FZR1000 6 Pot Calipers on FJ1200?

[butizzle]

Hi all
Has anyone tried fitting the 6 pot Sumitomo calipers from the later FZR1000 on the FJ1200? I know the preferred upgrade are the gold/blue/silver dots, but I'm looking for something a bit more stock looking. The FZR has 320mm brake discs vs. the FJ's 300mm, I'm not sure if that may cause any issues? I do know the bolt spacing is the correct 100mm.

Thanks in advance!
Georg

[Pat Conlon]

What year FJ1200? Makes a big difference.

The early '86-87's will be a problem with the caliper lug spacing on the fork legs and the thickness of the oem double faced brake rotors.  You may still make it work with an aftermarket mounting plate and a single faced rotor replacement.

Here is the mounting plate I'm referring to:


It may be possible on the later '89-95 FJ's, mounted just as the monoblock calipers.

[butizzle]

I have a '96, so they'll definitely bolt up. I also found out that blue dot calipers are fitted as a bolt on to FZR1000s, so I guess the only question is if the 6 pots are a worthwhile upgrade in the first place, or if I should just get blue dots in the first place... The reason I want the 6 pots (apart from the obvious 6>4 fallacy) is that we have mandatory inspections in my country and the blue dots are likely to raise an eyebrow so I'd need to swap the originals back for the inspection every 2 years.

[Millietant]

Those 6 pot brakes are more hassle than they're worth. A lot of FZR owners swapped them for blue spots. The blue spots perform better, are lighter and don't suffer from corrosion effects as badly as the 6 pots.

If you're worried about them looking different, just paint them the same colour as your original calipers.

[butizzle]

Got it! I just ordered all the parts for a complete upgrade - blue dot calipers, rebuild kit, 14mm brake master from an early FJR, XJR1300 clutch master and S/S lines all around. I'm pretty excited to experience the improved braking feel now!

[Pat Conlon]

You will be happy with the upgrade, guaranteed. 

[joebloggs]

One thing many don't consider is a Brembo upgrade, I'm not sure the adapter is available for the FJ forks, but, they can be found online, and tbh for not much more than a second hand caliper when you take the rebuild into account.
I bought a pair of 65mm P4 calipers from Webike for about £100 each and similar 40mm from Carpimoto
The mounts were between £60-£80 (depending on manufacturer)

The price will vary depending on import charges but in the UK providing you keep the total cost of the item to less than £135 you don't have to pay tax (the cost of the extra postage is less than the tax if you combine the goods)

[Pat Conlon]

Interesting Joe, a couple of Q's...
Are the Brembo's a 4 pot or 6 pot caliper?
 How expensive are the pads vs. the common Yamaha monoblock pads?
 What size piston on the master cylinder is used with the Brembo calipers?
(Yamaha monoblocks work best with a 14mm)
What about radial vs axial master cylinders, both work with the Italian calipers?

Got any pictures?

Cheers.  Pat

[joebloggs]

Interesting Joe, a couple of Q's...
Are the Brembo's a 4 pot or 6 pot caliper?
 How expensive are the pads vs. the common Yamaha monoblock pads?
 What size piston on the master cylinder is used with the Brembo calipers?
(Yamaha monoblocks work best with a 14mm)
What about radial vs axial master cylinders, both work with the Italian calipers?

Got any pictures?

Cheers.  Pat

The P4 (65mm) caliper is four pot with four seperate pads, they came standard on the Ducati 999, unsure what mastercylinder size was used and as for replacement pads, I've not looked into it.
The 40mm mount Brembo's have been used on almost all other Ducati's prior to them going to radial calipers.




As for master cylinders, I'm not concerned about feel, what ever this is supposed to mean, I just want maximum stopping power when I grab a hand full of brake.
I have a pair of RCS clutch and brake cylinders, 17 and 19 which I'll pair with the 40mm P4 30/34 and the P4's from the 999 with an adjustable master cylinder from a Panagale.

Up until recently I had the Panagale cylinders on my ZRX (stock 6 piston calipers) and after adjusting I got eyeball popping power with one finger, I have it set a bit on off but it certainly stops

[fj1289]

Sounds like you have never experienced a BAD brake setup! (Which is a GOOD thing!)

I tried a bad mis-match one time - I discovered exactly what "wooden feel" meant for brakes - down right scary!  I'm no champion road racer that threshold brakes all the time, but I do know you can mess up a brake setup bad enough to scare yourself!  I cringe at a lot of the guys with drag race setups that simply delete a disc and use the existing brake master - maybe it works ok, but the setup I tried on my old little "cafe rat bobber" XS650 with FZR components didn't work out at all.   Put together all matched parts (full FZR600 dual front brake setup) and things were MUCH better!

Back story - I purchased this bike with a rear brake only setup - almost took out the back end of a Buick at a stop light on the way to work the first time commuting on it!  So I threw the front end parts that came with it (only one disc and hose and master cylinder) - and it wasn't much better - would lock up without warning - had no "feel" at all.  I've ridden bikes with drum front brakes that were better than that!

[Millietant]

One thing many don't consider is a Brembo upgrade, I'm not sure the adapter is available for the FJ forks, but, they can be found online, and tbh for not much more than a second hand caliper when you take the rebuild into account.
I bought a pair of 65mm P4 calipers from Webike for about £100 each and similar 40mm from Carpimoto
The mounts were between £60-£80 (depending on manufacturer)

The price will vary depending on import charges but in the UK providing you keep the total cost of the item to less than £135 you don't have to pay tax (the cost of the extra postage is less than the tax if you combine the goods)

Is VAT not due on everything bought new and imported? Import Duty is only a couple of percent anyway, so irrelevent really compared to VAT.

[aviationfred]

Interesting Joe, a couple of Q's...
Are the Brembo's a 4 pot or 6 pot caliper?
 How expensive are the pads vs. the common Yamaha monoblock pads?
 What size piston on the master cylinder is used with the Brembo calipers?
(Yamaha monoblocks work best with a 14mm)
What about radial vs axial master cylinders, both work with the Italian calipers?

Got any pictures?

Cheers.  Pat

The P4 (65mm) caliper is four pot with four seperate pads, they came standard on the Ducati 999, unsure what mastercylinder size was used and as for replacement pads, I've not looked into it.
The 40mm mount Brembo's have been used on almost all other Ducati's prior to them going to radial calipers.




As for master cylinders, I'm not concerned about feel, what ever this is supposed to mean, I just want maximum stopping power when I grab a hand full of brake.
I have a pair of RCS clutch and brake cylinders, 17 and 19 which I'll pair with the 40mm P4 30/34 and the P4's from the 999 with an adjustable master cylinder from a Panagale.

Up until recently I had the Panagale cylinders on my ZRX (stock 6 piston calipers) and after adjusting I got eyeball popping power with one finger, I have it set a bit on off but it certainly stops

I did the 40mm Brembo caliper mod on my 1990 VFR750. OMG.... the increase in stopping power over the 1 sided, 2 piston Nissin calipers is amazing. I also purchased and installed the matching Brembo master cylinder.

Fred

[AustinFJ]

OK... waitaminute... waitaminute... waitaminute...

You are telling me I can fit 65mm 4-pad Brembo's to my FJ?

I've currently got the Blue-Dots on it, and they are pretty great.   But I also happen to have 2 Ducs, an ST4s and a 748 (853), with the standard 65mm on the ST4s and the 4-pad calipers on the 853.   Both have awesome stopping power, but the 4-pads are magical!   
Wait... I also have some FZR fork lowers so I can fit 320's...  I am sensing a project in the works...   

(Whichcraft to commence... soon...)