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Wheel conversions: What front/rear wheels still readily available?

Started by indyblue, October 09, 2018, 10:58:15 AM

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indyblue

Most of the wheel conversion write-ups are fairly old now and involve cycle models or parts (mid-90's) that are no longer easy to find (around Indy at least)?

What models/years have lots of options to find the parts for?  Wheels, swingarms, etc.

Preferably no machining required like the GSXR mods.

I don't mind the stock 16's, but it would be nice to have more tire options.

'84 FJ1100, 42,000 miles
Indianapolis, IN `O=o-
1984 FJ1100, 39K mi., custom blue paint, K&N's, jetted, Supertrapps
2005 Pontiac GTO Impulse Blue M6 - gone
2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible M6 Crystal Red Tintcoat
1967 Firebird H-O Conv

ZOA NOM

Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

Country Joe

Ditto on the GSXR 750/1100 or RF 900 rear wheel swap.  It's as easy as it gets.
1993 FJ 1200

Millietant

Quote from: Country Joe on October 09, 2018, 03:33:53 PM
Ditto on the GSXR 750/1100 or RF 900 rear wheel swap.  It's as easy as it gets.

But, remember to get all of the original Suzuki bits with the wheel - disc, sprocket carrier, cush drive rubbers, spacers, etc.

Joe/Rick - What did you guys do about the brake caliper, mounting bracket and torque arm with the Suzuki wheel ?

PS - Inbyblue - that's one very sweet FJ. I love what you've done with the colour scheme and your bike looks a beaut !
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

ZOA NOM

Quote from: Millietant on October 09, 2018, 05:21:45 PM
Quote from: Country Joe on October 09, 2018, 03:33:53 PM
Ditto on the GSXR 750/1100 or RF 900 rear wheel swap.  It's as easy as it gets.

Joe/Rick - What did you guys do about the brake caliper, mounting bracket and torque arm with the Suzuki wheel ?



I got all '91 GSXR parts, including the caliper and torque arm. I ran a long bolt through the footpeg mount for the torque arm on my latest mod. I cut the tab off the FJ swingarm and moved it to the bottom on the previous bike. I also abandoned the entire ABS system. I did keep the factory FJ rear master and brake line. The rubber line gives a little better feel to the rear brake, which I like.

As for the front wheel, I got lucky and found an '88 FZR wheel, which is the bolt-on choice. My previous bike had the '89 FZR wheel, which I purchased by accident, not realizing the different axle size. What I did was drill the forks to accommodate the 17mm axle, and used the FZR speedo drive, and it worked just fine.
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

indyblue

Thanks for all the info.  I'm gonna check the local cyle-recycle shop to see what they have.  I'd much rather be able to see the condition with my own eyes before I buy, so local > internet for me.

Thanks for the comment about my FJ too!
Indianapolis, IN `O=o-
1984 FJ1100, 39K mi., custom blue paint, K&N's, jetted, Supertrapps
2005 Pontiac GTO Impulse Blue M6 - gone
2012 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible M6 Crystal Red Tintcoat
1967 Firebird H-O Conv

Millietant

Quote from: indyblue on October 09, 2018, 06:59:44 PM
Thanks for all the info.  I'm gonna check the local cyle-recycle shop to see what they have.  I'd much rather be able to see the condition with my own eyes before I buy, so local > internet for me.

Thanks for the comment about my FJ too!

I'm with you on the "see before I buy" approach before I buy anything big, and I always take my trusty tape measure and all the measurements I "need" to be able to achieve.

I tend not buy direct over the "internet" from private parties, and have sourced most of my parts from Owners Club, User Group and Forum members such as here. I believe there's definitely more "trust" between like minded owners/members.
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Little Pink Steve

Are there any weight penalties with fitting a different rear wheel?  Complete wheel, disc, sprocket and carrier, Cush and tyre.

Anyone have the weight of standard, FZR, GSXR?
Currently ride 3CV White 1989

Currently working on a Yamaho FJ Bitsa.

fj1289

Quote from: Little Pink Steve on October 24, 2018, 05:15:36 PM
Are there any weight penalties with fitting a different rear wheel?  Complete wheel, disc, sprocket and carrier, Cush and tyre.

Anyone have the weight of standard, FZR, GSXR?

I think what you'll find is the wheel assembly is lighter, but the larger tire may be heavier.  Either way, it's not enough to require changing a well sorted sespension setup.  

Little Pink Steve

Quote from: fj1289 on October 24, 2018, 05:39:45 PM
Quote from: Little Pink Steve on October 24, 2018, 05:15:36 PM
Are there any weight penalties with fitting a different rear wheel?  Complete wheel, disc, sprocket and carrier, Cush and tyre.

Anyone have the weight of standard, FZR, GSXR?

I think what you'll find is the wheel assembly is lighter, but the larger tire may be heavier.  Either way, it's not enough to require changing a well sorted sespension setup.  

Reason I ask is that my project is moving along. I've 2 wheels that I have a choice of one 5" complete with 160 tyre 14kg and 5.5" with 180 tyre 15.4kg.  Complete as in rim, disc, tyre, Cush, sprocket and carrier.  I'm interested to see how it stacks up against the more common options and the original.

I hear a lot of recommendations for using a 5.5" with 170. Road Pilot GT most likely.  I believe the difference should be less than a kg with a 170 fitted to both.

I swingarm I've installed is quite beefy so the 5.5" looks much better IMHO. (I'm planning on writing up the conversion as it's a little different to the norm), but need to figure out the shock and linkage first.
Currently ride 3CV White 1989

Currently working on a Yamaho FJ Bitsa.

Millietant

I've got a 5.5" wheel from a YZF 600 R (Thundercat) with a 170/60 Bridgestone BT023 on my FJ and I absolutely love it.

I have the space to fit a 180/55, but don't feel the need. I like it as much as the 180/55 Michelin PR4 on our FZ1 - in terms of grip, turn in and stability.

An Aluminium sprocket and Wave disc would probably save more weight than any swap with another OE manufacturer wheel - going CF would be a different matter though, weight-wise and cost-wise.
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

aviationfred

Quote from: Millietant on October 24, 2018, 05:59:42 PM


An Aluminium sprocket


I highly advise against an aluminum or a super light alloy type sprocket. The FJ will destroy the sprocket in a short time period.

For the weight concerns, the hollow, cast 90's era GSXR wheels are lighter than the early FJ 16" machined wheels. The FJ is not a light weight sprint bike. A Kg difference between wheels should not be a concern. The 180/55/17 has been a proven size tire for sport touring bikes for well over a decade. Go with the 5.5" wheel. The main objective for a 17" front and rear wheel change is tire choice.

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

aviationfred

There are hybrid sprockets available for the OEM FJ wheels and the GSXR wheels. There is a slight weight savings, but large increase in price versus 100% steel.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16219.0

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

aviationfred

I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

Mike Ramos

Quote from: aviationfred on October 24, 2018, 06:54:32 PM
Quote from: Millietant on October 24, 2018, 05:59:42 PM


An Aluminium sprocket


I highly advise against an aluminum or a super light alloy type sprocket. The FJ will destroy the sprocket in a short time period.

For the weight concerns, the hollow, cast 90's era GSXR wheels are lighter than the early FJ 16" machined wheels. The FJ is not a light weight sprint bike. A Kg difference between wheels should not be a concern. The 180/55/17 has been a proven size tire for sport touring bikes for well over a decade. Go with the 5.5" wheel. The main objective for a 17" front and rear wheel change is tire choice.

Fred


Fred, excellent advice on all points.

I have the Road Pilot 5 in 180/55/17 with good performance.

Though not using the GT version - not sure if it's necessary.

Just a thought.