I have the front wheel and forks off my FJ and am starting to buff out the forks. Already a major improvement.
(http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/624/picture001bf.jpg)
The wheel is at my tire guys shop to remove the bearings and old front tire. Then off to the powdercoating place to have it done in gloss black.
Can't wait for all the dust to settle. :yahoo: This is going to be real nice.
CraigO
Craig did the forks have clear coat on them -- if so was it tough to remove
stevecc
No it was not. I used a scotch pad on the other end of the buffing wheel and it striped it off PDQ. Had to be careful not to put too much pressure on it or it would start to cut into the metal. Not serious but a blemish that made it harder to buff out.
Used a bit of ruse on the buffing wheel and wow, instant shine. I have to thank my friend, Bernie, for the equipment and motivation to do the forks.
On another note, the rotor bolts are out of the wheel, along with the bearings and tire. Tomorrow it's off to the powdercoaters.
Good luck on the installation of the new lump into your 86. Should migrate the 90's forks and wheel there too. But then again, why?
Take care, lets all ride soon,
CraigO
I was hoping to find a beat up 89-90 model with a good motor that way I could do the front end at the same time.... but not the case. I don't think I will change the front -- but it would be nice.
A quick scan of Ebay and all I find are the 86-87 forks, no good for upgrading to a 17" wheel or the blue spots.
Keep an eye out and be quick like bunny to snag a set. They seem to be snapped up pretty quickly by all you red/white riders out there.
Really, such loyalty towards such an out dated FJ is beyond me. :scratch_one-s_head: Must be the colors. However, until I actually ride one, I can't judge. :flag_of_truce:
CraigO
Quote from: craigo on January 24, 2012, 10:13:19 PM
A quick scan of Ebay and all I find are the 86-87 forks, no good for upgrading to a 17" wheel or the blue spots.
Keep an eye out and be quick like bunny to snag a set. They seem to be snapped up pretty quickly by all you red/white riders out there.
Really, such loyalty towards such an out dated FJ is beyond me. :scratch_one-s_head: Must be the colors. However, until I actually ride one, I can't judge. :flag_of_truce:
CraigO
The 86/87 were the fast ones.
http://wiki.gfm.net:443/FJ1200_Specs (http://wiki.gfm.net:443/FJ1200_Specs)
Yep, they were the fast ones for sure. But, life is not a drag strip and it's really all about the rider and set up. Back in the day, we all left the older KZ1000s alone because the owners always seemed to build the engines. Didn't handle worth a damn but fast as snot in the straights. but that was many years ago.
Now we all know how much fun it is to make the newer bikes all go "WTF are you doing keeping up with me on that old thing?" Makes me giggle.
I was not at all serious about that knock on the 1st gens. As soon as I saw one, I wanted one. To bad it took so long to get my 1st one. I am now on my third.
CraigO
Quote from: moparman70 on January 24, 2012, 09:13:04 PM
Craig did the forks have clear coat on them -- if so was it tough to remove
stevecc
Quote from: craigo on January 24, 2012, 09:33:30 PM
No it was not. I used a scotch pad on the other end of the buffing wheel and it striped it off PDQ. Had to be careful not to put too much pressure on it or it would start to cut into the metal. Not serious but a blemish that made it harder to buff out.
CraigO
If you tape off the dust seal, put paint stripper on them and the clear will boil right up. I usually miss a spot or two and have to do a second application on the spots I missed.
I have done this on the last 5-6 sets of forks I built with great success.
When I built Scott's, those were the last ones and they look pretty good.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6751842311_96c210f802.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottmorton/6751842311/)
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottmorton/6751842311/)
A week has gone by and my FJ sat there, untouched. Until today. I got the wheel back from the powdercoat people yesterday and took it to my tire guy. He installed new wheel bearings and the new Conti Motion tire. Looks a whole lot better than the white.
(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5986/picture023ao.jpg)
Then I spent 4 hours buffing out the forks and hardware
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4074/picture028f.jpg)
(http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/1474/picture030jm.jpg)
Put it all back together and this is how it looks now.
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7350/picture036ad.jpg)
(http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3945/picture037t.jpg)
Just waiting for one of the tabs on the fender to cure over night and the whole thing will be done.
Can't wait :biggrin:
CraigO
Quote from: craigo on January 28, 2012, 09:42:22 PM
A week has gone by and my FJ sat there, untouched. Until today. I got the wheel back from the powdercoat people yesterday and took it to my tire guy. He installed new wheel bearings and the new Conti Motion tire. Looks a whole lot better than the white.
(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5986/picture023ao.jpg)
Then I spent 4 hours buffing out the forks and hardware
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4074/picture028f.jpg)
(http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/1474/picture030jm.jpg)
Put it all back together and this is how it looks now.
Awesome dude!!!!! I really want to have time to polish my forks before the WCFJR....
(http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7350/picture036ad.jpg)
(http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3945/picture037t.jpg)
Just waiting for one of the tabs on the fender to cure over night and the whole thing will be done.
Can't wait :biggrin:
CraigO
Mark,
Can be done. Just ride her on down here some weekend and we'll take her apart and do it. It's not difficult, just time consuming.
Cheers,
CraigO
Looks tops Craig. Have you put a clear coat over the polished fork legs? Do you think they will tarnish/discolour?
Ray
No clearcoat, just highly polished. I waxed the lower sliders before putting the wheel on. See how that goes as I never ride her in the rain or adverse weather.
If it tarnishes quickly. I will re-polish out the forks and then clear coat.
CraigO
I put the front fender and fork brace on and the finished product looks like:
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/4518/picture047k.jpg)
(http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/3247/picture046gi.jpg)
Now the rest of the bike looks real dirty. I wonder how much effort that's all going to take to make it as pretty as the front?
(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6994/picture048y.jpg)
CraigO
mmm shiney! :good2:
nice work Craigo
KOokaloo!
Quote from: racerman_27410 on January 29, 2012, 11:25:22 AM
mmm shiney! :good2:
nice work Craigo
KOokaloo!
Thanks :drinks:
I' have never been a fan of black wheels, but I do appreciate your attention to detail.
I also like the color combo of your FJ!
Leon
Quote from: craigo on January 29, 2012, 11:05:53 AM
Now the rest of the bike looks real dirty. I wonder how much effort that's all going to take to make it as pretty as the front?
(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6994/picture048y.jpg)
Very nice Craig! What a beauty! Do the Leon trick on your SS header tubes, then polish that back aluminum swing arm...
Fun huh? Major kudos! :drinks: How many days until the WCR? Leon, are you coming to Colorado this summer?
looking good :good2:
beware the polishing disease , the whole bike may end up shiny . :crazy:
very nice Craig --- I like the wheels too
stevecc
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 29, 2012, 12:33:19 PM
Quote from: craigo on January 29, 2012, 11:05:53 AM
Now the rest of the bike looks real dirty. I wonder how much effort that's all going to take to make it as pretty as the front?
(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6994/picture048y.jpg)
Very nice Craig! What a beauty! Do the Leon trick on your SS header tubes, then polish that back aluminum swing arm...
Fun huh? Major kudos! :drinks: How many days until the WCR? Leon, are you coming to Colorado this summer?
Yes Pat, I have plans to attend the Colorado Rally!
Maybe we can trade polishing techniques! :)
ouch my eyes are burning. shiny good
Here's a little update on the new front tire. As stated earlier, I installed a Conti Motion front tire on my FJ. It's a budget tire and costs $78 delivered from Motorcycle Superstore. Here's the link:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/24805/ITEM/Continental-Conti-Motion-Sport-Touring-Radial-Front-Tire.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/24805/ITEM/Continental-Conti-Motion-Sport-Touring-Radial-Front-Tire.aspx) You can also read reviews from others there as well.
I have been a Dunlop kinda guy for years, but after the Roadsmart's lack of mileage, and being on a budget, I went with the Conti. As said before, I have a friend that has them on his VFR and he likes them.
After 150 or so miles, I have to say I like this tire. Rides smooth and is very stable. I didn't push it in the corners but going thru the sweepers at 80-90 mph (usually done at over 100mph) offered no surprises. Really, tracked very nicely and with very little inputs. I was able to lean it right over to peg scraping angles. Transitions from side to side was also very smooth.
Now, let's see what kind of mileage I get out of it. If I see 5000 miles out of it, I will buy another. Great value for the money.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408824_3238494405392_1357729504_33355814_1574157543_n.jpg)
Craig,
I'm very happy to read that you like these tires. I have 2 sets waiting to go on!
I've been a Dunlop guy in the past also, but the fast dissolving tread on the Roadsmart has cured me of that.
DavidR.
David,
I just have the Conti on the front as of now. Still have a few miles left on the rear Roadsmart. I will most likely get the matching Conti for the rear sometime before the WCR.
BTW, I used to get a lot of chatter out of the front during hard braking. That has almost all gone away. I thought it was my brakes but now???? Just happy it's gone. :good:
CraigO
Just bringing back an old thread, but nice job on the wheels/forks Craigo. Just considering doing mine now, as the forks have to come off for a rebuild anyway. Mmmm, powdercoating the wheels, thats on the cards now as well, just have to decide on what colour contrasts well with the Blue/silver '92. Its a bit of a hassle to take the wheels somewhere to get the new tyres removed/bearings removed and replaced, but not a major issue.
Was thinking about polishing the edges of the rims, but I think just full colour is the way to go. :good2:
Quote from: X-Ray on July 21, 2013, 06:44:10 PM
Just bringing back an old thread, but nice job on the wheels/forks Craigo. Just considering doing mine now, as the forks have to come off for a rebuild anyway. Mmmm, powdercoating the wheels, thats on the cards now as well, just have to decide on what colour contrasts well with the Blue/silver '92. Its a bit of a hassle to take the wheels somewhere to get the new tyres removed/bearings removed and replaced, but not a major issue.
Was thinking about polishing the edges of the rims, but I think just full colour is the way to go. :good2:
The forks strip and polish up real easy.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/5/1651_26_05_13_12_43_31.jpeg)
Still thinking about a polished swing arm.....
George
Looks good George, I was thinking about stripping and polishing the swingarm as well. But I'm sure on the 92 models they are painted steel, not aluminium, :(. I could be wrong though. Will check further.
You're right, the swingarm is steel.
Arnie
Thanks Arnie, one less job to do. Maybe a cleanup/repaint might be in order then,
gday ray, theres a powdercoaTER at brendale who has 6500 different colours on offer, im pretty sure he could make your swingarm look just about like chrome,silver, anything,and to top it off he's reasonably priced compared to the powdercoaters who only like to do black, ken
http://www.thermaledgecoating.com.au/products/ (http://www.thermaledgecoating.com.au/products/)
Quote from: ken65 on July 21, 2013, 09:35:36 PM
gday ray, theres a powdercoaTER at brendale who has 6500 different colours on offer, im pretty sure he could make your swingarm look just about like chrome,silver, anything,and to top it off he's reasonably priced compared to the powdercoaters who only like to do black, ken
http://www.thermaledgecoating.com.au/products/ (http://www.thermaledgecoating.com.au/products/)
That's a good idea ! Labor saving for sure.... :good2: :good2:
George
Quote from: X-Ray on July 21, 2013, 08:53:57 PM
Looks good George, I was thinking about stripping and polishing the swingarm as well. But I'm sure on the 92 models they are painted steel, not aluminium, :(. I could be wrong though. Will check further.
Ray, I have an aluminium swingarm if you feel like swapping yours for something more to polish!
Yours for the asking.
Harvy
Quote from: X-Ray on July 21, 2013, 08:53:57 PM
Looks good George, I was thinking about stripping and polishing the swingarm as well. But I'm sure on the 92 models they are painted steel, not aluminium, :(. I could be wrong though. Will check further.
You could always install an aluminum swing arm off a 89-90 FJ, like I did on my 91.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/2012-08-14123604_zps4e249a62.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/1tinindian/media/Motorcycles/2012-08-14123604_zps4e249a62.jpg.html)
Direct bolt-in.
Leon
Quote from: ken65 on July 21, 2013, 09:35:36 PM
...... im pretty sure he could make your swingarm look just about like chrome,silver
Not saying it doesn't exist but I've never seen a finish that tries to imitate chrome or silver that doesn't look tacky.
I'm not a big fan of powdercoat as a default finish. I get a lot of it done but only where the application requires it.
My swing arm came with my 17" wheel (it came all bolted up) and has always been much rougher than the rest of the bike. A puncture a while back provided the opportunity to fix it.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8464942002_f1b4c02b66_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8463840335_d9591aa079_c.jpg)
I have bought many (lots!) tins of silver over the years, none a good match for the FJ frame then I stumbled onto this. It is a near perfect match.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/9341012022_b4afb5c298_c.jpg)
It's a VHT wheel paint. Polyurethane, slightly glossy, chemical and chip resistant finish.
It has proven to be a hardy finish and can be touched up if need be.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8457705703_259cd7c3b0_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8491197959_0a0de5eb60_c.jpg)
I did the caliper with it and some gunmetal grey as well.
Very cheap job, great result and I didn't have to drive it anywhere and pick it up.
Noel
Thanks for the suggestions chaps! Thinking about the swingarm side of things, I'll probably clean it up and either repaint or powdercoat. I found Robertos Custom Powder at Morningside in Brissie seem to do a lot of bike work, prices very good too. Can do solid colours and candy. I'll hopefully get both rims done, (the GSXR wheel is a bit of a mess), and maybe the swingarm. Depends how much carried away I get, (oh, need money too, lol)
http://www.robertoscustompowder.com.au/PartsPricing.aspx?ID=12 (http://www.robertoscustompowder.com.au/PartsPricing.aspx?ID=12)
Edit, thanks for the tip with the paint Noel, that looks great! (Just a million things going through my head all FJ related before March!) Mrs Ray keeps telling me we need a new fridge and washing machine also.
Quote from: X-Ray on July 21, 2013, 11:15:54 PM
Mrs Ray keeps telling me we need a new fridge and washing machine also.
Ray, when was the last time your saw a bloke with an ear to ear grin he couldn't wipe off after doing a load of washing?
Or, when was the last time the boys headed off for a weekend with their fridges?
Priorities Ray, priorities.
Noel - I'm the head of my house and have my wife's permission to say so.
I will pass on your Mantra to Mrs Ray Noel and all things going well, I will have a successful outcome, lol. My RPM cart is sitting at $500.00 currently without the fork valves which are on b/o. But, every cent we spend on these bikes is worth it, (I think so anyway). The little painty/polishy/powdercoating bits are all casualties of "moditus", brought on by sitting in the shed with a few beers and Toto playing through the sound system thinking, mmm, what next?
Quote from: X-Ray on July 22, 2013, 05:39:52 AM
I will pass on your Mantra to Mrs Ray Noel and all things going well, I will have a successful outcome, lol.
Enjoy your new fridge and washing machine, Ray. :lol: Pete.
Quote from: oldktmdude on July 22, 2013, 06:53:19 AM
Quote from: X-Ray on July 22, 2013, 05:39:52 AM
I will pass on your Mantra to Mrs Ray Noel and all things going well, I will have a successful outcome, lol.
Enjoy your new fridge and washing machine, Ray. :lol: Pete.
but but But ...your Honour...The defendant has ta brave fierce weather conditions and put in hard labour to ensure safety is paramount on his 20 year old, fuel efficient transport item (fuel is presently $1.66 a litre ya know!). I put it to you that it would be a perversion of logic to give priority to present, perfectly functioning, items that are indeed younger... just to satisfy the whims of the fairer gender, (tha plaintiffs), as they frivolously indulge in perfume, lippy and stuff...
Will a pink stripe help?...I guess shopping is kinda Sport/Touring...and and And can save ya money if their on special...No, it doesn`t make you look fat...you look terrific...their Good Guys, I know :bad:
All of you have done beautiful jobs on your FJs. But lets all thank the polish king, Pat, for the inspiration :good:
Still waiting for some current pics of your bike Pat. Rolling piece of art you got there.
CraigO
Quote from: craigo on July 23, 2013, 03:03:49 AM
All of you have done beautiful jobs on your FJs. But lets all thank the polish king, Pat, for the inspiration :good:
Still waiting for some current pics of your bike Pat. Rolling piece of art you got there.
CraigO
I know this is probably a waste of time, but is there ANY chance I got one up on Pat with this effort?
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8492305270_cc1fcf5eab_z.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8502532047_0c8f2bdeae_z.jpg)
Noel
looks good, if thats no match for pat he must be a guru, i like to show off a bit, heres what i did with my rd caliper, dont know how many cartons of beer it took, the wheel itself was about 10 hours i reckon, maybe more
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/001.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/001.jpg.html)
Quote from: 1tinindian on July 21, 2013, 10:21:49 PM
Quote from: X-Ray on July 21, 2013, 08:53:57 PM
Looks good George, I was thinking about stripping and polishing the swingarm as well. But I'm sure on the 92 models they are painted steel, not aluminium, :(. I could be wrong though. Will check further.
You could always install an aluminum swing arm off a 89-90 FJ, like I did on my 91.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/1tinindian/Motorcycles/2012-08-14123604_zps4e249a62.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/1tinindian/media/Motorcycles/2012-08-14123604_zps4e249a62.jpg.html)
Direct bolt-in.
Leon
I need special sunglasses to look at you bike Leon..... Tell me about polishing your swing arm.... :lol: I think I have another AL swing arm coming in. I told them just to send it to you because if it layed on your garage floor long enough you couldn't stand it and would shine it up...... :lol: :lol: :lol: :rofl:
George
Noel your front wheel looks a brighter silver than it should be, have you repainted it?
Quote from: X-Ray on July 23, 2013, 09:42:30 PM
Noel your front wheel looks a brighter silver than it should be, have you repainted it?
No, must be the light or could be the reflection from all the other shiny bits.
I'll go with the shiny bits explanation, :drinks: