More 17 inch wheel conversion questions.

[Bud Wilkinson]

I'm so confused by this subject.
I found a nice 1997 YZF600R complete front end. The question is, will this fit the frame head tube on an 87 FJ1200 frame? It has the right, late Yamaha swept 3 spoke design and is 17x3.5. The rear is 17x5.0 and looks great too but would probably only carry a 170/60-17 and looks to have a 25mm axle so swingarm modification and tensioner bit swap would be necessary too.
Just wondering if anyone has gone this route with the front end or rear wheel setup?
I think the rear GSXR would still be best but this stuff is all available now.
TIA for thoughts.
***EDIT***
Just found the 97 YZF600R rear wheel model PDF. Guess it doesn't have a 25mm axle. Can get the entire rear setup from this bike too. 170/60-17 would be better than the 16 inch options I guess.

[Pat Conlon]

Have you reviewed this site?
http://www.fjmods.co.uk/

Jon Cain was the pioneer of the YZF600 front end swap as well as the YZF600 rear wheel swap
Here's the info. on the 600 rear rim conversion. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1567.0

We do have some folks who are using the YZF600 front ends, perhaps they will chime in...

I had one of Jon's YZF600 rear rims on my '84 (many years ago) and I can say that it was light years better the the pig heavy FJ oem back tire and rim.

The 170/60-17 is an absolutely wonderful tire for our FJ's.

Cheers

[Bud Wilkinson]

Have you reviewed this site?
http://www.fjmods.co.uk/

Jon Cain was the pioneer of the YZF600 front end swap as well as the YZF600 rear wheel swap
Here's the info. on the 600 rear rim conversion. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1567.0

We do have some folks who are using the YZF600 front ends, perhaps they will chime in...

I had one of Jon's YZF600 rear rims on my '84 (many years ago) and I can say that it was light years better the the pig heavy FJ oem back tire and rim.

The 170/60-17 is an absolutely wonderful tire for our FJ's.

Cheers

Pat,
Thanks for the links. I did find the rear wheel swap but the FJ mods site from the UK is one I missed so I'll be studying that. Anyone who has done the full front end swap and has some insight, I'm the sponge

[Motofun]

I did this front end swap to my '85.  You need to use the YZF fender and the '85 lock set sticks up about an inch above the hole in the YZF top triple.  Also the FJ handle bars do not match up perfectly to the top triple.  I made it work though.

[Bud Wilkinson]

I did this front end swap to my '85.  You need to use the YZF fender and the '85 lock set sticks up about an inch above the hole in the YZF top triple.  Also the FJ handle bars do not match up perfectly to the top triple.  I made it work though.

Sadly any information / documentation has been lost to bad links on http://www.fjmods.co.uk for the YZF600R front end swap. Nor can I find anything in our modification, Files or in the first 10 pages of the FJ Projects Write-ups. Rear wheels yes.

The Questions then are;
Is the 85-11 front end substantially different from the 87-12?
Can the YZF tubes just slide into the FJ triple clamps, or do you have to replace the triples as well?
Did you use the YZF brake master cyl for the blue dots?
Would using the YZF handlebars make it any easier or just complicate things more?
Does the speedometer drive / cable need any attention / parts form the YZF?

I'm sure more will come.

[Motofun]

OK, not sure I can answer all your questions, my bike started out as an FJ1100 with 16" front wheel.  I replaced the kit and kaboodle with a YZF 600 front end (97 if I remember).  17" wheel, forks and triple clamps.  I reused the '85 lock set/key and handle bars.  I have FJR master cylinders and levers for both clutch and brake along with blue spots.  It went together straight forward with the biggest issue being just how the handle bars mounted to the triples.

[Bud Wilkinson]

OK, not sure I can answer all your questions, my bike started out as an FJ1100 with 16" front wheel.  I replaced the kit and kaboodle with a YZF 600 front end (97 if I remember).........

Close as you get to answering the questions. Thank you.
It sounds like you're not going back any time soon.
I will get the front end and maybe the rear wheel too and look to a winter project. I may sell the rear kit as I am still on the fence over a 5.0 vs. 5.5 rear wheel width. Either way the tire selection and unsprung weight should be much better.

[Pat Conlon]

Hang tight Bud..

Paging a Mr. Jon Cain to the white courtesy phone please.

[Pat Conlon]

Ok, I just heard back from Jon Cain (I messaged him on FB) He said that he is going to find his notes and he will post here in a couple of days...so stay tuned.

I am also going to replicate his info. over in the Suspension Files so we will have his info in the future.

[Dads_FJ]

Ok, I just heard back from Jon Cain (I messaged him on FB) He said that he is going to find his notes and he will post here in a couple of days...so stay tuned.

I am also going to replicate his info. over in the Suspension Files so we will have his info in the future.

Found this from Jon when I did mine back on 2005.  Linkie no workie but the rest is good info.


John,

Yes, I do share all that info. I'd much rather have folks get the details right, then make this wheel swap some sort of hush hush deal.

8mm (.315 in.) from the thickness of the left side axle spacer (the fat one).

8mm from the axle bore area on the swing arm side of the caliper mount.
This mount rests at about a 45 deg. angle when installed so take a good look before you start cutting.

3mm (.118 in.) from the face of the sprocket mount surface of the cush hub. You will need to heat the crap out of the hub to remove the studs. You will also need to double jam nut the studs to get them out. Use a propane torch and get it very hot. Oh yea, did I tell you to get it hot. Use red locktite when you run the studs back in.

The clevis on the swing arm end of the FJ brake torque link needs to be offset 8mm. I cut the clevis from the tube right at the weld. Then I grind the open end of the tube square, then weld a 3/16 plate back in place of the clevis, then I reweld the clevis back onto the link with the 8mm offset. This link has a few photos that may help you.

http://www.btinternet.com/~fj1200mods/Project_FJ/YZFRear.htm


Ride Well,
Jon

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks John, the info on the YZF600 rear rim is in good shape, it's the info on the YZF600 front end swap we need.

[Dads_FJ]

Thanks John, the info on the YZF600 rear rim is in good shape, it's the info on the YZF600 front end swap we need.

[Bud Wilkinson]

So I made the deal to get the entire front end and everything between the swing arms with rear M/C as well from the 97 YZF600R Thundercat. I'll be gathering other parts like fork bushings, seals, gold valves and springs in preperation for a winter project.
The 17 inch front tire size is not even a question but the rear of the YZF was a 160/70-17. I'm wondering if it's wise to squish a 170 or larger width tire on the 5.0 rear rim.
I'm sure it will work but the 160 may prove to have better handling.
Any insight here will save a couple hundred on the swap.
Slso insight on a DOT 5 fluid swap for blue dots, clutch

[FJ_Hooligan]

I've got the 600 rear wheel and am perfectly happy running a 160 tire om it.

[aviationfred]

I'm wondering if it's wise to squish a 170 or larger width tire on the 5.0 rear rim.

Many FJ owners use a 170 on their YZF600 rear wheel mod. A 170/60/17 tire will not be pinched on A 5" wheel.
A couple owners have even gone up to a 180 and have not had any complaints.

Fred