Upside Down Winter Project

[aviationfred]

Fred, with the GSXR front rim, what do you have planned for the back rim?  Matching?

I don't know if the 2007/2008 GSXR1000 rear wheels are useable. The wheel is 17" x 6". The rear caliper is an (above) the swing arm type. It would end up being a trial and error attempt. The GSXR is still new enough that used parts specially the wheel are still moderately priced.

I already have the 1992 GSXR750 wheel installed. Fat curved spokes like the OEM FJ wheel. I do plan on installing a matching rear brake rotor, and move the Arashi rotor pictured over to the 1990.

Fred

[giantkiller]

What a treasure trove of goodies. Don't forget to grind that Suzuki emblem of that top yoke.

It's actually a metal sticker. Just peals off. First thing I did to all three of mine.

I have been in contact with Jeff and already have a initial decal drawn up. The Suzuki 'S' badge has been removed and will be replaced with something like this......


Fred

Hey Fred can you order 4 more for me. I'll pay you for them. Then Jeff can do them all at once.
Let me know
Thanks Dan

I am thinking of having the FJ done in the Gold/Silver and the Yamaha in Silver. The Red may be a distraction while riding.


Fred

Hey Fred I don't think they are big enough to be distracting
But the color wouldn't really matter to me. It would be cool to have it. Instead of blank.
Thanks again. Let me know.

[aviationfred]

The wheel is ready for install.

Before and after

Fred

[aviationfred]

With the new handle bars being hollow and no threads. I found some pressure lock style bar ends. They are made by HVMP, are Stainless Steel and weigh 14oz each.

http://www.hvmp.com/


Fred

[Pat Conlon]

I have some pressure lock Vibranators I won't be needing when I do the FZ-1 bar on my YZF750 front end.
The pressure lock Vibes were used on the Fat Bar which had no threads.
Let me know if you want them

[aviationfred]

Thank you Pat. I will let you know how these work and if I might want to give your set a try.


Fred

[aviationfred]

Here are a few of the actual top yoke decals made......i need to decide which one I want to use.


Fred

[andyoutandabout]

Those wavy rotors look bitchin. That doesn't even look right when I type it, let alone sound right when I say it.
Those wavy rotors look absolutely top draw, what what.
Digging the FJ decals too.
I mean, splendid additional trim old chap.

[giantkiller]

Hey Fred, I just looked at the gsxr triple clamp and it's black under the sticker. So anything black would be lost.
If you don't mind ordering me some. I'll take 4 red Fjs centered with the gold shadow, and 2 of the gold Yamaha/ Fjs for the 89.
Let me know.
Dan

[aviationfred]

I have tried to explain how the Tarozzi handlebars are adjustable. Here is a diagram showing the 4 positions. The + is the center of the fork leg.


Fred

[aviationfred]

I am beginning the removal and install of the forks. The 1990 is all ready to receive the forks from the 1989. The 1989 is ready for the GSXR1000 forks. I weighed the two wheels. Even with the larger 320mm rotors, the GSXR1000 wheel is 1.5 lbs lighter.


Fred

[aviationfred]

The forks are now installed. A small bushing had to be fabricated to take up space where the top of the steering stem goes through the upper yoke. A small amount of modifying was needed on the steering lock flange. You also need to enlarge the through holes on the ignition switch. Everything went together relatively easy. One interesting thing. The fender has to be bolted to one fork leg before the other fork leg is installed. At this stage, the handlebars look like they will be perfect and actually give a bit more of an upright sitting position with all of the cables being long enough.


Fred

[giantkiller]

Hey Fred I forgot about drilling the holes on the lock larger for the gsxr bolts. I see you ground the whole flange down for the clearance. Good idea. (The gsxr upper triple clamp puts the lock ever so slightly.closer to the flange on the frame) and because the lock is offset you have to grind the stop off the flange on the one side. I used a drum sander that was as close to the size of the frame stem diameter. And ground the face of the lock just enough to get the clearance. But you still have to grind the tab off the flange. So the way you did it is less complicated.... If I can get my machinist to get around to it.. I'm going to have him make the top plate with the stem hole the correct size (no bushing needed) and center the lock with the clearance... I need 4 of them. 1 for a future street fighter, and 3 for the current bikes. He's starting a new business. As well as working his old job. So it's going to be hard for him to get around to doing side projects..

[giantkiller]

OH yeah Fred is using that great looking carbon fiber fender. (No flex) The plastic fenders give just enough to get them on and off when assembled.

Just  little on why I went with the 2007-2008 gsxr 1000 front end. I found out that alot of the racers were actually going to lighter springs, that the forks were oversprung from the factory. So I thought they would be good for the heavier FJ. I actually had to soften the preload up when on the FJ. So while I'm no suspension expert.( Actually, I have my racer buddy set them up for my weight. And then fine tune them until I find what I like) But I think they are as good as your going to get. Without changing the springs/valving. After I finished the first one. I thought it handled great... But what did I know. So I had my racer neighbor (was 3rd in points locally for 3 years on his gsxr 1000, anyways not just your average track day racer) take it for a ride. To see if it was any good. Or if I had just made a mess... He wasn't real fired up about it. But agreed to take it for a spin.... He was gone so long I thought he must have crashed. When he finally came driving back up the driveway. I could see a huge grin through the faceshield of his helmet. He got off. And the first thing he said was "I don't know what you did to the geometry. But you got it just right!" He said " I was expecting a big heavy wallowing bike. But this actually turns in better than my Gixxer." He went on to say that he took it on the road he uses to check suspension settings for his race bikes. Corners with stutter bumps. And couldn't get it unsettled. So I know I've stumbled onto something good. (Rear suspension was Honda f4i shock/with 900lb eibach spring and he's 100lb lighter than me) Disclaimer. But the bike/bikes are way better than I can ever push them. Kookaloo

Thanks Fred for doing this write up. With all the pictures.

[aviationfred]

The Tarrozzi handlebars are about an inch longer than the OEM bars. Bonus, they allow enough room to add the auxillary driving lights switch.


Fred