Hi!
well as its my first post i better explain, iv just purchased and fj1100 &....it needs tires! so, im uk based, my bikes got the dreaded 16inch front wheel! any recommendations for rubber?
Also iv not riden the bike yet as its going to be a project over the next few months, how do there ride concerning the 16inch rim, i had a gsx750e years ago with a 16inch rim & didnt really notice it to be honest!
thanks in advance and as soon as i get some piccys i'll post them up.
rob
Avon Azarro ST 45 (front) and 46 (rear). Its the only radial tire designed specifically for narrow rims. Upside is they're awesome in both the dry and wet and wear like iron to boot.
I disagree with you about the 16" wheels being so much shite; Remember that this is a 27 year old bike. I've run away and hid from more than a few much more modern sportbikes in the twisties. But then again, I used to do the same thing with the two '75 BMW R90Ss that I used to own, against the same "modern bikes." I don't notice any handling weirdness riding on a 16" wheel; I've ridden on plenty of bikes with this size wheel and I never noticed anything that couldn't be attributed to something else on the bike. It's not like we're talking about a scoot with a 12, 13 or 14" wheel, where you could potentially feel something. On the FJ, if you've ridden newer bikes with bigger diameter forks I guarantee that you'll feel them dance when you stuff the bike in a corner. But that's what fork braces are for, and why Randy at RPM sells them.
As long as I can get great rubber the likes of the Avons I'm not going to worry about trying to modernize quarter plus century old tech. It it what it is, and that pretty much is why its still a nice ride today.
Besides, if I had the coin to do all of the upgrades needed for this bike to support 17" sneakers I'd rather put that money into another bike to go along with this one. Like an Aprilia Dorsoduro or Duc Hypermotard. I'm just sayin'
blimey! iv upset someone already & iv only been here 5 mins! for the record i wasnt calling the 16inch rim shite, i was just wondering what theey were like on the fj, i used the term "dreaded" because getting rubber i can be a bit akward for that rim size & i dont know much about them, as i said i had a 16 inch rim on the front of an old gsx750e i once had and didnt really notice much different from other bikes, although at the time i was mostly running old cx500's as a london courier so a bmx is a vast inprovment over one of them, Not interested in changing wheel sizes or trying to modernise it, your right when you say it is what it is, got me old gsxr1100m in the garage for solo & twistys so im just gonna use th fj for two's up with the mrs & a bit of commuting, Sorry if my post came across as if i was putting the fj down, i wasnt, it was just a question, im very with my purchase & plan on keeping her some time.
Thanks for your advice on tires, i'll look them up
rob
G'day Robbie,
You know the rear wheel assembly fits right on the back of your FJ, just in case you want to run a 17 on the back.
Get your FJ back to right and you'll find it to be a nice ride as is, and even better should you choose to change it.
Cheers,
Arnie
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 07:23:37 AM
Avon Azarro ST 45 (front) and 46 (rear). Its the only radial tire designed specifically for narrow rims. Upside is they're awesome in both the dry and wet and wear like iron to boot.
I agree about the Avons. They are a great step up from the old Metzeler crap. Got about 8000 miles out of my last AV46 rear tire too. A lot more than I ever could get from the Metzelers!
Any thoughts or experience with the Pirelli Sport Demon
Quote from: terryk on September 02, 2011, 01:03:30 PM
Any thoughts or experience with the Pirelli Sport Demon
SanDimas_Mike is running the PSD set up on his stock 86'. He does not seem to be riding much so he might chime in and report on his findings. :empathy3:
Quote from: terryk on September 02, 2011, 01:03:30 PM
Any thoughts or experience with the Pirelli Sport Demon
Terry,
I had a Perelli on the front and a Dunlop D205 on the rear of my bike when my house burned down. First off, I felt the Perelli was a great tire. But when I saw all the cords on the Perelli vs the Dunlop on my burnt and melted wreck of a bike, my appreciation of the Perelli grew. However, since the 17" upgrade on the rear, I put on Dunlop Roadsmarts both front and rear. I love these tires.
Perelli makes a good tire, I don't think you will be disappointed.
CraigO
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 07:23:37 AM
Besides, if I had the coin to do all of the upgrades needed for this bike to support 17" sneakers I'd rather put that money into another bike to go along with this one. Like an Aprilia Dorsoduro or Duc Hypermotard. I'm just sayin'
Seriously??!! 17" in conversions, maybe what, $1200 out of pocket -tops -probably less. No way you'd get either an Aprilia Dorsoduro or Duc Hypermotard for anything close to that money.
Most folks here would say that upgrading to 17" rubber is a worthwhile upgrade. Improves handling, and opens up an awful lot more qaulity tire (tyre for you) choices.
Dan
Quote from: robbygixxer on September 02, 2011, 08:02:55 AM
blimey! iv upset someone already & iv only been here 5 mins! for the record i wasnt calling the 16inch rim shite, i was just wondering what theey were like on the fj, i used the term "dreaded" because getting rubber i can be a bit akward for that rim size & i dont know much about them, as i said i had a 16 inch rim on the front of an old gsx750e i once had and didnt really notice much different from other bikes, although at the time i was mostly running old cx500's as a london courier so a bmx is a vast inprovment over one of them, Not interested in changing wheel sizes or trying to modernise it, your right when you say it is what it is, got me old gsxr1100m in the garage for solo & twistys so im just gonna use th fj for two's up with the mrs & a bit of commuting, Sorry if my post came across as if i was putting the fj down, i wasnt, it was just a question, im very with my purchase & plan on keeping her some time.
Thanks for your advice on tires, i'll look them up
rob
No worries, I don't think you said anything untoward, I'm just not a believer in trying to make an old bike into something it was never meant to be-a match for what is being produced more than a quarter century later. Don't get me wrong, these bikes were at least 10 years ahead of their time (even when you discount for not being liquid cooled), especially the first 4 or 5 years they made them. Even if you dump a lot of money into it its still an old bike, which has now lost any character it had.
Here's a great example; I have an '89 Mustang LX with a over 10K in the motor (347 crate motor, soup to nuts work done with a T-56 trans to boot) and about 5K in the suspension and brakes (I used to run it on road courses). Dyno'ed at 385 RWH.
I recently picked up an '11 GT, 5.0L 6 sp manual. All I've done to it is put a new exhaust on it. It makes 377 RWH, is faster everywhere on the track and rides as good as the Mark 8 that I used to own. I'll never get rid of my '89, but the difference between the two is much more than 22 years; There's not a thing I can do to that car to make it the equal to the new one. And I'm alright with that. Same thing with my FJ. Awesome bike, but an FJR or a FZ1 (the FJ kind of falls between the two, which certainly adds to its character) will both do their intended tasks better, and why shouldn't they? They're 25+ years newer? Its called Progress, and you can't stop it. You can only be cool with where you sit in relation to it.
Craigo, so your house burnt down and it took out your FJ, that is horrible. Sorry to hear this and hope you and yours are recovering from this bad event.
And, BTW thanks for the POV on the PSD's.
I run Dunlop Roadsmart 2's on my Warrior, terrific tire that transformed how this bike corners. I am on my second rear and the front looks very good at 5,000 miles.
Quote from: Dan Filetti on September 02, 2011, 08:06:01 PM
Seriously??!! 17" in conversions, maybe what, $1200 out of pocket -tops -probably less. No way you'd get either an Aprilia Dorsoduro or Duc Hypermotard for anything close to that money.
Most folks here would say that upgrading to 17" rubber is a worthwhile upgrade. Improves handling, and opens up an awful lot more qaulity tire (tyre for you) choices.
Dan
I never said it would pay for a complete bike, but an FJ with 17"s is just a bastardized FJ. One could conceivably (with enough effort) put 17's on an R90 or R100. this will of course give you more tires to choose from, but to what end? you just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge. And you'll still have that old flexy frame to contend with. where do you stop? I mean more power to anyone who wants to be bothered with the "upgrade" but for me it ain't worth it. I didn't mean for this to be a derail pertaining to the merits (or lack thereof) of "modernizing" old stuff ,and I apologize if it has become that.
Anyway, the Avon Azarros are great tires, in any size.
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 08:17:53 PM
Quote from: Dan Filetti on September 02, 2011, 08:06:01 PM
Seriously??!!
Dan
...but an FJ with 17"s is just a bastardized FJ. This will of course give you more tires to choose from, but to what end? you just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge. And you'll still have that old flexy frame to contend with. where do you stop?
Says the man who just wrote about souping up his 89 Mustang LX with a '347 crate motor, soup to nuts work done with a T-56 trans to boot and about 5K in the suspension and brakes'...
What about the 'character you robbed' from the stang?
Just sayin'
Dan
Where did you get the $1200 cost for the 17" rear wheel mod? I spent $350 US for the wheel, brake system and a new Dunlop Roadsmart for my bike. All money well spent. Not that I really noticed much of a handling difference but I have 3500 miles on the tires and they look like they'll go another 5000 miles no sweat. The 16" Dunlop D205s saw less than 4000 miles and they were toast. I will say the ride is so much smoother w/ the 17" wheel. :good:
So, just in the $$$ I save in tires makes this upgrade very worthwhile. I am sure that if I install a Penske on the rear of the bike, the handling would greatly improve. But the price is very dear and do I really need to go triple digit speeds at my age? Nawwww....
CraigO
Anyone who says that the Avon Azaro's are in any way comparable to or remotely as good as the current crop of tires designed in the past 10 years has already discredited themself more than anyone else will be able.
Those avons are total shit compared to any of a number of modern tires.
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 08:17:53 PM
..... but an FJ with 17"s is just a bastardized FJ <snip>.... but to what end? You just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge. And you'll still have that old flexy frame to contend with...... where do you stop?
Hmmmm, that explains why we don't see Dennis around the Modifications section....
Can I use your quotes?: "a FJ with 17's is just a bastardized FJ" ooooh, that's quite good.
And this one: "You just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge"....that's a timeless classic.
By chance, do you know a guy named George, from the Sacramento, CA area?
Quote from: craigo on September 02, 2011, 09:55:18 PM
Where did you get the $1200 cost for the 17" rear wheel mod? I spent $350 US for the wheel, brake system and a new Dunlop Roadsmart for my bike.
Just a wild, intentionally high guess.
To the point then, no way you could buy any Duc, or Aprilia for $350.00
Dan
Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 02, 2011, 10:25:46 PM
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 08:17:53 PM
..... but an FJ with 17"s is just a bastardized FJ <snip>.... but to what end? You just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge. And you'll still have that old flexi frame to contend with...... where do you stop?
Hmm, that explains why we don't see Dennis around the Modifications section....
Can I use your quotes?: "a FJ with 17's is just a bastardized FJ" ooooh, that's quite good.
And this one: "You just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge"....that's a timeless classic.
By chance, do you know a guy named George, from the Sacramento, CA area?
Damn Pat, looks like your 84 is a real POS, when put into those comparisons!
Seeing as how you have to rebuild that wreck, you just as well return it to stock 1984 specs!
NAAAA! I'm just shittin ya! LOL!
I can't wait to do my 17 rear conversion, if not for any reason other than I like the looks of the wider tire!
Leon
Leon, in the meantime buy this front 3.5" wide rim...it's plug and play.
--- In yamahafj@yahoogroups.com, Denis Duchene <dduchene@...> wrote:
>
> Hey this buy it now is a pretty good deal. This is the wheel that can be used on the 89 and latter front ends with the FJ rotors to give you a 3.5 inch front wheel. I have one a love it. They are kind of hard to come buy
>
> Denis
http://tinyurl.com/3jtu3on (http://tinyurl.com/3jtu3on)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-FZR1000-front-wheel-/270796839069?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0cbfd89d#ht_500wt_862 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-FZR1000-front-wheel-/270796839069?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0cbfd89d#ht_500wt_862)
>
Quote from: Dan Filetti on September 02, 2011, 08:06:01 PM
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 07:23:37 AM
Besides, if I had the coin to do all of the upgrades needed for this bike to support 17" sneakers I'd rather put that money into another bike to go along with this one. Like an Aprilia Dorsoduro or Duc Hypermotard. I'm just sayin'
Seriously??!! 17" in conversions, maybe what, $1200 out of pocket -tops -probably less. No way you'd get either an Aprilia Dorsoduro or Duc Hypermotard for anything close to that money.
Most folks here would say that upgrading to 17" rubber is a worthwhile upgrade. Improves handling, and opens up an awful lot more qaulity tire (tyre for you) choices.
Dan
If you include the tires..... Just for the wheel ass'ys, I have ~$350-400 in. Including new bearings and brake pads.....
With the difference in cost between sport touring tires in 16 and 17" sizes, I recouped the money from doing the rear swap within two changes. If you include the fact that the modern tires aren't total crap like the older ones and will last so much longer, then I made the money back with my first tire change.
Did the 17" conversion when I was pretty well broke, and part of my consideration was the amount of money it'd save vs running old-tech tires. Very worth it economically, nevermind that it looks and works better.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 02, 2011, 10:25:46 PM
Quote from: E Double on September 02, 2011, 08:17:53 PM
..... but an FJ with 17"s is just a bastardized FJ <snip>.... but to what end? You just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge. And you'll still have that old flexy frame to contend with...... where do you stop?
Hmmmm, that explains why we don't see Dennis around the Modifications section....
Can I use your quotes?: "a FJ with 17's is just a bastardized FJ" ooooh, that's quite good.
And this one: "You just took a nice bike with character and turned it into a hodgepodge"....that's a timeless classic.
By chance, do you know a guy named George, from the Sacramento, CA area?
I don't know a George from Sac, and cheers for waiting for me to reply to use them.
Look Pat, your bike is pretty to be sure, so props to you for getting it that way and keeping it so. More power to anyone who wants to do anything they want with to their own stuff using their own money. I'm good with just keeping my bike looking good and running well so I keep putting 15K miles a year on it. So how about we don't turn this into a dead horse, umkay? Cheers for that.
No worries Dennis. You know I'm just yanking your chain. There are not to many 1984's left in oem condition, kudos to you...
My final thought: Evolution forces change. For better or worse, it's debatable.
When you find your supply of 120/80-16 and 150/80-16 bias-ply rubber extinct, you will be forced to consider change.
Cheers lad!
I run the Avon radials.
Something tells me that as long as folks have old airheads and pre radial tire sports cars and old muscle cars there will be tires available to put on them.
That there will be fuel to use in in all of these combustion engines down the line is a completely different matter all together...
Hay Pat, And just to shock you a bit George is going with a 17/5.5 rear conversion seeing as he can pick up Real good 180/55s with one little hole in them DIRT CHEEP :dash1: :dash2:
I dunno.... I am not going to try to make my FJ perform "as well as" an R1 but I have certainly improved the bike hugely.... When you look at this you see character loss? If so then I love my low character Hodge-podge!!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/backburner/FJ1200%20Yamaha%20Upgrades/IMG_0647.jpg)
What about this one.... Early 70's bike with late 90's suspension and wheels etc.... Massive improvement.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/backburner/h206_03.jpg)
Both of these bikes are character enhanced from my point of view.... Unless you are going to keep a pristine stock bike as a show piece or whatever then tasteful modification and improvement IS the character of your machine..... as parts wear out don't you automatically consider aftermarket upgrades- even as typical as tire selection etc... to me this makes the machine a reflection of the owner's decisions.... isn't that the character?
You know, if you're keeping the 84 stock for the sake of it becoming a classic bike like the old CB750s and KZ1000s, you may have a point. The 1st year FJ was quite an upgrade to what was out there at the time. And if it's eventual value as a classic is what concerns you, I would make the mods to the 17"ers and store the 16" parts to revert it back to stock for show or sale.
Alot of us have 16 inch wheels and we have no idea what to do with them. Mine just sits on jackstands in the corner of the garage and mocks me :crazy:.