gsxr 1990 front forks

[jimmyc]

Hi guys im new to this site  i have  a 1985 fj 1100  and a 1990 gsxr front complete has any body out there tried to put one on an fj?        If anybody can help

[Pat Conlon]

Hey jimmy,  Short answer: I don't know but *if* these forks are damper rod forks, I would not waste any time, effort or money trying to fit (any) damper rod forks on my FJ when there are much better cartridge fork conversions available.. I'm not aware of any FJ'ers who used a Gixxer fork set up.  You need to give us more info.

So you have the front end off a 1990 GSX-R1100 correct?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GSX-R1100

A quick trip over to the Race Tech website shows that the Gixxer's forks are 43mm dia. conventional forks. It's unclear to me if they are cartridge forks.
http://old.racetech.com/evalving/english/Srchpr.asp?bikeid=456&manufacture=Suzuki&model=GSX-R1100&year=89-90&TABLEINFO=street&langname=english
1) Length: I suspect the Gixxer's forks are too short for the FJ.
Measure your FJ forks from the top edge of the top triple clamp down to the axle and compare it to the Gixxer forks.
2) Width:  The spacing of the Gixxer's fork tubes may be too wide.
Measure from outside to outside the width of the Gixxer's fork tubes, just below the lower triple clamp.
3) IF (and a big IF) the width and length match, several folks have bored out the FJ's triple clamps from 41mm to 43mm to fit the 43mm stanchion tubes, but you're not out of the woods yet.
4) What are you going to do with the speedo drive? Does the Gixxer have a mechanical speedo drive like the FJ's?

Report back with your findings........

[jimmyc]

hi pat the answers to your questions!

1) yes i do have a 1990 gsxr front end.
with  wheel with rubber, rotors ,calipers, master and clutch , ss brake and clutch lines, triple clamps, and clip ons!

2) yes they are  43mm       but conventional forks?

3) length on gsxr  29  1/2 inches        width  9  3/4  inches

4) length on fj  31  1/4 inches       width   9  3/4  inches

5) yes it has a mechanical  speedo drive  and cable!



6) I also have  a 5.5 rim with a 190 /17 , rotor, caliper ,spacers, hold bar , master , ss brake lines!, and 3 20 mm washers

all for 250.00


so pat or anyone what do you think       will it work .   

[Travis398]

If you have enough money and know of a good machine shop nearly everything is possible.
However, Losing 2 inches on your forks may be too much.  maybe you could make a custom triple clamp to make up for this? 

[jimmyc]

Hi travis if i install the clipons below the top tree, that  should give me the 2 inches.

[Travis398]

Yes that may help quite a bit, Plus there is a couple locking nuts under the top tree maybe you could remove them and find a thin one to replace them.

not sure how comfy the bike will be for extended rides with the bars lowered though.

[Harvy]

Hi travis if i install the clipons below the top tree, that  should give me the 2 inches.

But will they clear the tank?

Harvy

[Travis398]

Harvy is right, there is not a lot of room near the tank. 

[Harvy]

Hey jimmy,  Short answer: I don't know but *if* these forks are damper rod forks, I would not waste any time, effort or money trying to fit (any) damper rod forks on my FJ when there are much better cartridge fork conversions available.. I'm not aware of any FJ'ers who used a Gixxer fork set up.  You need to give us more info.

So you have the front end off a 1990 GSX-R1100 correct?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GSX-R1100

A quick trip over to the Race Tech website shows that the Gixxer's forks are 43mm dia. conventional forks. It's unclear to me if they are cartridge forks.
http://old.racetech.com/evalving/english/Srchpr.asp?bikeid=456&manufacture=Suzuki&model=GSX-R1100&year=89-90&TABLEINFO=street&langname=english
1) Length: I suspect the Gixxer's forks are too short for the FJ.
Measure your FJ forks from the top edge of the top triple clamp down to the axle and compare it to the Gixxer forks.
2) Width:  The spacing of the Gixxer's fork tubes may be too wide.
Measure from outside to outside the width of the Gixxer's fork tubes, just below the lower triple clamp.
3) IF (and a big IF) the width and length match, several folks have bored out the FJ's triple clamps from 41mm to 43mm to fit the 43mm stanchion tubes, but you're not out of the woods yet.
4) What are you going to do with the speedo drive? Does the Gixxer have a mechanical speedo drive like the FJ's?

Report back with your findings........

Pat.......a further search on the Racetec site suggests that they are the same forks as used on the 01-05 FZ1  -  KYB 43C........and further down the page you quoted, it shows the tools required for working on the cartridges.
If so, they should be fine.

Harvy

[jimmyc]

I want to thank everybody for there info , I will attempt this  with all pictures and post them!

time to go to work !
have a good day   
     thanks   jimmy

[Travis398]

Good luck Jimmy, can't wait for the pictures.

[Grey runner]

The link below could help with the handle bar issue, a bit pricey but it does look like a nice piece of kit.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Superbike-Lenker-Umbau-Kit-YAMAHA-FJ-1100-FJ-1200-/270659285668?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item3f048cf2a4

Chris

[jimmyc]

thanks grey   very intresting  have to order!
jimmy

[Pat Conlon]

jimmy, I've been out of town, sorry for the late reply, but as usual the FJ gang's got my back... thanks guys. Looks like things are covered.
After the install, you might notice that the front end is a bit soft with those oem .842kg/mm Gixxer springs.
You might want some .95 or 1.0kg/mm springs to handle the heavy FJ. You will like the handle bar conversion, I love mine. That German kit looks good.

Take some pictures for us jimmy.... Again, as far as I know, you will be the first with a GSXR front fork setup on a FJ.  Kudos and Cheers!

[jimmyc]

thanks pat and everyone out there .
will try to do the best !
my next task is to see if the fj bearings compare to the gsxr on the triple clamps that way i dont have to hone them out from 41 to 43mm