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General Category => Modifications => Topic started by: fj11.5 on September 09, 2012, 06:16:39 AM

Title: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on September 09, 2012, 06:16:39 AM
Hi all, im sure ive read on here somewhere,  but how much cursing, wiggling, and hammering is needed to fit an xjr swingarm into an fj,other than the xjr uses twin shocks,  what other changes are needed to make one fit,  or would it be better left standard fj, ,   (popcorn)
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: racerman_27410 on September 09, 2012, 10:39:42 AM
A first generation FZ1 swingarm would be much easier to fit up... its about 1.5 inches longer than the stock swingarm.



KOokaloo!
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on September 09, 2012, 04:01:50 PM
nice, thanks mate , will search for one of those  :good2:
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: 5xb on November 08, 2012, 02:50:53 PM
Hi...

Hammering is not needed to fit a XJR swing arm to a FJ. But you need to weld a little bit.

I made this mod to my FxJr 1250 a couple of years ago (With a little help from a good friend)  :yes:

Benefit compared to FZR og Thunderace swing arms is, that the XJR is same length as the FJ swing arm. I made this mod because I changed my engine to a XJR engine, and as some of you already know the front sprocket on this engine is 7-8mm to the left side compared to the FJ engine.

Here some photo's: FJ swing arm compared to Thunderace, FZR and XJR and photo of my FxJr 1250  :bye:

(http://5xb.dk/swingarm/fzr-fj.jpg)

(http://5xb.dk/swingarm/fj-thunderace.jpg)

(http://5xb.dk/swingarm/xjr-fj.jpg)

(http://5xb.dk/swingarm/fxjr.jpg)
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on November 08, 2012, 06:23:26 PM
Excellent info , thanks  :good2:mate,,, great looking Fj you have
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: pajoXJR on November 19, 2012, 06:35:30 AM
Anyone didi XJR swingarm conversion and did cut off shock mounts and have them somewhere laying around?

@5xb?
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on December 19, 2012, 04:09:00 AM
Will have an xjr ARM here soon, , will break out the ruler and chalk once I have it in my paws, then will work out what needs to be done to fit it to the 84, could be a fun project
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: 5xb on December 21, 2012, 03:45:04 PM
Watch out. There are two different types of XJR swing arms. One for the XJR 1200 and XJR 1300 models until 2003 and another for the XJR 1300 from 2004 until now. The late models has another (larger) axle diameter and are known by the reinforcement behind the swingarm axle.

(http://5xb.dk/swingarm/rp02.jpg)

(http://5xb.dk/swingarm/rp06.jpg)

B.R. Benny
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on December 21, 2012, 09:07:02 PM
Thanks mate, great info, , the one ill have is off a 2000 model
Title: Re: xjr/fz1 swing arm?
Post by: Antonn3 on December 22, 2012, 12:16:51 AM
fj11.5-
hmm... that xjr swingarm sure looks similar to the 2000 FZ1 arm?
Im in the process of installing a 2000 FZ1 swingarm into my 85 and I can tell you you will have interference with the very tips of of the rear pedal support mounts hitting the swingarm when you put it in full travel. Also the side banjo bolt on the rear brake reservour will touch. You can change the banjo bolt to a low profile one as told to me by Pat or  swap the unit for a rear exit master cyclinder.
I have come up with a way of spreading the pedal mounts/support  without any modification to the mounts themselves.
I will post pics when Im back after the holiday break.

BTW
Merry Christmas all and Happy new Year!!!

Tony
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on December 22, 2012, 01:30:37 AM
Hi tony, thanks mate, that's something that won't jump out and bite me , never gave the brake master much thought , I ma end up shortening the peg mounts anyway, but if you have an easier way that's even better,,
Merry Christmas mate,, 
Regards Rodney ,,
Ps , I wouldn't be surprised if its the same ARM   
Title: Re: xjr/fz1 swing arm?
Post by: Harvy on December 22, 2012, 01:59:47 AM
Quote from: Antonn3 on December 22, 2012, 12:16:51 AM
fj11.5-
hmm... that xjr swingarm sure looks similar to the 2000 FZ1 arm?
Im in the process of installing a 2000 FZ1 swingarm into my 85 and I can tell you you will have interference with the very tips of of the rear pedal support mounts hitting the swingarm when you put it in full travel. Also the side banjo bolt on the rear brake reservour will touch. You can change the banjo bolt to a low profile one as told to me by Pat or  swap the unit for a rear exit master cyclinder.
I have come up with a way of spreading the pedal mounts/support  without any modification to the mounts themselves.
I will post pics when Im back after the holiday break.

BTW
Merry Christmas all and Happy new Year!!!

Tony

Tony, for the rear brake with my 2003 FZ1 swing arm into a '91 FJ, I only had to change the mechanical brake light switch at the master cylinder for a banjo bolt with built in pressure switch...... there was no interference with the footpeg mounts on the '91.

Cheers
Harvy
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on December 24, 2012, 12:26:36 AM
Xjr ARM arrived , nice chrissy pressy for effie, ,, anyway other than having someone weld in the pivot mountains for a torque ARM looks like it should be an easy mod :lol:, I may regret saying that  :scratch_one-s_head:,,  just test fitted the old 4.5" gsxr rim and tyre , plenty of room to move , , now should I keep the suzy brakes or source a rear blue spot as it came with the bracket ,, merry Christmas to all , and too all a good kookaloo
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Arnie on December 24, 2012, 06:50:17 AM
Rod,

Its just a rear brake.  And its only a 240mm disk, IIRC.  You don't need awesome stopping power from the rear, and I find the smaller disk (and therefore braking sensitivity) to be beneficial.
Changing to a blue-spot caliper and having to change all the rest of the rear brake assembly will only improve the appearance, not the function of your bike.  Besides, the underslung Tokiko with the all alloy brake stay looks cool.

Arnie
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj11.5 on December 24, 2012, 07:05:35 AM
Hey arnie, thanks mate , I appreciate the advice, , your right , think ill stick with the suzi item  :good2:
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Millietant on August 23, 2020, 10:22:02 AM
So another FJ owner asked a me question about this swap and sent me the link to this old thread.

I've read it, and read it, and re-read it...and I can't find any mention of how to make the FJ rear suspension linkages fit the XJR swinging arm......there's a side-mention of a "little bit of welding", but mounting the 4 locating bosses on the underside of the swinging arm, and in the right place for the geometry seems a little bit more complicated and specialised than is indîcated in the text.

Does anyone still on here have any more info or thoughts on this swap - putting a XJR swinging arm into a FJ 12 ?

I'd be really interested to hear !
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 23, 2020, 11:40:48 AM
Hey Dean, taking a twin shock XJ swinger and welding on the dog bone mount bracket seems like a lot of work to me....this is in addition of assuming the XJ pivot shaft is the correct length to fit into the FJ frame (9.372")

Here is the mount bracket (with bearings) you will need on the XJ swinger:

(http://www.fjmods.co.uk/Pictures/MarcRittner/4aShockClearanceCutA.jpg)

Why even mess around with a twin shock swinger when there are better candidates out there?
Are you familiar with the YZF1000 TAce swinger mod?
http://www.fjmods.co.uk/MarcRittner.htm (http://www.fjmods.co.uk/MarcRittner.htm)

(http://www.fjmods.co.uk/Pictures/MarcRittner/9AceLeftA.jpg)

Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Millietant on August 23, 2020, 03:20:23 PM
Yeah Pat, I'm familiar with all of the usual rear end swaps, especially the Thunderace (Marc was the inspiration for my FJ mods, I was in touch with him over on an Aprilia forum before I realised it was his FJ - what a first class engineer that man is  :good2:) and FZ1 swaps, and for the life of me I can't imagine why anyone would want to go to the trouble of fitting a XJR swing arm - but in the text of the posts, from "back in the day" on this thread, the writer says it's an easy job, you just need to "weld a bit".

TBH I thought i must have been missing something, because that's not a swap I would ever think of doing - there are so many easier/better options in my mind.

Someone sent me a link to this thread as they read it and thought it would be a simple swap - I disagreed, so thought I'd ask here  :good:
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 23, 2020, 05:01:27 PM
Ok, we're singing the same tune.

If you find out anything, let me know. I'm curious. Too bad the photos are gone.
Because the XJ/XJR were never imported in the USA, the origins of this mod. would probably be in the EU.
Perhaps your UK FJ blokes have info.?

The OP (fj11.5) has not posted since 2013 and 5xb Benny from Denmark in 2014.
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Millietant on August 23, 2020, 09:03:55 PM
The couple of people I spoke too had the same view as us..........I just don't understand what those guys were talking about back then  :sarcastic: :sarcastic:.......that's a lot of trouble to go to to swap a swinging arm !!!!
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: ribbert on August 24, 2020, 08:13:26 AM
Quote from: Millietant on August 23, 2020, 10:22:02 AM

Does anyone still on here have any more info or thoughts on this swap - putting a XJR swinging arm into a FJ 12 ?

I'd be really interested to hear !

Dean, I recall one of those guys was looking into this conversion as a solution to sprocket alignment after fitting an XJR motor to his FJ, no other reason.

I also remember an enquiry from someone who just thought it would make a cool looking retro mod. I think he lost interest when he realised it would take more than an hour and more tools than the FJ tool kit.

Other than the guy looking for a genuine solution to his alignment issues, this conversion for the sake of it belongs with such things as cable operated front calipers, cable operated clutch (different guy) fitting a kick starter, converting from fuel pump back to gravity flow, spoked wheels, single carby, fitting a six speed box, punching engines out to silly capacities, water cooling and even a drum brake conversion. We've had enquiries about them all over the years and probably some I've forgotten.

The XJR swinger conversion is IMO a mod without merit.

Noel


Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: fj1289 on August 24, 2020, 11:48:49 AM
I would like to do an XJR swingarm swap - but still attached to the XJR frame!
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Millietant on August 25, 2020, 03:47:47 AM
 :sarcastic: :sarcastic:  You guys have restored my faith !!! Thought I was losing my mind for a while.
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Xfrogman on August 31, 2020, 05:47:56 PM
Hello All,
I read the front shock and rear swing arm upgrades, and 12 years ago decided to do this. As we all know work, life, kids and marriage all tend to get into the way. Amazingly enough once I got divorced I was actually able to finish some of my projects. One project I was able to get back on the road is my 1986 FJ1200. Still has a lot of details to finish up and I cant tell you how much fun this bike is to ride.

My cousin (he has a 1983 Seca 900 as seen in the pic) and I rode up the coast from (California) Burbank to San Jose along Hwy 1 and 101. We had to avoid the closures from the fires but all in all the weather was about perfect and the smoke was minimal. My cousin was very helpful in the final assembly. I had to get the carbs rebuilt, new wind screen, master cylinder issues, GPS Speedo and various other details. To be honest I did about 70% of the work, but I was intimately hands on involved in the processes.

Going off memory - the swing arm length of the R1 swing arm is much closer to the original which is what I wanted to keep close to, I have noticed that other swing arms seem to bring the rear wheel closer in to the bike according to the pics I have seen. Maybe its an optical illusion but it gives the bike an odd look, how the shorter swing arm rides i have no idea. What I can say is my set up is very forgiving, the bigger breaks, tires and new shocks really make the bike feel like i have so much control. I obviously cant speak for how the bike felt before and after with detail because its been so long since I rode it the stock but I do not remember the confidence going into corners with a heavy 1200 that I have now. I have only put on 500 miles so far but it is awesome.

I went with a 2002 R1 front end and swing arm. Please note that the fabrication work was done over 6 years ago and I will do my best to answer any questions. I also had a superior motorcycle fabricator as a close friend to help me with the machining. He makes custom single sided swing arms so his technical knowledge of lining up gears, dog bones and his "show quality" aluminum welding made the process much less painful.

I plan on posting some close up pics of the different points of interest on my upgrades. For now I will leave you with these.
Title: Re: xjr swing arm
Post by: Xfrogman on August 31, 2020, 05:56:07 PM
Photos for above