looking for a 3.5" front wheel

[fjfool]

my 86 is going to get the wheel/brake mod this winter
i want to put a 3.5" front on and was told the 87/88 fzr750/1000 front wheel bolts right up
problem is, those things are hard to find(found a nice one in Italy for $450, cant do it)
looking for other suggestions for the front 3.5
thanks!

[Dads_FJ]

I would imagine there's some FZR forums out there, and just as FJs come up here being parted out that would be the case there too.  Could also try a search within eBay and get e-mails with new listings.  My son had an '88 FZR1000 (glad he sold it!), I actually thought about switching front rims before he let it go.  You might find one cheap enough on Craigslist, buy it and part it out?

Wait, has your '86 been converted to a 17" front yet?  I don't believe the FZR wheel will work with the '86 forks. 

[fjfool]

thanks John,
i have some 92 forks that will be used for the conversion
i am a member at 2 fzrforums, its been a couple of weeks now and not one reply on either forum
hell, i have a set of fzr600 wheels in the crawlspace for no help
i fear that it is only 2 years of production for the wheel and there is few left available, maybe too many front impact accidents with the bikes leaves an excess of rear wheels and a shortage of fronts:dunno:
i will try the breaker in denver to see if he has any blown up doners

[Firehawk068]

Just be patient, and keep checking e-bay and craigslist..........................
I think I looked around for a few months before I found one for a decent price......................

You could also try the motorcycle boneyards...................There are plenty around.

[ZOA NOM]

I did mine with an '89 FZR wheel, and just drilled out the forks for the 17mm axle.

[movenon]

Alan is right. Be patient, they do come along.  In the mean time I would advise you to run the newer forks perhaps with a stock 17" FJ rim.  Stock FJ 17 " rims are common and real cheap if you dig around a little.  

From my experience spend some time and effort on the forks you will probably get more bang for the buck.  IMO unless you are a aggressive rider you will not notice much difference in the tire size increase with the FZR wheel.   But setting up a set of forks and upgrading to emulators you will notice a big difference.   Another nice thing to look at is upgrading the front brakes to "Blue dots" with good pads. Those kind of mods you will be able to feel the difference right away.

Just thoughts and opinions. It took me a year or so to locate a good FZR wheel.  Took me 3 years to locate another FJ item I wanted.  Sometimes you just got to wait.  In the mean time there are other things to do.  
George

[Dads_FJ]

I've asked sellers who have other parts available for the same bike.  Like this guy: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-YAMAHA-FZR1000-FORKS-LEFT-RIGHT-WITH-TRIPLE-CLAMPS-/261684379715?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ced9ac043

He/she might have the wheel but hasn't listed it yet.

[FJscott]

I have a 92 FJ wheel in perfect condition you can have for cost of shipping from Florida
Scott

[Country Joe]

Alan is right. Be patient, they do come along.  In the mean time I would advise you to run the newer forks perhaps with a stock 17" FJ rim.  Stock FJ 17 " rims are common and real cheap if you dig around a little.  

From my experience spend some time and effort on the forks you will probably get more bang for the buck.  IMO unless you are a aggressive rider you will not notice much difference in the tire size increase with the FZR wheel.   But setting up a set of forks and upgrading to emulators you will notice a big difference.   Another nice thing to look at is upgrading the front brakes to "Blue dots" with good pads. Those kind of mods you will be able to feel the difference right away.

Just thoughts and opinions. It took me a year or so to locate a good FZR wheel.  Took me 3 years to locate another FJ item I wanted.  Sometimes you just got to wait.  In the mean time there are other things to do.  
George

I totally agree with George. I have done the 3.5" front wheel swap and I am not sure I am that crazy about it. It made the steering heavier, possibly a little more stable. It takes considerably more pressure on the bars to initiate turn-in. I really can't go any higher in rear ride height either, I am pretty much at the limit of my short legs now.
Joe

[Pat Conlon]

Joe, try dropping your fork legs 1/4"

[fjfool]

Just be patient, and keep checking e-bay and craigslist..........................
I think I looked around for a few months before I found one for a decent price......................

You could also try the motorcycle boneyards...................There are plenty around.

"patient" thats a concept i obviously have a problem with
-this might be an issue for a doctor though
will check the boneyards, your right

[fjfool]

I did mine with an '89 FZR wheel, and just drilled out the forks for the 17mm axle.

i like this idea, do you know what other years this simple solution applies to?
thank you

[ZOA NOM]

Should be doable on any of the ones that can use the late model forks. Mine is a '93 ABS(deleted).

It was a simple drilling operation, and I used an axle from a YAMAHA XVZ12 VENTURE 1200 that I found on Ebay, and just used a nut on the outside.

[fjfool]

Alan is right. Be patient, they do come along.  In the mean time I would advise you to run the newer forks perhaps with a stock 17" FJ rim.  Stock FJ 17 " rims are common and real cheap if you dig around a little.  

From my experience spend some time and effort on the forks you will probably get more bang for the buck.  IMO unless you are a aggressive rider you will not notice much difference in the tire size increase with the FZR wheel.   But setting up a set of forks and upgrading to emulators you will notice a big difference.   Another nice thing to look at is upgrading the front brakes to "Blue dots" with good pads. Those kind of mods you will be able to feel the difference right away.

Just thoughts and opinions. It took me a year or so to locate a good FZR wheel.  Took me 3 years to locate another FJ item I wanted.  Sometimes you just got to wait.  In the mean time there are other things to do.  
George

i actually have a 92front in my possession
but i am choosing to opt for the larger wheel in the belief that it will add just a bit more rubber to the pavement in the case of emergency braking, performance handling is a secondary concern
Randy's fork valve solution is on my list pending financial resources -its Christmas, i'm broke haha
just received a pair of blue dots from the bay, waiting for the seal kits to come in, i took this opportunity to justify some bling spending, will be taking the R6 master cyl of my track bike to use on the FJ with the blue dots(thus justifying a really fancy master cyl for the track bike )
thanks for taking the time to reply, i appreciate the info

[ZOA NOM]

I should note that I had to get the 17mm speedo drive from the FZR as well.