Rear & Front Wheel conversion

[Shaun]

So I have seen and read a lot about rear wheel conversions from a YZF600 and that people have also slotted up the front wheel. Is there a particular year of YZF or does it matter, I have also read somewhere that the front wheel can be used as well and still use the stock speedo drive, is this so. I ask about the front wheel as apparently it is a 3 1/2" x 17 versus the stock 3" x 17 and is this a worth while effort. I am looking at gathering parts for the conversion and thought it best to ask before getting to far into the wrong thing. What I am riding now is a stock 1990 FJ and would like to get into modern radial tires and to improve handling (and yes a new rear shock is on the list).
Thanks for the input.
Shaun

[jvb_ca]

Shaun. I believe any year yzf600r (non R6) will work for the rear wheel mod. They did not change it from year to year. The front wheel has a different size axle diameter, and there is no bearing size available to mate the axle and wheel to the forks. What you need for the front is an 87-88 fzr1000 wheel. It is a direct bolt on to your existing front forks, retaining stock speedo drive. I have been running a modern radial, 120/70 on my front wheel(89 FJ) with no ill effects. Once this tire is done, I have an 87 fzr wheel that will be going on with the new rubber.
With these mods, you will really like the change. It will handle like a whole new bike...

Cheers...Jake

[Shaun]

Thanks for the heads up, hey are you getting out on the back roads yet? You should have a whole playground around you. I'm looking at having a run up the sunshine coast to Powell river hop on the ferry and then back down the Island. Not that long of a trip but an awesome ride along the ocean all the same. Did you get the regulator conversion done for your buddy?

Shaun

[RichBaker]

I put an FZR wheel on up frt, and beforethat, I ran several radials in 120/70X17 on the stock wheel.... I think the 3.5" wheel works a little better... '90 FJ12.

[jvb_ca]

Shaun. Have been getting out a bit, but never as much as we want..lol..Did a nice ride up to Calabogie a few weeks back to watch the races and played in the Muskokas a bit. Have't done the regulator mod on my buddy's bike yet. He seems content so far with a new battery, but that will change once it is cooked. Up the coast sounds like an awesome ride. I saw Powell river once from the Island side. Coastal mountains paint a nice picture in the background. Have fun....

Cheers...Jake

[higbonzo]

I have made the change as well.  I used the FZR1000 87-88 front rim with stock tire size and it is a no brainer.  Now as far as rear tire goes, I went with the FZR1000 89-? 17x5 1/2".  It is a great combo and it changed the handling aspect of my bike dramatically.  It is an amazing improvement.  I had mine done by a shop in Poway, CA.  These guys are FJ guru's' as far as I am concerned.  http://www.powaymotorcycle.com/  From what I remember they use all your FJ parts and you just need to find a rear rim.  The fit is incredible and it look completely stock.  I will try to get pics up for all to see.  Anyways, I had everything done and purchased a new chain and sprockets and the bill was under $1000. including all machine work parts and shipping cost.  I can get the exact cost if you are interested, but it was cheap to me when you consider I was thinking of purchasing the FJR to move myself in the new millennium.  But, since I made the updates to my bike, I have no need for a newer bike now.  I would recommend the change over to all FJ riders, and it is a must if you are a rider who likes to get close to yours and your bike's limits and potential.  Plus it opens up a whole new array of tire choices.

Good luck. 

Later, Phil

[Shaun]

Hey there, yup I sure would be interested in some pictures and spec of what they did. Like I said earlier I am looking at starting to gather parts and would like to see what you got.

Thanks
Shaun

[higbonzo]

Hey there, yup I sure would be interested in some pictures and spec of what they did. Like I said earlier I am looking at starting to gather parts and would like to see what you got.

Thanks
Shaun

Shaun,

I pulled out my receipt for the work done on my bike.  The total was $693.47, and the work and parts involved were as fallows:

Front sprocket/rear sprocket
DID x ring 530x130 chain
flange bolt
wheel bearing

Machine work:

Sprocket carrier, sprocket front, rear caliper bracket, countersprocket cover, bend brake stay arm and make Dog bones.

That's it.  They will need a few measurements from you to make sure to get proper set up.  All you need is a 89-? FZR1000 rear rim, I used a 1990 rim.  You can use the original Sprocket hub because the are the same as the FZR1000.  The Difference is in bearing and those all get changed out in the machine work.

I'll try to get some pics up soon.

Later......

[Fred]

Hi Shaun,

You will want a first gen FZR 1000 wheel, its a direct bolt on for the '88 and up FJ. While your at it get some early yamaha blue dot calipers, they're cheap and make a big difference.  A yzf 600r frontwheel can be used, but I believe the axle diameter is different so you either need to make some sort of bushing . Or you could swap the entire front end, which would require some additional parts and machining, but you would gain modern cartridge forks.

For the YZF 600R rear you will need everything between the swing arm. Machine a few millimeters off the spacer, caliper bracket and the face of the sprocket mount. Modify the caliper stay and Bob's your uncle, modern size tires for you.

You should be able to find the measurements for these mods in the files section, as well as info on other wheel and suspension mods.
From GSXR rear wheels and yzf 750 ud forks to swapping the entire suspension from an FZ 1.

hth and good luck,
Fred

[higbonzo]

Pics.....

[andyb]

^ Do you even ride that thing?!    Too clean!


I haven't done the front on my `90, as a 120/70R17 mounts fine and works well enough.  Typically cups the tire long before it wears out though.

I did go with the YZF rear, and it's quite possibly the best time/effort/money mod I've done yet.  I spent about $150 doing it (paid WAY more for the wheel than I should have), and in the course of 3 tire changes I made the money back; better rubber for less money.  The OEM wheel doesn't actually give you much choice in what tire you run, you run what fits and hope for the best.

With the 17" wheel, you can run a drag tire, a sporty tire, a touring tire, a middle ground tire... and you can select from more than 3 brands, too!

[Shaun]

HighBonzo, thanks for the pics, that looks very cool and the meaty tire up under there looks like it means business. With the improved handling it should be an awesome improvement. Fred, thanks for the insight I will check out the links and see what I can find. I bought the bike for several reasons, that main one is that I always liked them and always wanted one but had to wait because the navy got in the way. Also I like to tinker with things and make them my own, in this case these mods are just the thing I like to do.

Thanks for the input, now I'm hooked in a brand new addiction...mmmmodifications!
Shaun.

[higbonzo]

^ Do you even ride that thing?!    Too clean!

A few times a week on average.  I hit about 140 mph last time out.   

I tend to ride mellow for a few ride then I crank it out every month or so.  Bikes are like horses, ride them hard but never but them away wet.  If you do this you will have a dependable ride.

Later.....

[Firehawk068]

Hello to all.
Does anyone know if you can use the front wheel from a 92 FZR1000? I plan on doing the rear wheel mod, and I picked up both wheels from a 92. the front is 17 X 3 1/2, the rear is 17 X 5 1/2. I plan on using them on my 90 FJ. I see some of the posts say to use an 87-88 front wheel. Also, does anyone who has done this mod know how much material to take off of the cush drive? I found a machine shop locally who says they can do all the machine work for me. Also, what wheel bearings do I use for the rear wheel/cush drive? I am assuming I have to use a Honda VFR750 front sprocket, and a stock FJ rear sprocket from what I have read. Does anyone know if the stock length chain is used? I plan to replace it, but need to know what length to get. I also have a pair of R1-Gold pot front calipers to go on as well that I picked up used.
Phil, yours looks awesome! and is the inspiration for my endeavor.
My current rear tire is shot, and I figure now is a good time to upgrade.
Sorry about all the questions, but any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Alan H.
Mesa, AZ

[TRoy]

Does anyone know if you can use the front wheel from a 92 FZR1000?

Its possible, just not as easy as the 87-88.... IIRC the 92 uses a 17mm axle (not 15mm like the FJ and the older FZR)

Use the 17mm FZR axle, spacers, speedo drive, etc.. you will have to bore & tap the FJ forks to accept the 17mm axle.

...uhmm, I think