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More 17 inch wheel conversion questions.

Started by Bud Wilkinson, June 26, 2019, 12:08:52 AM

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Country Joe

Bud,
I'm one of those mentioned by Fred Greenlee that has and is currently running a 180 mm rear tire on a YZF600R 17"X5" wheel. I initially installed a 170 mm tire when I first put on the 17" wheel, but wore out both tires in the middle of the Central FJ rally last year. The shop in Harrison AR didn't have any 170 tires in stock so a 180 went on. I can't find any fault in grip at high lean angles or sport touring speeds. Tip in is slightly heavier with the 180 but I don't find it at all objectionable. Chain clearance is no problem either.
Joe
1993 FJ 1200

ribbert

Quote from: aviationfred on July 17, 2019, 06:18:57 PM

A couple owners have even gone up to a 180 and have not had any complaints.

Fred

I would think it was more than a couple Fred.

The FJ IMO is too heavy and too powerful for bicycle tyres. A fact born out by some of the major manufacturers not even making skinny tyres (160/170) of suitable ratings for these bikes (GT/ HWM.....)

I consider two things, modern tyre fitment charts that show bikes running FJ size rims these days only make half the power and weigh significantly less, and, a 260kg bike making 125hp needs decent size tyres. As my tyre man once said when I asked his opinion on a 110 on the front, "why would you want to put a skinny thing like that on a bike like this?????"

Like engine oil, there is not right or wrong but my personal preference is for a tyre size I feel is in keeping with the power and weight of the bike.

I have had about 20 consecutive 180 tyres on my bike and other than when it gets raised here, I wouldn't even contemplate going smaller (and they get used)

Anyway, it doesn't matter what tyre size you choose, as long as you're happy with your choice having considered the pros and cons and taken everyone's opinions on board. It is highly unlikely you will ever outride whatever size you fit

Not many here have bikes sitting side by side in the garage, both with 180's, one on a 5" and one on a 6". I sometimes stare at them and wonder if anyone could really tell the difference looking at them, even side by side!

As I said, it doesn't matter what size you run but I tire (pun intended) of people talking about "pinched" fit, sluggish tip in and so on, it ain't so and in many cases, the opinions are not first hand.

Some years back I dialled in the sweet spot for tip in with dog bone length and fork height, as I have said many times over the years, I can steer my bike with my eyes.

Zip tie pool noodles to it, whatever, just get out and ride it.

Yaaaaay, fatties of the world unite!



Noel
"Tell a wise man something he doesn't know and he'll thank you, tell a fool something he doesn't know and he'll abuse you"

Bud Wilkinson

Sounds like 160 to 180 at the 17 x 5 wheel tire choice will be just fine. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. There's much to do between now and then. The best info I get in research indicates a 17/42 with the 17 rear will be very close to the stock 17/41 with 16 rear wheel for final drive ratio too.
Maybe I'll do a new conversion guide piece on my take of this modification.
RZ 350 - Sold.
Honda CB600 Hurricane - Sold.
85 FJ1100 - Sold - Sadley Deceased.
Honda Silverwing - Sold Real Fast
02 Harley V-Rod - Sold-COVID 19.
87 FJ1200 - Riding - YZF600R Wheel and suspension done.

Bud

Millietant

I'm also running the Thundercat rear wheel Bud, with a 170/60 x17 Bridgestone BT 023 and absolutely love it - but I might try a 180 next time just for the hell of it.

With the rear wheel conversion, some here may say I did a bodge with mine, but rather than machine off material from the sprocket carrier face, I just reversed my new FJ sprocket, so that the shoulder faces the inside of the wheel. That re-aligned the chain run enough so that it sits within my measuring ability of the original position and made the whole conversion thing so much easier.

I also don't know why, but my rear brake torque arm fit perfectly onto the calliper bracket, without any force or machining/fabrication whatsoever and there's no noticeable binding or friction from the brake when I spin the back wheel with everything in place, or when riding - no hot disc after a ride and fuel consumption still over 50 mpg (UK gallons).

A very simple, easy and satisfactory wheel swap/conversion.
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.

Bud Wilkinson

Just the tire selection of the 17 inch wheel package will help a lot. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Maybe I'll do a new modification write up for this front and rear wheel / suspension package.
RZ 350 - Sold.
Honda CB600 Hurricane - Sold.
85 FJ1100 - Sold - Sadley Deceased.
Honda Silverwing - Sold Real Fast
02 Harley V-Rod - Sold-COVID 19.
87 FJ1200 - Riding - YZF600R Wheel and suspension done.

Bud

Bud Wilkinson

Quote from: ribbert on July 18, 2019, 08:51:11 AM
Quote from: aviationfred on July 17, 2019, 06:18:57 PM

A couple owners have even gone up to a 180 and have not had any complaints.

Fred

I would think it was more than a couple Fred.

The FJ IMO is too heavy and too powerful for bicycle tyres. A fact born out by some of the major manufacturers not even making skinny tyres (160/170) of suitable ratings for these bikes (GT/ HWM.....)........

Yaaaaay, fatties of the world unite!



Noel

Noel,
Thanks for chiming in with this insight. probably just swung me to the 180 side. After all I put a 200 on my 180 stock rear fitted V-Rod and have no complaints with that decision. Tip in seems to be much more about other geometric factors like rake and ride height than tire size to me anyway. BTW, I'm liking the under slung rear caliper mounting you used/made.
RZ 350 - Sold.
Honda CB600 Hurricane - Sold.
85 FJ1100 - Sold - Sadley Deceased.
Honda Silverwing - Sold Real Fast
02 Harley V-Rod - Sold-COVID 19.
87 FJ1200 - Riding - YZF600R Wheel and suspension done.

Bud

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

Pat Conlon



Oooooo baby, ooooooo baby, ooooooo baby.....
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Millietant

F**k me Pat......that is Eff-Jay'ing gorgeous  :good2: :nyam2:
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.

FJmonkey

The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

Pat Conlon

Thanks Dean, your '89 is pretty darn bitchen too...  :good:
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Bud Wilkinson

Fat vs. Not Fat is not even a question anymore. I have to say the low mount rear caliper has to be a thing on my build now. Instructions or guides anywhere?
RZ 350 - Sold.
Honda CB600 Hurricane - Sold.
85 FJ1100 - Sold - Sadley Deceased.
Honda Silverwing - Sold Real Fast
02 Harley V-Rod - Sold-COVID 19.
87 FJ1200 - Riding - YZF600R Wheel and suspension done.

Bud

Millietant

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.

Pat Conlon

1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

aviationfred

Quote from: Bud Wilkinson on July 22, 2019, 05:03:06 PM
Fat vs. Not Fat is not even a question anymore. I have to say the low mount rear caliper has to be a thing on my build now. Instructions or guides anywhere?


Here is the files link for a step by step instruction for the easiest Fat tire mod. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3380.0

Here is a link that gives a list of the year and model to use. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2465.0


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