Tire Size Choices?

[Zandar]

Hello. I'm looking at a 1989 FZR1000 for sale, and it's tires are about ready to quit. I was wondering, is there another tire size that fits the front wheel? I'm having a heck of a time finding 130/60/17s for it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Zandar]

OK, did some more searching, and it seems that 120/60/17s will fit just fine.

Amended question: which sizes do you FZR vets recommend? 120/60/17 front and 170/60/17 rear?

[fzrwayne]

my dad has that set u on hes fzr1000 genesis and ther a grate set up he says.

[sweekster]

I'm running a 120 tire up front and a 180 on the rear on my 94 1000. Perfect setup in my opinion.

[Zandar]

Good to know. The guys at the local bike shop weren't sure if a 120 would work or not, and I wasn't, either!

Sweekster, I assume that's a 180/55/17 on your rear wheel. Is the front a 120/60/17, or a 120/70/17? Price is about the same, but I would love to get the bike properly set up from the get-go.

One other question: chains. The bike in question needs a new chain, and I would (obviously) prefer to get sprockets, too. What's the best chain/sprocket combo? I saw a 520 kit for $175; is that advisable?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm going to call the guy selling the bike soon and, hopefully, talk him down a little bit. If I'm successful, I'll be a new member of the FZR1000 EXUP fraternity! I'm pretty excited as I haven't had a bike in a couple of years, but we'll see how it all pans out.

Thanks for all the information!

[sweekster]

Good to know. The guys at the local bike shop weren't sure if a 120 would work or not, and I wasn't, either!

Sweekster, I assume that's a 180/55/17 on your rear wheel. Is the front a 120/60/17, or a 120/70/17? Price is about the same, but I would love to get the bike properly set up from the get-go.

One other question: chains. The bike in question needs a new chain, and I would (obviously) prefer to get sprockets, too. What's the best chain/sprocket combo? I saw a 520 kit for $175; is that advisable?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm going to call the guy selling the bike soon and, hopefully, talk him down a little bit. If I'm successful, I'll be a new member of the FZR1000 EXUP fraternity! I'm pretty excited as I haven't had a bike in a couple of years, but we'll see how it all pans out.

Thanks for all the information!

Yeah it's a 180/55/17 on the back and a 120/70/17 on the front. As far as chains...the stock chain on the 1k is a 532 (good luck finding that). Common swap is to go down to a 530. I'm running a 530 with a 17t front sprocket and a 47t rear (that's stock gearing) with STEEL sprockets front and back. Unless you plan to race the bike I wouldn't suggest going to a 520 nor would I suggest using an aluminum rear sprocket.

[mrfreeze5]

I know the bike youre looking at, Ive seen it on CL for months now. Just recently a MUCH nicer 1k is on sale in denver for about the same price. I would buy it if I could, but I have other projects to worry about right now, but Im still tempted considering Im getting a nice tax refund back. you should check it out. Ive seen it in person and I want it so bad.

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/1555305882.html

[Zandar]

That one's sold; the guy just hasn't pulled it from CL. I'm going to try to talk the other guy down to $1k and see if he bites (he's been trying to sell it for a while). I figure if I get new tires, battery, chain, sprockets, and an oil change I'll come out at somewhere about $1500, which isn't too bad. Does that sound reasonable for a bike like this? I test rode it (a very little bit), and it seems to be in good mechanical shape. Shifts smoothly, revs smoothly, no smoke or leaks, etc. I didn't push it too hard though.

[Zandar]

OK, I'm supposed to pick up the bike tomorrow. I'm extremely excited as I've been researching the FZR1k quite a bit; sounds like an extraordinary bike, especially for a 1989!

If all goes as planned, I'll be picking it up for $1200. Then I'll get a 120/70/17 and 180/55/17 mounted along with a new 530 chain and sprockets (probably throw a new battery in there for good measure). It could stand a cleaning, too.

If I get it, I'll be posting in the introduction section and maybe throw some pics of it up. Love the forum and wiki, so I already know where to go when I get into trouble with it!

[Zandar]

OK, I have tires on order now (180/55/17 rear, 120/70/17 front). I went with the Shinko Raven 009 tires (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... -Tire.aspx). I know they're kind of an off brand, but they're reviewed very highly by those who use them (and derided quite strongly by those who haven't); not to mention they're actually Yokohama motorcycle tires, so they ought to be good. I'll say how I like them in my utter n00bishness after I get some miles into them, if anyone's interested.

I also am going to be putting in a 530 chain and new sprockets. The bike has way more power than I need right now, so a 520 isn't even tempting (tensile issues notwithstanding). Also, the knob at the end of the brake lever is broken, so I'll be getting one of those. Add an oil change and maybe some touch up paint and I'm good to go!

Now if only this darned snow would let up . . .