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General Category => Modifications => Topic started by: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 04:41:47 AM

Title: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 04:41:47 AM
Has anyone used non Fj forks? Thinking of maybe r1 forks from the same generation of the gold dot brakes. I know the fork tubes are bigger but if you used the triple tree to? I like the inverted fork design and the adjustability of the forks. Any thoughts ? Thanks
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Millietant on August 10, 2019, 07:52:37 AM
Lots of different option for USD forks have been used by members on here :good2: as well as people using YZF 600 R and early FZ1 forks.

Fred has GSXR 1000 forks, but most of us have used FZR 1000 RU forks, or YZF 750 forks.

My 92 FZR RU set was a full front end that came (bought off eBay) with the matching wheel/discs, shaft, spacers, triple trees and mudguard etc - which because the steering stems are the same as the FJ made it pretty much a plug and play conversion. I also used a set of FZ1 (2001-2005 model, not the Gen 2 version) risers and handlebars bolted through the holes in the top triple clamp (drilled out to take the riser bolt, and then I used steel washers of the right diameter/thickness in the recesses on the top) - which gave me exactly the same handlebar position as my original FJ bars - again, almost a plug and play fit. I also kept the original FJ brake hose splitter and made up a simple bracket using my angle grinder, out of 2" mild steel angle bar for the lock stops, which also helped me keep the brake splitter in the same location.

The only other mods I made were to use slightly stiffer fork springs (0.95's), fit new wavy discs (folks on here recommend ArashI) and I also had early R1 monoblock calipers which I fitted, with new braided steel brake hoses (the banjo angles are slightly different) and a FZS 600 master cylinder - I'm sure you could use a FZ1 master cyl - and adjustable brake lever.

Admittedly, the cost of the new discs (my FZR wheel came fitted with standard discs), calipers and master cylinder etc were not factored into the conversion cost, as I could just as easily have used the original FJ and FZR parts that I had, but IMHO, I think the extra expense was worth it.

I'll post a couple of pics of the various bits shortly.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: aviationfred on August 10, 2019, 08:22:56 AM
Here is my write up on the 1st USD conversion that I did with 2008 GSX-R1000 forks.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16432.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16432.0)


Fred
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
Thank you I'm gonna look for complete front ends and see what I can find that way I can have extra parts and see what I can make work.  Pictures would be appreciated militetant
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Millietant on August 10, 2019, 03:27:32 PM
Quote from: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 11:33:49 AM
Thank you I'm gonna look for complete front ends and see what I can find that way I can have extra parts and see what I can make work.  Pictures would be appreciated militetant

Here's are a few, sorry not too much detail - will try to get some tomorrow morning showing the lock stop bracket and brake splitter mounting.

The bike with the FZR RU front forks wheel etc in place (I think it's the way Yamaha should have made them in the 90's anyway).

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6213_10_08_19_2_20_29.jpeg)

The wheel, brakes, fork bottoms, fender etc.

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6213_10_08_19_2_16_53.jpeg)

The FZ1 handlebars etc with risers, in place on the FZR top clamp on the FJ - all cables are standard length and nothing contacts the fairing parts on full lock either side (there's about a 2mm gap on each side)

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/11/6213_10_08_19_2_35_09.jpeg)
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 10, 2019, 04:02:52 PM
R-1 you want, R-1 you get...http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.0)
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: red on August 10, 2019, 04:17:55 PM
Quote from: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 11:33:49 AMThank you I'm gonna look for complete front ends and see what I can find that way I can have extra parts and see what I can make work.  Pictures would be appreciated militetant
Dieselman,

Yep, a complete front end assembly is usually cheaper, newer, stronger, and better in every way (brakes, wheel size, conversion to standard handlebars, hardware).  I would ditch the front hydraulic brake line splitter entirely, in favor of two separate hydraulic lines from the master cylinder; that is done by using a two-line banjo bolt, going into the master cylinder outlet.  Always use new hydraulic washers with any brake line work.
.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 04:21:24 PM
Thank you guys for the input as always very informative. Millietant that looks beautiful and I like the bars you have on the bike as well.... time to spend lots of money on eBay
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Millietant on August 10, 2019, 04:32:53 PM
Quote from: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 04:21:24 PM
Thank you guys for the input as always very informative. Millietant that looks beautiful and I like the bars you have on the bike as well.... time to spend lots of money on eBay

Thanks Dieselman, I got my FZR front forks, triples, wheel (with discs), spindle, spacers, speedo drive etc complete for £275 (about $350).

If I'd stuck with the original discs and used my existing FJ calipers, master cyl etc the only other cost would have been the FZ1 bars (£15), FZ1 risers (£10), new head bearing set (£15), fork springs (£80) and fork oil (plus a bit of paint, a small piece of 2"angle (free from a local steel stockist) and some elbow grease.

All up, less than £400.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Millietant on August 10, 2019, 04:37:09 PM
Quote from: red on August 10, 2019, 04:17:55 PM
Quote from: Dieselman7.3 on August 10, 2019, 11:33:49 AMThank you I'm gonna look for complete front ends and see what I can find that way I can have extra parts and see what I can make work.  Pictures would be appreciated militetant
Dieselman,

Yep, a complete front end assembly is usually cheaper, newer, stronger, and better in every way (brakes, wheel size, conversion to standard handlebars, hardware).  I would ditch the front hydraulic brake line splitter entirely, in favor of two separate hydraulic lines from the master cylinder; that is done by using a two-line banjo bolt, going into the master cylinder outlet.  Always use new hydraulic washers with any brake line work.
.

I know what you mean about the brake splitter Red, but I wanted my bike to look as if Yamaha made it like that at the factory and even their recent sports tourers have the brake splitters, so I thought I'd keep it. With the newer matching master cyl, R1 calipers, 320mm discs and Earls Performance hoses, the braking performance is dramatically better than the original FJ, even with the splitter  :i_am_so_happy:
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Millietant on August 10, 2019, 05:19:19 PM
Here you go Dieselman, a few starters  I found on eBay in 5 minutes of looking (although you might have better luck finding a complete front end through one of the US FZR Owners forums).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/95-94-FZR1000-FZR-1000-TRIPLE-TREE-FORK-HOLDER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-BRIDGE-YAMAHA/192893068248?fits=Model%3AFZR1000%7CMake%3AYamaha&hash=item2ce952a3d8:g:TWYAAOSwbedcuMQB (https://www.ebay.com/itm/95-94-FZR1000-FZR-1000-TRIPLE-TREE-FORK-HOLDER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-BRIDGE-YAMAHA/192893068248?fits=Model%3AFZR1000%7CMake%3AYamaha&hash=item2ce952a3d8:g:TWYAAOSwbedcuMQB)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/94-Yamaha-FZR1000-FZR-1000-Front-Forks-Shocks-Tubes/401423204214?hash=item5d76afff76:g:NVMAAOSw8C9Z4Ntt (https://www.ebay.com/itm/94-Yamaha-FZR1000-FZR-1000-Front-Forks-Shocks-Tubes/401423204214?hash=item5d76afff76:g:NVMAAOSw8C9Z4Ntt)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-RIGHT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22764/192628575880?hash=item2cd98ece88:g:0jcAAOSwIShbgEEB (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-RIGHT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22764/192628575880?hash=item2cd98ece88:g:0jcAAOSwIShbgEEB)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-LEFT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22765/372465039511?hash=item56b8a57897:g:F-wAAOSwdrpcHUQq (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-LEFT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22765/372465039511?hash=item56b8a57897:g:F-wAAOSwdrpcHUQq)

It looks like the bits are still out there for us !!
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 11, 2019, 02:21:12 AM
Quote from: Millietant on August 10, 2019, 05:19:19 PM
Here you go Dieselman, a few starters  I found on eBay in 5 minutes of looking (although you might have better luck finding a complete front end through one of the US FZR Owners forums).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/95-94-FZR1000-FZR-1000-TRIPLE-TREE-FORK-HOLDER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-BRIDGE-YAMAHA/192893068248?fits=Model%3AFZR1000%7CMake%3AYamaha&hash=item2ce952a3d8:g:TWYAAOSwbedcuMQB (https://www.ebay.com/itm/95-94-FZR1000-FZR-1000-TRIPLE-TREE-FORK-HOLDER-FRONT-SUSPENSION-BRIDGE-YAMAHA/192893068248?fits=Model%3AFZR1000%7CMake%3AYamaha&hash=item2ce952a3d8:g:TWYAAOSwbedcuMQB)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/94-Yamaha-FZR1000-FZR-1000-Front-Forks-Shocks-Tubes/401423204214?hash=item5d76afff76:g:NVMAAOSw8C9Z4Ntt (https://www.ebay.com/itm/94-Yamaha-FZR1000-FZR-1000-Front-Forks-Shocks-Tubes/401423204214?hash=item5d76afff76:g:NVMAAOSw8C9Z4Ntt)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-RIGHT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22764/192628575880?hash=item2cd98ece88:g:0jcAAOSwIShbgEEB (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-RIGHT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22764/192628575880?hash=item2cd98ece88:g:0jcAAOSwIShbgEEB)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-LEFT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22765/372465039511?hash=item56b8a57897:g:F-wAAOSwdrpcHUQq (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-YAMAHA-FZR1000F-FZR1000-LEFT-FRONT-FORK-SHOCK-22765/372465039511?hash=item56b8a57897:g:F-wAAOSwdrpcHUQq)

It looks like the bits are still out there for us !!



Thanks a lot guys. I'm also going to look for any local bikes to me for parts maybe I can find one someone blew up or something
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 11, 2019, 06:11:24 AM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 10, 2019, 04:02:52 PM
R-1 you want, R-1 you get...http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.0)

So reading through this post I've learned a lot and thought quite a bit for now just focusing on the front end. The r1 forks are bigger in diameter but shorter in length. Can the bottom mount of the fjs triple tree be safely bored out to take the forks of 50mm? (Please correct that measurement if I'm wrong) and the one off spacers used to maintain ride  height, why not make them stepped down to 41mm (again correct me if I'm wrong) to sit in the Fj top triple mount ?   Would also be able to make them to take stock bars or make risers for them. 
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: giantkiller on August 11, 2019, 08:00:55 AM
I added extra too the extensions I designed. So you have built in risers. Used the clamps from the Gixxer clippons. And hand made bars to mach the stock Fj handle bars. Then you can just loosen the clamps and slide them up for slabbing. Slide them back down for the twisties.

Or if you have a good welder and machinist. Just weld extensions to the top caps.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: giantkiller on August 11, 2019, 08:10:05 AM
If I had it to do all over again I would use the more modern big piston inverted forks. But you have to find triple's with a lowered bottom clamp. Because the big piston forks tapered lower.

Like the fzr triple that militant posted. Has the lowered bottom clamp. Would be enough for the big piston forks.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: giantkiller on August 11, 2019, 08:26:21 AM
Here's a couple of pics of my bikes with inverted.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: aviationfred on August 11, 2019, 12:07:43 PM
I did the write up for the GSX-R1000 forks, but Dan, (giantkiller) is who perfected the swap and I got a lot of guidance directly from Dan. Here is a photo that I took of Dan's incredible 1986. Plus the 2 that I have done.

Fred
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 11, 2019, 12:36:11 PM
Quote from: Dieselman7.3 on August 11, 2019, 06:11:24 AM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 10, 2019, 04:02:52 PM
R-1 you want, R-1 you get...http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3148.0)
Can the bottom mount of the fjs triple tree be safely bored out to take the forks of 50mm?

No. Going from the FJ's oem 41mm diameter to a 50mm diameter, it's not even close.
You will need a different lower triple. Dan's (giantkiller) above solution addresses the upper triple.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 11, 2019, 06:55:30 PM
Okay thanks for the input just trying to think of what's  going to be the easiest but maintain safe functionality
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 12, 2019, 10:05:19 AM
The '91-93 FZR1000 front end is the easiest.
The GSXR front end is the best.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Millietant on August 12, 2019, 02:06:22 PM
I'm with Pat on this 100%. The FZR coversion was really simple (even making the bracket for the lock stops only took 15 minutes) and great value, and I like that fact that it's an "all Yamaha" version......BUT........

If cost and difficulty/hassle/"originality" weren't an issue, I'd go for the GSXR conversion every time, as I'm sure the end result is much better handling and ride quality.

My priorities were better (but not ultimate) handling, steering, ride quality, braking and keeping it looking like the "factory-finish" FJ that Yamaha should have built.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 12, 2019, 06:01:09 PM
My thoughts were to keep it yamaha but if the the gsxr swap is better might go that way. I guess price and availablity on parts will be my deciding factor. I'm not planning on doing it until winter so I have time to source everything before I tear down the bike (want to ride it until snow falls)
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: CutterBill on August 12, 2019, 06:25:03 PM
I've had inverted forks on my FJ12 before. Didn't like it.

Mind you, they were still attached to the bike at the time...   
Bill
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 12, 2019, 07:55:40 PM
Quote from: CutterBill on August 12, 2019, 06:25:03 PM
I've had inverted forks on my FJ12 before. Didn't like it.

Mind you, they were still attached to the bike at the time...   
Bill

What was it you didn't like?
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: FJmonkey on August 12, 2019, 08:01:35 PM
I think Bill was having some fun play on words. When traditional forks are upside down, the bike is upside down.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: CutterBill on August 12, 2019, 09:47:35 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on August 12, 2019, 08:01:35 PMI think Bill was having some fun play on words. When traditional forks are upside down, the bike is upside down.

Yep. That was not a fun day. Thanks to AviationFred for helping me get that heavy lump right-side up...
Bill
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 13, 2019, 03:50:04 AM
Quote from: CutterBill on August 12, 2019, 09:47:35 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on August 12, 2019, 08:01:35 PMI think Bill was having some fun play on words. When traditional forks are upside down, the bike is upside down.

Yep. That was not a fun day. Thanks to AviationFred for helping me get that heavy lump right-side up...
Bill

Right over my head   :wacko1:
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 13, 2019, 04:03:45 AM
Hey Bill, are you coming up to Oakdale for Randy's shindig? 
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Flynt on August 13, 2019, 09:55:39 AM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 12, 2019, 10:05:19 AM
The '91-93 FZR1000 front end is the easiest.
The GSXR front end is the best.

YZF750 front end looks OEM, is very adjustable, and gives you enough length on the tubes to actually fit the FJ...  I'm sure spacers and extensions are 100% safe and all, but they definitely don't look OEM.  The YZF750 USD mod is well documented, but it does require some work on the lower triple (putting FJ tube in YZF lower).  This is not the easiest route...  but it is what Pat runs ;-)... 

Frank
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Pat Conlon on August 13, 2019, 12:39:39 PM
Yep, love my YZF750 forks.

Thanks again Frank for the tip on getting them reworked by GT Suspension. A big difference.
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: CutterBill on August 13, 2019, 02:58:07 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 13, 2019, 04:03:45 AMHey Bill, are you coming up to Oakdale for Randy's shindig?
Yep! But I'll be on my Super Tenere; I still don't have the FJ plastic fixed.
Bill
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: CutterBill on August 13, 2019, 04:24:33 PM
Quote from: CutterBill on August 12, 2019, 09:47:35 PMYep. That was not a fun day. Thanks to AviationFred for helping me get that heavy lump right-side up...Bill
Everybody likes pics so here's one... Ouray, 2017.  The other side looked the same. Yes, I managed to low-side AND high-side at the same time. Amazingly, the damage was confined to the upper fairing and lower cowling. Front fender, gas tank, side panels, seat, engine... were completely untouched.  Amazing...
Sorry for the hijack,
Bill
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Flynt on August 13, 2019, 07:04:36 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on August 13, 2019, 12:39:39 PM
Thanks again Frank for the tip on getting them reworked by GT Suspension. A big difference.

Pat's Oldtimers is showing...  GP suspension.  They helped Mark Rittner sort this mod out on his '92.

Frank
Title: Re: Forks
Post by: Dieselman7.3 on August 14, 2019, 03:21:49 AM
Jezz Bill that doesn't seem to fun. Good thing it was just some scrapes