Hi all,

It's been a while since I last posted, hope everyone's well   

Update for the fork swap- I've been getting a bit carried away. We now have a new frame which has been shot blasted and powder coated, along with all the other metal work (both stands, front stay bracket and torque arm)- standard black and it looks neat, and new rear brake caliper also, off a XJR1300/ FZS1000. I also treated myself to a brand new front fairing (OEM). Even on sale very pricey, I got carried away and I don't know if I'd buy the fairing over-again, given the change. I've also bought a new/ish swingarm, as my old P-Clip for the exhaust deteriorated and was fouling the swingarm.

The engine's getting painted too, as the poor bike has been out in all weather and I'm sure everyone knows how bad the original paint can flake.

Whilst I am very happy, sadly I have hit another roadblock in the project.

It looks like my original FZS600 front wheel won't work- bearings don't fit into the new R1 forks, so I'm going to have to swap the front wheel. Not being a real wizz-kid I'm hoping I can keep the original mechanical speedo drive, instead of moving to electric. Keeping the old would be less hassle, cheaper and I am eager to get the bike on the roads, so quicker too.

Does anyone have any suggestions for the front wheel replacement?

The R1 forks and matching mudguard would typically fit a 120/70-17 wheel and tyre. It also looks like the original R1 bearings also fit a few other Yamaha's; other models of the YZF-R1 from '99-'08, the R6 from '99 to '07, the FZS1000 '01-'05 (this model is an electrical- hall effect sensor right?) and a lot of TDM900's. All of this information is from huntersmotorcycles.co.uk, a great resource for matching parts between models.

I'm currently scowering the web for parts already used for this mod. Any help would be great thanks.

*I'll upload some photos soon.

Whilst commuting from work I was hit by a car. The long and short of it is that I was travelling along a major, straight road and the other party pulled out from a minor road intending to cross in front of me. There was damage to both vehicles.

I have contacted my insurance party but am not sure how to proceed with the claim. With my insurance being third pary, fire and theft only, do I leave my insurance company to settle the matter for me? Or pursue with a solicitor?

 I have not been contacted by any other parties besides my own insurer, and frankly I am unsure how to proceed.

Any advice would be appreciated, as this is my first road incident on the bike and so I have no experience with these matters.

 Hi all,
 
 I've been tinkering with the bike for some time now and thanks to happy happen-chance I've come across a pair of 5PW forks. However, one small bump in the road is getting a hold of a top yoke to match- the 5PW having been produced for only 18-something months, they’re about as rare as hen's teeth.
 
 To that extent, does anyone know if either of the earlier YZF R1 yokes might match the 5PW's? I can't see a reason why not if the 5JJ's forks are externally identical to the 5PW's.
 
 It goes without saying any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
 
 Cheers,
 Steve

Hi there.

I had a pretty major moment on my FZS600 a couple of months ago and whilst I walked away pretty much unscathed, I can't say the same for my bike.
I won't get into it, but the front end was totalled, and I'm sure if I'd been fully comp it would have been a right off.

I'm taking a level 2 IMI course in motorcycle mechanics and engineering so the whole thing was blessing in disguise. It's allowed me to indulge in my own little project whilst riding my 125 (YBR) to work and financing the whole operation.

So I'm now at the point where the bike is up and running, everything's going great, but the bike just doesn't feel quite the same. And why should it? Half of it's been pieced and patched from other Fazers! This might just be a confidence thing- I had a major accident and got lucky- so after that experience of course I'm going to have a new perspective on my ride. But to an extent the bike does feel different.

For one thing, the brakes (Brembo blue bolts, not changed post-accident) feel a lot softer, despite a thorough bleeding, and are slow to respond. For another, the forks (a replacement from another Fazer) don't respond all too well and I'm feeling a lot more from the road surface, from minor bumbs to grip.

Seeing as I've gotten this far with the bike, I figure I might as well go the extra mile and make the bike my own, investing in a few performance parts. So far I'm looking at the brake discs and radiator. This is where I'm stuck. What I'm looking for is a few recommendations from my fellow FOC-cers in regards to these aftermarket/ performance parts. What works for you? Are there any manufactured parts seen way above the rest? Are there any I should avoid?? Have you had a similar incident? Is what I'm feeling from the bike normal after a crash, or is there something I should be keeping an eye on in regards to the bike?

Any and all advice would be very much appreciated, so thanks guys and girls. Discuss!