|
Here will be listed as many techincal articles as I can possibly muster
together. Some will be specific to the 2TK while others (probably the majority)
will be applicable to other models, even other makes of bike.
2TK specifications are on their own page which can be found here
New Magazine articles related to the FZR400 can be found
here
Much of the information here has been taken from searches on the internet and
the Yahoo FZR400 mailing list - it's well worth
joining this list for the sheer experience of people available.
Should you have anything to add, please send me details using the
Forum
Wheels
The standard wheel fitment for the 2TK is 17" front & 18" rear. It's getting
harder and harder to locate sticky 18" rubber but obviously a lot lot easier to
obtain the latest sticky 17" rubber.
Many people replace the 18" rear with a 17" from another model. To date, i've
discovered the following may be suitable - check before committing
yourself:
From the Yahoo FZR mailing list
-
A 4.5" TZ (or TZR) 250 rear wheel
-
Aan 88-89 GSXR-750 rear wheel
-
An F2 rear wheel.
Any of those will take some modifications - and someone who's done those (not
me) can give you more info on how to get them fitted up.
Also, one of the guys I race against replaced the whole rear swingarm and
wheel with a YZF600. Apparently that required a small amount of milling of the
swingarm where the pivot is, like 1/4 inch on each side or something.
A Suzuki Bandit wheel (91-93 GSF400 Bandit), if you can find one, almost bolts
up. Same bearings so you can use the same axle. You just need custom spacers
and to cut the Suzuki brake rotor down about 1/4" to fit the standard caliper,
and space the caliper in a bit. In addition to the GSF400 bearings, you can use
the internal spacer, the cush to wheel spacer, and of course you need a GSF400
cush as well. Just need the outer spacers and the brake mod's as below.
It's the same 4" width as the original wheel, so if you are racing in a class
that requires you to keep the same width if you are updating to a 17" wheel it
works well.
Another user with a Ducati wheel:
Ok I did it. My experiment with the Ducati wheel has worked. I am so stoked
becuase I this was an experiment that will solve allot of problems for many
people.
I found out a little while back while going through the used parts dealer that
the front gear drive from a ducati 916/748/996 is the same ratio as the
FZR's/YZF's. It is also the same diameter as the axel for my GSXR front end.
(which I think is the same diameter as the axel for the R6 front end too!!!!!!)
Interesting note, the bolt diameter patern for the front disks on the Ducati
wheel is the same as for the inner bolt patern of the FZR600 disks, which are
the same
size as the disks for the R6 front end. So there are options for front end with
a speedo like stock. R6 or GSXR 750!!!!!
Any ways after much banging my head against a wall I got my GSXR750 front end
completly mounted up correctly. The lock on the front for the frame tube even
works just like stock too. It is like stock from factory. I had to space the
breaks out in order to get the Ducati wheel to match up perfectly but it works
great and handles like a dream. It takes allot of work so this is not for the
non
mechanically inclined.
I also took a different rout on the airbox issue for the YZF600r motor. I used
the air box for a 95 YZF600. I had to modify it allot but it is done now. I
left some pics in the pictures section of the mods that I did of that.
But just to run down a list of what I have done to the bike. 1990 FZR400 with a
98 YZF600r motor. 98 GSXR 750 front end with ducati wheel and speedo. steel
braked breaks. 89 GSXR 750 17in rear wheel, YZF750 tail section and seats, R1
tail light, Carbon fiber tank cap, 92 FZR600 upper with healight from a
94FZR400rr jap spec bike. This is a really cool piece that has 2 projector
beams inside that light. Over Over racing full racing exhaust. (imported from
Japan not sold in the USA.) fully jeted to match. Frame slides, rear lift
points for stand, saftey wired NRC case covers, There is more but I can think
of it. Thanks to all that have putinformation on this site. I would not have
been able to complete the bike without it, or even know where to start either.
Later
Noah
in Denver
Tyres
BT-010's
BT-56ss
GPR70SP
GPR80
BT090
Suspension
To stiffen up the front end a little, change the oil and replace with 15wt to a
level of 100mm (no springs in when measuring). If still not stiff enough,
reduce to 90mm.
Fork Seals
-
Get the stock yamaha seals, and a piece of pvc pipe that fits ofer the fork
tube to seat the new seals.
-
Before sliding the new seal over the top of the sharp fork tube, cover the
top of the tube with the baggie that the seal came in. Oil everything up
good.
Steering Head Bearings
See http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FZR400/message/29195
Just basically tighten it a lot to settle it in, then loosen, then tighten by
hand/feel until you get rid of the excess play, but without excess drag. It
helps to have the fork tubes in so that you can have a lever to wiggle the
steering head with as you do this.
It is handy to have the right kind of spanner to turn those stupid nuts with,
though. Otherwise it's the screwdriver and hammer method :-). I bought a cheapo
set from Harbor freight that had big ones for the preload adjuster on the
shock, and small ones for the steering head nuts.
I just did this last week. Tighten the adjuster nut with spanner wrench (or
hammer and screwdriver) a little bit at a time, and each time check for play
between the steering stem and steering head. I could actually see the lower
triple clamp move relative to the frame by pulling every which way on the
front wheel.
Another thread:
I discovered that excess drag can occur AFTER tightening the steering stem
nut, which sits on top of the upper triple clamp. My manual says it requires 80
ft lbs, and after that is tight, it makes a difference.
And even when the bars seem to have no drag on them in the garage, the road test
says something different.
I test rode my bike and found out that if the steering head bearings are too
tight, it's like having a steering damper. I can't really ride the bike well
with no hands. As I make minute adjustments with my body position, the bars
will get stuck pointed left or right. I can't ride straight! It's hard to
balance, too, wanting to fall over one way, then the other.
It may sound like a queer test, but even when riding with all my fingers on the
bars, I can feel the bike wanting to go left or right due to "sticktion". After
loosening the bearings a little (maybe 1/8th turn, or 1/16th turn) I could
again ride in a straight line, with or without hands.
Curt
Brakes
Any of the 90s GSXR, ZXR Nissin master cylinders with remote reservoir work
great. All you need to fabricate is a simple bracket to mount the reservoir,
usually just a flat piece of aluminum with two holes, bent to level the
reservoir.
CBR 400. Seems to be a touch more sensitive that the original. Aprilia RS250 has
a different thread size but bore size is the same. I believe the VFR400 and the
RVF400's also work.
Final drive
The size of the front sprocket nut is 32mm. Standard chain is a 525 with the
sprockets 15 tooth front, 41 rear (2TK model).
Renthal part number for a 14 Tooth front sprocket is 289-525-14p
Oil Cooler
An interesting question popped up on the Yahoo list, namely:
I believe there was a past post that stated an FZ600 oil cooler could be
used on the FZR400. As I race the 400 here in Texas heat I was thinking
this would be a good idea. Anyone have any knowledge or experience
regarding this modification?
Well of course on the 2TK model, we have one fitted as standard but the
following reply is of use to us all:
It is a direct bolt on. You remove the oil filter cover, oil filter and the
center tube, spin on the oil cooler base plate, put in the center tube, oil
filter and cover, then bolt on the oil cooler lines and you are done. The
biggest challenge is how to hold the oil cooler. I ran a couple of zip ties
through its mounting points and "hung" it from the radiator. I had a 4/6
and was running the 600 radiator. I built an aluminum radiator shroud that also
helped. The guy who bought the bike is still having trouble with the bike
running to hot, but he rides it in town more than I did (not at all).
It looks like I will be putting my F3 radiator and a Spal fan on it (thanks
to Jon Buck's pictures and information) to keep him happy (he gives me my pay
check). If I do that I will have an oil cooler, 600 radiator and
aluminum shroud all for sale soon.
I do owe a couple of people on the list pictures of the shroud. I have not
forgotten, I just have not had time to get the bike back from Jason to take
them.
Todd
Spark Plugs
CR9E plugs are standard for the 2TK - why is this when the FZR400 uses CR8's?
Because the sp model was for the race track so they fitted colder plugs -
cheers Neil :)
|