Another Wheel Mod Question.....

[Perez]

I have a 1987 FJ1200 with 16" Dia wheels (I think the newer ones got a larger dia wheel on the front)
Will A wheel from a 1990 FZR 1000 Fit?
It has the sprocket, cush drive, rotor & brake perch included.
I think this is the easiest to do rear wheel mod listed.
Makes sense in that the FZR seemed to be the next gen of the FJ and probably carried over alot of similar parts.
Now, if I go and do this, can I leave my old original 16" wheel on the front?
It would seem to me that the rear end would now be jacked up by 1/2" (one half the diameter increase)
This could throw off the handling geroetry by alot....Y/N?
If and when the time comes to do the front wheel, will an FZR front wheel be the easiest mod to do?.....or, would a newer FJ rim be easier?
What are the pros & cons of each?

[Perez]

Sorry about that, my bad
The easiest swap is the GSXR rear rim swap....Y/N?

But my original questions about handling still apply.....

[andyb]

Gosh, let's see.

In this post there's a link marked "FZR1000 (17x5.5) swap".  And that link takes us to another page that has, amazingly, information on the FZR1000 swap!  Who knew?!

But wait!  There was more than one kind of FZR made, so we have to make sure that the 90 model was a EXUP rather than a Genisis model... Fortunately, there's a website just for this sort of thing.  And that leads us to another site that says at the top that the 90 is in fact a EXUP.  Amazing stuff, this internet thing.

If you go to a 17" rear with a 16" front, yes, it will raise the rear 1/2".  But, if you choose to use tires on the wheels, then they come in different sizes, and with a little math and the wonderful internet, you can find information about decoding what all those numbers mean and then use that to calculate the difference in ride height.

[SlowOldGuy]

Before you do anything else, do the front wheel first.

DavidR.

[Perez]

Biggest bang for the buck is in the front wheel, eh?......Makes sense.
What about that urban legend of having a radial on the front and a ply on the rear?
....or is it urban legend? Can you do that?

[andyb]

Radials in front, bias in rear works well enough.  Wouldn't go the other way around though.

If you go to a 17f/16r combination, you've got the 88+ setup and can use whatever works for that (see various tire threads) but the choices will remain limited until you get the rear swapped over also, then the fun really begins.

[RichBaker]

Gosh, let's see.

In this post there's a link marked "FZR1000 (17x5.5) swap".  And that link takes us to another page that has, amazingly, information on the FZR1000 swap!  Who knew?!

But wait!  There was more than one kind of FZR made, so we have to make sure that the 90 model was a EXUP rather than a Genisis model... Fortunately, there's a website just for this sort of thing.  And that leads us to another site that says at the top that the 90 is in fact a EXUP.  Amazing stuff, this internet thing.

If you go to a 17" rear with a 16" front, yes, it will raise the rear 1/2".  But, if you choose to use tires on the wheels, then they come in different sizes, and with a little math and the wonderful internet, you can find information about decoding what all those numbers mean and then use that to calculate the difference in ride height.

Interesting.... when I put the 17" YZF rear on, I lost a little overall due the smaller outside diameter of the 17" tire..... so NO it does NOT raise the rear 1/2". Don't recall the actual difference, but someone in here knows it..... Avon 150/80x16= 25.4", whereas a 160/60x17=24.6"

[andyb]

Like I said, the wheel is larger and will raise the ride height.  Until you put the tires on, because they come in different sizes....

[carsick]

Andy,
I sympathize. Sometimes I think your subtlety is lost in translation. I was going to try to explain your sarcasm but figured I would only muck up the conversation. My uncle used to say "why don't they make steel tires and rubber roads" but that's another thread I suppose.

[SlowOldGuy]

Radials in front, bias in rear works well enough.  Wouldn't go the other way around though.

I've been running that combination on my '85 for about 4 years now.  I have no complaints.

DavidR.

[Pat Conlon]

Radials in front, bias in rear works well enough.  Wouldn't go the other way around though.

I've been running that combination on my '85 for about 4 years now.  I have no complaints.

DavidR.

Oh yea, been meaning to ask, you've had that Harley tire on for how long now? Four years? 

[andyb]

Just was saying if you put a 150/80R17 where a 150/80R16 was, you'll gain that half inch.  Most people change the size of the tire in the process though....

Interesting.... when I put the 17" YZF rear on, I lost a little overall due the smaller outside diameter of the 17" tire..... so NO it does NOT raise the rear 1/2". Don't recall the actual difference, but someone in here knows it..... Avon 150/80x16= 25.4", whereas a 160/60x17=24.6"

Rich, the 150/80x16 should have a diameter of:
((height[mm]*profile[%])*2)+(rim[in])
or
((150mm*80%)*2)+(16in*25.4[in to mm])
so
((150mm*80%)*2)+(406.4)
then
((120)*2)+406.4
and
(240)+406.4
so
646.4mm
or
25.4in

A 160/60R17 is 24.5" tall.
A 170/60R17 is 25" tall.
A 170/70R17 is 26.3" tall.

To get the height difference, take half of the difference between old and new (radius, not diameter).  The answer won't actually be exact, because different manufacturers (as well as different tire lines) are using nominal figures, and if you alter air pressure there's even more math to add to the calculation.  When you lean the bike over, it will also become slightly lowered due to the curvature of the tire, altering the gearing a pinch as well.

If you want to work out the gearing changes, it's easy math, but easier still to use a handy spreadsheet that's posted in the reference area.

[RichBaker]

Thanks Andy.... I know all that already, been playing with bikes and cars since 1970....... did my 1st MC front end swap in 1981......
But, I'm sure some of the less knowledgeable folk benefitted from this.

[Pat Conlon]

I just use this tire size calculator: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

Give a kinda cool side by side comparison....

[craigo]

OK Guys,

My GSXR wheel has arrived, however, missing the spacer between the caliper carrier and the wheel.  Also the brake arm.  No worries as I contacted the seller and he will send them along.  Should have them next week.





However, the sprocket is worn out, and I need to replace it.  Need a 530 40 Tooth.  Any suggestions under $60?  Steel or Aluminum???  Is AFAM a good name?

Also, my wheels are white, this one is black and has a better finish than the front.  Decisions
, decisions, paint the front black or paint the new one white???    


CraigO
90FJ1200