Stock tire replacement suggestions?

[dale58]

Hi everyone,
        I have a 1987 fj1200. It currently has 17" wheels on it.(on it when I bought it)... I just bought this bike about 3 or 4 weeks ago. It came with the stock 16" wheels (red) and I would like to but those back on the bike. I believe the original tires were front: 130 70 vb 16 and the rear was 160 70 vb 16. I say that because those are the tires that are on those 16" wheels now. Anyone have any recommendations on stock size replacement tires. I'm very new to this and can really use some educating. Thanks, Dale

[copper]

Avon Storm's when you can find them. But I would never go back to the 16 as tires for the 16 are becoming as rare as hens teeth.

[FJmonkey]

Not exactly sure what you are asking but 17" is the better way to go. More size and rubber combinations. Going back to 16" will limit your options. In order to help you we need to know the wheel size of each wheel. For example, I have a rear wheel that is 17" x 5.5", I run a Conti Motion tire 180/55/17. I also have a front wheel that is 17" x 3.5" and I run a 120/70/17. What sizes are on your FJ?

[dale58]

I'll try to take a look tomorrow. The reason I was thinking of going back to the original wheels and tires was so I can use the original calipers and rotors. The bike currently has Performance Machine wheels(17") and their brake system...(calipers and rotors). This system is about 24 years old from what the owner I bought it from said. The rear rotor is junk. I emailed Performance Machine pics of the front and rear calipers and rotors to see if they still made them, or replacement parts for them. I got a response asking if there are any part numbers on the calipers, which there are not. So I don't think I can get pads or rotors for this system. Not sure which direction to head in. Thanks, Dale

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Dale, you will be taking a giant step backwards.
Check the Files, you can find a rotor that will fit based on diameter, bolt pattern and offset.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8623.0
Same with the pads. I'm sure PM used pads in their calipers that fit other bikes.

FYI the oem tire sizes on your model FJ were:

Front: 120/80-16
Rear:  150/80-16 both V rated bias ply tires.

The oem 16" rims are quite narrow (and pig heavy) Using the tire Manufacture's specifications, I would bet a jelly donut that they are too narrow for the 130/160 tires you now have on your 16" rims


Unless you are restoring the bike to oem condition, stay with the 17" rims. You get: Lighter rims, lighter tires, vastly wider tire selection, better compounds, better tire profiles, better prices.
No downsides

If you are dead set on 16" rims, the 150/80-16 Avon Storm 3D is a quality rear radial tire, not sure on the front.

[fj1289]

Dale - if your PM rims are similar to mine, I think you have a couple options.

1.  I THINK the PM rims are compatible with stock brake rotors (at least the later ones).  If so you can go with the 89 and later fork lowers, later stock calipers (or the blue spots) with the later stock rotors and keep the PM rims.  

2.  Are your PM calipers mounted on adaptor plates?  If so modify them or fab new ones to suitable he caliper of your choice.  Likewise with mounting any rotor that matches the hub.  Then also no need to swap fork lowers.

Chris

[FeralRdr]

Along with what Pat said, If you are set on switching back to the OEM rims, you may have more problems than anticipated.  It will all depend on what forks and swing arm you currently have on the bike.  That raises the question of: besides the OEM rims, what other OEM parts do you already have?  As touched upon before, if the previous owner installed 89 forks on your bike, 86/87 calipers won't just bolt on to them.  Likewise, you may have fitment issues with the rear caliper bracket, if a different swing arm was installed.

If I might suggest, post up somee close up pictures of the forks and swing arm.  it would at least let us see what you have to work with, and we could focus on more relevant suggestions. 

[dale58]

Hope these help

[dale58]

Rear

[FeralRdr]

Unless, I'm missing something, those are the OEM forks.  They have block off plates installed in place of the OEM anti-dive units, so you should be good if you have the OEM calipers.  As best I can tell, the swing arm looks OEM too.  The caliper bracket looks aftermarket, and probably won't work with the OEM calipers.  The Tension bar however, does look OEM, so as long as you have, or can find the front & rear OEM calipers and the rear caliper bracket, you should be OK.  On the other hand, if you don't have those parts, and can't find any on e-bay, your aftermarket solutions are very limited (at least in regards to calipers). 

[Flynt]

not sure on the front.

Avon AV45 is the one I think...  Azaro I think it's called.

Frank

[Flynt]

I'm very new to this and can really use some educating.

I just bought the 16" Azaro (AV45) and Storm (AV66) and they are a pain in the ass to get even now...  it will only get worse.  I'm giving them to our old friend Dan.  I borrowed his Avons for the WCR and then just wore them out knowing I'd get him replacements.

I'm putting the 17"ers Dan bought from Derek last year onto Stormy...  Derek - anything I should know about what I'm getting?

Frank

[TexasDave]

I'm very new to this and can really use some educating.

I just bought the 16" Azaro (AV45) and Storm (AV66) and they are a pain in the ass to get even now...  it will only get worse.  I'm giving them to our old friend Dan.  I borrowed his Avons for the WCR and then just wore them out knowing I'd get him replacements.

I'm putting the 17"ers Dan bought from Derek last year onto Stormy...  Derek - anything I should know about what I'm getting?

Frank

+1 on what Frank said. I have been running Avon Azaros on my 84. Good radials with an average life. Stick good though. Avon has now discontinued the Azaro rear but the front is still available. For the rear you will have to run the Avon Storm.  Dave

[TexasDave]

I'm very new to this and can really use some educating.

I just bought the 16" Azaro (AV45) and Storm (AV66) and they are a pain in the ass to get even now...  it will only get worse.  I'm giving them to our old friend Dan.  I borrowed his Avons for the WCR and then just wore them out knowing I'd get him replacements.

I'm putting the 17"ers Dan bought from Derek last year onto Stormy...  Derek - anything I should know about what I'm getting?

Frank

+1 on what Frank said. I have been running Avon Azaros on my 84. Good radials with an average life. Stick good though. Avon has now discontinued the Azaro rear but the front is still available. For the rear you will have to run the Avon Storm.  Dave

With those beautiful custom wheels why would you go back to stock?

[fj1289]

Is the issue just the rear rotor?  I'm sure we can find a replacement based on diameter and bolt pattern.