R1 BRAKE CALIPERS

[bama1]

Just wondering what year brake calipers can I bolt straight onto my 89 FJ.One of the members told me I could do this but I forgot to ask what year would work.
THANKS BUDDY

[TRoy]

"Many" years! Basically any non-radial mount  R1/R6/FZ1/YZF600/Warrior blue spot or gold spot monobloc calipers.

[threejagsteve]

What are the differences between the blue-dot and gold calipers?

Weight?

Pot diameter?

Swept area?

Or just the color?

[tqmx1]

 Just the color. One other minor differance some have the brake line attached to the side of the caliper and others on the back.

[the fan]

The gold dots have a lightweight alloy piston. all R6 and R1 non radial calipers have the same bore diameters and side mount brake lines.

The older design monobloc found on the YZF600R (97-07) has mounting points similar to the stock FJ parts. If possible avoid this model (easily identified by external fluid transfer tubes) as they are heavier and flex considerably more than the R6-R1 calipers.

[threejagsteve]

The gold dots have a lightweight alloy piston. all R6 and R1 non radial calipers have the same bore diameters and side mount brake lines.

The older design monobloc found on the YZF600R (97-07) has mounting points similar to the stock FJ parts. If possible avoid this model (easily identified by external fluid transfer tubes) as they are heavier and flex considerably more than the R6-R1 calipers.

Now I'm confused... You're saying that although the YZF600R (non-R6) have mounting points similar to the FJ mounting points, they are less desirable?

The better ones are off R1s and R6s and they also have the right mounting points? Like these for '03-'04 R6 (L) and an '03 R1 (R)?


These ('04-'06 R1) are the radial type and won't (easily) work?

[FJ Flyer]

Correct.  The YZF600 and the non-radial R1/R6 all mount up to the '89 or newer FJ forks with no mods.  The radial mounts will not fit. 

As Bill said, the YZF600 units will fit and work, but if you can, get the R1/R6 units.  Many times, an ebay auction will have the whole system, including the master cylinder.  And I'd recommend getting a set of the R1/R6 caliper mounting bolts.

[threejagsteve]

Thanks, Chris!

So I would gather that the lightweight alloy pistons would make the gold spots a little lighter...

And is there much advantage to getting the R1 master cylinder and reservoir as well?

[FJ Flyer]

Given that the FJ isn't a svelt liter superbike, the blue spots are just as good, probably more plentiful and cheaper as well.  If you can get the master cylinder (and reservoir), go for it.  You'll have to mod a reservoir bracket.  Not sure if Jon Cain is still making them.  There are other 14mm MCs that will work, although I can't remember the details.  Someone will chime in.  In any case, the 14mm MC is better match for the system.

[simi_ed]

I got the pieces off an FZ-1, closed system, for $80 a few years ago.  14mm MC is important, and it also fixes the notchy front MC.  And I got the hollow bolts from the R1, they were easy to drill for safety wire.

[threejagsteve]

Thanks, Ed!

The R1 system doesn't have the reservoir mounting issue? Or what did you do about it?

Afraid I don't have the luxury of waiting for a rock-bottom price - it's making me nuts that I've gone through all this and I STILL can't go for a ride!

FWIW, for others reading this (rather a moot point for you, Ed), I've read elsewhere that the "notchy" front m/c can be caused by the (hard) pushrod digging into the (soft) brake lever. Therefore the quick and easy fix is to simply get a new brake lever!

And I've also read that the FJR1300 m/c (if you can find one) works well.

Also FWIW, it seems that the general marketplace has realized that the blue- and gold-dot calipers are virtually identical, and a 5-hour eBay marathon last night revealed that pricing differences were slight. But there are significantly more blue-dots out there; I saw a rather grubby-looking pair with a BIN of $60, and singles as low as $25.

[simi_ed]

FZ-1 master functions same as FJR; bolt on, bleed & ride off.  I did the notch fix, but I also like the multi-position adjustability of the FZ-1 MC. 
Trust me/us!  You'll LOVE the new brakes!!!

[rvnmaniac]

 Are the FZ-1 Gen 1 & 2 MCs the same?

[threejagsteve]

I got the pieces off an FZ-1, closed system, for $80 a few years ago.  14mm MC is important, and it also fixes the notchy front MC.  And I got the hollow bolts from the R1, they were easy to drill for safety wire.

So, Ed, what year was that FZ-1 stuff off of?

TIA

[simi_ed]

It was off an '05 eBay .  I guess it was an early 01-03 FZ-1.  I don't really know any closerthan that.  It looks very similar to the original that I removed.  Sorry, can't do better than that ...