R6 wheels

[Waiex191]

Hey all,
It seems in all the wheel swaps they often suggest the YZF Thundercat, but not the R6 as a donor.  Why is that?  These popped up locally.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mpo/d/saint-charles-yamaha-yzf-r6-yzfr6-front/7695833508.html

It seems like the R6 has the right tyre size, but clearly there is something else to consider. Maybe hub width, or axle size?

[fj1289]

I do not have the details on R6 rims - but here are a few considerations:

Do you want to keep the mechanical speedo drive?  If so, that limits your options.  If you are willing to use GPS (phone or speed-hut style gauge) then you have more options.

Axle size vs wheel bearing OD.  Sometimes you get lucky and a standard sized bearing can be found that matches the bearing OD for the rim, and has the correct ID for the FJ axle.  Other times you can find a "hybrid" bearing that has the OD for the rim and the ID for the FJ axle.  The bearing that can be used for the EXUP FZR1000 front rim is an example - the standard bearing has a 17mm ID, and a "standard series" bearing does not exist with the same OD and a 15mm ID.  There is a "hybrid" bearing that exists with a 15mm ID though — critical thing here is to ensure the bearing is rated for both load and revolutions to suit being used as a wheel bearing on less than perfect public streets.  Some of the hybrid bearings for the above example are intended for use in alternators and are rated fairly low compared to wheel bearings.  Trick was to find that hybrid bearing with ratings suitable for wheel bearing use. 

If you want to talk about wheel swap options/modifications/adaptation ideas I'm sure there is a reasonable way to make the R6 wheels work - especially with your background and experience. 

It might take a couple days, but somewhere on a computer I have quite a bit of info when I was doing wheel swaps - I'll try to find most of it.   One of the more helpful things was a few tables of standard wheel bearing sizes. 

Oh yeah - almost forgot - be VERY CAREFUL about using Yamaha part numbers to determine wheel bearing sizes - some are blatantly WRONG!  I think the YZF1000 (Thunder Ace -pre R1 model) is wrong on front and or rear.  This definitely screwed me on a swap and required a lot more work than my research told me it would require BEFORE I spent my money on the rims!  And then more money with a good machine shop!

[Pat Conlon]

I saved axle diameter info. over in the Suspension Files. To get you started, you may want to look up the R-6 info.
https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15169.0

If the FJ axles are compatible, then you need to check the axle bushing lengths for proper centering of the wheels.

[Millietant]

Hi Bryan,

A R6 rear wheel "can" (on the basis that anything is possible) be made to fit in a FJ 1200, but not without extra machining and extensive additional parts cost and hassle. You mentioned the "right tyre size", but the tyre size isn't really a key factor, except to say that a 180/55x17 tyre will "just" fit without having to move the gearbox sprocket and the rear wheel sprocket outwards and finding an acceptable solution to the rear brake caliper/torque arm mounting. The main factor is to get a wheel and tyre which match each other (5.5" wheel for a 180 tyre, 5" wheel for a 170 or 160 tyre).

Again, for the front wheel, a R6 wheel "can" be made to fit, but not without wheel bearing, brake disc separation and caliper mounting modifications etc and the fitting of a non mechanical speedometer. The cost, as far as I'm concerned, is just not worth the benefit - far better to just get a FZR 1000 complete front end (of any year) and fit that as it would be basically a more simple and straightforward (and cheaper) swap. The FZR front end will get you a 3.5" front wheel, a better front fender solution and depending on the year, could also get you bigger brake discs and USD forks. OR.... you could follow Join Cain's instructions and fit a Thundercat front end.

There are plenty of other options to get a 3.5" front wheel, but most involve a lot more work and cost - and luckily there are people on here who have done it 

[fj1289]

Following Jon Cain's ThunderCat plan was how I ended up with early R1 front forks .....
I couldn't find any reasonably priced ThunderCat front ends - but the R1 front end showed up at a bargain price.  A little research, took a chance, and figured how to make it work.

Another thought would be the entire R6 front end on the FJ.  I've done it on an FZR1000 project long ago.  Steering stem solutions are the major obstacle then. 

I'm sure Bryan has the skills, mechanical sense, and access to tools to make any of the options discussed in this thread happen - just depends on the time and effort he wants to expend on the project.  And I have a feeling he wouldn't turn down a new front brake setup at this time either ... !