hi all, has anyone done a 17" rear wheel conversion to a fj12? if so, what wheel was used and tyre size ect, and more importantly, did it make a noticable difference, i`m only toying with the idea for ease of tyre size. any help appreciated
Quote from: bushboy66 on January 20, 2013, 08:32:12 AM
hi all, has anyone done a 17" rear wheel conversion to a fj12? if so, what wheel was used and tyre size ect, and more importantly, did it make a noticable difference, i`m only toying with the idea for ease of tyre size. any help appreciated
Not big on using the search function eh??? There are a few posts and some with wright-ups on how its done. The GSXR is the most common as it is a simple bolt on job, no machining required. I used a 92 GSXR 750 rear wheel and now that it is not the stock Periwinkle color I am very pleased with it. Handling difference is not noticed until you need the larger contact patch of a fatter tire. So hopefully not very often unless you race your FJ. Or if you currently run bias-ply then you might like the feel of a radial. Tire compound choice is the largest improvement of going to 17".
This might help: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3380.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3380.0)
Periwinkle: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5858.msg51324#msg51324 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5858.msg51324#msg51324)
As FJMonkey says, the GSXR rear wheel assembly is the easiest and therefore the most common 17" rear wheel swap.
There are others including FZR, and FZ1 wheels, but these do require some machine work.
I have to disagree though with his comments about handling. The change in handling is immediate and very noticable.
The bike is both quicker to initiate a turn and much more stable while cornering. The wallow caused by the tall sidewall of the OEM 16" tire is gone with the change to a low profile radial 17" rear.
Arnie
Quote from: Arnie on January 20, 2013, 09:43:23 AM
As FJMonkey says, the GSXR rear wheel assembly is the easiest and therefore the most common 17" rear wheel swap.
There are others including FZR, and FZ1 wheels, but these do require some machine work.
I have to disagree though with his comments about handling. The change in handling is immediate and very noticable.
The bike is both quicker to initiate a turn and much more stable while cornering. The wallow caused by the tall sidewall of the OEM 16" tire is gone with the change to a low profile radial 17" rear.
Arnie
My bad, :blush: I still have the original rear shock. I hear they were crappy when new and mine is now 27 years old, I doubt it improves with age. Upgrade your rear shock to fully enjoy the new rear wheel. I am waiting for the soon to be released RPM shock.
thanks guys, as for the search function, i`m still trying to find my way to the home page lol. i will give it a looksee.
This link has good information also. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2465.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2465.0)
Quote from: bushboy66 on January 20, 2013, 08:32:12 AM
hi all, has anyone done a 17" rear wheel conversion to a fj12? if so, what wheel was used and tyre size ect, and more importantly, did it make a noticable difference, i`m only toying with the idea for ease of tyre size. any help appreciated
If you are considering the FZR rear swap, and don't want to do or not able to do the machining part your self, you can buy the parts all done from the FJ owners club in UK.
www.fjcatalogue.com/catalog/item/7303420/8542647.htm (http://www.fjcatalogue.com/catalog/item/7303420/8542647.htm)
You would have to be a member and paid a subscription fee to bee able to parches from this site though.
Quote from: markmartin on January 20, 2013, 01:18:17 PM
This link has good information also. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2465.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2465.0)
KitKat Black writes:
The following rear wheels will bolt up using only spacers for alignment: 88-89 GSXR750 & 1989 1100: 4-1/2" 17" 90-92 GSXR750 or 1100 5-1/2"x17
They use stock rear brake caliper?
If i have understood this correctly, and those other articles regarding the GSXR swap, its only the 93-95 GSXR750 5-1/2" x 17" 93-98 GSXR1100 5-1/2" x 17 that recuire some machining and the complete brake system from the gsxr?
Quote from: keand3 on January 20, 2013, 02:45:44 PM
The following rear wheels will bolt up using only spacers for alignment: 88-89 GSXR750 & 1989 1100: 4-1/2" 17" 90-92 GSXR750 or 1100 5-1/2"x17
They use stock rear brake caliper?
I can only speak for the 90 - 92 GSXR750 or 1100 5-1/2"x17" and the answer is yes, they use the stock
GSXR rear brake caliper. You can keep and use the stock FJ rear master.
Gsxr swap is easy as re,fitting your original wheel , just has extra spacers ,, even easier if you buy all the parts from one place /bike , wheel, caliper brackets ect ,,
Swapping to the GSXR 750 wheel really is as easy as pulling the stock wheel out to change a tire. The only part I needed help with was shortening the caliper support. Found a local welder and had it shortened 2 1/4 inches.
Quote from: markmartin on January 20, 2013, 03:22:13 PM
I can only speak for the 90 - 92 GSXR750 or 1100 5-1/2"x17" and the answer is yes, they use the stock GSXR rear brake caliper. You can keep and use the stock FJ rear master.
So bolting up the wheel is easy, but you have to use the gsxr caliper. But from what i understand it does need some maching on the FJ caliper mounts as Aviationfred mention?
Im doing the rear mod this summer, but havent decided fir the gxsr or fz1 yet.. It seems they both a pretty straight forward..
Quote from: keand3 on January 21, 2013, 02:01:19 AM
So bolting up the wheel is easy, but you have to use the gsxr caliper. But from what i understand it does need some maching on the FJ caliper mounts as Aviationfred mention?
I installed the 92, GSXR 750 on my 86' and did zero machining to the parts. I did have a spacer machined but could have used washers. And I drilled into the bottom of the swing arm to install a bracket to mount the under-slung caliper stay. Some have just bolted to the inside of the passenger peg. And I kept the FJ master cylinder for the rear brake.
Quote from: keand3 on January 21, 2013, 02:01:19 AM
Quote from: markmartin on January 20, 2013, 03:22:13 PM
I can only speak for the 90 - 92 GSXR750 or 1100 5-1/2"x17" and the answer is yes, they use the stock GSXR rear brake caliper. You can keep and use the stock FJ rear master.
So bolting up the wheel is easy, but you have to use the gsxr caliper. But from what i understand it does need some maching on the FJ caliper mounts as Aviationfred mention?
Im doing the rear mod this summer, but havent decided fir the gxsr or fz1 yet.. It seems they both a pretty straight forward..
When I was doing my 1992 GSXR 750 5.5 inch rear wheel swap, I asked the group what spacers they used and two members responded with (No.1)0.075" spacer on the sprocket side and 0.258" spacer on the brake side; (No. 2)0.057" space on the sprocket side and 0.287" spacer on the brake side. I just used a combination of the original spacers and washer I bought at an industrial supply place and put the rim as close as possible to these specifications as possible. I then used a Motion Pro Chain Alignment tool to make sure everything was lined up. Mounted the caliper support. No problems afterwards. Great in the corners now and running the new Dunlop 170/60ZR17 SportMax that came with the rim for $99 from Ebay.
Quote from: keand3 on January 21, 2013, 02:01:19 AM
So bolting up the wheel is easy, but you have to use the gsxr caliper. But from what i understand it does need some maching on the FJ caliper mounts as Aviationfred mention?
The part that aviationfred is referring to is the brake torque arm (brake stay).
When converting to the GSXR wheel, the brake has an underslung caliper as opposed to the FJ / top mounted brake. The slight problem this creates is that you now need an attachment point for the brake stay
under the swingarm or frame.
aviationfred chose to install a bracket under the swing arm, and then had the brake stay shortened / welded to the length he needed to mount to his new bracket. That works.
I did what was suggested in the write up http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3380.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3380.0) and used an extra long bottom bolt for the rightside footpeg, and attached the brake stay to that bolt. This way, the brake stay needed no modification -- no machining.
I did have to mail order the 8 x 1.25mm bolt needed to do this footpeg mounting location.
As it has been mentioned, try to get all the wheel parts from the same bike at the same time. Wheel, brake rotor, sprocket and cush, brake caliper, brake stay, and all the spacers that come with the wheel. Pretty much, everything that is on the axle. It's a straight farward swap if you've got all the right parts and spacers.
Any advise on changing your own tires.mount and dismount
Quote from: Shane4371 on November 26, 2015, 07:27:31 PM
Any advise on changing your own tires.mount and dismount
If you are in SoCal I can show you how with minimal cost.
Quote from: bushboy66 on January 20, 2013, 08:32:12 AM
hi all, has anyone done a 17" rear wheel conversion to a fj12? if so, what wheel was used and tyre size ect, and more importantly, did it make a noticable difference, i`m only toying with the idea for ease of tyre size. any help appreciated
Yes I have performed the much desired 17" conversion. Finally! Now I have an abundance of tire choices. I used an old Yamaha YZF750 wheel. It looks identical to the stock FJ wheel except for the fact that it's 17" diameter and 5.5" wide rather than the stock 3.5" wide wheel. It has a 180 tire now and looks great! Handling isn't changed much at all. Maybe a little more traction with the larger footprint that the wider tire provides...
Some machining of the left side bearing seat and cush drive is required for sprocket alignment. A couple spacers will have to be fabricated as well.
Have a trusty machinist help out and take your time to get the correct measurements. It is definitely worth the effort!