Well I made an offer on a set of forks on ebay and they accepted the offer. What do you guys think? WIll these work for the FZR wheel upgrade? In the process of trading someone local for an '88 front wheel. Anyway, here's the forks.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400477110326?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1743wt_1141 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/400477110326?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1743wt_1141)
Yes those will work fine. Check them out when you get them. May need to replace the seals, and oil.
Gonna "rebuild" them regardless. It will give me peace of mind.
Throw some of those trick RPM fork valves in there while you're at it...
When done, you will love this mod.... Kudos.
I just went on the RPM website. OUCH!!! I can't pay $200 for those valves. I think I'll keep my money and save up for a set of USD forks.
Quote from: Motorheaddad on June 16, 2013, 09:30:14 AM
I just went on the RPM website. OUCH!!! I can't pay $200 for those valves. I think I'll keep my money and save up for a set of USD forks.
Fork upgrades are not cheap. Having said that, I believe RPM fork valves to be about the best bang for the buck. You are able to keep your triple clamps, handlebars, fender and maintain the look of your FJ. By all accounts they are as good as or better than any other fork mod out there.
Consider that with USD forks you need to buy the forks, triple clamps, axle, wheel, fender, handlebars. There may be machining involved as well. Keep in mind also that the valving will be wrong as well since the USD forks will most likely be designed for a lighter bike.
Whatever forks you use should be rebuilt, so the springs, seals, and slide bushings and oil will need changing, so this cost is about the same. When buying fork seals, don't buy based on budget, there is no substitute for OEM Yamaha seals. That is unless you like changing leaky seals every season.
Ask how much time and money some of the guys with USD forks have invested. I think they will all agree the RPM valves are a bargain.
Derek
Quote from motorhead dad: I just went on the RPM website. OUCH!!! I can't pay $200 for those valves. I think I'll keep my money and save up for a set of USD forks.
You think those valves are pricey, wait till you find out how much a new rear shock is going to cost. :shok: :empathy:
It'll be the best money you will spend on your FJ though. :good2:
CraigO
Quote from: Motorheaddad on June 16, 2013, 09:30:14 AM
I just went on the RPM website. OUCH!!! I can't pay $200 for those valves. I think I'll keep my money and save up for a set of USD forks.
You also need to buy the springs and use the oil Randy supplies, you WILL not need more then the 85kg springs, This is without a doubt the best thing you can do to your front end, have done mine and the improvement is unbelievable! :shok: you wont believe the difference, and its a bolt in ride away change, no machining no changing different bits and pieces your steering is unaffected, every USD fork change I've seen looks nice but have compromised the FJ in someway, JUST do it buy the valves and springs YOU will not regret it!!!
Baldy
I haven't bought them yet. They are/were.........(unforseen event) on my list. I can tell you from looking at all the angles for the last year that the RPM units are the best bang for the buck. I say work a little over time, save some bucks, or like me wait until you can afford them , then buy them....
Fork conversions are very expensive and time consuming.... Just live with what you have until you get some money is my advice.
George
I have heard that the USD forks are more maintenance since the valves are harder on the oil, I suspect you get 3 times the mileage (Maybe more, Mike or Randy will let us know when Mike's oil needs to be changed) with the RPM valves between oil changes. I like the RPM valves and also like not having to change the oil every year.
You also need to buy the springs and use the oil Randy supplies, you WILL not need more then the 85kg springs,
[/quote]
Hey Baldy
Are you running 85kg springs in your bike?
Darran
Darran, most certainly am had the 90's in it for a little while, which is an improvement over standard, but the 85's makes the difference like cheese and chalk, if your thinking of them do NOT go over the 85's
Baldy
Quote from: FJmonkey on June 16, 2013, 04:12:14 PM
(Maybe more, Mike or Randy will let us know when Mike's oil needs to be changed) with the RPM valves between oil changes. I like the RPM valves and also like not having to change the oil every year.
Monkey was talking to Randy about this subject recently, he was saying they changed Mikes just recently (20,000 miles), drained them and when the oil settled it, most of it was like new, was a slight trace of the silver in it but so small could almost use it again :rofl:
Baldy
The bike came with a serviceable/rebuildable nitrogen rear shock. So it won't be too bad
Quote from: baldy3853 on June 16, 2013, 04:50:11 PM
Darran, most certainly am had the 90's in it for a little while, which is an improvement over standard, but the 85's makes the difference like cheese and chalk, if your thinking of them do NOT go over the 85's
Baldy
Mine are 85 also.
FYI, I'm running the 80kg springs with my RPM fork valves on my 91 FJ.
Simply AWESOME!
I went with those springs on Randys advice because I don't load my bike down with bags and very rarely ride 2-up.
Some of the best money I have spent on my FJ, and trust me, I have spent a shit-load of cash on my moditus!
Leon
We'll see where this budget takes me. As for now, the valves and springs are not in the budget and will have to wait. Maybe I should go post some things in the "for sale" section.
I ended up in this same situation, so the valves & springs well be this next winter project. Or when money comes available.
Quote from: baldy3853 on June 16, 2013, 11:34:32 AM
".....your steering is unaffected, every USD fork change I've seen looks nice but have compromised the FJ in someway...."
Baldy
Lord Baldy, I would like to hear more about how a set of USD forks "compromised" a FJ.... :sarcastic: (Been hanging around Mike too much?)
I do agree that the RPM fork valves are a great investment...that's why I suggested them.
Brother Patrick,
Please now, you know full well that I no longer associate with Lord Baldy - not since he gave us all a lesson in riding at the WCR. It was he who after the fun riding was experienced, blasted up the 101 (with 1tinIndian a witness) and was sitting in his lawn chair imbibing & bragging about how slow the rest of us were upon our return to the KOA...!
And besides, confirming the sagacity of the USD conversion, there was one other FJ there with USD's so that makes a whopping two FJ's of all that were in attendence with that particular modification...! To be frank, I do recall who the other misguided soul was, but he had a pretty & charming wife.
Oh, but wait a minute, the red & white FJ with the USD conversion was not in attendance... But that is another story...
Remember it is not nice to excommunicate a minor & to be frank (again) you cannot (okay, it is illegal) shoot a midget...!
Ride safe & keep the humor,
Midget.
Brother Mike, your posts *always* make me smile....
As to the Red and White FJ with the USDs...who has that? Is that a new conversion I'm not aware of?
Those Red and Whites breed like bunnies so it could be anyone..
I do know of a particularly beautiful Red and Silver FJ who was not in attendance due to some, cough, minor tune up issues..cough...
Lord Baldy had been a good boy all day riding sweep, so he had to blow the carbon out sometime...:empathy3:
Good evening,
Yes, we do have a lot of fun...!
And I do stand corrected, one of the two best looking FJ's with USD's is Red & Silver (not white) and thus my apologies. I was thinking of the color of the hair of the old folks. But being respectful of the old folks (?) my motto is "any hair is good good hair" or something along those lines. I learned that from Baldy... he says unequivocally that when I turn twenty one my folks will explain such things to me...?!
You know Pat, let's not say anything to the gentleman from R.P.M but perhaps the next time you and I show up at the palatial RPM facility how about an impromptu "Unofficial Open House"? There are race cars and even street legal race cares to see. Special FJ tools and FJ gizmos galore.
Frankly, if you invite the other FJ owner with USD forks perhaps he will attend as well. To recipocate I will invite the many FJ's with, well let's just non USD but modern Fork Valves, to participate with their fine handling motorcycles.
Given enough time for the tune up on the best looking Silver & Red FJ with US D's, maybe some new proprietary products will be available for public review. Do not let the cat out of the bag (so to speak) and give any sort of head(ers) up, but one never knows what shock(ing) developments may occur in the interum.
Never know but there even may be the girls from Hooters serving great food again.
But given our schedules that may be some time in the future, perhaps in Autumn.
Keep smiling & ride safe,
Midget.
Yep, me thinks Oakdale has been a sleepy little town for too long now...time to wake those shitkickers up..
I plan a return to RPM long before Autumn ... He has something of mine....
Quote from: Mike Ramos on June 17, 2013, 11:06:57 PM
Good evening,
Yes, we do have a lot of fun...!
And I do stand corrected, one of the two best looking FJ's with USD's is Red & Silver (not white) and thus my apologies. I was thinking of the color of the hair of the old folks. But being respectful of the old folks (?) my motto is "any hair is good good hair" or something along those lines. I learned that from Baldy... he says unequivocally that when I turn twenty one my folks will explain such things to me...?!
You know Pat, let's not say anything to the gentleman from R.P.M but perhaps the next time you and I show up at the palatial RPM facility how about an impromptu "Unofficial Open House"? There are race cars and even street legal race cares to see. Special FJ tools and FJ gizmos galore.
Frankly, if you invite the other FJ owner with USD forks perhaps he will attend as well. To recipocate I will invite the many FJ's with, well let's just non USD but modern Fork Valves, to participate with their fine handling motorcycles.
Given enough time for the tune up on the best looking Silver & Red FJ with US D's, maybe some new proprietary products will be available for public review. Do not let the cat out of the bag (so to speak) and give any sort of head(ers) up, but one never knows what shock(ing) developments may occur in the interum.
Never know but there even may be the girls from Hooters serving great food again.
But given our schedules that may be some time in the future, perhaps in Autumn.
Keep smiling & ride safe,
Midget.
ROTFLMAO :rofl2: :rofl2:
Quote from: Pat Conlon on June 17, 2013, 11:25:28 PM
Yep, me thinks Oakdale has been a sleepy little town for too long now...time to wake those shitkickers up..
I plan a return to RPM long before Autumn ... He has something of mine....
If September is acceptable, would you care for some company on your ride?
Quote from: Mike Ramos on June 17, 2013, 08:48:01 PM
Brother Patrick,
Please now, you know full well that I no longer associate with Lord Baby - not since he gave us all a lesson in riding at the WCR. It was he who after the fun riding was experienced, blasted up the 101 (with 1tinIndian a witness) and was sitting in his lawn chair imbibing & bragging about how slow the rest of us were upon our return to the KOA...!
And besides, confirming the sagacity of the USD conversion, there was one other FJ there with USD's so that makes a whopping two FJ's of all that were in attendence with that particular modification...! To be frank, I do recall who the other misguided soul was, but he had a pretty & charming wife.
Oh, but wait a minute, the red & white FJ with the USD conversion was not in attendance... But that is another story...
Remember it is not nice to excommunicate a minor & to be frank (again) you cannot (okay, it is illegal) shoot a midget...!
Ride safe & keep the humor,
Midget.
Slow?
You?
Is that when you were riding with the radar detector on Hwy 101 and keeping it under the scrutiny level ?
When in Cali, do as the locals do.