SoCal Fix-Up: The Next Generation

tqmx1 · October 28, 2009, 09:58:24 PM

Why yes it can be done, I did it!! It is no small chore but if you are looking for a winter project go for it. Step one you have to bush the FZR swing arm bushing to fit the FJs shaft. Step 2 once you get the swing arm installed you need to clearance the right arm to clear the rear master cylinder.

And thats just the begining, The farther you go the more you will find.

Good luck if you try it.

As far as I know the FJ is somewhere in the south state.

Kim

threejagsteve · October 29, 2009, 01:48:02 AM

Thanks, Frank and Kim,

Also, Don W. posted on the Yahoo board that he had tried to do that mod and wound up going back to the stock arm. Though he didn't say what exactly caused him to throw in the towel, from his post it sounded like maybe he got hung up on those shock linkage issues.

I think I'm beginning to see a negative cost/benefit ratio in this notion... i.e., it'd be more trouble than it'd be worth!

There was just this nice FZR1000 arm, already polished, 4 sale cheep!

Figured it couldn't hurt to ask!

And I gather that a '90-and-before aluminum arm wouldn't be a simple bolt-on either, and likely for minimal benefit.

So, for now at least, I'm back to either the Thunder Ace conversion or the mental drawing board... or just leaving well enough alone!

RichBaker · October 29, 2009, 02:14:55 PM

There are a couple aftermarket swingarms out there, and they occasionally show up on fleabay..... just keep your eyes open. One of them would be even cooler, think under-brace...... like the one on Black Sunshine

threejagsteve · October 29, 2009, 03:26:58 PM

Thanks, Rich, good idea!

I'll keep that in mind as I'm trolling eBay, the Junk Heap of the World!

threejagsteve · October 30, 2009, 02:23:59 AM

And the plot thickens...

It seems that the Thunder Ace swingarm used by those on the FJmods site was only available (in the U.S., at least) for one year.

However, I like the idea and push won't come to shove until I wear out my back tire, which as of this writing has less than 500 mi. on it.

So I'll persevere and continue trolling the Web...

rktmanfj · October 30, 2009, 08:37:27 AM

Quote from: RichBaker on October 29, 2009, 02:14:55 PM
There are a couple aftermarket swingarms out there, and they occasionally show up on fleabay..... just keep your eyes open. One of them would be even cooler, think under-brace...... like the one on Black Sunshine

You can order the JMC (like on Black Sunshine) about anyway you want it.

They have two styles of top and bottom bracing.

One with eccentric adjusters and powdercoat, with any bracing at all will set you back $800-950.

They will bottom brace a stock swingarm for L140, however, and polish it for another L80-90.

Randy T
Indy

threejagsteve · October 30, 2009, 01:40:08 PM

Quote from: rktmanfj on October 30, 2009, 08:37:27 AM

You can order the JMC (like on Black Sunshine) about anyway you want it.

One with eccentric adjusters and powdercoat, with any bracing at all will set you back $800-950.

Thanks, Randy,

I'd already priced a couple of custom arms... all in about the same ballpark.

At this point, I'm not gonna be able to justify THAT much for a swingarm... it'd be that OR the Penske, but not both, and I'm pretty certain the shock would give me a much greater ROI (return on investment).

I figure I'll just have enough for a Penske, F & R wheel mods, and a used swingarm if I can find one that isn't too pricey.

The swingarm mod will cut down on (but not completely eliminate) the machining for the rear wheel mod, and that'll help pay for the necessary machining on the swingarm if I can find the right T-Ace arm...

But I'd wager that some lucky FJer got some tasty leftovers at an excellent price after B.S. blew up!

So although I'm not wishing any unfortunate mishaps on any other FJer, I'll continue to keep my eyes open on the secondary market (i.e., used stuff)!

Adam FJ · October 30, 2009, 03:12:28 PM

Hi
I fitted a JMC to my 90 FJ, awsome bit of kit but had to junk the centre stand.

Adam.

ddlewis · October 30, 2009, 04:38:18 PM

check your registration.. sure looks 91'ish

threejagsteve · October 30, 2009, 06:23:33 PM

Quote from: Adam FJ on October 30, 2009, 03:12:28 PM
Hi
I fitted a JMC to my 90 FJ, awsome bit of kit but had to junk the centre stand.

Adam.

Very nice, Adam!

Which pipe is that? Any oil change difficulties?

Cheers, and the duck says, "Kookaloo!"

Adam FJ · October 30, 2009, 06:41:52 PM

Sorry its a 91 sold this bike early this year now have a Black 89, the cans are from an XJR1300 it uses the same lump as the FJ just bored out a bit, under powered though(detuned), dont know if you have them in the US.

Heres a pic of one.

Adam.

threejagsteve · October 30, 2009, 08:15:51 PM

No, unfortunately the XJR1300 isn't available in the States; but I do like those pipes!

I'd wager P&P from the UK on just a pair of cans would be ~$100; so maybe eBay Canada or eBay Mexico is the way to go...

Cheers, mate!

jvb_ca · October 31, 2009, 07:44:30 AM

Nope...we don't see them up here. Wish we did...nice lookin bike.

Cheers...Jake

derbybrit1 · October 31, 2009, 11:55:37 PM

The Thunderace swingarm does not have a shorter wheelbase than stock. If that were true, I would have had to change the sprocket and chains, which I did not. It does appear a little shorter than stock, which is because it does not have that funky stock chain tensioner setup.

I think you will have some trouble using that FZR1000 rear wheel with the Ace arm. The sprocket carrier assembly is quite a bit different. Honestly, unless you are a real scratcher, just do the YZF600 rear wheel mod with 170 tire. It is cheap and it works.

I saw this posted earlier in this thread by racerman_27410 and thought it appropriate to comment:

"I have a 1349cc engine (stock valve sizes) and i'm getting 162 at the rear wheel with 115 lb ft of torque on pump gas. 10.25 compression"

I promised my old Kookaloo buddy Frank that my 2 cylinder Aprilia would have more horsepower than his mighty Brutus. And I have made good on that promise. Frank's mountain motor makes 162rwhp, on what I would guess is a Dynojet 250i dynamometer. That is equal to or better than all the current Japanese I-4 liter bikes available in 2009. A worthy accomplishment for the FJ.

My Aprilia makes 181rwhp on a Factory Pro dyno. The correction factor from Factory Pro to Dynojet is between 1.15 and 1.20 in that horsepower range, which conservatively yields 208 Dynojet rwhp with 11.4 psi of boost. On pump gas. Now THAT is Kookaloo!

Still have some tuning to do, but working toward a run at The Texas Mile this Spring. And if all things go well, we might make it to the Maxton Mile as well. All will depend on whether the motor can hold together or not.

junkyardroad · November 01, 2009, 12:14:23 AM

Quoteworking toward a run at The Texas Mile this Spring. And if all things go well, we might make it to the Maxton Mile as well. All will depend on whether the motor can hold together or not[/quote

I would like to do that, too.

I live just over the hill from Bonneville. That black line running to the sky....

Best of luck to you

News:

SoCal Fix-Up: The Next Generation

rktmanfj