R1 fork swap for any gen FJR

[bhendron]

I was perusing the Craiglist ads and I happened-upon one for some R1 forks and brake calipers. It got me thinking, is this swap possible? It'd get you the USD forks everyone seems to want. Obvious problems for this that I can see is probably a custom or swapped lower clamp (that's assuming that the top is the same diameter as stock FJR fork tubes) and custom brackets to mount the fender. And of course I have no idea about axle/wheel compatibility, they sure look similar. I'm just considering this a fun brainstorming activity.

Ad here: https://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/4272179437.html

The front wheel and rotors are included:

 

[Canadian FJR]

Looks like a neat project, keep us updated.

Canadian FJR

 

[RadioHowie]

Hell, it's worth it just for the price they'er asking!

Don't forget, the FJR fork tubes are 48mm, so you'd need to compare that to the USD R1 uppers to make sure they'd fit the FJR triple clamps. After that, it's pretty much a mechanical excercise.

Go for it, and keep us up-to-date on the project!

 

[RossKean]

I wonder how the front wheel loading compares. The FJR is a fat old lady.

 

[bhendron]

I wonder how the front wheel loading compares. The FJR is a fat old lady.

Yeah, that was another thing that came to mind.

 

[wfooshee]

I found that the inners on the R1 are 43mm, so I'm thinking the outer tubes are gonna be a bit stouter than 48.... Also, my imagination (never having actually seen them laid side by side) wants the R1 forks to be a bit shorter as well.....

 

[ahchiu]

ABS sensor?

 

[wfooshee]

If his 2004 is not ABS, then it won't matter.

But we can keep coming up with stuff to talk him out of it.

 

[bhendron]

All good stuff! Like I said, it's a thought experiment at the moment. Hell, the forks in the OP are in Denver and I live in Phoenix. I don't even know if I'd WANT to do it, but I thought it'd be fun to discuss here.

 

[RadioHowie]

Well guys, chances are, since it's a 2004, the metering block on his ABS is probably fuxored, so the ABS sensor won't matter.

 

[Silver Streak]

You going to buy them?

Because if not I might.

 

[rickysnickers]

Anything can be done. I put a DRZ400 front end on my KLR650.

 

[bhendron]

You going to buy them?Because if not I might.

You should do it! If I take this on, I'll probably try to find some local.

 

[Silver Streak]

I'm going to try and go see these this weekend and figure out what it will take to do a switch.

I just checked they are no longer posted

 

[Denver_FJR]

I found that the inners on the R1 are 43mm, so I'm thinking the outer tubes are gonna be a bit stouter than 48.... Also, my imagination (never having actually seen them laid side by side) wants the R1 forks to be a bit shorter as well.....

Yeah, and the inner on the FJR is 48mm, who wants to field test a reduced size tube on the fat lady?

Interesting exercise but I think money and time would be better spent getting the existing forks upgraded.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Everyone is so enamored with the idea of upside down forks. They are great on bikes, but this not a sport bike and OEM from the factory, if not ES, would be undersprung for most anyway. Nothing the normal $1k fork job doesnt already fix.

 

[dcarver]

HRZ, spoilsport!

 

[gixxerjasen]

Dang, those are some old R1 forks. Not even got the radial mounted brakes. Hrm, I have a set of those in my garage somewhere....