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General Category => Modifications => Topic started by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 06:44:16 AM

Title: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 06:44:16 AM
my 86 is going to get the wheel/brake mod this winter
i want to put a 3.5" front on and was told the 87/88 fzr750/1000 front wheel bolts right up
problem is, those things are hard to find(found a nice one in Italy for $450, cant do it)
looking for other suggestions for the front 3.5
thanks!
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Dads_FJ on December 26, 2014, 07:44:13 AM
I would imagine there's some FZR forums out there, and just as FJs come up here being parted out that would be the case there too.  Could also try a search within eBay and get e-mails with new listings.  My son had an '88 FZR1000 (glad he sold it!), I actually thought about switching front rims before he let it go.  You might find one cheap enough on Craigslist, buy it and part it out?

Wait, has your '86 been converted to a 17" front yet?  I don't believe the FZR wheel will work with the '86 forks. 
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 08:19:38 AM
thanks John,
i have some 92 forks that will be used for the conversion
i am a member at 2 fzrforums, its been a couple of weeks now and not one reply on either forum
hell, i have a set of fzr600 wheels in the crawlspace for no help :dash2:
i fear that it is only 2 years of production for the wheel and there is few left available, maybe too many front impact accidents with the bikes leaves an excess of rear wheels and a shortage of fronts:dunno:
i will try the breaker in denver to see if he has any blown up doners
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Firehawk068 on December 26, 2014, 10:15:50 AM
Just be patient, and keep checking e-bay and craigslist..........................
I think I looked around for a few months before I found one for a decent price......................

You could also try the motorcycle boneyards...................There are plenty around.

Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 10:49:18 AM
I did mine with an '89 FZR wheel, and just drilled out the forks for the 17mm axle.
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: movenon on December 26, 2014, 10:56:37 AM
Alan is right. Be patient, they do come along.  In the mean time I would advise you to run the newer forks perhaps with a stock 17" FJ rim.  Stock FJ 17 " rims are common and real cheap if you dig around a little.  

From my experience spend some time and effort on the forks you will probably get more bang for the buck.  IMO unless you are a aggressive rider you will not notice much difference in the tire size increase with the FZR wheel.   But setting up a set of forks and upgrading to emulators you will notice a big difference.   Another nice thing to look at is upgrading the front brakes to "Blue dots" with good pads. Those kind of mods you will be able to feel the difference right away.

Just thoughts and opinions. It took me a year or so to locate a good FZR wheel.  Took me 3 years to locate another FJ item I wanted.  Sometimes you just got to wait.  In the mean time there are other things to do.  :good2:
George
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Dads_FJ on December 26, 2014, 11:02:59 AM
I've asked sellers who have other parts available for the same bike.  Like this guy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-YAMAHA-FZR1000-FORKS-LEFT-RIGHT-WITH-TRIPLE-CLAMPS-/261684379715?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ced9ac043 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-YAMAHA-FZR1000-FORKS-LEFT-RIGHT-WITH-TRIPLE-CLAMPS-/261684379715?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ced9ac043)

He/she might have the wheel but hasn't listed it yet.
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: FJscott on December 26, 2014, 11:07:05 AM
I have a 92 FJ wheel in perfect condition you can have for cost of shipping from Florida
Scott
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Country Joe on December 26, 2014, 11:53:42 AM
Quote from: movenon on December 26, 2014, 10:56:37 AM
Alan is right. Be patient, they do come along.  In the mean time I would advise you to run the newer forks perhaps with a stock 17" FJ rim.  Stock FJ 17 " rims are common and real cheap if you dig around a little.  

From my experience spend some time and effort on the forks you will probably get more bang for the buck.  IMO unless you are a aggressive rider you will not notice much difference in the tire size increase with the FZR wheel.   But setting up a set of forks and upgrading to emulators you will notice a big difference.   Another nice thing to look at is upgrading the front brakes to "Blue dots" with good pads. Those kind of mods you will be able to feel the difference right away.

Just thoughts and opinions. It took me a year or so to locate a good FZR wheel.  Took me 3 years to locate another FJ item I wanted.  Sometimes you just got to wait.  In the mean time there are other things to do.  :good2:
George

I totally agree with George. I have done the 3.5" front wheel swap and I am not sure I am that crazy about it. It made the steering heavier, possibly a little more stable. It takes considerably more pressure on the bars to initiate turn-in. I really can't go any higher in rear ride height either, I am pretty much at the limit of my short legs now.
Joe
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Pat Conlon on December 26, 2014, 01:37:36 PM
Joe, try dropping your fork legs 1/4"
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 02:51:20 PM
Quote from: Firehawk068 on December 26, 2014, 10:15:50 AM
Just be patient, and keep checking e-bay and craigslist..........................
I think I looked around for a few months before I found one for a decent price......................

You could also try the motorcycle boneyards...................There are plenty around.



"patient" thats a concept i obviously have a problem with :biggrin:
-this might be an issue for a doctor though
will check the boneyards, your right
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 02:53:31 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 10:49:18 AM
I did mine with an '89 FZR wheel, and just drilled out the forks for the 17mm axle.
i like this idea, do you know what other years this simple solution applies to?
thank you
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 02:59:45 PM
Should be doable on any of the ones that can use the late model forks. Mine is a '93 ABS(deleted).

It was a simple drilling operation, and I used an axle from a YAMAHA XVZ12 VENTURE 1200 that I found on Ebay, and just used a nut on the outside.
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 03:06:51 PM
Quote from: movenon on December 26, 2014, 10:56:37 AM
Alan is right. Be patient, they do come along.  In the mean time I would advise you to run the newer forks perhaps with a stock 17" FJ rim.  Stock FJ 17 " rims are common and real cheap if you dig around a little.  

From my experience spend some time and effort on the forks you will probably get more bang for the buck.  IMO unless you are a aggressive rider you will not notice much difference in the tire size increase with the FZR wheel.   But setting up a set of forks and upgrading to emulators you will notice a big difference.   Another nice thing to look at is upgrading the front brakes to "Blue dots" with good pads. Those kind of mods you will be able to feel the difference right away.

Just thoughts and opinions. It took me a year or so to locate a good FZR wheel.  Took me 3 years to locate another FJ item I wanted.  Sometimes you just got to wait.  In the mean time there are other things to do.  :good2:
George

i actually have a 92front in my possession
but i am choosing to opt for the larger wheel in the belief that it will add just a bit more rubber to the pavement in the case of emergency braking, performance handling is a secondary concern
Randy's fork valve solution is on my list pending financial resources -its Christmas, i'm broke haha
just received a pair of blue dots from the bay, waiting for the seal kits to come in, i took this opportunity to justify some bling spending, will be taking the R6 master cyl of my track bike to use on the FJ with the blue dots(thus justifying a really fancy master cyl for the track bike :good2:)
thanks for taking the time to reply, i appreciate the info
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 03:09:12 PM
I should note that I had to get the 17mm speedo drive from the FZR as well.
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 03:10:01 PM
Quote from: Dads_FJ on December 26, 2014, 11:02:59 AM
I've asked sellers who have other parts available for the same bike.  Like this guy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-YAMAHA-FZR1000-FORKS-LEFT-RIGHT-WITH-TRIPLE-CLAMPS-/261684379715?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ced9ac043 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-YAMAHA-FZR1000-FORKS-LEFT-RIGHT-WITH-TRIPLE-CLAMPS-/261684379715?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ced9ac043)

He/she might have the wheel but hasn't listed it yet.

this is brilliant!
i will follow up with the folks on ebay starting with the link you supplied
thank you
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 03:16:43 PM
Quote from: FJscott on December 26, 2014, 11:07:05 AM
I have a 92 FJ wheel in perfect condition you can have for cost of shipping from Florida
Scott
that is a fantastically generous offer! thank you!
but, as i just mentioned, i own a 92 front
thanks again, thats a really nice thing to offer
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 03:21:04 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 03:09:12 PM
I should note that I had to get the 17mm speedo drive from the FZR as well.

sounds like it works with the existing speedo cable as long as you replace the drive- thanks for noting that!
i like this solution more and more, cheers
Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Mark Olson on December 26, 2014, 04:11:13 PM
Just set up your ebay search on automatic for the wheel and it will turn up..or call a boneyard with a national search and you will have one before you can say upgrade.

Sometimes it helps to actually go the the boneyard and physically see the parts they have. Once I was looking for a rear wheel for an fzr1000 and they didn't have any so I asked to see all the fj1200 rear wheels they had and they had mismarked an fzr wheel as fj1200 cause the bike was already upgraded before it wrecked. I was able to get it for the reduced fj price . I have found this to be true at a few boneyards when asking for fj parts and they bring me an upgraded part thinking it is stock.

Don't wait to change your forks out, you can just run the 3" fj wheel with the 120 tire until you find the 3.5" you want . Simply swap the tire onto the 3.5 rim and off you go with no weird tire wear .(yes I did this) .

changing to the 17" front on your fj is going to feel great compared to the stock 16' . You will notice right away how nimble the fj will be. :good:

Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 06:29:26 PM
Quote from: fjfool on December 26, 2014, 03:21:04 PM
Quote from: ZOA NOM on December 26, 2014, 03:09:12 PM
I should note that I had to get the 17mm speedo drive from the FZR as well.

sounds like it works with the existing speedo cable as long as you replace the drive- thanks for noting that!
i like this solution more and more, cheers

Yep, speedo cable fit right in. I hemmed and haah'd a little before deciding to drill my '93 forks, but I plan on riding it for awhile, and I wasn't having much luck finding an '87-88 wheel, so I had Randy do his magic to the tubes and he drilled em for me. I REALLY like the way the front tire spreads onto the 3.5" rim now.

Title: Re: looking for a 3.5" front wheel
Post by: Country Joe on December 26, 2014, 10:26:51 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on December 26, 2014, 01:37:36 PM
Joe, try dropping your fork legs 1/4"

Pat,
I already have the fork tubes pretty high in the triple clamps, I don't remember the measurement off the top of my head, but I will check in the morning.