Hello- new to the group from central Illinois

[meatball]

Hello gang.  I'm Joe and I have an '85 FJ11 that's in fair condition. I've been content to just thumb the starter and run it for the past 5 or 6 years, but am thinking I should give her a little attention.

In fact, the headlight fuse is blowing now and actually melted part of the fuse block.  Not sure what that's about.  Anyway, it's been jetted and got a V & H Supersport pipe.  I got a shorter smoked screen from Zero Gravity a few years ago, and geared it taller a couple teeth on the rear last time I put a chain on it. 

My thoughts are about upgrading the front end.  I'd appreciate suggestions to do this on the cheap (young kids at home take the priority). 

Thanks in advance.

Joe (meatball)
-------

85 FJ1100

[Arnie]

Hi Joe,

Welcome.
You may want to check the connector to the headlamp to see if its melted and shorting, especially if you or the PO has installed a higher wattage globe.

With the front end you choices of upgrades include: servicing the fork and installing new seals and fluid, removal of the AD units, installation of stiffer springs and/or race-tech emulators, swapping the lowers for late model lowers to then install a 17" wheel and 4pot brakes, or finally installing a wholly different fork.  Which of these choices you make will depend on what you feel is needed and how much $$ you are willing to spend.

Cheers,
Arnie

[racerman_27410]

welcome to the group Joe,


cheap front end ...... hmmmmm


there are several option for front end upgrades but the expense will depend on your shopping skills and some good luck.


BTW.... Good luck ! 

KOokaloo!


Frank

[Mark Olson]

Welcome to the group Joe 

front end upgrades are always a choice of how much ya wanna spend.

bare minimum is 17" front wheel ,89 or later forks ,4 pot brakes ,fork springs and cartridge emulators.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to the group Joe 

front end upgrades are always a choice of how much ya wanna spend.

bare minimum is 17" front wheel ,89 or later forks ,4 pot brakes ,fork springs and cartridge emulators.

Mark, how much performance difference is there between emulators over cartridge forks? I am trying to decide between the two. Anyone is free to chime in. Sorry for the hijack...

[racerman_27410]

Mark, how much performance difference is there between emulators over cartridge forks? I am trying to decide between the two. Anyone is free to chime in. Sorry for the hijack...

having done and ridden both mods..... emulators (properly adjusted and spring) are about a 50% inprovement over the standard damper rod forks

cartridge forks (properly valved and sprung) are 100% improvement over emulator forks.

KOokaloo!

[Harvy]

I went from OEM forks for the first couple of years of ownership to Racetech springs and emulators for around 4 years.
I have in the last month now installed FZ1 cartridge forks with Racetech internals.

It depends on your bank balance........each step was a step up in handling..

If you can afford it, put cartridge forks in now........ if not either save your pennies for cartridge forks, or take the leap in stages as I did.

My old Raceteched forks have moved on to bring another FJ back to life.........that's good!  

Harvy

[Mark Olson]

Welcome to the group Joe 

front end upgrades are always a choice of how much ya wanna spend.

bare minimum is 17" front wheel ,89 or later forks ,4 pot brakes ,fork springs and cartridge emulators.

Mark, how much performance difference is there between emulators over cartridge forks? I am trying to decide between the two. Anyone is free to chime in. Sorry for the hijack...

well now I have to say if I was gonna do it over I would have gone with catridge forks . I am gonna end up like henry and go cartidge one day .

every time I draw that line in the  sand and say no more mods I end up doing more. It is a sickness called Moditis.

everything I do makes it better.

[FJmonkey]

Thanks Mark and Harvy, Simi Ed is offering me a very good deal on his old forks now that he upgraded to cartridge forks. This will let me make improvements with my low budget. 

[Mark Olson]

Hey monkey,

If you  got Ed,s forks , I can probably  get you a 90 front wheel . Interested?

[FJmonkey]

Hey monkey,

If you  got Ed,s forks , I can probably  get you a 90 front wheel . Interested?

YES!!

[Mark Olson]

Hey monkey,

this is funny cause the guy who bought Ed's front wheel can sell you his wheel after he swaps them out. 

send me a pm for the details.

[FJmonkey]

Hey monkey,

this is funny cause the guy who bought Ed's front wheel can sell you his wheel after he swaps them out. 

send me a pm for the details.

Mark, is the 90' front wheel 3.0" or 3.5"? I am looking for 3.5 cuz I tend to like the corners and need as much meat up front as I can get. I trashed an Avon AV45 in about 3,000 miles. It was still like new for anyone who commutes on the freeway, the sides were gone. My current front is almost in the same condition, my last few rides with Ed are not helping with making the front last any longer. With the front end upgraded I am also not likely to be any gentler on the front.

[Flying Scotsman]

Hello- new to the group from central Illinois

Where are you located in in Rolling Meadows.

[simi_ed]

Nahhhhhh, Mark rides like a granny!  I heard he even got passed by a Duc with a passenger on the back!