XJ 550 with GSXR750 front end

Hey All,

Just figured that I'd post a few pics of my 550 with a gsxr front end on it. I found a complete front end, including triple, forks, wheel, brakes, and clipons for $180, so I figured, why the hell not. It was a pretty easy swap. I ended up going with a 04 636 clutch cable and it fits almost perfectly. The only part that I needed to buy were All Balls bearings for it.

 

That's Fantastic! I'm definitely going to considering doing something like that to my xj550 as well. How does it handle/stop in comparison to the stock configuration? What year gixxer was it off of?

 

Nice swap. I like that it just needed cables and headstock bearings to work.

 

Moar details, please!

 

I'm sorry.... I'm just not seeing what's supposed to be so cool about a terribly mismatched from end.

 

Fully adjustable forks. Compression, rebound, and spring preload, all without taking the forks apart. Perfect for club level racing.

 

plus newer and likely more servicable parts, better brakes etc.. and it's fun.

 

Im looking to do the same swap what was involved other that the obvious of buying forks and wheel and whatnot? Did you have to press your stem into the gsxr triple trees?

 

Hey,
Sorry for the late reply. I posted this, got busy, and forgot about it lol. I THINK that it's from an '04 special edition. I was originally looking for a 98-99, as that is a pretty common swap, but I found this one super cheap and decided to jump on it. It handles fantastic. I can push corners a lot more aggressively than I could with the old setup. That being said, I really needed a new tire, so the increase in handling could be because of the new meaty rubber up front.

The GSXR stem worked just fine. That's why I decided to jump on it. I did have to have the old GSXR bottom bearing pulled and the new All Balls needles pressed on, but that was like $20 at a local shop.

With the new dual brakes, I can stand it on its nose. It is MUCH better than the stock setup.

 

Thanks for the response, it sounds like a worthwhile upgrade for the future. I'd probably try and put some clip on risers if I were to go this route though because the clip ons in your picture look really low

 

So, something like this is a common swap for an XJ550 - I never knew that. Hmm that one's not too far from me...

 

It isn't horrible to ride, but I haven't had a chance to put any real miles on it. Everything has been <100 miles or so. I've thought about going with some aftermarket clipons that have a little bit of a riser on them, but 50mm clip ons are almost expensive as the whole swap was lol. I have rearsets sitting in my garage now, but I don't have the tools to machine a new bracket because I didn't like the position when they were on the passenger peg mounts. That would improve the actual riding position a lot and I'm not sure that I'll need risers if I can stretch out just a little bit.

I'm not sure about that one. My forks are inverted, so it's different from those.

http://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

That is a fantastic tool to use to try and find a compatible swap. The main reason that I went with the one that I did was that the stem is the right length. Cognito Moto has some parts that can be used as well, and they'll machine you a stem/triples for whatever application that you might need.

 

One thing I should mention. The speedo sensor was moved from the front hub to a transmission on the year that the donor forks were from. I've been using a phone mount and GPS speedo and it seems to be working. If anyone knows of an inexpensive GPS speedo, please point me in that direction.

 

Precisely this. Even if you swap stems to get the 'correct' length you can still be screwed by the thickness of the yokes/trees - ask me how I know ?

 

How do you know this?

 

Well, I'm pleased you asked . Fitting a GS500 with a DR650 front end I figured stem swap would be the fix. BUT lower yoke/tree on DR650 is much thicker and as a result you get less stem protruding up into the headstock. The solution will be to disassemble what I have again then ream/mill/turn a recess/rebate into the bottom DR650 yoke/tree to 'raise up' the stem...
But that means begging another go on a press and getting a machining favour sorted. Hence I'm back on the XJ...

 

Thats sweet looking ride you have there and in the process of doing the same with my xj900 with a zx6 front end but i would like to find somehow to keep the stock wheel.

 

What are the rear shocks? Sorry if you've already answered that elsewhere.

 

They're eBay specials that I had a guy rebuild before I threw on. I would reckoned getting them rebuilt before throwing them on. They seem to work really well though.

 

Well this looks a little familiar, stumbled upon this today and decided to pull the trigger!

 

I think he meant Tapered roller bearings. Not, "All Balls needles pressed on, .." post #9
I wonder what the ground clearance is? Higher, or likely lower? Also the wheelbase and rake will be different.
Cheers, 50gary

 

Nice USD conversion! Stock brakes on XJ are horrible so this is huge improvement.

 

Did you have to brace the standard XJ frame, or does it seem to cope with the added stresses??

How is the rear...I see you have 'gas/remote reservoir rear shocks...??

 

no need to brace anything. USD feels amazing on XJ

 

Bike looking well nice mate! Just had a question concerning your rear shocks, which ones are you running?

Cheers!

 

Modern cartridge forks actually work, I'm not being snide here, old damper rod forks are prehistoric by comparison, the modern wheel is lighter, the brakes are way more effective
I would change the fork oil and brake pads during the install and stainless steel brake lines. Now match the rear wheel with a 17" (I'd look at the SV650 Suz.) the same spoke pattern as the front and go to matched radial tires. Done.
Most all benefits of a modern bike with the character and simplicity of the vintage bike.
Cheers, 50gary

 

Yo could you start a conversation with me I also have an xj550 and looking to do something similar to what you've done with yours if you don't mind helping out a little bit?

 

It looks great...

 

My front end matches the rear end perfectly, it's the same wheel (Yamaha R1) as the front with a XJ hub for the shaft drive. Avatar pic. modern disc brake too.
Cheers, 50gary

 

Nice Saturn V rocket nozzles look at the exhaust.

 

Thanks, that was the inspiration, Saturn 5, Apollo 11. I'm thinking of making another set with the tips about
1.5" longer so I can slash cut them at about 30* angle. Deadly.
Cheers, 50gary

 

"Now match the rear wheel with a 17" (I'd look at the SV650 Suz.) the same spoke pattern as the front and go to matched radial tires. Done." Cheers, 50gary
Do you have any more light to shed on this? I just finished my own fork swap, and want to swap the rear wheel for an SV650 one. Axle size is the same, but wheel offset and chain alignment are going to be an issue. Any info helps!