Made a set of dogbones today. Shorter 115mm center to center, that is 10mm fewer than stock. Now my rear tyre (Avon) just touches the ground with the bike on center stand. Still working on the a few other things. It's getting there but now, I need to do the side stand mod. Thank's to all who posted information in on these mod's in the past, did a search and got all the information I needed. A special THANK YOU to Leon his post on the 17" rear wheel was very help full basically I copied what he did. His clears by 1/4" but I still have the 16" rear wheel. Head light, mirrors, then shock. When is the next WRC?
Kurt
Sorry not wrc WCR.
Kurt
what did you use for material? I have been contemplating making a shorter set, or getting a set of adjustable ones...........but I want to make sure the steel I use is strong enough for this type of application.
Quote from: Firehawk068 on September 09, 2012, 11:29:26 PM
what did you use for material? I have been contemplating making a shorter set, or getting a set of adjustable ones...........but I want to make sure the steel I use is strong enough for this type of application.
Just went to Home Depot picked up a piece of 1/4" by 1 1/2" I think it was 3' long. This should more than strong enough. Cut them 152mm then tack welded them together, marked and drilled the holes. Used a 15/32" drill bit, then used a socket to mark for rounding the corners. Ground down the corners, painted and installed them. Looks good can't wait to ride it and try this out. I took some pictures will post them soon.
Kurt
Quote from: yamaha fj rider on September 09, 2012, 11:50:56 PM
Quote from: Firehawk068 on September 09, 2012, 11:29:26 PM
what did you use for material? I have been contemplating making a shorter set, or getting a set of adjustable ones...........but I want to make sure the steel I use is strong enough for this type of application.
Just went to Home Depot picked up a piece of 1/4" by 1 1/2" I think it was 3' long. This should more than strong enough. Cut them 152mm then tack welded them together, marked and drilled the holes. Used a 15/32" drill bit, then used a socket to mark for rounding the corners. Ground down the corners, painted and installed them. Looks good can't wait to ride it and try this out. I took some pictures will post them soon.
Kurt
Randy T broke a set of homemade dogbones while learning to fly a couple of years ago......search for "broken dogbones" for the story.
Harvy
Quote from: Harvy on September 10, 2012, 12:54:33 AM
Randy T broke a set of homemade dogbones while learning to fly a couple of years ago......search for "broken dogbones" for the story.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2792.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2792.0)
Mild steel, CRS, Cold Rolled Steel also sold as 1018 mild steel has a tensile (Don't use yield) strength ranging between 38,000 and 50,000 psi. See if you can get some 302 Stainless, it has a yield around 102,000 psi. Might hold up better if you are gonna teach your FJ how to fly.
Thank's for the great input. The new dogbones are just until I replace the shock. Then can'.t you adjust the ride height on the shock. Will wait to see what Randy's shock has, I seem to remember Penske shocks have this feature. The ones I made are a little thicker than stock should be more than strong enough, but I will keep an eye on them.
Kurt
what if you find some chromemoly? or is it too brittle to work with?
Quote from: Firehawk068 on September 10, 2012, 09:46:36 PM
what if you find some chromemoly? or is it too brittle to work with?
which one???
http://www.alcobrametals.com/guide.php?metal=19 (http://www.alcobrametals.com/guide.php?metal=19)
I guess 4130 would work fine.......seems high strength enough, and looks like it's available in sheet form.
Quote from: FJmonkey on September 10, 2012, 07:29:35 AM
Might hold up better if you are gonna teach your FJ how to fly.
You will think I am flying when I pass yur ass. :sarcastic: :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Kurt
Started digging a bit and the more I read and have seen, I think the dogbones aren't under such incredible stress that the material matters. It seems from what I read that failures are most common when things get loaded up sideways, if there's worn bushings/bearings in the linkage someplace, and that makes total sense.
Always just used aluminum myself, but I try to avoid jumping into the ditch, potholes, etc... :) The turnbuckle style links are really nice if you want to have easy adjustability though.
Thank's Andy for the info. Just wanted to try out the shorter dogbones. Waiting on Randy's shock and wanted more clearance for the exhaust. Bike looks better with shorter dogbones. If not Randy's shock then Penske. What model Penske would you buy?
Kurt
Quote from: yamaha fj rider on September 09, 2012, 09:32:48 PM
Made a set of dogbones today. Shorter 115mm center to center, that is 10mm fewer than stock. Now my rear tyre (Avon) just touches the ground with the bike on center stand. Still working on the a few other things. It's getting there but now, I need to do the side stand mod. Thank's to all who posted information in on these mod's in the past, did a search and got all the information I needed. A special THANK YOU to Leon his post on the 17" rear wheel was very help full basically I copied what he did. His clears by 1/4" but I still have the 16" rear wheel. Head light, mirrors, then shock. When is the next WRC?
Kurt
I added just under 40mm, its ok and the bike stands nice and tall now, but i do have to make sure that im not parking it on the wrong side of a camber otherwise it can be too tall. I would go for about 30-35mm upon reflection.
I machined in a conical male and female end to the original side stand stand and the length of bar i fitted in. The advice i had on here about type of weld to use was spot on. The end result looks almost OEM. I have added what i think is the correct link below.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7074.msg63901#msg63901 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7074.msg63901#msg63901)
Rode the FJ for the first time with the new dog bones yesterday and found that it was like adding more preload to the spring. It did make the bike handle much better. Now set it in a turn and it wants to stay there almost felt like riding a Yamaha GTS. Please note it was eighteen years ago I wast time rode one of those. This was a worthwhile change. The best answer would be an adjustable length shock. Thanks again Leon and everybody for the information on this site. Just like a fine wine my FJ just keeps getting better with age. :good2:
Kurt
"The turnbuckle style links are really nice if you want to have easy adjustability though."
Hi Andy,
Are these for real? If so from where?
Thanks,
Jeff
Quote from: jscgdunn on November 05, 2012, 10:07:17 PM
"The turnbuckle style links are really nice if you want to have easy adjustability though."
Hi Andy,
Are these for real? If so from where?
Of course. (http://www.soupysperformance.com/fj1200.html)
Figure out the shortest and longest length you want the dogbones to be. Then call and talk to Soupy - he probably has a set for another bike that will fit what you need. I think I ended up with GSXR links on the dragbike. Great to work with and great quality too!
Thanks! :bye: