The left (as seen from the saddle) fork tube on my '89 does not move smoothly in its slider ("excessive stiction") so I took the fork apart and discovered that the slider had been damaged and repaired with what looks like JB weld or some such epoxy.
The bike came with a set of anti-dive forks in it's spare parts box. They move smoothly and appear to be in good shape. It looks like their tubes are the same diameter as the '89 (according to my Harbor Freight caliper).
My questions are (1) will Randy's "stacks" work in the earlier (anti-dive) sliders and (2) will the '89 axel/wheel/calipers/fender all bolt up to the earlier sliders. ?
A no to either and the question becomes: does anyone here have a left leg to sell?
Thank you, gentlemen.
Question (1) = Yes
Question (2) = NO. Sorry, the calipers will not bolt up due to different bolt hole spacing.
As you already stated, you need a slider from '89+
But, hang onto the early fork tubes, they will interchange with the later sliders.
Thanks Hoolie. Looks like I'm slider poor and tube rich.
well, searching for a slider, the only hit so far is a set at nearly $300 with shipping. Pig in the poke as to bushings and I'd have to add seals, springs and stacks to finish the upgrade.
So, I'm thinkin' "in for a penny in for a pound" and wondering what options there are. I mean, is there anything "modern" that is reasonably swappable (like maybe just change stems)?
Hope springs eternal.
Maybe some kind soul who has swapped out their old (84 - 87) OEM front end for a more contemporary version, and has their old stuff still laying around, can pony it up for a good price to get you back on the road quicker.
Depends how bad you want to ride this season. Run it the way it is (probably take some flack for that comment), or spend a decent amount of your hard-earned coin for what you're really wanting to do.
You might want to consider gathering your needed items as they come up at better prices, and doing the mods/work in the winter months.
$, $, $,...
Quote from: Burns on June 11, 2014, 04:42:21 PM
So, I'm thinkin' "in for a penny in for a pound" and wondering what options there are.
One pound coming up...
YZF750R front end on ebay (rear wheel too in case you're looking for the deep water):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-yamaha-yzf-750r-complete-front-end-brakes-and-wheels-/201106531634?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ed2e22532&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-yamaha-yzf-750r-complete-front-end-brakes-and-wheels-/201106531634?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ed2e22532&vxp=mtr)
Complete instructions:
http://www.fjmods.co.uk/MarcRittner2.htm (http://www.fjmods.co.uk/MarcRittner2.htm)
Not as modern as Randy's stuff, but certainly unique and still pretty much state of the art in fully adjustable USD struts (and you want the chicks... right?)
Frank
Quote from: Flynt on June 11, 2014, 09:45:56 PM
Quote from: Burns on June 11, 2014, 04:42:21 PM
So, I'm thinkin' "in for a penny in for a pound" and wondering what options there are.
USD struts...
Lost it for a minute... USD forks I meant to say.
Frank
If I can find a slider at a not too indecent price I'll go the stacks route.
I put the Ebay item on my watch list, though it is far from a bolt on, I'm considering it.
Thanks
If bidding does not heat up the YZF swap may be cost competitive with the only stock slider that I've found. So I'm seriously considering the swap if I can keep the dollars under control.
Here's the heart of that "if" : The excellent and through write up indicates that the diameter of the steering stem on the YZF is about 0.005" larger than that of its counterpart on the FJ1200.
My question is: can head bearings with the same o.d. as those of the FJ1200 but with the i.d. of the YZF stem be used, thus allowing use of the YZF upper and lower triple trees?
It seems to me this comes down to (1)the availability of such bearings and (2)the length of the YZF stem and (3) the "I should have thought of that" other considerations.
I appreciate your thoughts.
Burnsie, you need to go back & reread the write up on the USD swap. You need a 750 lower, and 1000 upper (or is it 1000 lower, and 750 upper?). The upper need to machined for the larger OD tubes. The FJ stem needs to be welded & then turned down to the the larger OD as well. The there's the rework of the fork internals for a bike that's probably 100 lbs heavier, requiring new springs and RaceTech compression & rebound valves. I think it would be cheaper to buy a full price stanchion and Randy's goodies.
All the above machining jobs are reasons these parts are still on the shelf instead of on my bike ...
How about some pictures of what has been repaired on your forks? You know, there are some resourceful folks here, maybe somebody has a solution!
Ed
Thanks Ed.
Your "bike that's 100 lbs heavier" comment certainly rings a bell.
It might all be moot anyway if bidding takes off, It won't take a lot of price competition to take me out of the running. As of this AM no one has put any money on the table and the starting bid is $300.
I will take a photo of that injured leg.
Just go read the Rittner post dude... I gave you the f'ing link! Here's the rundown:
1. the FJ stem needs to be fattened at the bottom with welded on material, then machined and pressed into the YZF750 lower tree.
2. the upper is best replaced with the LDL riser setup, bolt on with variety of bars you can use. I use FZ1 bars to get the threaded bar ends and the fit to the '92 fairing is perfect.
3. the forks will need a spring change for the FJ's weight and the internals on mine were breathed on by GP suspension to move their adjustments into the relevant range for the FJ.
4. Blue spots and better rotors might be an upgrade, but the 6 piston YZF750 brakes likely just need pads and you're on the road.
This isn't a bad mod and the speedo drive still works. Follow the link to UK site and you'll get the rundown in much more detail.
Frank
Yes, the "100 lbs heavier" changes the equation. Just like my 600 front end, it needs to be reworked for the additional weight. Heavier spring rate required, which forces heavier rebound, compression will be too light. On the 600 front, the OEM damper stack was CRAP anyway, judging by material it was made from. I don't know about the 750 forks yet. But I'd bet it's same-same. Now, $300 for a set of spare parts ...
BTW - if the bidding stays low I will bid on them for backup... This is a steal of a deal unless the forks are f'd.
Frank
I went to see Dan today and he's maybe a candidate for these forks too. I have had and ridden several modern bikes and these YZF750 forks as tuned for my bike are as good as anything I've ridden... they smoke the Duc's forks (also GP Suspension reworked USD).
It's not nearly as complex as the 600 fork mod from what I've read. You should check it out too Ed.
Frank
No further away than the shelf in my garage.
My thoughts also, for me, not you Frank :mocking:
Quote from: Flynt on June 14, 2014, 04:43:24 PM
Just go read the Rittner post dude... I gave you the f'ing link! Here's the rundown:
1. the FJ stem needs to be fattened at the bottom with welded on material, then machined and pressed into the YZF750 lower tree.
2. the upper is best replaced with the LDL riser setup, bolt on with variety of bars you can use. I use FZ1 bars to get the threaded bar ends and the fit to the '92 fairing is perfect.
3. the forks will need a spring change for the FJ's weight and the internals on mine were breathed on by GP suspension to move their adjustments into the relevant range for the FJ.
4. Blue spots and better rotors might be an upgrade, but the 6 piston YZF750 brakes likely just need pads and you're on the road.
This isn't a bad mod and the speedo drive still works. Follow the link to UK site and you'll get the rundown in much more
detail.
Frank
I read that Frank and was struck by the admonition that only an aircraft quality welder would be qualified to make the stem modifications.
I still do not see why a bearing with the proper i.d. would not be the way to go.
The song goes "don't advertise your man" . Looks like this thread has probably injected enough interest in the ebay item to preclude my involvement in the bidding.
BTW, the bearing swap still looks like the way to go to me.
Quote from: Burns on June 14, 2014, 05:58:59 PM
I still do not see why a bearing with the proper i.d. would not be the way to go.
I don't think that's why you build the stem up... the primary reason is to get an interference fit with the lower triple. At that point you just carve out the right diameter to run the stock FJ bearings. Makes life easier to use stock consumables on your mods.
Frank
Quote from: Flynt on June 14, 2014, 04:43:24 PM
the upper is best replaced with the LDL riser setup, bolt on with variety of bars you can use.
Riser setup for the YZF750R... asked to clarify.
Frank
Quote from: Flynt on June 14, 2014, 09:30:42 PM
Quote from: Burns on June 14, 2014, 05:58:59 PM
I still do not see why a bearing with the proper i.d. would not be the way to go.
I don't think that's why you build the stem up... the primary reason is to get an interference fit with the lower triple. At that point you just carve out the right diameter to run the stock FJ bearings. Makes life easier to use stock consumables on your mods.
Frank
Sorry I did not make my observation more understandable.
I'm suggesting that there may be a way to either skip all of the machining or at least the "precision welding" part.
The question turns (no pun intended) on the length of the YZF stem.
If it is too short, the options are (1) the one taken in the thread- i.e. "precision welding" to fit the FJ stem to the YZF lower tree; or (2) turn the YZF stem diameter down to that of the FJ stem diameter. In both cases the stock FJ bearings would be used.
If the length is the same, or close enough, you can use the unmolested YZF tree/stem - no machining at all - by simply changing the bearings so they match up with the stem and the FJ neck. This assumes that the bearings are available of course.
If it is too long, you'd need to cut it down and maybe cut some threads - no "precision" called for beyond basic machine shop competence - then use the bearings described above to match it to the neck.
I do not understand your comment "just carve out the right diameter to run the stock FJ bearings." If I understand you correctly the mod you advocate uses the FJ stem so those tolerances are correct as is.
There are many ways to skin a cat, though the market for cat pelts may be iffy.
You're right... we were talking past each other. The YZF stem is too short for the FJ head tube, so you fit the FJ stem to the YZF lower. I thought that was made clear in Mark's post, but maybe not.
"Carve Out" = When you do the build for the stem fit, the bearing seat will be impacted and you'll want to make a new shoulder and seat for it.
Frank
That clears it all up. Thanks, Frank.
The General Rule, which I keep rediscovering, is that when I see something obvious that it appears others have overlooked they probably know something that I don't.
Quote from: Burns on June 15, 2014, 03:14:25 PM
they probably know something that I don't...
my experience too... usually "talking past each other" is easily resolved by a phone call. That's a little tougher on a forum, but a reset when you've lost the bubble (submarine speak, sorry) works wonders.
I still recommend the mod (although you should use a '91+ platform to get the stiffer frame).
Frank
I'm having no luck locating a slider. I see no safety issues with the repair so I'm going to put it all back together and ride while I keep a look-out. If y'all come across an 89-90 left (from the saddle) lower leg I'd be much obliged for a heads up.
Still no luck finding a good FJ leg.
There's a Fireblade front end (completed except the wheel) on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301221605681?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301221605681?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
What is the collective wisdom re: that piece of kit for an FJ transplant?
Quote from: Burns on June 28, 2014, 08:04:32 PM
Still no luck finding a good FJ leg.
There's a Fireblade front end (completed except the wheel) on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301221605681?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301221605681?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
What is the collective wisdom re: that piece of kit for an FJ transplant?
Wisdom ???
Anyhow, things you'll need to consider include:
Overall length compared to the FJ forks
Stem length and/or diameter for steering bearings
Brake caliper fitment
You'll need to re-spring and adjust damping as this is from a bike over 100lbs lighter
Speedo
Probably more to consider, but that's all I can think of for now.
Quote from: Burns on June 28, 2014, 08:04:32 PM
Still no luck finding a good FJ leg.
There's a Fireblade front end (completed except the wheel) on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301221605681?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/301221605681?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
What is the collective wisdom re: that piece of kit for an FJ transplant?
Spend $175 on a project that ***may*** work? How about $250 on a sure thing?
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/5h4AAMXQtUxTdj~S/$_57.JPG)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-89-90-FJ-1200-FJ1200-FRONT-FORKS-FORK-ASSEMBLY-SUSPENSION-TRIPLE-TREE-OEM-/231233779294?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d69b765e&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-89-90-FJ-1200-FJ1200-FRONT-FORKS-FORK-ASSEMBLY-SUSPENSION-TRIPLE-TREE-OEM-/231233779294?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d69b765e&vxp=mtr)
Quote from: Burns on June 28, 2014, 08:04:32 PM
Still no luck finding a good FJ leg.
Maybe one of these boneyards has one, or can find you one. http://motorcycleviews.com/maintain/boneyards.htm (http://motorcycleviews.com/maintain/boneyards.htm) Not all have websites, so you may have to ring them up.
Patience is the key. You'll find one for a good price.
Quote from: FJ1100mjk on June 29, 2014, 04:04:26 AM
Quote from: Burns on June 28, 2014, 08:04:32 PM
Still no luck finding a good FJ leg.
Maybe one of these boneyards has one, or can find you one. http://motorcycleviews.com/maintain/boneyards.htm (http://motorcycleviews.com/maintain/boneyards.htm) Not all have websites, so you may have to ring them up.
Patience is the key. You'll find one for a good price.
yeah, that's the ticket. Wonder why it didn't turn up with my "FJ1200 Forks" search.
opps.. The "that's the ticket" reply was meant for the Ebay hit.
But thanks for the boneyard link too.
Mike also had a set he was trying to sell. I see the Craigslist ads have expired, so I don't know if he still has them.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11748.msg117887#msg117887 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11748.msg117887#msg117887)
Randy - RPM
Quote from: racerrad8 on June 29, 2014, 11:51:52 AM
Mike also had a set he was trying to sell. I see the Craigslist ads have expired, so I don't know if he still has them.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11748.msg117887#msg117887 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11748.msg117887#msg117887)
Randy - RPM
thanks Randy. I PM'ed him. I'd much rather buy from a FJmember than a boneyard or an Estranger.
mb
Just missed 'em. Sold and shipped.
Beware of that set on eBay. In the first picture the closer fork appears to be significantly longer than the other.
If you're considering them ask if that fork has had the damper rod allen screw removed.
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on June 30, 2014, 03:45:04 PM
Beware of that set on eBay. In the first picture the closer fork appears to be significantly longer than the other.
If you're considering them ask if that fork has had the damper rod allen screw removed.
You know I had looked at that set earlier and thought they looked rough. I'm thinkin' the bushings are pretty iffy.
When I got the heads-up here I thought they were a set I had not seen.
You know what Harry Nielson said "you see what you want to see.."
Quote from: Burns on July 01, 2014, 05:44:18 PM
You know I had looked at that set earlier and thought they looked rough.
But you only need the lower slider...
Randy - RPM
Burns,
I don't think anything is necessarily wrong. It just looks like they started to disassembly the one fork then stopped.
If I was looking to do the conversion and the price was right and I could get confirmation that the forks are not messed up, I'd do the deal.
If you don't do it, I may try for a backup set....
Quote from: racerrad8 on July 01, 2014, 05:57:07 PM
Quote from: Burns on July 01, 2014, 05:44:18 PM
You know I had looked at that set earlier and thought they looked rough.
But you only need the lower slider...
Randy - RPM
From your experience do these sliders hold their tolerances? These items look abused to me. If they have been run dry are they likely to be sloppy?
I am not affiliated with this but here is a 1990. Buy for the front end and sell the motor for a few hundred ?
http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/mcy/4539546169.html (http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/mcy/4539546169.html)
George
Quote from: movenon on July 01, 2014, 11:27:48 PM
I am not affiliated with this but here is a 1990. Buy for the front end and sell the motor for a few hundred ?
http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/mcy/4539546169.html (http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/mcy/4539546169.html)
George
oh HELL YES!!!
Sell the motor? Are you kidding?
I love having one mill in the frame and one on the bench.
I'm on the other side of the mountains from this fella. O got da OK from Momma and I just emailed him. I'll be truckin' East in the morning if he is still sellin'.
DAMN!!! Thanks for this heads-up.
I'm new here but I LUV dis place.
Hey Burns,
If you wind up parting that thing out, I'm in need of a speedometer unit that doesn't howl.
Hooligan, did you see Tim's write up on his GPS speedo?
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.105 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.105)
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on July 02, 2014, 03:54:07 PM
Hey Burns,
If you wind up parting that thing out, I'm in need of a speedometer unit that doesn't howl.
My old speedo is up for grabs... 14,500 miles showing or thereabout..... $20?
Cheers!
tim
If it doesn't howl then I'll take it!
Although, that GPS unit rocks! Very nice installation.
Well the new girl is on my truck in the drive-way.
I'm really thinking about putting her back on the road. Low miles and the damage isn't all that bad.
I'll do the math.
I'm thinkin' of a Kenny Roberts (Yamaha Bumble-Bee) paint-job. She'd be the mother of all RD350LC's!
But for now she will be giving a leg to her needy sister.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on July 02, 2014, 04:07:24 PM
Hooligan, did you see Tim's write up on his GPS speedo?
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.105 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.105)
For those of you that didn't click on the link in Tim's original post about the speedo, he failed to mention some of the cool features. That little window at the bottom scrolls through odometer, trip meter, elevation, top speed achieved since last reset aaaaaand.... auto start quarter mile times. I fitted one to a vintage car not long back with a face that doesn't really look out of place at all.
I don't think Tim bringing this option to our attention got quite the reaction it deserved, this is a brilliant alternative for a speedo, either to replace a dead one or to simplify a wheel conversion.
Personally, I don't like after market digital dashboards on the FJ, or haven't seen one I like anyway and this looks terrific.
At $240 with all those features and such a close match to the original, I reckon it's good value.
Good onya Tim, neat installation too.
Noel
Yes, as typical, Tim's install is top notch...
However, Noel, it was your fellow countryman, Bozo who first brought the Speedhut GPS speedo mod to our attention last December.
Quote from: Bozo on December 23, 2013, 08:19:08 AM
Pat, this isn't a cheap solution, but I fitted a Speedhut GPS speedo to my FJ (after spending heaps of hours trying to get my standard inaccurate speedos to work correctly). I managed to fit the speedhut into the same area as my previous speedo, took some doing but it works well (no I don't work for speedhut). No speedo cable required.
Quote from: Bozo on December 23, 2013, 05:31:50 PM
The speedo is brilliant, front wheel size doesn't matter, also the Apps for iphones don't update 5 times a second. I am inclined to believe them because even accelerating hard the speedo shows no sign of jumping trying to correct like an iphone. To get a true reading on an APP you have to steady first before reading. Would I buy it again, YES. So far two riders I go out with have fitted these to their KZ900/KZ1000 but they had the Tacho matched and the facias have been tailored.
Pat, I haven't had it drop out yet even around the city, I haven't even noticed it dropping out while going through a tunnel (maybe they have some kind of repeaters??) but maybe I also wasn't paying attention to the speed at the time. I bought the 3.5 inch and because Oz has Kilometers I have 260KPH on mine (you can have any detail you want) plus you can add lettering - "FJ1200" or anything/colour you want. No need to calibrate, it is a GPS with a stepper motor for the dail. (http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag34/Bozo36/Mobile%20Uploads/P1000901_zps8b5bc774.jpg) (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/Bozo36/media/Mobile%20Uploads/P1000901_zps8b5bc774.jpg.html)
The GPS speedometer is a nice option.
Pat, with Tim's permission, can you separate his installation write up and copy it over to the FILES?
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on July 14, 2014, 03:29:57 PM
The GPS speedometer is a nice option.
Pat, with Tim's permission, can you separate his installation write up and copy it over to the FILES?
Done...good suggestion! Thank you....
Tim wants to send you his mech speedo, do you still want it? If not, I'll take it.....but you have first dibbs.