Steering mod - 17" rims

[Dads_FJ]

Going the f4i shock route will raise the rear an inch or more.

Jeff

Why would anyone trade off the RPM shock for the F4 shock? Got to be a better way.

CraigO

It could be a solution for someone else with a similar mod but who hasn't sprung (no pun intended) for the RPM shock.  All input is appreciated.

[FJ_Hooligan]

Can't he just drop the yokes further down the fork tubes?  AKA LOWER the front...  Is there a functional limitation to doing this that makes it unattractive/ impossible?

Just to further address this issue.  Lower the bike too much in the front and you'll be scraping parts realtively easily.

[racerrad8]

Why would anyone trade off the RPM shock for the F4 shock? Got to be a better way.

CraigO

There is and it is being resolved.

It all comes down to the basics...

Randy - RPM

[ribbert]

The front tire is a 120/70ZR17 (58W) CONTI ROAD ATTACK 2 GT
Thanks,
Eyal

Interestingly, one of the many things I like about the RA 2's is the front tyre profile IMPROVES turn in dramatically compared to Dunlops, Michelins etc

Noel

[fj11.5]

Id swap my f4i shock for one of rpm's any day,, but for what the honda shock is its 100% better than a crapped out oem shock,

[Heliflyer 88]

I just did essentially the same mod on my 85' and was completely happy with the handling change. When we talk about the rake angle quickening the steering what it means is that the bike will respond to handlebar inputs more quickly and will require lower effort at the bars to initiate a turn. However it doesn't mean it will take less effort to hold the bike in the turn. In fact there should be no effort to hold the bike in the turn at all. My bike steers more slowly than it did with the 16" wheel but requires absolutely no effort once established in the turn. I'm running a new set of Conti sport touring tires, I think maybe your problem is related to the tires, either a mismatch front to rear or inflation. Low inflation has always caused the bike to want to stand up in the turn in my experience.

[racerrad8]

I want to thank everyone for their input, but as I stated yesterday;

It all comes down to the basics...

I will let Eyal reply once he has gotten it all sorted, he is working on it.

Randy - RPM

[FJmonkey]

I can tell how squared-off my rear tire is based on how much effort I put into counter steering through corners.   

[movenon]

I kind of went "Tim Allen" on mine. If raising it a little is good them more is better... Well it's actually to quick for me at its present stance. I crudely measured my fork angle with a digital table saw angle finder and it looked to be 25 - 25.5 degrees.  I think I am on my 3 rd engineered set of dog bones. 
After I get my bike back together I am going to adjust it to 26 degrees and evaluate it. At speed it was OK but when I put the binders on it would get real quick, probably contributed a small amount to a problem I had at the WCR.
The above is just my opinion and experience. You can make them steer quicker.................
George

[ribbert]

I can tell how squared-off my rear tire is based on how much effort I put into counter steering through corners.   

Are you saying you need input into the bars just to initiate the turn or for the duration of it as well?

Noel

[Sabre093]

I'm curious to see how this all turns out... I just made 17' mod to front,yet to drive it till Monday and have Gixxer rear almost ready to go,but I swapped rear tires to give me some extra time for mod so I'll be running 17 front and stock rear set up....
My next question to all this is am I now on the hunt for a 89 and up rear swingarm set up...Cause I got a line on a whole 89 FJ for 800$ I'll buy it and donor it and part out

[FJmonkey]

I can tell how squared-off my rear tire is based on how much effort I put into counter steering through corners.   

Are you saying you need input into the bars just to initiate the turn or for the duration of it as well?

Noel

For the duration as well, raising the rear should really help since I have done the 17" upgrade.

[ribbert]

I can tell how squared-off my rear tire is based on how much effort I put into counter steering through corners.   

Are you saying you need input into the bars just to initiate the turn or for the duration of it as well?

Noel

For the duration as well, raising the rear should really help since I have done the 17" upgrade.

I'm sure it will. I raised the back a bit, dropped the front a bit, put the right tyre on and with only the slightest lean of my upper body I can "think" the bike into a corner and the bars remain neutral throughout. Love it.

Noel

[eeshed]

Dear community,
I want to give you an update:
The bike is on a jack at the moment. Randy is working with me about setting a baseline for rear sag and front pre-load. From the initial investigation, the air pressure in the rear tire was too low (30'sh actual  vs 42 recommended.) I am going to measure the rear sag and adjust it to about 40mm. My front preload needs additional approx 3/4" spacer. Note that the front is modified with an 80km RPM spring + RPM valve, 5w oil, and the rear is with RPM's shock. 
My action plan is as follows:
- Set proper preloads, front and back
- Set proper air pressure 
- Test
- Evaluate options based on results

I will get back with results as soon as I have news.

Randy, your help is unbelievable and I thank you very much for taking the time for supporting me with phone calls, emails, and pictures, all with the purpose of enabling my modifications to work. 

Eyal

[Sabre093]

I hope your coming to FJ Clinic @ Tigers...love to see all this