Topic: 550 cafe project with fzr400 front & rear end

[chris801]

any thaughts on this......


or this......

a lot of work left to do but getting there slowley!!

[egar]

I love it. Did the rear end bolt right in or did it require modifications? Also what rims are those?

[chris801]

The rear end is only loosly fitted will require some spacers/bushes to be made up and shock mounts fitted, both of which i cant do myself, will be trying to get that sorted next week.  All the bits are from a 1993 Fzr400RRSP, the rear wheel has the same size spindle as the cb and i think with the right spacers would fit

[FunJimmy]

Looks great, but the rear sits a bit high for me.
Are those shocks longer than the stock shocks?

Can you provide more details and photos of the front end installation?
What bearings where required. Did it need special spacers?
Did you have to change steer tubes with the CB triples?

That information really helps others contemplating a swap to determine if it's within their comfort level.

Thanks
FJ

[chris801]

yes i think the shocks are longer than stock but im not 100% sure on that as they were already fitted to the bike when i got it,
I have used the Fzr front end complete as it came off the bike, but as i said before its not completly finished but what i have done so far is fitted the bottom bearing from the cb to the yam steer tube (no probs direct fit), and put the cb top bearing in and bolted it all up, the top bearing will have to be changed as the internal diameter is slightly bigger than the yam steer tube, when i find the right bearing i will let you know (havent looked yet), another problem is there is hardly any steering lock, from left to right there is only about 2" of travel so that will need looking at with a file
i will supply more info as i get on with it

[FunJimmy]

Chris

When you get to searching for the correct bearing, call or email Kevin Kraft at All Balls Racing.
He has been very helpful in getting bearings for my conversion.
He even went so far as to combine the race of one bearing with the roller set of another to find a solution.

Kevin KraftPower Sport Industries
P.O. Box 437822
N. Reading Ave
New Berlinville, PA 19545

Tel: 610-473-0505 (888)228-3323
Fax: 610-473-8411 (888) 552-0557
mailto:kevin_kraft@allballsracing.com
http://www.goallballs.com

Good luck
FJ

[chris801]

ty for that i will give it a go,  any chance someone could tell me off hand the bearing numbers for a stock cb 550k3?
cheers

[fastbroshi]

  Didn't Yamaha import a VERY limited amount of 400's to the states back then?  Hope you didn't piss off too many Fizzer fans.  More pics of the triples please.

[DavePhipps]

We fizzer fans usually replace the forks on ours anyway. the frame of the FZR400 is the real prize. You can plop your FZR600 motor in it easily.
Looks like a fun bike. Look into Metzler lazertec's for tires. Nice and sticky!!
Also look into progressive suspension spring for the forks, FZR springs are a bit saggy after 20 something years. Just remember to put less oil in the forks because the new springs will displace more volume. Same for CB forks in case anyone is having the stiff fork problem with PS springs.

[chris801]

Lol ,  Im in the UK and i dont think yamaha imported any! (feel free to correct me) the rest of it is in the garden in a big pile waiting for evilbay!!  I only decided to break it as the previous owner let water get into the engine and its seized!! i will post some more pics when i get chance to.

[bill440cars]

         Looks like a pretty cool mix of parts you've got going there. Like to see more (as you get to it, of course) pictures and info.


                                Take care, Bill

[chris801]

Swing arm is now fitted to the pivot point, all that was needed was a bush and some 7.00mm spacers, the bush is made from the yamaha pivot bolt machined out to 15.00mm (internal) to take the honda pivot bolt.  It all bolted up with no probs, next job is to get some lugs welded on to take the shocks (or do i go monoshock?) and sort out the sprocket alignment.
Will get back to the forks soon but it looks like the only option to go for there is to use shim to get the top bearing fitted, i seem to have read that others on here have done the same.  Unless anyone knows where to get a 48.5x25x15mm bearing

[snipcod]

Cool project.  Are you going to be able to still use the speedo with this set up?  Is there a diffrence between a FZR400 front and FZR600 rear end?

[chris801]

Yes should be able to use the speedo may have to get it recalibrated to suit the drive, not sure if the fzr400 front is the same as the 600, but im pretty sure the rear on the 600 is a box section unit which would prob look better

[Ecosse]

That swing arm looks sexy! Whenever I see conversions like this I can't help but wonder about the frame. Now that you have more modern suspension bits the next weakest link is the frame.

I remember guys 'updating' the suspensions of their 60's muscle cars to the point that the antiquated chassis would start flexing. Whereas if you start with an inherently rigid chassis you needed less severely tuned suspension settings to get the job done and a better ride to boot.

Very cool non the less; look forward to the process.

[KB02]

I say keep the dual shocks. It's still gives you the modern wheels, but keeps the classic look of the rear. plus, going mono will extend your swing arm a bit and lengthen the bike.

I'm doing something similar with my K8 750. I'm using a GSXF600 (Katana) as a donor bike, though. Having the same issues up front, though, of finding a bearing that just fit into the Honda neck (darned odd sized necks!!!)

[chris801]

I have now decided to keep it twin anyway as it looks better and isnt going to cost as much!!  i have shimed the bearing at the front as have others on this site and i dont think it will give any probs,   i have given thaught about the frame issues and have seen other bikes with all joints seam welded to give them strength but i dont know if its worth it.

[FunJimmy]

There are only a couple of places that need welding and this is the time to do it.
You really wouldn't want to do all that work and only have to redo it for sake of welding now.
It's also a good reason to clean up all redundant brackets etc and powder coat the frame.

FJ

[chris801]

do you know where exactly that needs welding as i would get it done if i knew how
i have already started to clean up all the brackets on the frame that are not needed, i am going to spray the frame as i am not a big fan of powder coat

[FunJimmy]

Chris

If you do a search for frame bracing you will find a couple of forums on it.
bwaller had posted some very good pictures and suggestions, but the main area is where the two
front down tubes fit to the top (stamped steel) back bone, just under the steering head.
These tubes should be welded all along the seams. They are currently just tack welded is a couple of spots.

FJ

[chris801]

thank you FJ will look into it

[Geeto67]

hmmm...this all looks familar....



my never ending fzr 400 rear/ 600 front 1973 kawasaki h1.

[bill440cars]

       I'm really liking where this is going, mind if I tag a long?

       


       

hmmm...this all looks familar....



my never ending fzr 400 rear/ 600 front 1973 kawasaki h1.

         Geeto, nice to see your H1 that you've done some swapping on, yourself.

[chris801]

Geeto that H1 looks very good (not sure on the front wheel colour though sry), what fzr400 did you get the swing arm from as i think it looks a lot better as its more subtle than the big fat one i am fitting!  Do you have any pics of fitting?