft fits into the bushings just fine Now when install the bolt into the pivot bolt shaft isn't going well. Way to tight a fit into it...

Hey! I need advices on stiffer shocks. My 30 years old one are too soft for my setup even if the sag is ok, but the angle I got make them a little bit too soft on bump and curves. I don't want piggyback and spend 300$ on a progressive setup. Need to keep it in the 12'' to 13'' length. Any...

ok all, I'm having a hard time getting the right roller bearings to make this front end work. I just left my local bearing shop and they told me that there are no bearings that will go down to the size I need. I have a 39mm front end off a 1998 sportster with a 1" stem My bike had...

Hi all I'm trying to choose some shocks with a longer travel of 360mm for my street tracker project but shocks of this length that will fit are designed for heavier bikes . XS650 is 200kg or so and the bikes that have these shocks ( YSS TOPLINE RANGE ) are about 260kg and these are adjustable...

Broke the damper on my project bike trying to get it off and had a few questions before I replaced it. Does someone make a custom piece for this? How important is this and what are my alternatives? any feed back is greatly appreciated.

Not going to win a nobel prize for this, but thought its a cool way to get a low profile mirror when you dont want those long bulky mirrors or when you dont want to cut holes in your grips

Hi all I am trying to fit a GSXR 600 front end the the xs but wondering which bearings I will need as GSXR bearings don't marry with XS bearing races , at £20 a pair I don't want 5 sets of useless bearings so I'm interested if somebody who has done this before can help ? Regards sparky

HI Guys new on this site started a hard tail build that I've got my hands on so have little info on what parts are already there ! Basically Its a 1979 XS650 which came without front brake caliper ,the mounting is on the right fork leg,so I got my hands on a front caliper for a 79 bike great ...

My 77'D has the original fork springs. Mileage is around 6500 total. Front is lowered 1" using Hugh's spacers. I weigh 130#. I feel like the front is weak and kinda saggy compared to the other bikes in the stable. This bike has the standard 77' adjustable preload pieces above the springs...

Bought a 76 xs650 looks to be dropped and possibly stretched but I don't know. Does anyone know the length from sprocket to sprocket I don't know if forks were messed with either so I don't know if I can go off factory wheel base spec. It's a project bike that needs a little bit. Including chain...

Hi guys, just picked a XT500 with a different front end can anybody identify it? The seller didn't know. I need to switch out the tree because forks hit the tank but hoping I can keep the forks and wheel Thank you