what fluid goes in my stock rear shocks?

hey everybody! been a couple of years and i'm trying to get the old beast on the road again...i had most of the bike dismantled so i could clean up the aluminum parts..when i looked at the rear shocks...to my dismay, the fluid was ran out of it, what type of fluid goes into these shocks( air adjustable factory shocks) and how much? any help would be appreciated as i wanna get this XJ on the road again...1983 XJ maxim 1100..thx in advance! ride on

 

I assume they have some type of oil inside them, much like the forks do. If it's leaking out, the seals are shot. Unless they're re-buildable shocks, your up a creek without a paddle if you want to restore them (unless you have some tricks up your sleeve on how to change the seals and re-fill the oil)

 

no..they are not leaking...they were tipped over so the fluid poured out of the valves..i just need to know the proper type of fluid and exactly how much..i have the service and owners manual, but it just gives specs on front forks...thank you for your input though...greatly appreciated..CHEERS!

 

I use the same oil that is in the forks on mine. Since they are empty go ahead and take them apart and clean them, they get lost of crud buildup in there over the years.
Link to XS11.com shock rebuild.
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.ph ... adid=13400

 

thx very much .. pretty much what i was looking for>>great help thx again to the worlds best xj forum!....ride on..cheers!

 

Hey 83 Maxim, I read the article in the link and found it very informative. One thing I did read was that he used a kids dosage syringe. I don't know if you have any TSC stores in your neck of the woods, but they sell animal size syringes dirt cheap, they hold up to 60 ml so that may help with the re-filling bit, they look like this, they're great for bleeding brake and clutch lines too.

 

While on the subject of rear shocks...not intending to jack your thread 83 maxim, does anyone know if the shocks on a MaximX can be re-built?


Cheers, Graham

 

Nope, the only stock rear shocks that are rebuildable are on the XJ1100. All the others are seald and not rebuildable. But the XJ11 shock will fit on most other XJs. I even have a set on my V-Max.

 

DAMN!!!
Thanks mlew, I like the look of the stockers and was hoping a re-build would have made an improvement.

 

Thank you everybody...again this forum is priceless in it's albility to help and inform...now if only if i could find 1 rear footrest and all the hardware to put my rear tire on (got the shaft just not the nuts and cotter pins and other small peices) i could be riding one of the hardiest bikes out there, any help on finding this stuff?..oh yeah, i need a pair of mirrors that are not rusty..stock would be preferred..thx again..i know it won't be long and you all would help me get this bad boy on the road...in newfoundland we don't get a very large window to ride....winter comes quick!

 

PM me a list of what parts you need for the alxe, I should have them in my parts bin. Might even have a rear foot peg, I'll look and see.

 

If you do not have a Tractor Supply store, check a woodworking supply store as they also have universal glue syringes that can be used.