Updating my 86 without giving in to scope creep....maybe

[FJdave1200]

Morning guys

I have been reading axiom-r's R1 front and rear end tread as well as a few others. Really great stuff. I find myself looking for a happy medium with my FJ. My goal is to keep my machine stock like, with key updates that will improve handling. Without getting mod happy and sliding down the slippery slope of scope creep, very easy for a geek like me to do. I have a limited amount of time to dedicate to the project. I need to keep it simple as I can.

My bike is an 86FJ, I have about 300 miles on it since rebuilding the engine. Have had some fuel delivery issues and my front end will require some extensive rebuild do to corrosion in the tubes making the R1/YZF conversion a viable option. I have the machine rideable while I break in the engine. I would like to get a plan in place and start looking for parts to complete it later this year. Keeping the machining requirements to a minimum is a goal, although I understand some will be require. Not sure if the R1 or YZF would be a better choice from that stand point.

So my thoughts at this point:

2007 R1 front end with tubular bars ( so extensions will not be needed)
97-03 YZF1000R wheels so I can retain my speedo. ( not sure about fitment of the rear sprocket and brake disc)
Retain my stock swing arm and use the R1 rear shock. Or should I just go with aftermarket?

Comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers
Dave K

[jscgdunn]

Interesting ideas....machine work is minimal for the front end....just swap out the triple stem.  For bars an FZ1 top triple is bolt on.  Riding postion is very comfortable.

Not sure about the wheel interchange.....

The 2007 R1 shock should work...I have also swapped the FJ spring to that shock (from a 3xw shock).  Worth a try anyway.

An idea I have been musing about is a later model Honda CBR1000RR swing arm/shock.  This system does not use a frame mount for the top shock mount so it eliminates a bunch of issues.

Good luck,

Jeff

[Pat Conlon]

Talk about mixed messages...

R-1/YZF front/rear conversion: You are not just sliding down a slippery slope....you are jumping off a cliff.

Limited time and money with no scope creep?   My advice: Keep it simple.
1) 17" rear rim conversion, pick your flavor.
2) RPM or other aftermarket rear shock.
3) convert front end over to '89+ lower sliders
5) RPM valves and springs.
6) 87/88 FZR 3.5" wide rim
7) R1/6 blue spots with a 14mm m/c, ss braided lines, with your flavor of rotors.

......and call it a day

[simi_ed]

Good plan, Pat.  I was thinking YZF600 front end, but that too is a creep-y job & not cheap.  Brakes, forks, RaceTech comp & rebound valves, springs, wheel, seals & bushings, bar adapters.  I also painted the fender to match (Keeps the stock look).

[giantkiller]

The extensions are for the forks. Not the handlebars. I just used the clippons and made risers with a belt sander and jigsaw. 7/8" aluminum bar and had the neighbor weld them up. Aluminum fj bars that fit the inverted forks/extensions.

[FJdave1200]

Talk about mixed messages...

R-1/YZF front/rear conversion: You are not just sliding down a slippery slope....you are jumping off a cliff.

Limited time and money with no scope creep?   My advice: Keep it simple.
1) 17" rear rim conversion, pick your flavor.
2) RPM or other aftermarket rear shock.
3) convert front end over to '89+ lower sliders
5) RPM valves and springs.
6) 87/88 FZR 3.5" wide rim
7) R1/6 blue spots with a 14mm m/c, ss braided lines, with your flavor of rotors

......and call it a day

Good advise

Thanks for the input Pat..my time is more limited then other resources. With that said, I already have more money in the machine then I will ever get out. So I like the KISS principle with the rest of the project.

So you recommend staying with the FJ front end, just going with 89 or newer sliders? The metering tubes are trashed in my bike. I cleaned them up, but they will need to be replaced with the up grade. Use R1 front brake caliper and a 14mm master cylinder. Is that an aftermarket or the R1/6 unit? Can I use FXR rims front and back and still retain my stock speedo drive? I rebuilt my stock calipers and upgraded the lines to steel braid, they still feel soft and seem to be sipping fluid.

I'll call RPM and pick his brain as well. I need the lower stem bearing removal tool anyway.

I also am wondering what to do with the fuel cock. The switch came apart and I have not seen a replacement available. It looks like the circuit must be closed to be in reserve, so pretty sure I am riding on main fuel. I am not sure how reliable the stock unit is with it's age. I have had what appears to be vapor lock issues. So I limit the distance I ride. I have found a few manual aftermarket replacements. With the very tight quarters between the tank and the engine I have some concerns with that option. Any thoughts?

[rktmanfj]

Good plan, Pat.  I was thinking YZF600 front end, but that too is a creep-y job & not cheap.  Brakes, forks, RaceTech comp & rebound valves, springs, wheel, seals & bushings, bar adapters.  I also painted the fender to match (Keeps the stock look).

Doood, the YZF600 front end is easy-peasy... even I did it.   

< $450 total.

[Pat Conlon]

Let's see if I can answer your questions...
1) the oem R1/R6 blue spots is what you want...no aftermarket...plug and play with the '89+ fork lowers.
2) the 1987/88 FZR1000 or FZR750 front rim is plug and play (with the '89+ fork lowers)
3) don't fuck around with your petcock...bad shit can happen...buy a new oem petcock from RPM. I suggest buying the less expensive '84/85 petcock without that stupid reserve function....plug and play with your '86 tank.

Did I catch everything?

[Bminder]

So Pat,
When you swap in the 17 inch rear wheel, what tire size do you use? 170/60-17?

[FJmonkey]

Let's see if I can answer your questions...
1) the oem R1/R6 blue spots is what you want...no aftermarket...plug and play with the '89+ fork lowers.
2) the 1987/88 FZR1000 or FZR750 front rim is plug and play (with the '89+ fork lowers)
3) don't fuck around with your petcock...bad shit can happen...buy a new oem petcock from RPM. I suggest buying the less expensive '84/85 petcock without that stupid reserve function....plug and play with your '86 tank.

Did I catch everything?

Since he mentioned fuel delivery issues.

4) Verify fuel line routing, it is way too easy to mess up and not know it. The fuel line coming off the petcock goes under both fuel lines before looping around the top of carb #3.   

[Flynt]

don't fuck around with your petcock...

You don't see this kind of sophisticated humor everyday...

Frank

[FJdave1200]

Indeed.

[FJdave1200]

Good plan, Pat.  I was thinking YZF600 front end, but that too is a creep-y job & not cheap.  Brakes, forks, RaceTech comp & rebound valves, springs, wheel, seals & bushings, bar adapters.  I also painted the fender to match (Keeps the stock look).

Doood, the YZF600 front end is easy-peasy... even I did it.   

< $450 total.

I'll look into this option thanks

[FJdave1200]

Let's see if I can answer your questions...
1) the oem R1/R6 blue spots is what you want...no aftermarket...plug and play with the '89+ fork lowers.
2) the 1987/88 FZR1000 or FZR750 front rim is plug and play (with the '89+ fork lowers)
3) don't fuck around with your petcock...bad shit can happen...buy a new oem petcock from RPM. I suggest buying the less expensive '84/85 petcock without that stupid reserve function....plug and play with your '86 tank.

Did I catch everything?

In a rather snarkie fashion, yes... Thank you

[andyb]

So Pat,
When you swap in the 17 inch rear wheel, what tire size do you use? 170/60-17?

Depends on which wheel you use.  If you have 17x5.0 (YZF600R), 160/60, 160/70, or 170/60 is the best answer.  Apparently the 5.5 wheels can handle a 180, though it starts getting close and certain brands of tires are wider than the numbers suggest, leading to rubbing.  (Also true of some 170's, if I'm honest.)