FZR1000 Forks

[p51bombay]

Has anyone installed a set of 87-88 FZR1000 forks in the 88-90 FJ triple clamps along with an 87-88 FZR front wheel?  Seems like an easy way to get bigger brakes, wider wheel and adjustable preload but I wonder about the fork length.  Or better yet, anyone put just the FZR sliders on FJ tubes?  Will FZR fork caps fit in FJ tubes?

[Pat Conlon]

The '87-'88 FZR1000 and FJ's share the same 41mm dia. fork tubes so the swap would be easy (inc. FZR lowers on the FJ tubes)

Yes, the 17" FZR rim is wider but you would still end up with a set of damper rod forks, even with cartridge emulators, there are better options available.....

The hot ticket today is a set of RPM fork valves in the '89+ FJ's lowers*** and use the '87-'88 FZR rim with R-1 blue spot calipers.

Or...if you really want to get the chicks (sorry Mike I couldn't resist) put the entire front end of the '91-'93 FZR on the FJ.

USD forks rock.

With the recent introduction of the trick RPM fork valves for our FJ's, I would not invest any time or effort in upgrading the FJ's front end unless you could *at least* get a set of cartridge forks out of the deal, along with a stiffer 17mm front axle, stiffer 43mm fork tubes and bigger 320mm rotors on a 3.5" wide front rim..

***To anticipate your question, no the RPM fork valves do not fit the FZR lower sliders....that's why you should use the late model FJ sliders.

Cheers.

[p51bombay]

Ya, i knew they were the same and that since the FZR wheel will slot right into the FJ forks, presumably the FZR forks would also slot into the FJ triple clamps making it easy to get both the wider wheel and 320mm rotors so that is good to know that my assumption was correct. 

I had a set of Ricor valves (who Randy confirmed does make his) in a 49mm version in a Harley that I just sold so I am familiar with their ease of installation and how they work, which is quite well - takes a large diameter yet mushy dive prone front end into a nice smooth controlled front end that rides well whether cruising the interstate or carving corners (yes, Harley's can to a degree) and doesn't bottom under braking or even the most severe bumps so I am sold on that.  They are a fairly cheap and easy way to get damper rod forks to work so I'm not too worried about using a damper rod setup.  I'm curious as to why they would not fit FZR lowers - particularly if the FZR lowers where on FJ tubes using FJ springs and damper rods?

[FJmonkey]

Ya, i knew they were the same and that since the FZR wheel will slot right into the FJ forks, presumably the FZR forks would also slot into the FJ triple clamps making it easy to get both the wider wheel and 320mm rotors so that is good to know that my assumption was correct. 

I had a set of Ricor valves (who Randy confirmed does make his) in a 49mm version in a Harley that I just sold so I am familiar with their ease of installation and how they work, which is quite well - takes a large diameter yet mushy dive prone front end into a nice smooth controlled front end that rides well whether cruising the interstate or carving corners (yes, Harley's can to a degree) and doesn't bottom under braking or even the most severe bumps so I am sold on that.  They are a fairly cheap and easy way to get damper rod forks to work so I'm not too worried about using a damper rod setup.  I'm curious as to why they would not fit FZR lowers - particularly if the FZR lowers where on FJ tubes using FJ springs and damper rods?

Where you sober when you posted this??? Just asking... No offense intended... We get all kinds and can't always tell sometimes...

[p51bombay]

umm.......yes, what did I miss?

[FJmonkey]

umm.......yes, what did I miss?

My bad, you were a wild card that was watching Randy's posts. Please disregard... We get a lot of nut jobs that just jump in with no real info....

[p51bombay]

I will admit to watching the threads about his IAT valves  (without knowing they were the same item in concept) and already had in mind the thought of trying a set of the 41mm (or at least asking Ricor about them) versions since I knew they made a 41mm version for Harley's and with a little searching......Vmax 41mm forks as well - the reason being is that I knew they worked.  But since the work has already been done - I don't need to.

[Pat Conlon]

If the Ricor valves fit the FZR forks, you have a potential improvement.... You will get everything we get with the '89+ fork swap plus 320mm rotors (vs. 298mm FJ)

If not, don't waste your time with the FZR damper rod forks ....just to get larger rotors. That's silly.

It is more important to get the IAT valves than the larger rotors. Remember, this is a street bike.
There is no practical difference between 320mm rotors and 298mm rotors on the street.
Track yes, street no.

A real difference is the improvement between the IAT valves and the damper rod forks (w/emulators)

Just my opinion. I'm done.

[p51bombay]

If the Ricor valves fit the FZR forks, you have a potential improvement.... You will get everything we get with the '89+ fork swap plus 320mm rotors (vs. 298mm FJ)

If not, don't waste your time with the FZR damper rod forks ....just to get larger rotors. That's silly.

It is more important to get the IAT valves than the larger rotors. Remember, this is a street bike.
There is no practical difference between 320mm rotors and 298mm rotors on the street.
Track yes, street no.

A real difference is the improvement between the IAT valves and the damper rod forks (w/emulators)

Just my opinion. I'm done.

In an ideal world we could have it all, obviously I would strive to achieve all three if practical but your point is well taken.  That said, even though I had an 89 back in the day, I had forgotten there was any adjustment to the forks.  Monday I will be looking at and most likely bringing home a 90 model so..........are the stock adjustable forks better, worse or the same as a damper rod for with IAT valves?  If they are at least as good as the IAT then you're right - not worth messing with what already works.

[Pat Conlon]

Perhaps I was not clear.

Let me try again. I'll say it this way:

Damper rod forks suck. Adjustable damper rod forks suck. All damper rod forks suck.

OEM FJ damper rod forks suck.

'84-'87 FJ anti dive damper rod forks suck.

'88-'95 FJ damper rod forks suck

OEM FZR damper rod forks suck

Do you see a pattern here?

[p51bombay]

Perhaps I was not clear.

Let me try again. I'll say it this way:

Damper rod forks suck. Adjustable damper rod forks suck. All damper rod forks suck.

OEM FJ damper rod forks suck.

'84-'87 FJ anti dive damper rod forks suck.

'88-'95 FJ damper rod forks suck

OEM FZR damper rod forks suck

Do you see a pattern here?

Pattern.......no, could you go over it again? LOL 

So would you say that by removing the adjustable 90 forks and installing the IAT valves it would then not suck?  If so, would you go so far as to remove the adjustable bits and back-date the internals to non adjustable with the addition of the valves or just cut the rod and be done with it?  Without having taken them apart anytime recently, I can't say for sure but it seems as though the FZR forks "should" work with the IAT valve as it does sit inside the stanchion rather than the slider yes? 

Any idea if you removed the adjustable parts from the FJ if 87-88 FZR preload adjustable caps would thread on?

[JCainFJ]

Has anyone installed a set of 87-88 FZR1000 forks in the 88-90 FJ triple clamps along with an 87-88 FZR front wheel?  Seems like an easy way to get bigger brakes, wider wheel and adjustable preload but I wonder about the fork length.  Or better yet, anyone put just the FZR sliders on FJ tubes?  Will FZR fork caps fit in FJ tubes?  

No, I do not think you can just slip the FZR forks into the FJ triples and use the FZR wheel and brakes. The FJ triples are 190mm cl to cl. The FZR triples are 200mm cl to cl. The only easy way to use those forks, wheel and brakes is to also use the FZR triple.

Pat is correct, If you are going to the trouble of swaping forks you need to end up with a cartridge fork. The YZF600r fork swap is a good plan to look at too. Ive done 7 of them and it is a great bang for the buck.

[Firehawk068]

Perhaps I was not clear.

Let me try again. I'll say it this way:

Damper rod forks suck. Adjustable damper rod forks suck. All damper rod forks suck.

OEM FJ damper rod forks suck.

'84-'87 FJ anti dive damper rod forks suck.

'88-'95 FJ damper rod forks suck

OEM FZR damper rod forks suck

Do you see a pattern here?

Don't hold back Pat...........................Tell us how you really feel............................

[FJmonkey]

Having put Randy's valves in my forks, I can add some to this discussion. The installation of the valves involves the cutting of the damper adjusting rod, the new valve is blocking the path and your bypassing the damper system anyway. You retain the preload adjustment of the 89 forks that I used. The suspension improvement was incredible, I no longer feel the smaller bumps, when leaned over in a corner the front feels well planted and keeps on the line you set. My attention is no longer about what the front is doing in the corners, its the sacked out pogo-stick I have for a rear shock that I notice now. I am not a racer (I just love the corners) and cannot compare it to modern race tech, but I can say it made a world of difference from the 27 year old tech I was riding on. Before you install Randy's valves, find a nice bumpy corner and find your fastest comfort level on the stock forks. Then try it again after you upgrade.

[Mark Olson]

Has anyone installed a set of 87-88 FZR1000 forks in the 88-90 FJ triple clamps along with an 87-88 FZR front wheel?  Seems like an easy way to get bigger brakes, wider wheel and adjustable preload but I wonder about the fork length.  Or better yet, anyone put just the FZR sliders on FJ tubes?  Will FZR fork caps fit in FJ tubes?

lemme help ya out here.

This is one of those fj mod myths that on surface looks like a winner.

muppet labs has attempted this mod and found it to be a waste of time and money.

you would have to transplant the entire front end off a 87-88 fzr1000 to make this work.

you cannot simply use the fzr lower sliders on the fj forks. the calipers don't match up as well as the fork brace and fender.
the fzr uses a different axle spacer for a wider placement of the forks.

muppet labs has determined that using 89 or later fork lowers with cartridge emulators and new springs is the best low budget suspension mod as for wanting
better brakes , ebc pro lites or wave rotors perform at the same level as 320mm ones.

this falls into the btdt realm of wtf were you thinking.

you would be money ahead to just do the full cartridge fork thing and not feel my pain of sinking time and money into a lost cause.

my .02 , do I get change?