FJ Fork Swap 1100 to 1200

[krusty]

Recently signed up here.
I'm in the process of rebuilding the front brakes of my recently acquired 88 1100. I've bought all the kits I need and have prepped the calipers for repainting. However, I now find that I need to renew all 4 pistons which, at best I can find on ebay, will set me back an additional $200. But, last weekend at a swap meet I picked up a nice pair of 1200 forks along with a good LH caliper (gold type), MC, handlebars and triple tree, all for $70.
The restorer in me says keep it all original but my Scots blood is telling me I can do it cheaper by picking up working RH caliper. 
Not sure which way to go.
Also is the fork swap otherwise straightforward, axle, fender, cable routing, etc or are some mods required?

[chocker]

Hi,
if your forks are 88 or newer then here is the link to do the swap.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4183.0

If they are 86 -87 with the anti dives don't bother. They are an additional pane and they never work anyway.

Mark

 

[The General]

Follow your Scot`s nose, but probly a pic of that "gold Type" caliper required. (could be subject to misinterpretation).   

[krusty]

I haven't figured out the pic bit yet although I read the pinned info about it. Sounds complicated to this old luddite.
By gold type I mean the calipers are the 4 piston type as opposed to the siver 4 piston type. I imagine there is a common name for the different types that I've not learned yet.
Also, I made a typo, its an 84 1100, sorry.
I'll go read the link now.

[krusty]

Have made the fork swap and find that the 1100 axle is a little short by about 15mm. I need a 1200 (88 on I think) axle. Anyone have a spare?

[krusty]

Been a while since I started this thread but I eventually got the fork swap done. Wowever, I have a problem that I did not foresee. I now have 1200 forks and calipers (I think they are about 88/89 model) fitted to the 1100 with stock wheel and discs. I now find that the disc diameter is not enough to be covered completely by the brake pads, by about 15mm.  I would like to keep the stock 16" wheel but from my point of view the only way out would be matching (88 or later) 1200 wheels. Any suggestions? Larger diam discs perhaps?

[krusty]

Been doing a little research in the meantime. Is it possible that Vmax 300mm rotors will fit the 16" 1100 wheel hub and line up with the 1200 4 pot calipers?

[krusty]

Has anyone seen/used/heard of these rotors? Would like to know if they would fit FJ1100 hub. Diameter looks right at 300mm.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2x-Front-Brake-Discs-Rotor-Fits-Yamaha-VMX-12-V-Max-1993-2007-VMX-1200-VMax-XVZ-/291397891981?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item43d8aaf78d

[Pat Conlon]

I don't know specifically, but I do know how you can find an answer to your question

Along with other questions you may have like this one: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5863.0

[Urban_Legend]

I have this type on my 84 1100 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rear-Brake-Disc-Yamaha-VMX12-V-Max-VMX-12-1993-2007-93-07/331208595872?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3De8fb2f0d8c88409eb83fe1a91da485bc%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D291397891981&rt=nc&tfrom=291397891981&tpos=unknow&ttype=price&talgo=origal

[krusty]

I have this type on my 84 1100 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rear-Brake-Disc-Yamaha-VMX12-V-Max-VMX-12-1993-2007-93-07/331208595872?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3De8fb2f0d8c88409eb83fe1a91da485bc%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D291397891981&rt=nc&tfrom=291397891981&tpos=unknow&ttype=price&talgo=origal

Thanks UL but that listing is for rear VMAX (which is same as 1100 front), only 282mm diam. I need 300mm. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[krusty]

Thanks for all the input. I've been gradually educating myself on disc swaps but it has been a slow process, reading through past threads which has been complicated by workers, installing part our national optic fibre network close by, severed our copper network cable which meant we were without land lines for 24hrs and then it was intermittant after that. Initially they reckoned it was gonna take about 2 weeks to get it fixed but it seems to have come good now. I use a land line for internet.
I have found these discs I need but they are a bit pricey compared to the Chinese ones (which look identical by the way).
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Front-Brake-Disc-Yamaha-VMX12-V-Max-VMX-12-93-94-95-96-97-98-99-00-01-2002-2007-/260900581366
The only difference I can see is the grade of aluminum for the centre part, 7075 as compared to 6061 (Chinese). From what I've been able to find the 7000 grade is higher tensile strength to 6000 so should be better. Would this be a significant factor for its intended purpose?

[FJmonkey]

The only difference I can see is the grade of aluminum for the centre part, 7075 as compared to 6061 (Chinese). From what I've been able to find the 7000 grade is higher tensile strength to 6000 so should be better. Would this be a significant factor for its intended purpose?

In my opinion the 6061 material will work as well as the 7000 (likely 7075). I worked with a company that did its own metal manufacturing with a variety of metals including 50/60 and 70 series aluminum. You are more likely to break the front loose before the 6061 aluminum feels any stress. I have a set of Arashi wave rotors on my front, not sure what aluminum they use but they have been trouble free, including a few panic stops. However, we are talking about YOUR brakes so you need to fell comfortable and confident whit your choice. Keep us posted.

[krusty]

I've gone with these
http://vod.ebay.com.au/vod/FetchOrderDetails?ViewPaymentStatus&transId=1172451529019&itemId=291397891981&qu=1
For 230 Oz pesos shipped.
I don't ride my bikes hard and the 1100 is for VJMC club rides which are, usually, fairly sedate affairs.
In the meantime I've stripped the forks and replaced the seals and dust covers without removing the springs because I didn't the corredct tool for taking out the fork caps. While trolling fork conversion threads I came across a little gem of "how-to", using the rear axle nut, bewdy. Used with a tyre lever and shifter (metric of course) I had the caps out in no time.

[FJmonkey]

I love that kind of ingenuity, when I had access to a 3000W laser cutter I had some of these made up, I gave away the extras.