Hello, I picked up a 91 FJ a couple of years ago and it resided in the corner of my garage since waiting for some love and attention. Back in the 90's I used to ride with a very good friend who had the same bike. I always liked them and it was on my list to add to the stable so when this one appeared at a fire sale price I really couldn't say no. Well I finally got around to giving her the axle to axle going over that I like to do on any used bike I acquire this past winter. And now she is fully road worthy and I'm discovering what a wonderful bike these are. Great power, comfy, the fairing works better for me that my ST1300 and just an all around great bike. wasn't horrid to work on either, I rebuilt the carbs, clutch, forks, valve clearance, new plugs and general tune up, clean adjust and tighten all over. She has Avon Rider tires that are 6 years old and although they both still have good tread the rear is starting to show cracks with being ridden. So that's my next job. I'm in MI, north west of Detroit so if any others are local drop me a line, I'm always on the look out for new guys to ride with. I retired early and bikes fill a lot of my time now.
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PM
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Don't start him off........... before you know it there'll be a turbo and a R1 front end going on it :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Moditis beckons........
Quote from: Millietant on April 21, 2022, 03:51:14 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PM
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Don't start him off........... before you know it there'll be a turbo and a R1 front end going on it :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Moditis beckons........
I'm not sure the issue with that?! :pardon: LOL!
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PM
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Funny you mention that. I have been shopping tires for a while and finding a matched pair that fit the starkly different front and rear specs that the FJ has is challenging to say the least. So yes I have been pondering a 17" rear wheel. Are there by any chance easily available bolt in options out there?
Quote from: swiftnick on April 21, 2022, 08:18:37 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PMWelcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?
Funny you mention that. I have been shopping tires for a while and finding a matched pair that fit the starkly different front and rear specs that the FJ has is challenging to say the least. So yes I have been pondering a 17" rear wheel. Are there by any chance easily available bolt in options out there?
Nick,
You can often find a
complete R1 front fork/rim/brakes assembly, maybe on eBay, for cheap. That move upgrades your brakes, forks, and gets you a 17" front wheel, all in one swell foop. With a 17" front wheel, there are lots of tire choices available, because there are enough 16" rear tire brands available to choose from. Not many 16" front tires are available, out there.
Nick,
Hello and welcome. I'm in Garden City, not far from you. There are a few FJ owners in the area, two that I know personally, although one is selling his '93. I'm getting ready to mount a new set of Michelin Road 6 tires to the YZF600R wheels on my '89. I'm itching to get out for a ride as soon as the weather cooperates, the old bird needs to stretch her legs. It'd be cool to get together for a ride.
George D
'89 FJ1250, _slightly Modified
Quote from: fj1289 on April 21, 2022, 07:53:56 AM
Quote from: Millietant on April 21, 2022, 03:51:14 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PM
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Don't start him off........... before you know it there'll be a turbo and a R1 front end going on it :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Moditis beckons........
I'm not sure the issue with that?! :pardon: LOL!
Me either!
Quote from: red on April 21, 2022, 10:55:49 AM
Quote from: swiftnick on April 21, 2022, 08:18:37 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PMWelcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?
Funny you mention that. I have been shopping tires for a while and finding a matched pair that fit the starkly different front and rear specs that the FJ has is challenging to say the least. So yes I have been pondering a 17" rear wheel. Are there by any chance easily available bolt in options out there?
Nick,
You can often find a complete R1 front fork/rim/brakes assembly, maybe on eBay, for cheap. That move upgrades your brakes, forks, and gets you a 17" front wheel, all in one swell foop. With a 17" front wheel, there are lots of tire choices available, because there are enough 16" rear tire brands available to choose from. Not many 16" front tires are available, out there.
Hi Nick,
Yes, there are 2 very straightforward and simple options for a 17" rear wheel.
1) the YZF 600R Thundercat rear wheels swap
And
2) the Suzuki GSXR rear wheel swap
Both have their pro's and cons.
My favourite is the Thundercat option, which uses the Cat wheel, brake disc, sprocket carrier and caliper carrier but retains the FJ brake caliper, brake hose, torque arm and sprocket. The the Thundercat brake caliper carrier needs a bit of adjustment (can be done by hand, carefully, in about 20-30 minutes, or in 10 mins at a local machine shop) - and you use the FJ brake side spacer on the chain side with the Cat wheel and sprocket carrier.
Others prefer the GSXR wheel, disc and sprocket carrier option, which also needs the GSXR brake caliper, torque arm, brake hose, custom sprocket and you need to sort out fixing the torque arm to an anchor point, but only needs a couple of 4mm thick washers to act as spacers to align the wheel (no manual adjustment or machining of any parts). There is also an option to use a GSXF caliper carrier.
The choice is yours, both have their merits and both are totally worthwhile and let you use premium sports touring radial tyre's.
I went for the Thundercat option because it was easier and quicker to find the right wheel (they're all the same, whereas the GSXR needs to be a specific year for matching sets) and because you don't need the extra caliper, sprocket and brake hose, it's cheaper.
I'm not sure if the Cat was as popular in the USA as it was over here in the U.K. and parts may be more difficult to find (at the right price and close to you) than for the GSX, but that's also something for you to consider - might be best to look for both and see what turns up in your search.
Best of luck which ever way you go. :good2:
Quote from: giantkiller on April 21, 2022, 04:35:03 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 21, 2022, 07:53:56 AM
Quote from: Millietant on April 21, 2022, 03:51:14 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PM
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Don't start him off........... before you know it there'll be a turbo and a R1 front end going on it :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Moditis beckons........
I'm not sure the issue with that?! :pardon: LOL!
Me either!
The gold forks on the midnight blue/gold 3CV look just stunning Dan.......... :good2: :good2:
Quote from: Millietant on April 22, 2022, 01:54:10 PM
Quote from: red on April 21, 2022, 10:55:49 AM
Quote from: swiftnick on April 21, 2022, 08:18:37 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PMWelcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?
Funny you mention that. I have been shopping tires for a while and finding a matched pair that fit the starkly different front and rear specs that the FJ has is challenging to say the least. So yes I have been pondering a 17" rear wheel. Are there by any chance easily available bolt in options out there?
Nick,
You can often find a complete R1 front fork/rim/brakes assembly, maybe on eBay, for cheap. That move upgrades your brakes, forks, and gets you a 17" front wheel, all in one swell foop. With a 17" front wheel, there are lots of tire choices available, because there are enough 16" rear tire brands available to choose from. Not many 16" front tires are available, out there.
Hi Nick,
Yes, there are 2 very straightforward and simple options for a 17" rear wheel.
1) the YZF 600R Thundercat rear wheels swap
And
2) the Suzuki GSXR rear wheel swap
Both have their pro's and cons.
My favourite is the Thundercat option, which uses the Cat wheel, brake disc, sprocket carrier and caliper carrier but retains the FJ brake caliper, brake hose, torque arm and sprocket. The the Thundercat brake caliper carrier needs a bit of adjustment (can be done by hand, carefully, in about 20-30 minutes, or in 10 mins at a local machine shop) - and you use the FJ brake side spacer on the chain side with the Cat wheel and sprocket carrier.
Others prefer the GSXR wheel, disc and sprocket carrier option, which also needs the GSXR brake caliper, torque arm, brake hose, custom sprocket and you need to sort out fixing the torque arm to an anchor point, but only needs a couple of 4mm thick washers to act as spacers to align the wheel (no manual adjustment or machining of any parts). There is also an option to use a GSXF caliper carrier.
The choice is yours, both have their merits and both are totally worthwhile and let you use premium sports touring radial tyre's.
I went for the Thundercat option because it was easier and quicker to find the right wheel (they're all the same, whereas the GSXR needs to be a specific year for matching sets) and because you don't need the extra caliper, sprocket and brake hose, it's cheaper.
I'm not sure if the Cat was as popular in the USA as it was over here in the U.K. and parts may be more difficult to find (at the right price and close to you) than for the GSX, but that's also something for you to consider - might be best to look for both and see what turns up in your search.
Best of luck which ever way you go. :good2:
Dean's suggestion on the YZF600R - a point of clarification especially in the US - this is NOT a YZF600 R6! It is the model between the FZR600 and the YZF60 R6 - and was sold along side the R6 for several years. There have been some people in the past that have accidentally bought an R6 (or even an FZR600) rim by accident.
Looking at partsfish.com looks like the YZF600R was available in the US from 1995-2007. Hopefully parts will be easy enough to find!
Go Modifiers Anonymous Go! :drinks:
If you haven't figured it out yet, Modifiers Anonymous works opposite to most of the other "............ Anonymous" groups!!!
Quote from: Millietant on April 22, 2022, 01:56:20 PM
Quote from: giantkiller on April 21, 2022, 04:35:03 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 21, 2022, 07:53:56 AM
Quote from: Millietant on April 21, 2022, 03:51:14 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on April 20, 2022, 09:47:01 PM
Welcome!
Sounds like you are nearly set! Keeping with the stock rims? Or upgrading to a 17" rear before getting tires?!
Don't start him off........... before you know it there'll be a turbo and a R1 front end going on it :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Moditis beckons........
I'm not sure the issue with that?! :pardon: LOL!
Me either!
The gold forks on the midnight blue/gold 3CV look just stunning Dan.......... :good2: :good2:
Thanks 2008 gixxer 1000 forks. Welded extensions onto caps and had them machined down. 2008 gixxer 1000 was oversprung. So no need to change springs or revalve. Put them on all my fjs. So far. Have a set for the turbo bike.
Quote from: fj1289 on April 22, 2022, 03:41:58 PM
Dean's suggestion on the YZF600R - a point of clarification especially in the US - this is NOT a YZF600 R6! It is the model between the FZR600 and the YZF60 R6 - and was sold along side the R6 for several years. There have been some people in the past that have accidentally bought an R6 (or even an FZR600) rim by accident.
Looking at partsfish.com looks like the YZF600R was available in the US from 1995-2007. Hopefully parts will be easy enough to find!
Go Modifiers Anonymous Go! :drinks:
If you haven't figured it out yet, Modifiers Anonymous works opposite to most of the other "............ Anonymous" groups!!!
That's an interesting point of reference and an issue we don't have here - Yamaha we're very clear in their marketing in the U.K. that their 2 bikes were the YZF 600 R............and the YZF R6............in fact for most promotional/marketing info Yamaha dropped the YZF from the R6 model and simply called it the "R6", with never any reference to "600" in its designation.
They made matters even easier in the family tree by also calling the YZF 600 R the "Thundercat" - and calling the YZF 1000 R the "Thunderace" (so there was no confusion either for us with the YZF R1).
Over here the FZ 1 has always been known as the Fazer and the FJ 09 is the "Tracer".
With Kawasaki it always seems the opposite, where the US bikes got names and the UK bikes got designations - jeez, our first "Ninja" didn't come out until 1994 (ironically on the ZX9R), 10 years after you guys in the USA got the bike with the cool sounding name :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Thanks for all the info on rear wheel replacement. I have windows open for E bay as I type this. Thundercat looks to be the best option. While crawling around the rear end yesterday and trying to fix a creak (cleaned and lubed all the shock pivots, didn't fix it, think it might be the shock itself) I discovered a further reason I'm going to need another back wheel. It appears that at some time in the past the bike was strapped down with a chain past through the wheel. There is damage on the rim consistent with that, but most worrying is that some of it has been repaired with a gob of JB weld. Until I pull the tire off I wont know for sure if the rim was punctured but that is my suspicion as the repair does not seem to have been done with aesthetics in mind.
Good to see UK representation on this site. I'm actually an expat myself and came to the US in the late 80's. I grew up in Surrey and last lived in Wimbledon before crossing the pond. I bought a new Honda 900FC in 1982 from Ryes of Fulham and brought it with me when I came over here. I have ridden that bike all over the US and still have it today.
George in Garden City, you are not that far away at all. I ride all over the local area so we must catch up with each other.
Ah, you're not the only ex-pat here as well - keep your eyes peeled for "Andyoutandabout" :good2:
One thing to mention, make sure you get the wheel spacers with your purchase.
There are a few Brits on here too, but we're nowhere near as well represented as the Aussies. It's a great brunch with plenty of info and stories and everyone is always willing to help out. Any questions, just ask.
So I found a killer deal locally on a Thundercat rear wheel, sprocket carrier, cush rubbers, axle and spacers etc. I'm thinking 170/60-17 rear tire. Does that sound right?
Yes, 170/60-17 is perfect :good2:
Just make sure you get the caliper carrier/mount as well.
Nick,
I may be able to help with getting it all to fit. I've got my '89 with the YZF rear and front setup and the '86 in the middle of being disassembled has the YZF rear wheel also.
George D
Quote from: gdfj12 on April 26, 2022, 07:01:36 AM
Nick,
I may be able to help with getting it all to fit. I've got my '89 with the YZF rear and front setup and the '86 in the middle of being disassembled has the YZF rear wheel also.
George D
Thanks George. I did a trial fit up last night and found that the overall width of the wheel, sprocket carrier, calliper bracket and spacers is bigger than the FJ swingarm. It looks like I need to make the left side spacer 9mm narrower and that gets the sprocket and wheel centrelines where they need to be (+/- 1 mm). I'm going to need to thin the calliper bracket some as well, still need to get a measurement for that. YZF rear brake rotors seem to be in short supply, I may need to buy a new one. Seeing as I'm only $70 into this so far that wont be too much of a hardship.
8mm off of the left spacer and 8mm off of the outside of the caliper bracket. I may have one already machined. I am still going thru all of my parts bins as I'm in the middle of the rebuild on the '86.
George D
No need to machine the left spacer Nick/George, just use the right side FJ spacer in place of the left with the YZF wheel, so all you have to do is take the 8mm (or 9mm) off the caliper mount where it sits in contact with the swinging arm :good2:
You can get an Arashi rear disc for not a lot of money (£40/$50 here in the UK).
The manufacturing tolerances on the FJ swinging arms don't seem to be "mm" accurate at the wheel spindle end. I took 8mm off my YZF Caliper mount and did the spacer swap and my wheel alignment has been checked a few times and it's spot on. Another guy I know who has just recently done the swap had to take just over 9mm off the caliper mount (his swinging arm gap at the spindle was 1.5mm less than mine).
Thanks for the info, Dean.
Hey Dean, I was excited to read your post above about using the right spacer of my FJ wheel on the left side of the Thundercat wheel, however I guess its different on my 91 FJ. That spacer is a little too wide and is too small a diameter to engage with the seal :nea: Back to machining I guess. At least the weather has turned cold for a week or two so I'm not yearning to ride.
Yeah, I'm very surprised that it's the wrong outside diameter size on your bike, there are a few people who have used the spacer swap, but it's only a 5 minute job to machine down the left side YZF spacer, so no big issue.
I must admit I'm not that surprised that the width might not be playing ball, as from conversations I've had with others, it does seem as though the gap in the arms varies a little bit - seems to be +/- at least a mm or two.
Hope it all goes well for the rest of the swap over. :good2:
I figured out the dimensions by measuring the original FJ sprocket and wheel centerline from the left side spacer surface, with the axle in place and cinched up to ensure the sprocket hub was fully in. Then compared these dims to the Thundercat dimensions, that told me how much I needed to take off the Thundercat left side spacer. Once I had that I worked out how much to take off the brake carrier arm to make the whole assembly a tight fit into the swing arm. I actually need to spring the swing arm out by maybe .5mm to assemble now. Anyhow, I have the parts machined, assembled and new tires fitted front and rear. Still waiting on a brake rotor which is 2 or 3 days away so cant ride it yet. However the set up looks really nice and `correct' like that's how the FJ was always supposed to be. Great mod, glad I found this forum, thanks for the all the help. Any advice on tire pressures? My ST1300 runs the same size rear and 18 inch front radial rubber and is 42psi front and rear. Figured I would go with that for starters.
Just checking Nick, did you put the FJ sprocket on the Cat cush/carrier with the shoulder to the inside of the wheel ?
I know what you mean about it looking "correct" - I like the fact that it looks just like Yamaha would/should have done it.
I measured everything from the centre line of the FJ Wheel outwards on each side and lined everything on the Cat set up up to the original FJ dimensions. Funnily though, a couple of guys had to take a bit more material (1mm extra) off the caliper mount than the 8mm I measured, for everything to fit easily between the 2 arms.
My front and rear wheels aligned perfectly and with the FJ sprocket reversed on the Cat cush drive, there was about a 1mm miss-alignment between the FJ wheel mounted and Cat wheel mounted rear sprockets - I don't think they were actually ever any more accurate than that from the factory, bike for bike :sarcastic:.
Great to hear all is going well :good2:
Quote from: swiftnick on May 01, 2022, 11:54:45 AM
I figured out the dimensions by measuring the original FJ sprocket and wheel centerline from the left side spacer surface, with the axle in place and cinched up to ensure the sprocket hub was fully in. Then compared these dims to the Thundercat dimensions, that told me how much I needed to take off the Thundercat left side spacer. Once I had that I worked out how much to take off the brake carrier arm to make the whole assembly a tight fit into the swing arm. I actually need to spring the swing arm out by maybe .5mm to assemble now. Anyhow, I have the parts machined, assembled and new tires fitted front and rear. Still waiting on a brake rotor which is 2 or 3 days away so cant ride it yet. However the set up looks really nice and `correct' like that's how the FJ was always supposed to be. Great mod, glad I found this forum, thanks for the all the help. Any advice on tire pressures? My ST1300 runs the same size rear and 18 inch front radial rubber and is 42psi front and rear. Figured I would go with that for starters.
I'm running Bridgestone BT023's and tend to use 36psi in the 170/60x17 rear for everyday blatting about solo and 38psi with a bit of luggage or a passenger, on tour - but, we all know how accurate gas/petrol station tyre pressure gauges are :sarcastic:
Yes I flipped the sprocket over so the recessed face is towards the cush drive. That got the sprocket within a millimetre of the original FJ dimensions. I ended up with the brake carrier bracket at 20.4mm thick and the left side spacer at 11.0mm thick and its a snug fit in the swing arm. Thanks for the tire pressure suggestions I will start at 36 and experiment from there.