GSXR wheel on an 85'FJ1100

[Heliflyer 88]

Well not much of a how to here but just a few pictures of the bike after the rear wheel installation. This is a follow up to the R1 front wheel and brakes that I installed last weekend. Here's a picture of the wheel, it's from an 88 GSXR. I got lucky and found a complete GSXR roller with the entire rear wheel, frame and front end for only $250 so I snapped it up.


The wheel went on just as others have related. One washer on either end of the wheel against the swing arm and it bolts right in with the stock FJ spacers and axle. The Suzuki brake caliper goes right in without any trouble and I installed a longer RH foot peg mounting bolt to which I bolted the stay.


Since the wheel is from an 88' the smallest rear sprocket available seems to be a 42T, unless any of you can enlighten me. I'm going to install an 18T front sprocket as soon as it arrives but I would still like the gearing to be a little taller for the freeway.


So I'm running a Hagon shock on the rear and now I really need to get a set of the RPM valves as the front end is really overwhelmed at high speeds. A set of slip on pipes and I think I'll have a really nice classic that rides as nice as a newer bike. Nothing looks as nice as the FJ though, I always thought it was one of the best looking bikes ever made

[movenon]

Nice ! You might contact JT on your rear sprocket. They might be able to cross something for you.   http://www.jtsprockets.com/contact.

George

[aviationfred]

Here is a steel 38T sprocket for your 88' GSXR wheel.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JT-Sprockets-530-Steel-Rear-Sprocket-38T-JTR816-38-/320984265693?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1988%7CModel%3AGSXR&hash=item4abc2733dd&vxp=mtr

Fred

[movenon]

Here is a steel 38T sprocket for your 88' GSXR wheel.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JT-Sprockets-530-Steel-Rear-Sprocket-38T-JTR816-38-/320984265693?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1988%7CModel%3AGSXR&hash=item4abc2733dd&vxp=mtr

Fred

That is the same place I bought my rear sprocket from. They are located in Henderson Nevada. They were good to deal with. I am puzzled, JT lists the bolt circle for the 88 at 110mm and the bolt circle for the JTR816-38 is 100mm ? I would call or e mail JT or contact the seller on  ebay ?
George

[Heliflyer 88]

Yeah, the sprocket shown wont fit the 88, only the 89-92 I think. Mine has a 5 bolt pattern at 110mm. The JT website has it all there and is a real good source for cross referencing but so far only the 42T.

[aviationfred]

Just a thought here. Could you swap sprocket carriers and use one from an 89'-92'?

Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Scott, FYI...Sprocket Specialists will have a sprocket with a tooth count you want for your GSXR wheel.

I think 18 teeth on the countershaft sprocket and 40 on the rear sprocket is just about perfect for the FJ.

Pat

[Heliflyer 88]

Thanks for the tip Pat, I'll check it out. I rode it today with the 17 and 42 and its OK around town but definitely a little too low for the freeway. Basically puts everything about 1000 rpm higher. It'll do it but mileage will suffer too much.
Fred, I thought of that too unfortunately the carriers are not interchangeable.

[FJ_Hooligan]

Matching an 18 countershaft sprocket with your 42 rear is the approximate equivalent of a 17/40 combo.

I like my current 18/42 combo with a 17" YZF rear wheel.  Even though it's got a ton of torque, you don't want to neuter it too much!  :-)

[ribbert]

Matching an 18 countershaft sprocket with your 42 rear is the approximate equivalent of a 17/40 combo.

I like my current 18/42 combo with a 17" YZF rear wheel.  Even though it's got a ton of torque, you don't want to neuter it too much!  :-)

I've tried a few different combo's. I currently have 18/41 and I'm happy. I will replace with the same when the time comes. I ride a lot of everything and find it a good compromise.

[Heliflyer 88]

Well I installed the 18T front sprocket and I think this will do the trick for now. It seems to be a good compromise with the engine turning 5500 at an indicated 90 MPH. The engine gets into a smooth spot at 5000 and above so It's actually not too bad. Sure is a busy engine though compared to newer bikes, of course none of the bikes of this vintage had counterbalancers that are more common now. Try riding an old Concourse and see what I mean.

By the way, I took the bike out for a good run down Wentworth Springs Rd. here, one of the best twisty roads in existence and really wrung it out with the new wheels and tires. It's really an easy bike to ride fast now, very linear brakes and throttle and it's easy to make the bike go where you want it in the turn, very neutral and doesn't stand up when trail braking. The best part is the great torque makes it easy to blast out of a corner without having to keep it spooled up all the time. Great mod, highly recommended.