Front End Clarity

[Big AK]

I am sure this has been covered over and over again, but search function isn't being kind. 

From everything I have read a USD conversion is a better suspension than standard and would give the best suspension available at this time to the FJ. A quick look through the gallery only showed a few people with USD fronts most prominently Pat Conlon's shiny FZR1000 front end. More popular seems to be the YZF conversion, though I admit the ease of installation (all things being relative) make me lean toward Franks FZ1 front conversion even with manual speedo loss. Besides I already decided to follow his footstep with the rear end cause I like the way the extra length in the swingarm makes his ass look (really just the bikes) over the stock swingarm.

The bike is multipurpose, it would be a daily driver to work on freeways with plan on taking some weekend touring or twisty hunting with good friends to get rid of some steam. I am no racer and like my wheels to stay on the ground, but I do like to push my limits and better myself as a rider. One thing I don't plan on is tricks, just not my style on on anything but a dirt bike. The thing that is most important to me is stability and safety, not a 1/4 top-speed demon. My riding is limited to cruisers in the past so I haven't much experience in this bikes arena. Already looking into classes to get better as a rider and looking into appropriate gear.

So from the lack of threads I found, is the USD option less popular due to cost? Is handling not improved as much over newer standard setups? Is it just to damn complicated to do? Or am I just missing the posts about the awesomeness of USD and how easy they are to install cause I am uber noob and can't read all the shorthand lingo still? In the modifications section there are numerous swaps of front wheels but in first 10-15 pages maybe 1 topic on USD conversion (Mark Alva's FJ). Is Alva's pretty much the gold standard and a case of "if not broke don't fix it" so no other threads needed and to reference this? Is the USD past the performance levels the rest of the bike can contribute so lends to being an over the top modification (meaning newer standard forks are quite good enough for the bike)?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Big AK

[fj11.5]

Unless you want usd because they look awesome, or want the challenge, , try a set of rpm fork valves and springs, , much much improved front end,

[yamaha fj rider]

Randy's fork valves and springs or conventional cartridge forks are other options. I think these are the most popular. Hope this helps.

Kurt 

[racerrad8]

From everything I have read a USD conversion is a better suspension than standard and would give the best suspension available at this time to the FJ.

Big AK

Here is some reading that is the latest technology, easy to install and much cheaper than converting over to USD forks. There are also several posts documenting the results for the RPM fork valves. By the way, the is a new new rear shock already being tested that should be ready soon.

Randy - RPM

RPM fork valves explained

RPM Fork Valves

What happened to my pogo stick? (RPM fork valves installed)

RPM Fork Valves - worth every penny

RPM Fork Valves installed/ First test ride impressions.

Let the fun begin...RPM Rear Shock

[giantkiller]

I used the gsxr 1000 2008 front end on mine. (over sprung for gsxr so I figured wouldn't have to respring for fj, and I didn't) I got my bike after it was sitting in storage for 11 years. So everything that had to do with brake fluid was toast(calipers,clutch and brake masters, forks anti dive) so rather than spend money repairing and also improving the forks. I just bought a complete gsxr front.You have to make sure you get the years that had hydraulic clutch. I used the gsxr triples, with the stem from the fj. You have to add some weld to the bottom of fj stem and machine down to press fit the gsxr lower triple and make a collar for the upper triple. Make fork extensions(or buy them from billet bike bits? I don't remember). Used the clippons from gsxr cut the bars off flipped them over and made risers and bars to match fj bars and mounted them on top. I used Trail tech Voyager for my speedo. Because I wanted one for the offroad GPS for my ATVs. You just have to get different sending units from trailtech for each machine. Then you can use the head unit for different machines. But there lots of digital speedos out there. Then do the rear wheel gsxr conversion and You have a lighter better handling fj. With awesome brakes. I have a thread in fj projects. Oh yeah I also did the honda shock conversion $78 including the shock. I've been told by Jeff @ east coast fall rally that It needs about a 200lb stiffer spring.

[rktmanfj]

I've been told by Jeff @ east coast fall rally that It needs about a 200lb stiffer spring.

But he didn't say 'Your suspension sucks!" ?       

[giantkiller]

No he said the front end was great. After he set it up for me... Again thanks Jeff And the rebound and compression on the honda shock was good but the "spring sucks"

[fj11.5]

What colour is your spring, red or yellow,  maybe rated different,  , as mine works fantastic, but i only weigh nine stone 

[Mike Ramos]

Hello Big AK,

I would suggest that you go with the Fork Valves and Fork Brace from RPM.

After initial resistance to even trying the Fork Valves once I did, I soon added the Brace as well. You will quickly find that together they allow the front end to equal in performance any other front end modification you can find.

It is a fact that together they actually out perform (or at least equal) the original design parameters of the rest of the frame. I soon blew out my rear shock and somewhere along the way I tweaked the front rim.

Since then I have modified & installed a much better shock; however based on my experience with the Fork Valves, I eagerly await the new rear shock from R.P.M. & to that end I have had my swing arm strengthened (while maintaining all the stock mounting points) and I have installed all new bearings as well. I have no doubt that it will enable a much improved ride.

I have written in previous posts just how well they perform and there is a video clip as well that shows the new valves allowing the forks unprecedented action, allowing the wheel to track properly and stay planted on the road surface. There is also a video of the Gunnision Rally that shows the forks working quite well.

My statements are based on many thousands of miles on a wide variety of road  conditions. From a soft highway ride to spirited back road riding, they are hard to beat.

Ride carefully,

Mike Ramos.

[racerrad8]

I have written in previous posts just how well they perform and there is a video clip as well that shows the new valves allowing the forks unprecedented action, allowing the wheel to track properly and stay planted on the road surface.

Mike Ramos.

I forgot about the videos documenting the fork action...

Fork Video I

Fork Video II

Fork Video III

Randy - RPM

[fj11.5]

Just watched one vid,  im sold on the valves,  , 

[Flynt]

+1 on the RPM approach...  100% good reviews and relatively low cost.  I think it is an obvious choice.  

I have the YZF 750 USD option and they are pretty fine as well.  The biggest advantage is likely the thicker, shorter forks and increased stiffness.  Mine are adjusted quite nicely for spring rate, preload, compression, and rebound.  The Ohlins rear is adjusted the same.  It is quite capable, stable, and comfortable compared to my old stock '90, but then I have not ridden Randy's bike...  

I'd go for RPM first and maybe last, then upgrade to the deep end if you feel you're missing something USD can provide (and I have no idea what that is).

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

Ask Mike Ramos....he knows....the USD's gets the chicks....

Seriously, you have to remember what life was like before RPM. We did not have a lot of choices. We did not have it so fucking easy...you kids nowadays have no idea...no clue..you're spoiled...soft...mamby pambys.
The only way we could get cartridges in our forks was to change the forks (excepting Jon Cain's trick F-3 Honda cartridge adapters which I have a set in my '92)
I'm not talking about cartridge emulators, I'm talking about the real deal, compression/rebound tunable cartridges.
Prior to RPM life was hard...we had 3 choices:
1) stay with the damper rod forks (sucks)
2) heavier springs and RaceTech cartridge emulators (sucks less)
3) Spend months aquiring parts and Actually do some fucking work and convert your forks to cartridge forks....

Now with these newfangled RPM thingies...all you have to do is spend 1/2 hour with some basic tools and you're all done....It 'ain't fuckin fair I tell 'ya. All the work is done for you, ya bunch of milk toast wussies. 
(you know that I'm just kidding.....not really....)

[Harvy]

Ask Mike Ramos....he knows....the USD's gets the chicks....

Seriously, you have to remember what life was like before RPM. We did not have a lot of choices. We did not have it so fucking easy...you kids nowadays have no idea...no clue..you're spoiled...soft...mamby pambys.
The only way we could get cartridges in our forks was to change the forks (excepting Jon Cain's trick F-3 Honda cartridge adapters which I have a set in my '92)
I'm not talking about cartridge emulators, I'm talking about the real deal, compression/rebound tunable cartridges.
Prior to RPM life was hard...we had 3 choices:
1) stay with the damper rod forks (sucks)
2) heavier springs and RaceTech cartridge emulators (sucks less)
3) Spend months aquiring parts and Actually do some fucking work and convert your forks to cartridge forks....

Now with these newfangled RPM thingies...all you have to do is spend 1/2 hour with some basic tools and you're all done....It 'ain't fuckin fair I tell 'ya. All the work is done for you, ya bunch of milk toast wussies. 
(you know that I'm just kidding.....not really....)

You tell 'em Pat!
Couldn't have put it better myself   

Harvy

[fj11.5]

Not far off pat ,, when i changed my 84 front end over to 89 7 years ago,  just done by guess work,  measurements,  and lots of ebaying,  , think i found  some info on this site by one of the andy,s,  ,but cant remember what my  id was,  , anyway thank fuck for rpm, all we need now is cash