FZR1000 FRONT WHEEL MOD

[bama1]

Does anybody know if there is a wheel bearing that will make a 89 fzr1000 front wheel work on a 89 FJ.I have accidently bought a 89 fzr wheel.
thanks Buddy

[the fan]

There is no standard bearing that will work. You might be able to have the wheel machined to accept a bearing that will, but you are not the first to ask.

[bama1]

Has anybody ever had a wheel machined to except another bearing.

[rktmanfj]

Has anybody ever had a wheel machined to except another bearing.

None that I am aware of.

I thought about it, but decided there wasn't enough thickness there to suit me.

I searched for a non-standard bearing that would work, but that wasn't an option, either.     

Randy T
Indy

[TRoy]

Drill/bore & tap the forks and use the 17mm FZR axle. Not sure if the speedo drive has enough meat to be bored out, or just use the FZR speedo drive?

[rktmanfj]

Drill/bore & tap the forks and use the 17mm FZR axle. Not sure if the speedo drive has enough meat to be bored out, or just use the FZR speedo drive?

Nah, I went the easy route, and changed the whole front end...         

Randy T
Indy

[Rich Pleines]

Copied from  www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/

"FZR1000 Exup front wheel conversion. This mod gives the FJ comparable rims to most modern sportsbikes. Neil Butcher slotted the Exup wheel straight into his standard FJ forks. This requires 1mm bushings to be made, as the Exup has a 17mm front wheel spindle, the FJ's being 15mm." 

Hope this helps.

[threejagsteve]

Considering that these are 20-year-old parts, and that the front wheel is more likely to be damaged in an accident, does anyone have a sense how much one should pay for a good '87-'88 front rim?

TIA,
threejagsteve

[rktmanfj]

Copied from  www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/

"FZR1000 Exup front wheel conversion. This mod gives the FJ comparable rims to most modern sportsbikes. Neil Butcher slotted the Exup wheel straight into his standard FJ forks. This requires 1mm bushings to be made, as the Exup has a 17mm front wheel spindle, the FJ's being 15mm." 

Hope this helps.

Yeah, I read that.

For me, having bushings custom made was cost prohibitive, compared to other options.

Some contend that there might be a problem with the bushing spinning inside the bearings.

Randy T
Indy

[Rich Pleines]

Considering that these are 20-year-old parts, and that the front wheel is more likely to be damaged in an accident, does anyone have a sense how much one should pay for a good '87-'88 front rim?

TIA,
threejagsteve

I was able to purchase a bent 87/88 wheel from a salvage yard for $35.00. It had two flat spots on it. I had it repaired for $145.00 @ M.C. Wheel, Swanzey, NH 03446 www.mcwheel.com  and then powder coated for an additional $125.00. The wheel turned out perfect and I have been using it without issue. Total cost for the wheel like new $305.00 plus new bearings.

[Pat Conlon]

Some contend that there might be a problem with the bushing spinning inside the bearings.

Randy yea, if you think of the front end loads transfered to those thin 1mm bushings, shudder.
At speed all you need is to have one of those crack and your front wheel start to wobble......Yikes!

Drilling out and tapping the fork sliders for the 17mm axle would be safer

[rktmanfj]

Some contend that there might be a problem with the bushing spinning inside the bearings.

Randy yea, if you think of the front end loads transfered to those thin 1mm bushings, shudder.
At speed all you need is to have one of those crack and your front wheel start to wobble......Yikes!

Drilling out and tapping the fork sliders for the 17mm axle would be safer

Yup, I agreed with that thought, Pat.

It's why I went with the YZF front end instead of putting the F3 cartridges in the FJ forks.

I could've drilled and tapped the slider, but I ran onto a smokin' deal on the YZF parts while I was working it out.     

And James got the F3 stuff to play with...

Randy T
Indy

[Harvy]

You could also have a good marine welder build up the bearing surfaces in the wheel, and then have them machined to take the OEM FJ wheel bearings.
I think I would rather that than take meat out of the bottom of the sliders.

Harvy

[/quote]



Drilling out and tapping the fork sliders for the 17mm axle would be safer




I could've drilled and tapped the slider

[/quote]

[threejagsteve]

I was able to purchase a bent 87/88 wheel from a salvage yard for $35.00. It had two flat spots on it. I had it repaired for $145.00 @ M.C. Wheel, Swanzey, NH 03446 www.mcwheel.com  and then powder coated for an additional $125.00. The wheel turned out perfect and I have been using it without issue. Total cost for the wheel like new $305.00 plus new bearings.

Thanks, Rich,

That'd be the same ballpark as one on eBay right now... He only wants $125 for the wheel, but then he wants almost $50 for shipping. And somebody painted it an ugly yellow that'd have to come off so it could be repainted. But then this seller appears to be a boneyard, and they're always trying to hustle a buck.

I'll think I'll wait until a better deal comes along, but that new front tire arrives tomorrow and it'd be nice to be able to just mount it on the rim I'll have sooner or later...

Cheers,
threejagsteve