93 FJ rebuild project

[Bob]

Well, I haven't been around much lately. Last time I rode my '93 was three years ago. Since then it's been sitting covered in the garage waiting for me to get off my ass and refurbish it. I'm the original owner and after 25 years it seemed wrong to let it go. I figure if I say it publicly maybe I'll actually get to it. But no rush; I told my wife this will give me something to putter with for the next few years.

Most of the work will be cosmetic. It needs a good cleaning and polish. The front forks are from a '93 GSXR and need a rebuild. I need to polish the  JMC swingarm and PM wheels, replace the head gasket, paint the headers, redo the aux wiring and whatever else I can think of.




Not sure what to do with the P.O.S. Harrison Billet-6 calipers. They look great, but they warp rotors. Six little pads that don't retract well is not the best design. I'll probably just rebuild them (again) and keep trying.



Once the PM wheel and calipers are polished they may even look at good as they did on their original "Black Sunshine". I still have that original PM caliper for the right side, but I could never find one for the left side, which I why I got the Harrisons.



It will take a while, but I look forward to having the FJ back on the road again. I've done a lot of custom work; a one-of-a-kind great looking bike

[andyoutandabout]

Bob, three years man, time to get a grip.
An Fj in that condition, with those after market goodies, just gas up and go.
Ride now, polish later, repeat

[Bob]

That's why I got the V-Strom... the only way I could wrench and ride at the same time 

[Bob]

Some progress. Chromed GSXR forks are off, to be rebuilt.



Next step is to build the brake calipers.
If I could find the left version of the original 'Black Sunshine' PM caliper, I'd go with that.
Otherwise I'm stuck with the rotor-warping Harrison Billet-6 units.

[fj1289]

Try contacting performance machine directly.   They still make that style caliper - although they are listed for Hardleys - I'll bet a donut one of them matches what you are looking for. 

[Bob]

Try contacting performance machine directly.   They still make that style caliper - although they are listed for Hardleys - I'll bet a donut one of them matches what you are looking for. 

I did try, several years ago. They laughed, said it had been out of production for a while. No harm trying again.

[fj1289]

You may be able to make a different adapter plate and different spacers for the new one - no one would ever see both sides at once!

[Bob]

You may be able to make a different adapter plate and different spacers for the new one - no one would ever see both sides at once!

True. I'm looking at that option. It's a point in favour of the Harrison Billet-6: they are spec'ed for the GSXR forks and bolt right on.

[fj1289]

What's causing the warping issue?  Too much brake?  Not enough rotor?  Is there a floating rotor available?

[Pat Conlon]

What's causing the warping issue?  Too much brake?  Not enough rotor?  Is there a floating rotor available?

Narrow brake pads on the 6 pot Harrison's caused too much concentrated heat on the rotors.
IIRC those pads were expensive.

[fj1289]

What's causing the warping issue?  Too much brake?  Not enough rotor?  Is there a floating rotor available?

Narrow brake pads on the 6 pot Harrison's caused too much concentrated heat on the rotors.
IIRC those pads were expensive.

Will 6 pot PM's be any different?  From the website, those look they are differential bore calipers — supposed to solve that issue?

[Seanable]

  You have a fabulous motorcycle there. Well done!