Xr/xL compatible?

[Fivefive1]

I have a 87 xl600 that I love to death, but I could use better (and taller) suspention. My question is can I use the linkage and shock off an Xr model on my xl 600? I've looked at pictures and the Xr looks to sit a bit higher in the rear. And suggestions would he greatly appreciated!

[Horri]

 

Yes you can put an XR600 shock on the rear of an XL600. It must be an earlier model XR shock with the canister on

the line. You can't use a more modern shock from an XR600 as the canister is fitted to the shock body and will interfere

with the air box intakes..Above's my old 86 XL600 with XR fronts and an XR rear. If you put the XR fronts on all you do is

change the triple tree out of the XL and insert the XR one, mount the forks and wheel then figure out how you are going to mount the lights,,speedo etc. They will not mount to the XR forks as there's no mounts so you need to make some brackets up. The XR rear will go on with a bit of grinding of the top of the shocks mount and a few spacers in the bottom mount..It'll be tight but the shock will go in there with effort and a bit of DIY knowhow...

Edited March 10, 2014 by Horri

[Fivefive1]

Thank you horri, now do I need the linkage off an Xr? Or will just a shock raise the bike up?

Yes you can put an XR600 shock on the rear of an XL600. It must be an earlier model XR shock with the canister on

the line. and a bit of DIY knowhow...

[Fivefive1]

[Horri]

I didn't change the bottom linkage when I did mine..Might be an idea to do it but I wouldn't know for sure.

 

It'll be difficult getting the XR shock in..The bike will need to be well off the ground at the rear end..It's a bit of

frigging around but it's not that difficult..DIY ability and the use of a grinder and possibly a pinch bar will be needed.

Any issues give us a yell and I'll try guiding you through any difficulties..There will be a couple but if your

brains half average you should be ok..

 

Good looking XL..Looks like a proper dirt machine..It'll end up pretty high with the XR front and rear.

Didn't worry me as I'm 6,4 with spider legs..The stand will need lengthining ,,Bike will lean over to far

with the XL one..Hack it and weld a section of pipe in or try an XR one,,Not sure it'll fit,,can't recall what I

did there,,hacked or used the XR one ,,one or the other..Bikes since sold so no reference to look at..

Edited March 10, 2014 by Horri

[Fivefive1]

I started this thread before I did my proper research. Silly me thought I'd be the first to put Xr parts on an xl. Oh well in guess this thread is gunna fade away. Thanks for the input though!

[Fivefive1]

So I have done a ton of research on this topic and I have reached a verdict I'm happy with. 80's model Xr swing arms are not comparable with the xl's. Unless you really got into swapping hubs to makes the Cush xl hub fit the Xr swing ( which is narrower)

So what I have done tonight is ground away at the xl swing arm and the main wish bone so that the swing arm can extend about and inch and a half lower. Therefore raising the back end. I will replace the xl shock with a resivor style Xr shock and create a bracket for the top shock mount that is bolt on. So there won't be any permanent changes just bolt on. In theory this will work. I'll post pictures soon.

[Horri]

Hmmm..I thought you just wanted to put on an XR shock..Not sure what all the grindings about..As I said an XR shock with the

canister on the line will fit into the XL,,What grinding you're doing sounds a bit odd..All you needed to do was grind the top of the

XR shock a bit so it fits into the XL mount..bottom needed a couple of spacers..Still I guess you know what you are doing..hope it

works out.

[Fivefive1]

I came across an 1983 xr600 yesterday, got it home and it measured the same length as my xl shock. The only difference is the top mount is about a quarter of an inch narrower. So it will work, my lowering plates will need to be adjusted accordingly.

As for the grinding, I ended up doing that because of the clearance issue with the linkage hitting the swing arm when I lowered it. The back of the main linkage arm bumped into the swing arm so I took a little bit off both and got all the lowering I needed. I will post pictures this evening.

[Horri]

 

The same length,,Shouldn't be the same. Above's a picture of some shocks..Second from rights an XL600 1st right is an XR600.

Looks to be about an inch difference there to me..My mounting instructions must be a bit off..Memory eludes me..

Be interested to see your pictures. I know my XL600 went up at least an inch or more with the XR600 shock attached..

You could achieve the same results by using a stock XL shock and welding a new mount for it up to the original top frame mount,,instant inch..

I actually made a bracket up for that purpose using some heavy gauge steel with bolts for attachment and initially used that setup to start with

but as it wasn't welded it wasn't solid so I got an XR600 shock and did it semi properly.

Edited March 14, 2014 by Horri

[joeskiguy]

 

The same length,,Shouldn't be the same. Above's a picture of some shocks..Second from rights an XL600 1st right is an XR600.

Looks to be about an inch difference there to me..My mounting instructions must be a bit off..Memory eludes me..

Be interested to see your pictures. I know my XL600 went up at least an inch or more with the XR600 shock attached..

You could achieve the same results by using a stock XL shock and welding a new mount for it up to the original top frame mount,,instant inch..

I actually made a bracket up for that purpose using some heavy gauge steel with bolts for attachment and initially used that setup to start with

but as it wasn't welded it wasn't solid so I got an XR600 shock and did it semi properly.

 

 

Horri- (or anyone else)

Can you tell me if the xr rear shock will soften the ride on the xl? I am about 240lbs (109kg) and the xl rear shock is tooth jarring on the sharp bumps. I have tried to back off on the preload, to no avail. I think the damping is not adjustable, correct me if wrong, and is just set for the possibility of having two passengers. 

Also, would there be a way to keep it from rising an inch with the xr rear shock or will it not be too much rise with no rise in front, or should I be sure to swap front end if I swap rear shock, to keep it level? 

Are there any other options to keep front end and just soften the rear some? 

[davek18]

The XR shock will likely be even harsher if just bolted on with the stock spring.  The harshness you are feeling is the shock running in the harsh dampening near the end of it's travel due to lower ride height from too soft of spring.  I put an XR shock on my XL and it is longer by about 1/2 inch or so but the spring is even softer yet.  The stock springs are in the 9 kg range which is suited to about a 150 lb rider.  It may sound strange but to get a softer ride you need a stronger spring which will put you in the softer dampening.

 

I put a 11.5 kg spring on mine (200 lb rider) and the difference was amazing.  Much softer and better in every way.  Front springs are similarly weak too.  Put on the XR stuff with springs for your weight and you will be much happier.

 

That picture shown is one of mine, the 3rd shock from the left is XR500, which will fit too.  The next 2 will not fit at all.  XR650L, and CR125.

[joeskiguy]

Good info, thanks. So maybe I should try to crank the preload adjustment more towards as compressed on the spring as the nut can go, eh? I was thinking that lightening up on the preload would soften it, but I don't have much suspension experience. What you're telling me makes sense, and I kind of thought it might gaffe even seemed like it was more harsh after lightening the preload

[davek18]

Changing your preload is not changing the spring rate, though it may help the ride somewhat.   The only way to make a spring stiffer is to cut it, but then you will likely have coil bind after spacing it to fit. 

 

I tried everything else on my bike suspension wise before replacing the springs and discovering then that it was the first thing I should have done.

 

It is getting harder to find springs for these old bikes.  I doubt the XL stuff is available anymore at all, XR stuff may still be out there somewhere.  Another good reason to swap if you have the parts.

[joeskiguy]

So what effect is changing the preload supposed to have?

[ScottRNelson]

So what effect is changing the preload supposed to have?

It changes the "sag" of the rear.  Sag is how far the suspension compresses when you're on the bike.  On most motorcycles, it should be at 1/3 of the suspension travel.  It makes it so that you can use more of your suspension overall.

[davek18]

Preload only works right when the springs are right too.  In addition to your race sag of 1/3, you will have a static sag (no one on the seat) of about one inch if all else is right.  It all works together magically when the spring rate is right. 

 

Static sag kinda confirms the spring rate is right once you set the race sag with your preload adjusters, if the static is off your springs are too.

[joeskiguy]

All good info. Thanks for sharing. Any suggestions of where I can find a heavier spring? I'm thinking I want to swap and put an xr rear shock on my xl, but will I have to swap out the front to keep it level?

[Carter Pewterschmidt]

All good info. Thanks for sharing. Any suggestions of where I can find a heavier spring? I'm thinking I want to swap and put an xr rear shock on my xl, but will I have to swap out the front to keep it level?

XR's Only lists a heavier spring their site, might want to check that out.  I had the same problem as you with the ride quality (I'm 225lbs) until I found a stock shock for sale with an upgraded spring on it.  I have no idea what make or rate the spring is, but it's certainly much stiffer than stock and the bike no longer rides bottomed out on the rear.

 

You wont need to change the front end, it will just jack the back up a bit, good for steering on the street, but might be worse in the dirt.

[joeskiguy]

Sounds good. Thanks!