89 rear wheel conversion. Very confused, so a few direct questions...

[MACHV]

The more I read about what wheels work, the more confused i get on what needs machining and what does not. For sale near me, there is a 1990 gskr1100 rim with a perelli diablo 180/55-17 mounted. Is or is not this wheel going to be a direct bolt on with a some spacers added? Or does something need to be machined for fitment? machining needed for sprocket alignment? Will the tire sidewall clear the chain and guard?

If this is going to be real involved, I'm sticking with the 16" rim.

[FJmonkey]

Not sure of the 90, but I am sporting a 92' GSXR 750 rear wheel and just bolted it on..

[MACHV]

Really. But you are driving an 86 right?

[FJmonkey]

Really. But you are driving an 86 right?

Well if you ask Baldy I am not looking through the corners far enough and breaking too hard on entry (thanks Baldy). Is that what you mean? I tear up a set of Dunlop Q2's every 3.5K miles, mostly off the edges.

[MACHV]

No. I mean I thought the conversion wheel options change between your 86 and my 89. I did finally just find the PDF for the 1990 using the gsxr750 rim. Looks like I have more than just the rim and tire to worry about, ie changing the sprocket and using the gsxr caliper and drilling a hole for the torque arm.

[FJmonkey]

No. I mean I thought the conversion wheel options change between your 86 and my 89. I did finally just find the PDF for the 1990 using the gsxr750 rim. Looks like I have more than just the rim and tire to worry about, ie changing the sprocket and using the gsxr caliper and drilling a hole for the torque arm.

Aside from spacers you can use a passenger peg bolt location to mount the brake link arm. I chose to add a mount point on the swing arm....

[MACHV]

I was hoping this was going to be "old wheel off-new wheel on" simplicity. The wheel I am looking at has a 48 tooth sprocket and no brake parts for $175. Still have to powdercoat it too. Wanted to keep this under $200. Damn

[FJmonkey]

Er....You are gonna have to do more than that, but no machining is required...

[MACHV]

Well I will keep a lookout for parts bikes then... or stick with the old rim. thanks.

[craigo]

Hi Mach,

I believe that was my PDF you are talking about. Yeah, the best way to go on the GSXR wheel swap is to get the whole wheel pack and brake items from a single donor bike. I got everything on Ebay from the same source. It cost me about $350 total with tire. As I have gone through 2 rears since I installed the gixxer wheel, and as I have seen that the 16" tires have gone upwards of $180 each, I have easily saved $100 on new rear tires and am now able to use a nice variety of radials.

Trust me, park the wheel till you get all the parts, you will not regret this mod. Look for someone selling any of the brake parts on ebay, and see if you can get all the parts from the same seller.  If you have to spend another $100, it'll be money in the bank after a few new tires.

Hope this helps,

CraigO

[movenon]

As I read it a 1990 GSXR 1100 rear wheel will work. As with any modification expect some small amount of engineering. It has been done many times and there are over 20 plus posts on just the GSXR rear wheel conversion.

Depending on the brake stay you may not have to drill or fabricate anything. The longer brake stay will bolt up to the lower foot peg bolt. You will have to get a longer 8mm bolt of course and lock nut.

The sprocket off an GSXR 1100 will not work, it takes an odd chain size. You will have to buy a GSXR 750 sprocket. You probably would not want the GSXR 1100 sprocket anyhow (to many teeth).

You will have to buy a few 20mm / 3/4 " washers as the GSXR wheel assembly is slightly shorter than the FJ.

The 180 55 17 tire is shorter than your stock tire. The photo below show the difference. If your bike is 89 or newer you can make new dog bones to adjust the height (more engineering). It's not hard and can be done with hand tools. If you have a pre 89 then I don't know how you can adjust the height.  New adjustable shock ??

Lots to think about on a cold winters night

All I can tell you is that a lot of FJ's have done the conversion and there is lots of help here. More info in the Files section in "Suspension related". Also use the search function. Hope it was helpful. I might have missed something so please read all the posts you can before you jump in.


George

[craigo]

Really. But you are driving an 86 right?

Well if you ask Baldy I am not looking through the corners far enough and breaking too hard on entry (thanks Baldy). Is that what you mean? I tear up a set of Dunlop Q2's every 3.5K miles, mostly off the edges.

You say you're only getting 3500 miles out of a set of Q2's? Wow, I expected better than that. I have a set of ContiMotions on my bike now and have a tick over 4k on them. And I can see that they will last around another 1000 miles. And the front is not cupping like the Dunlop did. The rear on the other hand is.

You've rode with me and you see how I ride. I think you might like these as I will buy another set when worn. I'm really impressed with them and the great thing is they are cheap by comparison.

Just My opinion,

Ride safe and keep smiling 

CraigO

[craigo]

Well I will keep a lookout for parts bikes then... or stick with the old rim. thanks.

Mach,

It's not as difficult as you may think. Someone told me not to over think this (Arnie?) and I went in to it and found it not much more difficult than changing a rear tire. I went from mock up to installation it was that simple. Plus, there are many of us here that will be more than happy to answer any questions.

CraigO

[fj11.5]

I've combined 90/92 gsxr parts and fitted up the 5.5" rim to my 84 Fj,  only using a few spacers, and the long brake stay to a bolt on riders foot peg, wouldn't go back to a 16"

[MACHV]

HEY! The owner says he has the caliper, the bracket, torque arm, and chrome braided line to go with the rim and tire. All for $175!!! All that would be left is a new sprocket and spacers. Jump on it?