Brake caliper swaps/upgrades also fork swaps

Hi guys

Ive just picked up a 1982 xj 550, had one 10 years ago and saw this one nice and cheap.

Few questions though

Front calipers are pretty tired looking so wondered if anyone knows what other calipers fit? Im based in the uk so its a twin disc one.

Also what other front ends will fit in? I see that FZ 600 bearings are the same so im assuming that would be a straight swap?

Need to get it road legal in next few weeks and need to sort the front end out really

Also need a tank but think ive done that!

Cheers and hello

 

Welcome to the forum mat,
I've read about that swap before but cann't recall the spacifics. I'm sure someone will chime in with the answer for ya. At least I hope so I'd like to know too.

 

Cool ive checked the bearings and they appear to be the same ones so i think itll be possible. Just fancied something a bit better in the brake department! Also got to find some seem to be fairly rare these days

 

Welcome !!
Rebuild your caliper seals, get new, modern pads, and add stainless lines.

 

Yeah i was also hopng to lose the skinny front forks as well if im honest!

Ive got some spare braided lines etc but did fancy a full frontal swap as it were

 

How much front brakes do you need ??
It's been said for the Turbo 650 to swap in a GSXR 750 front end.
I don't know what year, but it sounds like overkill.

 

To be fair that would be overkill and youd end up with a front tyre bigger than the rear! The front on my zx9r is def wider than the rear on the 550. I have a complete bandit 600 front end but i cant really be bothered with stem swaps etc, this is meant to be a nice cheap project.

So Can we conclude that there are no different calipers available for the 550?

 

I have the FZ600 forks on my 550 Seca. You will need a longer speedo cable or slide the forks up in the tree. FZ fender will need to be modified to fit the 19” wheel. New HHH pads, stainless lines and tapered steering head bearings top off the job. I used the stock triple trees.

 

You will also need a larger master cylinder to switch from from one to two front calipers. Your stock master cylinder is too small (not a big enough piston in it)

 

Just use the FZ600 master cylinder.

 

Exactly. I'm still looking for one for mine and get rid of that remote cable operated master cylinder on my Seca 750. It may have looked like a good idea at the time, but poorly engineered in my opinion.

 

Thrasher can you confirm for me that the bearings are standard fitment for the XJ550 or for the FZ forks?

Also which wheel spacers do i use FZ or XJ?

I have twin discs on my XJ as its a UK bike (im in london) so MC should be okay.

So to clarify you used

FZ forks
XJ 550 wheel
XJ 550 trees?

Which bearings/spacers though?

 

Stock spacers, bearings and FZ axle.

 

Cheers mate much appreciated, FZ forks are pretty rare in the uk need to find a set now! ive noticed that my front wheel is different to yours mines got curved spokes reckon itll make a difference?

 

I dont think so.

 

What year FZ front end? 1986?

 

Mine is a 1988

 

Perfectoo!