FXR 150 tuning

[hmurphy]

Well, I had a lot of fun on my new bucket but found many things that need improvement! I have done a lot of reading up about fxr bikes and how to improve handling. I definately want bigger rims!! I have read that GSXR250 rims are great but the front bearings don't fit with the axle and the rear disc needs to be moved inwards. Would this be a mission? Does anyone have these rims or know where I could get them? Trademe doesn't seem to have anything worth buying at the moment.

Other than that I might want to get a new master cylinder. I was having to use 4 fingers for braking instead of 2 which was a pain. The lever is too close to the handlebar too. Same problem on the clutch side.

The good thing is I found the bike to be quite quick! I am in no hurry to change the gearing or anything. But will chop stuff off to make it lighter. I will also change the exhaust by having it sit under the bike. That is a future job though.

Any suggestions are welcomed and I hope to see you all at the next race meeting at the Slipway. (If I can afford it!)

[koba]

Spend Time/effort/money on better crash protection and spare levers and the like.
This all helps get more tacktime and consistent points.
I think thats worth more than any other mods would be.
Your bike could win as it is now, all it takes is the riding skill and practice is the only way to get that so concentrate on keeping it going.
Did you see Glen take the green FXR out?

[Skunk]

Did you see Glen take the green FXR out?
Yeah, if you ever want to know how fast your bucket is or what's not right with it hand it to Glen...

[fi5hy]

Good Crash protection is a must! spend plenty of time in this area as it saves you heaps in the long run (I have never seen a fuel tank come off a bike twice in a day before) take off excess weight get sticky tyres and thats about it. Oh and ride it like you stole it.

[nudemetalz]

Yes,...good quality bar-ends, please !!
FXR's are plenty fast enough in standard trim, just ask Koba.

[Number One]

good quality bar-ends, please !!
Perhaps too check that your tank is secured a lot better for next time. It shouldn't come off that easy....

Just reading back through I see Fi5hy said it too...were you scrutineered and passed like that?

[Skunk]

The FXR's tend to strip the tank retaining bolts with constant removal. Once it lets go it will continue to do so. Replace the bolts with a threaded bolt (in from underneath and secured with a nut on top) and use an R clip and washer to hold the tank on. I will check it at the next race meet ;)

[koba]

The FXR's tend to strip the tank retaining bolts with constant removal. Once it lets go it will continue to do so. Replace the bolts with a threaded bolt (in from underneath and secured with a nut on top) and use an R clip and washer to hold the tank on. I will check it at the next race meet ;)

Yeah, thats the plan with Helens bike too. Hers holds now but it is noticeably damaged.

[Number One]

Yeah, thats the plan with Helens bike too. Hers holds now but it is noticeably damaged.
Bloody Hels - geez! :rolleyes:

[Mrs Busa Pete]

[QUOTE=hmurphy;2025986]Well, I had a lot of fun on my new bucket but found many things that need improvement! I have done a lot of reading up about fxr bikes and how to improve handling. I definately want bigger rims!! I have read that GSXR250 rims are great but the front bearings don't fit with the axle and the rear disc needs to be moved inwards. Would this be a mission? Does anyone have these rims or know where I could get them? Trademe doesn't seem to have anything worth buying at the moment.

I got the rear rim of a ns400r [honda] it has the same size axile and the rear disk is very close just added 8mm spacer between disk and calaper mount trimed honda sproket down and mounted fxr sproket to that spacers to suit .
it came with the front but the front is a 16 inch with twin disk just need some forks to suit

[dangerous]

I have read that GSXR250 rims are great but the front bearings don't fit with the axle and the rear disc needs to be moved inwards. Would this be a mission?

Other than that I might want to get a new master cylinder

Any suggestions are welcomed and I hope to see you all at the next race meeting at the Slipway

Rashika's FXr has gixer2fiddy wheels, best thing you can do, they were on it when she got so p/m kickaha as he did the conversion.

try Brenchch http://www.motorbikeparts.co.nz/ he sells compleat brake giz mo's

sugestions.. well un like the majorty of the replys to your thread were they say crash protection LOL (they need to learn how to ride ;) try http://www.fxr150.co.nz/ for perfomance improvments hehe we blow up down here rather than crash :scooter:

[hmurphy]

Happy with the power/speed of the bike. It is stock and that is ok. But not cool that my front rim is bent so I have a wobbling front tyre. Might make next points meeting maybe. Don't have much money left

[dangerous]

Happy with the power/speed of the bike. It is stock and that is ok. But not cool that my front rim is bent so I have a wobbling front tyre. Might make next points meeting maybe. Don't have much money left

pleanty of std rims about if thats what ya after?

[hmurphy]

How big can/should I go for front and rear rims? Would 3.5 be too big for rear? Would 3.00 be too big for front?

[hmurphy]

I could buy some now, just need to know if it would work. Would I be able to fit slicks to these size rims (3.00 and 3.50)? They are ZZR250 rims. Tyre sizes are 140/70 - 17 rear and 100/80 - 17 front. Cheers. Your help is appreciated

[saxet]

After some unsucessful trials I would'nt use a rear tyre over 1.25. these will just fit on a 3.50 rim.Too fatter tyres seem to make it hard to turn the tighter corners at kart tracks.I know of people using 120 tyres front and rear tho' they're havin wear probs. I think those are the rim sizes I'm using. 120 slick front,125 front slick on rear rim.

[Sully60]

I could buy some now, just need to know if it would work. Would I be able to fit slicks to these size rims (3.00 and 3.50)? They are ZZR250 rims. Tyre sizes are 140/70 - 17 rear and 100/80 - 17 front. Cheers. Your help is appreciated

I run those rims, ignore the std tyre sizes as these are crossply tyres. Crossplys are designed to work with a narrow rim relative to the tread width, hence the angled sidewalls.
With the 2.15 x 17 front you can use a 95/70 radial and the 3.5 x 17 rear a 115/70, both the sizes of 125 slicks and the sidewalls have a much more vertical, modern appearance. There's a small strip of unused rubber at the very edge of the tyre but the grip at full lean is very predictable with tonnes of feedback.

[avgas]

change that god damn horrible seat. Its like riding a banana boat

[quallman1234]

I could buy some now, just need to know if it would work. Would I be able to fit slicks to these size rims (3.00 and 3.50)? They are ZZR250 rims. Tyre sizes are 140/70 - 17 rear and 100/80 - 17 front. Cheers. Your help is appreciated

Measured the width of the swingarm? Should be okay, with some small spacers.

[Sully60]

Measured the width of the swingarm?

That's a good point the ZZR hub is quite wide, I did'nt need to go too far with the spacers to fit it in the ZXR swingarm.

[hmurphy]

Ok. I just bought the front and rear ZZR250 wheels for my FXR150. If you guys are wrong, I will be slashing tyres at the next bucket meet. :2thumbsup

Cheers

EDIT: I do need a new sprocket and sprocket carrier for the rear wheel as well as a rear disc and front disc. So... if anyone has any of this stuff lying around...

[quallman1234]

Ok. I just bought the front and rear ZZR250 wheels for my FXR150. If you guys are wrong, I will be slashing tyres at the next bucket meet. :2thumbsup

Cheers

EDIT: I do need a new sprocket and sprocket carrier for the rear wheel as well as a rear disc and front disc. So... if anyone has any of this stuff lying around...

Could you drill some new holes for the front disc? and vice versa for the rear.

At minimal at least you wont have a wobbly front now ;).

[koba]

Ok. I just bought the front and rear ZZR250 wheels for my FXR150. If you guys are wrong, I will be slashing tyres at the next bucket meet. :2thumbsup

Cheers

EDIT: I do need a new sprocket and sprocket carrier for the rear wheel as well as a rear disc and front disc. So... if anyone has any of this stuff lying around...

If they dont work out I will buy them off you.

[hmurphy]

With a hammer and shitty arc welding skills, anything is possible

[Yow Ling]

There is FXR150 stuff for sale here http://www.fxr150.co.nz/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=47

[Sketchy_Racer]

What are you doin with your old bent rims?

[Sideways Sam]

I put gsxr250 rims on mine (still have another rear for sale if someone wants it) they basically bolted on directly,

* Had to buy different wheel bearings front and rear, can supply parts list if anyone is interested
* The FXR sprocket carrier slots in directly (keep the same bearing)
* The R/H GSX front disk slides directly into the FXR front Calliper
* The rear disk just needs the mount point machined down about 10mm, then * The standard FXR disk bolts on and it slides directly into the rear calliper
* Standard axles
* Had to machine up some spacers (actually got a mate to do that as I can't drive a lathe.... or a motorbike apparently......)

Whole job was a piece of cake although I'm sure these wheels weigh at least double what the FXR wheels weigh. I did the whole thing twice so that I'd have a set of wets as well.

After doing all of that (not particularly cheap) I'm not sure there is any performance advantage at all, what you gain in tyre profile you lose in unsprung weight. We've got bikes with standard rims and GSXR rims here and I don't think there's any difference between the bikes.

The single biggest performance mod you can make is slicks, whatever the rims...... At Mt Welly slicks are equivilent to at least 3 seconds a lap. but the difference between standard rims and GSXR is virtually unmeasurable. The 2 hour results last year were:
first - CB125T (seriously worked)-(JC special with Karl Morgan piloting)
second - FXR150 (pretty much standard) - standard rims (Rick52)
third - FXR150 bog standard apart from GSXR rims (me)
fourth - FXR150 bog standard apart from GSXR rims and front end (Pumba)

The interesting thing is that Tim and Rick who came second (first FXR) had the choice of using Ricks Bike (standard Rims) or Tims bike (GSXR Rims) and after a day of trialling and deliberating on the practice day they cose Ricks bike. Rick went on to win the Bucket GP at Taupo a couple of months later on standard rims............

[hmurphy]

Oh ok! Very interesting. I was in need of a wheel replacement (front only really) because the rim was very nicely bent so I thought I would just get fatter ones. I am hoping my rear slick will fit straight on to the ZZR rear wheel (3.5 rim with a 115/70 tyre - am I dreaming?). Most of this year will just be testing for myself and for the bike. At the moment, the bike doesn't quite suit me and so I will keep modifying/tweaking it.

The old rims I will probably keep. I might put road tyres on them and the bike might still be used for the road as a commuter. I am not sure yet. Cheers guys

[Sully60]

I am hoping my rear slick will fit straight on to the ZZR rear wheel (3.5 rim with a 115/70 tyre - am I dreaming?).

No you aren't, see below.

[hmurphy]

Woah awesome! Cheers Sully! I might get to use most of the tyre now! Bigger contact patch, yay! However, the rear slick I have on the stock rim is actually damn good. Although it is a thin rim for the slick so that the slick gets pinched (goes vertical) before it is even at the edges, not once during the easter weekend did I lose traction/have my rear step out on me during the Easter weekend. Except when I was trying to be cool at the Slipway by trying to back it in to the hairpin corners a couple of times. I lost traction in the front HEAPS though.

Actually I might need a new front slick. Does anyone have one lying around that I could buy off you? The one I have got now is still better than the road tyres I was going to have to use, but I wouldn't mind getting a softer one. Cheers!

[hmurphy]

Well, the rims arrived the other day. All I can say is that I am very happy! I can use my original fxr axles. I can use my sprocket carrier with cush. However I need to modify the carrier a little to bring it closer to the wheel to line it up with the front sprocket. The biggest problem I face right now is.... I don't have a front brake disk to fit my ZZR rim. I am trying a whole bunch of ideas to fit my FXR disk, but it is all a bit... hard to do. However if someone wanted bigger rims for their FXR, I can say that ZZR rims (as long as they come with the freakin' disks!) aren't too hard to fit!

I tried going through a shop for a disk.... $460. No thank you. Would anyone have a ZZR disk they wouldn't mind selling? Cheers

[Skunk]

Front or rear? I don't have a ZZR disc but I do have disks. One might fit.

[hmurphy]

Front disk. But a rear might be needed too, just not as urgently! You are a legend, PM on its way.

[k14]

Oh ok! Very interesting. I was in need of a wheel replacement (front only really) because the rim was very nicely bent so I thought I would just get fatter ones. I am hoping my rear slick will fit straight on to the ZZR rear wheel (3.5 rim with a 115/70 tyre - am I dreaming?). Most of this year will just be testing for myself and for the bike. At the moment, the bike doesn't quite suit me and so I will keep modifying/tweaking it.
FYI those tyres are made to be run on a 3.5 inch rim. The standard RS125 wheel sizes are 2.5 inch front and 3.5 inch rear. So if you have that then you are running them at the perfect profile!

[hmurphy]

Oh cool. The rims are actually 2.15 front and 3.5 rear. Advertised incorrectly for the front, but no matter! It is still wider and NOT BENT! Yay! But yeah... just need disks. Cheers

[k14]

Oh cool. The rims are actually 2.15 front and 3.5 rear. Advertised incorrectly for the front, but no matter! It is still wider and NOT BENT! Yay! But yeah... just need disks. Cheers
Yeah 2.15 is fine, its slightly off but not enough to matter on a bucket. Good luck with the fitment!

[hmurphy]

Cheers! I think I will be needing lots of luck! Would I be able to come over sometime Skunk and have a look at some of the disks you have got? I would like to buy one off you if you have something to fit my ZZR250 front rim.

[hmurphy]

Ok so Skunk was nice enough to lend me his spare ZXR250 disk to see if it would work on my ZZR front rim. It mounts perfectly!! However I need to relocate the caliper in order to use the disk, and therefore buy the disk off Skunk (don't worry, I am not going to disappear with it! Promise!). The caliper needs to come inward towards the wheel and upward toward the clip-ons because the disk is larger in diameter than the old FXR disk.

Does anyone have any experience with this? It is very precision and I doubt I would be very good at doing it without guidance.
Also, Skunk thinks the disk may be bent or warped. I will find this out once I use it for the first time, and if it is bent then I also might need a hand straightening it. If it is warped I will head out to my garage now and set fire to the damn bike.

He also lent me some spacers to try and use. They were perfect and the front wheel is all lined up and is ready for the disk! Cheers Skunk, you da man. How many beers do I owe you?

[Kendog]

Cheers Skunk, you da man. How many beers do I owe you?

Bourbon for that man :drinkup:

Nice work.

[Skunk]

The caliper needs to come inward towards the wheel and upward toward the clip-ons because the disk is larger in diameter than the old FXR disk.

Does anyone have any experience with this? It is very precision and I doubt I would be very good at doing it without guidance.
I think every bucket builder has done it at some time.

Basically you're looking at cutting a plate that aligns the two sets of holes. I've done this to my AX1R (now the SX-1) and the TZR-F6. I'll see if I can find some photos. Use 8-10mm alloy or 6-8mm steel. Of course it all depends on what offset and distance it needs to cover too. Think about the direction of the forces being applied.

[hmurphy]

Oh cool cheers!! I will buy some tomorrow! I will txt my mate now and see if he can sell me some scrap 6-8mm steel plates or something.

[hmurphy]

Some footage of the progress. Not that interesting really, but I think that the new pipe is killer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNhL1vwK0Io

[Sketchy_Racer]

Yes I think you should definitely bucket race "that" hahaha

[hmurphy]

Ok... very very close to being finished, I just need a new front disc!!! The rotor I have borrowed for testing from Skunk is definately bent or warped and straightening it has proven to be very very difficult.

Does anyone have a ZZR 250 front rotor or ZXR 250 front rotor with 5 mounting holes that I could buy? Infact I have noticed a lot of Kawasaki bikes are running the same or similar front disc so if someone has a kwaka one they could sell me I would be interested. I have searched ebay and trademe a fair few times and nothing as of yet. I have a rear disc now, just need a straight front one! http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=99774

Cheers guys, I wanna get out there and race!!!!!

[Buddha#81]

We what to see photos of the beast!!!!!! NOW!

[Skunk]

If it helps here's the list of same fitting:

KAWASAKI - BJ 250 Estrella B1-B7A 1992-1999
KAWASAKI - BJ 250 Estrella C1-C11,C6F 1995-2006
KAWASAKI - BJ 250 Estrella J7F,J8F 2007-2008
KAWASAKI - ZX-2R B 1989
KAWASAKI - ZXR 250 A1-A2 1989-1990
KAWASAKI - ZXR 250 A1-A2 1989-1991
KAWASAKI - ZXR 250 R B1-B2 1989-1990
KAWASAKI - ZZ-R 500 D1- 1993-
KAWASAKI - ZX-6 Ninja E1-E10 1993-2002
KAWASAKI - ZX-6R Ninja F1,F2 1995-1996
KAWASAKI - ZZ-R 600 E E11-E13,E6F,E7F 2003-2007
KAWASAKI - ZZ-R 600 E E1-E10 1993-2002

[Trudes]

Geezus you are a wealth of knowledge aren't you Skunky!!

[Skunk]

Geezus you are a wealth of knowledge aren't you Skunky!!
It's called the 'interweb' my dear...

[Trudes]

It's called the 'interweb' my dear...

The Wha????? hehehe

[hmurphy]

Sure I will take some photos soon then. The bike is in my mates garage at the moment though! Yeah Skunk you have been a massive help, thanks a million!