Hello Guy's! New member here looking to start moding his bike.

[I make oil]

LOVE this site!  So much good information and ideas here.  I bought an 86 today and hope to have it waiting on me when I get home.     (I am currently at work in Africa.)  The bike is a 2 owner bike, totally stock and has 18000 miles.  The previous owner has owned it since 1992.  He assures me that it needs nothing.  But I am not the kind of person to leave well enough alone.     Like most everyone else here I think.   So.....  Here come my first questions.

I saw in a previous thread here the first recommend mod seems to be brakes.  Good, now I have a place to start.  I am going to look for a 02-03 R1 gold dot calipers and a FJR1300 Master.  I have a question though.  Many of the recommendations for front wheel changes say to change out an 86 with 90 or newer front forks.  I want to do a fork/front wheel change later and at the same time up grade with Randy's fork parts but that is later.  Can I mount the gold dot's to my 86 forks?  And where do you recommend I order my SS brake lines? 

After the brakes I will likely do the HID lights, vibranators, foam hand grips and depending on how the clutch feels I will do the clutch mods and install a new master cylinder there as well.  I also think I will change the seat and install engine guards.  Later when the tires need changing I will change the wheels.  (It has new tires on it now.) 

I am looking forward to playing with my new toy.  

[SlowOldGuy]

You will need to upgrade the forks to '89 and later fork sliders (lowers) in order to mount up the monobloc calipers.  I suppose you could do this by using the later screw-in axle.

However, the most amazing mod for my '85 was the 17 inch front wheel.  Do that and you can do the brakes (and SS brake lines) at the same time.

DavidR.

[I make oil]

Thanks, I was hopeing to do the front end mods one step at a time.  I will start looking for the forks first.  Anybody got any front forks they would be willing to sell?  Drop me a PM please.  Guess I'll go on down to the next mod on my list then.

[I make oil]

I've found two sets of forks for my upgrade.  One set is the complete front end from a 90 front tire and all for $525.  He will sell me just the fork assembly's for $300.  They need to be rebuilt and I will have to use my upper tubes as there are in bad shape.  The lower sliders are supposed to be ok.  I found another set for $510 at another source for just the Fork assembly.  I think these prices are a bit high.  I would also like something that I can use for a little while before I have to rebuild them.  What would be a reasonable price for a good, useable set of fork tubes from a 89 and up FJ?

[fj11.5]

think i paid $200  for my 89 ones, complete with calipers axle ect,,

[SlowOldGuy]

To make the complete conversion, you really need the 17 inch front wheel and axle. 

Those prices do sound a bit high.

DavidR.

[I make oil]

I will order a new axel from RPM and want to do a 3.5" FZR wheel change at the same time.  I've located the brakes and wheel no problem the forks are the hang up right now.  I'll keep on looking.  The right deal will come along.  Until then I will just ride my bike and collect the other parts.  I'm just trying to get an idea what I should pay for the forks.  I think $200 to $250 would be fair for a useable set.  $300 for something I can't use without repair is to much to me.

[andyb]

FZR or YZF wheel?  Doublecheck what you're looking for, so you don't make a mistake.

(I don't know off the top of my head, but I know where you could look... )

[Pat Conlon]

That is a very cool summary Andy. Thank you for doing that.....

[I make oil]

Excellent summary.  I have found several good conditoin 87 88 FZR1000 front wheels.  That will be my choice for the front.  I plan on doing the YZF600 rear wheel.  I'd like to keep it Yamaha if I can it just feels right.  Still looking for later model forks to go into my 86 yokes.  Anyone have any or hears of any please let me know.  After all they money I've spent this month on it already I think I'm going to have to wait to build up my toy fund a bit. 

[I make oil]

   Scored forks on Ebay today!  Going to put them aside now while I collect the other bit's and pieces for my conversion.  Next up will be a 87/88 FZR rim for the front.  I have several in my watch list and one on bid.  I will get a new front Axle from RPM.  Set of R1 Gold Dots, new bearings for my front wheel, FJR master and braided brake lines.  Will fake Gaffer rotors work?  Which ones should I get?  Some for a 89/90 FJ?  Will they fit the FZR wheel?  Will my 86 fender fit the 89 forks?  I plan on upgrading with RPM valves and springs later.  Am I missing anything for the front wheel swap?  Which tire is recommended?  I live in Louisiana so most riding will be touring around.  I'm excited it's all coming together.

[fj11.5]

im using fake galfer rotors, no problems so far, work well withblue spots, and 14mm master, and yes they will bolt straight on 88/89 fj to fzr 

[simi_ed]

  Scored forks on Ebay today!  <snip> I plan on upgrading with RPM valves and springs later.  <snip>

When I did the YZF600 front end, I went all-in and did the Racetech valves & springs.  That was an upgrade to the cartridge forks, while the '89 forks are the old damper rod forks.  Trust me, do the RPM upgrade at the same time.  You'll be glad you did.  Otherwise, you're only gaining the 17" wheel & blue/gold dots.  Go the extra mile, you'll be much happier, and you only have to do the job once.

My $0.02

[1tinindian]

  Scored forks on Ebay today!  <snip> I plan on upgrading with RPM valves and springs later.  <snip>

When I did the YZF600 front end, I went all-in and did the Racetech valves & springs.  That was an upgrade to the cartridge forks, while the '89 forks are the old damper rod forks.  Trust me, do the RPM upgrade at the same time.  You'll be glad you did.  Otherwise, you're only gaining the 17" wheel & blue/gold dots.  Go the extra mile, you'll be much happier, and you only have to do the job once.

My $0.02

+1
The forks are already off, just do it!

Leon

[I make oil]

I have a lot of stuff to get yet.  I plan on doing both front and rear wheel swaps so I guess it does make sense to just do it all at once.  I just wanted to get it all done on this trip off.  I work 28/28.  Does not seem like that is going to happen so I will just continue to collect parts and prepare.  Next time I go home i will just do it all at once.     Want to have my wheels powder coated first anyways.   

I ordered a Corbin seat and will order a set of vibrainators and foam grips to install this time while home and ride, ride, ride.