Sticky Forking

[Burns]

The left (as seen from the saddle) fork tube on my '89 does not move smoothly in its slider ("excessive stiction") so I took the fork apart and discovered that the slider had been damaged and repaired with what looks like JB weld or some such epoxy. 

The bike came with a set of anti-dive forks in it's spare parts box.  They move smoothly and appear to be in good shape. It looks like their tubes are the same diameter as the '89 (according to my Harbor Freight caliper).

My questions are (1) will Randy's "stacks" work in the earlier (anti-dive) sliders and (2) will the '89 axel/wheel/calipers/fender all bolt up to the earlier sliders. ?

A no to either and the question becomes: does anyone here have a left leg to sell?

Thank you, gentlemen.

[FJ_Hooligan]

Question (1) = Yes

Question (2) = NO.  Sorry, the calipers will not bolt up due to different bolt hole spacing.

As you already stated, you need a slider from '89+

But, hang onto the early fork tubes, they will interchange with the later sliders.

[Burns]

Thanks Hoolie.  Looks like I'm slider poor and tube rich.

[Burns]

well, searching for a slider, the only hit so far is a set at nearly $300 with shipping. Pig in the poke as to bushings and I'd have to add seals, springs and stacks to finish the upgrade. 

So, I'm thinkin' "in for a penny in for a pound" and wondering what options there are. I mean, is there anything "modern"  that is reasonably  swappable (like maybe just change stems)?

Hope springs eternal.

[FJ1100mjk]

Maybe some kind soul who has swapped out their old (84 - 87) OEM front end for a more contemporary version, and has their old stuff still laying around, can pony it up for a good price to get you back on the road quicker.

Depends how bad you want to ride this season. Run it the way it is (probably take some flack for that comment), or spend a decent amount of your hard-earned coin for what you're really wanting to do.

You might want to consider gathering your needed items as they come up at better prices, and doing the mods/work in the winter months.

$, $, $,...

[Flynt]

So, I'm thinkin' "in for a penny in for a pound" and wondering what options there are.

One pound coming up... 

YZF750R front end on ebay (rear wheel too in case you're looking for the deep water):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-yamaha-yzf-750r-complete-front-end-brakes-and-wheels-/201106531634?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ed2e22532&vxp=mtr

Complete instructions:

http://www.fjmods.co.uk/MarcRittner2.htm

Not as modern as Randy's stuff, but certainly unique and still pretty much state of the art in fully adjustable USD struts (and you want the chicks...  right?)

Frank

[Flynt]

So, I'm thinkin' "in for a penny in for a pound" and wondering what options there are.

USD struts...

Lost it for a minute...  USD forks I meant to say.

Frank

[Burns]

If I can find a slider at a not too indecent price I'll go the stacks route.
I put the Ebay item on my watch list, though it is far from a bolt on, I'm considering it.

Thanks

[Burns]

If bidding does not heat up the YZF swap may be cost competitive with the only stock slider that I've found.  So I'm seriously considering the swap if I can keep the dollars under control.

Here's the heart of that "if" : The excellent and through write up indicates that the diameter of the steering stem on the YZF is about  0.005" larger than that of its counterpart on the  FJ1200.   

My question is: can head bearings with the same o.d. as those of the FJ1200 but with the i.d. of the YZF stem be used, thus allowing use of the YZF upper and lower triple trees?

It seems to me this comes down to (1)the availability of such bearings and (2)the length of the YZF stem and (3) the "I should have thought of that" other considerations.

I appreciate your thoughts.

[simi_ed]

Burnsie, you need to go back & reread the write up on the USD swap.  You need a 750 lower, and 1000 upper (or is it 1000 lower, and 750 upper?).  The upper need to machined for the larger OD tubes.  The FJ stem needs to be welded & then turned down to the the larger OD as well.  The there's the rework of the fork internals for a bike that's probably 100 lbs heavier, requiring new springs and RaceTech compression & rebound valves.  I think it would be cheaper to buy a full price stanchion and Randy's goodies.

All the above machining jobs are reasons these parts are still on the shelf instead of on my bike ...

How about some pictures of what has been repaired on your forks?  You know, there are some resourceful folks here, maybe somebody has a solution!


Ed

[Burns]

Thanks Ed. 

Your  "bike that's 100 lbs heavier" comment certainly rings a bell.


It might all be moot anyway if bidding takes off,  It won't take a lot of price competition to take me out of the running.  As of this AM no one has put any money on the table and the starting bid is $300.


I will take a photo of that injured leg. 

[Flynt]

Just go read the Rittner post dude...  I gave you the f'ing link!  Here's the rundown:

1. the FJ stem needs to be fattened at the bottom with welded on material, then machined and pressed into the YZF750 lower tree.
2. the upper is best replaced with the LDL riser setup, bolt on with variety of bars you can use.  I use FZ1 bars to get the threaded bar ends and the fit to the '92 fairing is perfect.
3. the forks will need a spring change for the FJ's weight and the internals on mine were breathed on by GP suspension to move their adjustments into the relevant range for the FJ.
4. Blue spots and better rotors might be an upgrade, but the 6 piston YZF750 brakes likely just need pads and you're on the road. 

This isn't a bad mod and the speedo drive still works.  Follow the link to UK site and you'll get the rundown in much more detail.

Frank

[simi_ed]

Yes, the "100 lbs heavier" changes the equation.  Just like my 600 front end, it needs to be reworked for the additional weight.  Heavier spring rate required, which forces heavier rebound, compression will be too light.  On the 600 front, the OEM damper stack was CRAP anyway, judging by material it was made from.  I don't know about the 750 forks yet.  But I'd bet it's same-same.  Now, $300 for a set of spare parts ...

[Flynt]

BTW - if the bidding stays low I will bid on them for backup...  This is a steal of a deal unless the forks are f'd.

Frank

[Flynt]

I went to see Dan today and he's maybe a candidate for these forks too.  I have had and ridden several modern bikes and these YZF750 forks as tuned for my bike are as good as anything I've ridden...  they smoke the Duc's forks (also GP Suspension reworked USD).

It's not nearly as complex as the 600 fork mod from what I've read.  You should check it out too Ed.

Frank