I currently have a 1984 FJ1100, still has the stock (16") rims. But came with Metzler Lazertech tires. However the bike sat for 14 years before I acquired it. So no matter what I need to replace my tires. When I went to source new tires I noticed that the amount of options for my local shop was slim so I wanted to consider changing my wheels out like others in the forum have done.
I've tried looking through the forum's posts but I've noticed all the posts I could find were for 86+ bikes, so I'm unsure if the same threads equally apply to my 84.
So that leads me to my question. What wheel swaps are readily do-able, or are the most recommended for the 84 fj1100? To get to a more commonly available tire size, for both the front and rear.
G'day Warp84,
You will probably need a set of front forks or at also or Caliper adaptors for yours.
You can easily swap the forks, 17" wheel and brake disc assemblies from the later 88-90 3CV FJ1200 model into your 84 FJ1100 (and a 120/70x17 modern radial tyre). You would also need the later model's brake calipers, or you could go for a set of Yamaha "blue spot" monoblock calipers from a pre-radial mount R1/R6, or FZ 1 - there are plenty of other Yamaha monoblock calipers that fit directly onto the 3CV forks.
For the rear wheel, I've found the easiest/most straightforward and cheapest swap is to use the 96-2006 YZF 600R (NOT YZF R6) wheel/brake assembly, with minor modifications. This one keeps the most FJ parts and gives you a 17"x5" rear wheel, perfect for a modern 160/60x17, or 170/60x17 radial tyre.
Quote from: Warp84 on Yesterday at 12:31:45 PMSo that leads me to my question. What wheel swaps are readily do-able, or are the most recommended for the 84 fj1100? To get to a more commonly available tire size, for both the front and rear.
Warp84,
FWIW, I run my 1985 FJ1100 on Pirelli Sport Demons, on the stock 16" rims. NO complaints. That aside, there is still a fair assortment of 16" rear tires available from various makers, so to me, the rear wheel upgrade can wait a while. I would be happy to change my front wheel to 17" though. Right now, I have two perfectly acceptable bikes, so even the front wheel upgrade can take a leisurely approach. When I do that job however, I am far too cheap to buy all the parts and pieces, then assemble them into a (hopefully) reliable combination. I plan to watch the For Sale ads, and buy the entire front end from the right bike. This will be the forks, springs, axle, wheel, brakes and fork clamps as a tried and true factory assembly. I will install that complete assembly in the place of my old FJ front end parts. I have seen complete Yamaha front ends selling for less than two new brake calipers would cost. You will get better brakes, better suspension, a 17" wheel, and axle. The job then is just a simple front end swap, rather than trying (hoping) to make the various parts you might buy to work together. Like I said, I'm cheap. I also like to make the job as simple and easy as possible, when I can. YMMV.
My US$ 0.02 worth . . .