Has anyone installed a set of 87-88 FZR1000 forks in the 88-90 FJ triple clamps along with an 87-88 FZR front wheel? Seems like an easy way to get bigger brakes, wider wheel and adjustable preload but I wonder about the fork length. Or better yet, anyone put just the FZR sliders on FJ tubes? Will FZR fork caps fit in FJ tubes?
The '87-'88 FZR1000 and FJ's share the same 41mm dia. fork tubes so the swap would be easy (inc. FZR lowers on the FJ tubes)
Yes, the 17" FZR rim is wider but you would still end up with a set of damper rod forks, even with cartridge emulators, there are better options available.....
The hot ticket today is a set of RPM fork valves in the '89+ FJ's lowers*** and use the '87-'88 FZR rim with R-1 blue spot calipers.
Or...if you really want to get the chicks (sorry Mike I couldn't resist) put the entire front end of the '91-'93 FZR on the FJ.
USD forks rock.
With the recent introduction of the trick RPM fork valves for our FJ's, I would not invest any time or effort in upgrading the FJ's front end unless you could *at least* get a set of cartridge forks out of the deal, along with a stiffer 17mm front axle, stiffer 43mm fork tubes and bigger 320mm rotors on a 3.5" wide front rim..
***To anticipate your question, no the RPM fork valves do not fit the FZR lower sliders....that's why you should use the late model FJ sliders.
Cheers.
Ya, i knew they were the same and that since the FZR wheel will slot right into the FJ forks, presumably the FZR forks would also slot into the FJ triple clamps making it easy to get both the wider wheel and 320mm rotors so that is good to know that my assumption was correct.
I had a set of Ricor valves (who Randy confirmed does make his) in a 49mm version in a Harley that I just sold so I am familiar with their ease of installation and how they work, which is quite well - takes a large diameter yet mushy dive prone front end into a nice smooth controlled front end that rides well whether cruising the interstate or carving corners (yes, Harley's can to a degree) and doesn't bottom under braking or even the most severe bumps so I am sold on that. They are a fairly cheap and easy way to get damper rod forks to work so I'm not too worried about using a damper rod setup. I'm curious as to why they would not fit FZR lowers - particularly if the FZR lowers where on FJ tubes using FJ springs and damper rods?
Quote from: p51bombay on May 18, 2013, 08:56:21 PM
Ya, i knew they were the same and that since the FZR wheel will slot right into the FJ forks, presumably the FZR forks would also slot into the FJ triple clamps making it easy to get both the wider wheel and 320mm rotors so that is good to know that my assumption was correct.
I had a set of Ricor valves (who Randy confirmed does make his) in a 49mm version in a Harley that I just sold so I am familiar with their ease of installation and how they work, which is quite well - takes a large diameter yet mushy dive prone front end into a nice smooth controlled front end that rides well whether cruising the interstate or carving corners (yes, Harley's can to a degree) and doesn't bottom under braking or even the most severe bumps so I am sold on that. They are a fairly cheap and easy way to get damper rod forks to work so I'm not too worried about using a damper rod setup. I'm curious as to why they would not fit FZR lowers - particularly if the FZR lowers where on FJ tubes using FJ springs and damper rods?
Where you sober when you posted this??? Just asking... No offense intended... We get all kinds and can't always tell sometimes...
umm.......yes, what did I miss?
Quote from: p51bombay on May 18, 2013, 09:16:04 PM
umm.......yes, what did I miss?
My bad, you were a wild card that was watching Randy's posts. Please disregard... We get a lot of nut jobs that just jump in with no real info....
I will admit to watching the threads about his IAT valves (without knowing they were the same item in concept) and already had in mind the thought of trying a set of the 41mm (or at least asking Ricor about them) versions since I knew they made a 41mm version for Harley's and with a little searching......Vmax 41mm forks as well - the reason being is that I knew they worked. But since the work has already been done - I don't need to.
If the Ricor valves fit the FZR forks, you have a potential improvement.... You will get everything we get with the '89+ fork swap plus 320mm rotors (vs. 298mm FJ)
If not, don't waste your time with the FZR damper rod forks ....just to get larger rotors. That's silly.
It is more important to get the IAT valves than the larger rotors. Remember, this is a street bike.
There is no practical difference between 320mm rotors and 298mm rotors on the street.
Track yes, street no.
A real difference is the improvement between the IAT valves and the damper rod forks (w/emulators)
Just my opinion. I'm done.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 18, 2013, 11:03:42 PM
If the Ricor valves fit the FZR forks, you have a potential improvement.... You will get everything we get with the '89+ fork swap plus 320mm rotors (vs. 298mm FJ)
If not, don't waste your time with the FZR damper rod forks ....just to get larger rotors. That's silly.
It is more important to get the IAT valves than the larger rotors. Remember, this is a street bike.
There is no practical difference between 320mm rotors and 298mm rotors on the street.
Track yes, street no.
A real difference is the improvement between the IAT valves and the damper rod forks (w/emulators)
Just my opinion. I'm done.
In an ideal world we could have it all, obviously I would strive to achieve all three if practical but your point is well taken. That said, even though I had an 89 back in the day, I had forgotten there was any adjustment to the forks. Monday I will be looking at and most likely bringing home a 90 model so..........are the stock adjustable forks better, worse or the same as a damper rod for with IAT valves? If they are at least as good as the IAT then you're right - not worth messing with what already works.
Perhaps I was not clear.
Let me try again. I'll say it this way:
Damper rod forks suck. Adjustable damper rod forks suck. All damper rod forks suck.
OEM FJ damper rod forks suck.
'84-'87 FJ anti dive damper rod forks suck.
'88-'95 FJ damper rod forks suck
OEM FZR damper rod forks suck
Do you see a pattern here?
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 18, 2013, 11:26:37 PM
Perhaps I was not clear.
Let me try again. I'll say it this way:
Damper rod forks suck. Adjustable damper rod forks suck. All damper rod forks suck.
OEM FJ damper rod forks suck.
'84-'87 FJ anti dive damper rod forks suck.
'88-'95 FJ damper rod forks suck
OEM FZR damper rod forks suck
Do you see a pattern here?
Pattern.......no, could you go over it again? LOL
So would you say that by removing the adjustable 90 forks and installing the IAT valves it would then not suck? If so, would you go so far as to remove the adjustable bits and back-date the internals to non adjustable with the addition of the valves or just cut the rod and be done with it? Without having taken them apart anytime recently, I can't say for sure but it seems as though the FZR forks "should" work with the IAT valve as it does sit inside the stanchion rather than the slider yes?
Any idea if you removed the adjustable parts from the FJ if 87-88 FZR preload adjustable caps would thread on?
Quote from: p51bombay on May 18, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
Has anyone installed a set of 87-88 FZR1000 forks in the 88-90 FJ triple clamps along with an 87-88 FZR front wheel? Seems like an easy way to get bigger brakes, wider wheel and adjustable preload but I wonder about the fork length. Or better yet, anyone put just the FZR sliders on FJ tubes? Will FZR fork caps fit in FJ tubes?
No, I do not think you can just slip the FZR forks into the FJ triples and use the FZR wheel and brakes. The FJ triples are 190mm cl to cl. The FZR triples are 200mm cl to cl. The only easy way to use those forks, wheel and brakes is to also use the FZR triple.
Pat is correct, If you are going to the trouble of swaping forks you need to end up with a cartridge fork. The YZF600r fork swap is a good plan to look at too. Ive done 7 of them and it is a great bang for the buck.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 18, 2013, 11:26:37 PM
Perhaps I was not clear.
Let me try again. I'll say it this way:
Damper rod forks suck. Adjustable damper rod forks suck. All damper rod forks suck.
OEM FJ damper rod forks suck.
'84-'87 FJ anti dive damper rod forks suck.
'88-'95 FJ damper rod forks suck
OEM FZR damper rod forks suck
Do you see a pattern here?
Don't hold back Pat...........................Tell us how you really feel............................ :sarcastic:
Having put Randy's valves in my forks, I can add some to this discussion. The installation of the valves involves the cutting of the damper adjusting rod, the new valve is blocking the path and your bypassing the damper system anyway. You retain the preload adjustment of the 89 forks that I used. The suspension improvement was incredible, I no longer feel the smaller bumps, when leaned over in a corner the front feels well planted and keeps on the line you set. My attention is no longer about what the front is doing in the corners, its the sacked out pogo-stick I have for a rear shock that I notice now. I am not a racer (I just love the corners) and cannot compare it to modern race tech, but I can say it made a world of difference from the 27 year old tech I was riding on. Before you install Randy's valves, find a nice bumpy corner and find your fastest comfort level on the stock forks. Then try it again after you upgrade.
Quote from: p51bombay on May 18, 2013, 01:53:22 PM
Has anyone installed a set of 87-88 FZR1000 forks in the 88-90 FJ triple clamps along with an 87-88 FZR front wheel? Seems like an easy way to get bigger brakes, wider wheel and adjustable preload but I wonder about the fork length. Or better yet, anyone put just the FZR sliders on FJ tubes? Will FZR fork caps fit in FJ tubes?
lemme help ya out here.
This is one of those fj mod myths that on surface looks like a winner.
muppet labs has attempted this mod and found it to be a waste of time and money.
you would have to transplant the entire front end off a 87-88 fzr1000 to make this work.
you cannot simply use the fzr lower sliders on the fj forks. the calipers don't match up as well as the fork brace and fender.
the fzr uses a different axle spacer for a wider placement of the forks.
muppet labs has determined that using 89 or later fork lowers with cartridge emulators and new springs is the best low budget suspension mod as for wanting
better brakes , ebc pro lites or wave rotors perform at the same level as 320mm ones.
this falls into the btdt realm of wtf were you thinking.
you would be money ahead to just do the full cartridge fork thing and not feel my pain of sinking time and money into a lost cause.
my .02 , do I get change?
Just another reason damper rod forks do not have to suck...
Evolution and revolution at RPM
(http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9236.msg87447#msg87447)
The RPM Fork Valves (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMForkValve) have converted the FJ damper rod fork to cartridge style forks. They now have a shim stack valve for both compression & rebound and no longer use fixed orifice to control movement.
Then add the patented bypass technology and you have the best bang for the buck...
Here is some more reading on the RPM fork valve as well;
RPM fork valves explained I (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6114.0)
RPM fork valves explained II (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7486.0)
Randy - RPM (http://www.rpmracingca.com)
Don't worry about improving 25 year old fork technology, manufacturers aren't. That's why they went to cartridge forks. I did the yzf600 fork swap like John Cain says . Best thing I've done to the bike. No machining what so ever. Transformed the handle in one afternoon. Yes it took a little bit to collect all the parts. Again, thanks to John Cain for the help in the swap.
Hey Mr Mumbai, I'd go with Randy's valves and matched springs plus a fork brace for good measure, then the front end is worthy of the 21st century. When considering all Fj mods to my 86, the front end tweaks are certainly near, if not at the top of the list. Over the 8 years of ownership I've done various things to my ride, some made minor improvements, others were game changers. My front end is by far the best it's ever been and it's really difficult to think of how it could behave any better. I've never ridden really modern sports bikes, but I'm looking forward to kicking their arses sideways.
Yeehaaaa
Andy
Quote from: craigslist1340 on May 19, 2013, 09:45:31 PM
Don't worry about improving 25 year old fork technology, manufacturers aren't.
Well, I went looking for an improvement and found it.
Maybe we should do your 89 with the RPM fork valves and you can give a true comparison.
You will have both options and can give your feedback of performance Vs. Cost Vs. Ease of installation.
I hope you will try it before you knock it.
Let me know if that is an option for you.
Randy - RPM
Quote from: racerrad8 on May 19, 2013, 10:16:06 PM
Quote from: craigslist1340 on May 19, 2013, 09:45:31 PM
Don't worry about improving 25 year old fork technology, manufacturers aren't.
Well, I went looking for an improvement and found it.
Maybe we should do your 89 with the RPM fork valves and you can give a true comparison.
You will have both options and can give your feedback of performance Vs. Cost Vs. Ease of installation.
I hope you will try it before you knock it.
Let me know if that is an option for you.
Randy - RPM
(popcorn) (popcorn) (popcorn)
Randy - RPM
(popcorn) (popcorn)loving this thread (popcorn) (popcorn) :morning2:
Quote from: racerrad8 on June 06, 2013, 07:35:26 PM
Quote from: racerrad8 on May 19, 2013, 10:16:06 PM
Quote from: craigslist1340 on May 19, 2013, 09:45:31 PM
Don't worry about improving 25 year old fork technology, manufacturers aren't.
Well, I went looking for an improvement and found it.
Maybe we should do your 89 with the RPM fork valves and you can give a true comparison.
You will have both options and can give your feedback of performance Vs. Cost Vs. Ease of installation.
I hope you will try it before you knock it.
Let me know if that is an option for you.
Randy - RPM
(popcorn) (popcorn) (popcorn)
Randy - RPM
I have added RPMs emulators to my 1989 FJ, my brother has a ZX12R who compares my FJ to a tank, anyway he took my FJ for a ride after these were fitted. He didn't know these were fitted until after the ride at some decent speeds. His first comment was that the front end feels as good as his bike (shame about the rear). Unless you tried these emulators (I have race-tech emulators on my Z1R, not bad but not as good as these RPM emulators/ race-tech springs) I suggest your (the knockers) opinion is invalid.
I havnt even tried the rpm valves, and yet I know they will improve the forks 110% :good2: