Riders Of Vision

Hi,
i am Italian and i have a XZ 550 RJ  1982, which i'm going to rebuild. So i was wondering if it was possible to mount a dual disk wheel instead of the single disk wheel. Did anyone of you tried? Any advice would be grateful.

Ken.


P.S. Sorry for my english, but it's a while i don't practice anymore since i left Boston!

Welcome to the group, your English is fine. And yes dual disks on the '82 are possible. Your wheel is ok, it is already drilled but you will need the calipers, both disks, a right side fork leg and the master cylinder.
Where are you located?

Thank you very much for the fast reply  :o. I live in Sardinia a beautiful Italy's island.

From now on i'll be searching everything i need to make my bike run again, starting from the things listed above or should i just search for a new complete 83 fork?

After finding this forum i'm sure that i'll be riding my XZ 550 RJ again.

Ken.

 :) Hi and welcome to our family... 8)

The XZ550, (new), was available in Europe from 1981 for approximately five years but in North America for only two, ('82/'83), under the Vision name. You will be able to find the parts you require much easier in Europe. Check out the Italian/German/French, etc eBay sites...

The Gemans and Dutch have good xz550 web sites. I don't know about Italy.

We are all here to help you get your old girl up-and-running, to allow you to have some fun in the sun 8)
Please feel free to ask all and any questions...your English is way better than my Italian!!!

Ciao for now... ;)

           

AS Tiger said look at the European guys on e-bay.  Also the forks on the European XZ550 already had dual disc setup, so it would be real easy to find one over there than over here.  Also look in your local salvage yard if they have any as well.

Thank you so much for all the adivices you are giving me. I'll be looking to find the '83 fork for my bike over the european sites. I look foward to have my bike over Sardinian routes as soon as possible.  ;D

As soon as i get the duplicate of the booklet circulation, i lost it over the years  :-\, i will be more precise about the age of the bike. But i am pretty sure it is a north america 1982 bike, because it was bought from an F-15 pilot allocated in Italy and has only one braking disk.

I'll be asking you more question asa get along the work.

Bye,

Ken.

I'm spanish and I can tell you that there are several differences between 82 and 83.

83 is regulated by air and spacers are different between the two models....

In spain, the xz550 don't import  :-[

Hello Ken,

I'm Italian too.  My name, Arpino, comes from a small city near Florence.  My mother is Sicilian (Corleone).

I have done the dual disk upgrade on my bike and posted a long thread with lots of pictures.  I'll find and post the link for you.  At the very least, you will need a set of 83 rotors and calipers as well as the lower fork tubes.  I reused my upper tubes as they were in better shape than the 83's that I got off ebay.  I was able to use the air caps with the 82 tubes.

Best Regards,

David

Heres the link to my "upgrade" post.

http://ridersofvision.net/forum/zindex.php?topic=7075.msg63480#msg63480

David

David , I'm going to have to treat you with the utmost respect, I wouldn't want to anger a Corleone!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

Quote from: Rick G on September 14, 2008, 12:58:12 AM
David , I'm going to have to treat you with the utmost respect, I wouldn't want to anger a Corleone!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

Dont worry...not her maiden name.  Just where her mother is from.  ;D

no "connections" either....sorry.  :o

David

@ YellowJacket: Arpino, thank you so much. Do you you think i can bother, when i'll be ready, to help me set up the mod if i need advice?

@ Other: Again thank you all.

Quote from: KENFOLLETT on September 15, 2008, 04:23:04 AM
@ YellowJacket: Arpino, thank you so much. Do you you think i can bother, when i'll be ready, to help me set up the mod if i need advice?

@ Other: Again thank you all.

No problem at all.  It was an easy upgrade, just finding all the necessary parts was the difficult part of the project.  The rided is better and there is a much needed improvement in braking/stopping.

Take Care,

David

Yuppidu!!!!!

It seems i found the dual disk fork in Germany. Now i just need another caliper, but i don't know if i shell search for specific right caliper or generic (can i mount left on right and vice versa)?

Thanks,

Ken.

P.S. I am loking to find all pieces before starting disassembling the bike. I will even repaint the body and most of all i will do it myself!

 :) Well done... 8) You are right to find ALL the parts before strip down and rebuild...

'83 fork's, 2 x brake disc's/rotor's, '83 master cylinder, twin brake line's, 2 x brake pad's, 2 x caliper's.

You will need to have a left caliper and a right caliper to fit the fork lowers. The left caliper from an '82 will fit and will work fine, therefore you need to find a right side.

             

Since technical translation to Italian from English is not properly 1:1, does anyone of you have a pic of:

- brake disc's/rotor's
- master cylinder
- brake pad's
- caliper's

to make sure i am searching for the right thing.
Thanks.

The only ones I have of the calipers are really close and don't show a lot of detail, but you can also click on the images for a larger version.
Brian

Left side disk/roter:	(http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197470/medium.jpg) (http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197470)
Right side disk/roter	(http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197473/medium.jpg) (http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197473)
Master Cylinder	(http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197478/medium.jpg) (http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197478)

Right Caliper	(http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197738/medium.jpg) (http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197738)
Left Caliper	(http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197745/medium.jpg) (http://www.pbase.com/moffetb/image/94197745)

Quote from: YellowJacket! on September 13, 2008, 04:32:48 PM
I'm Italian too.  My name, Arpino, comes from a small city near Florence.  My mother is Sicilian (Corleone).
David

"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!"  --  Vizzini

;D ;D ;D

The right side caliper is perhaps the most difficult piece to find.  They will be more common in Europe, so you are fortunate in that respect.  While you are gathering parts, look for braided stainless brake lines and a pair of Speedbleeders.

I've done the conversion, too and will be happy to help in any way I can.

H₂O

Bummer,

Lucky and I found a set of Yamaha Calipers that fit the Vision...probably from an RD350, but the guy at the salvage shop wanted too much for them so we left them.  Pitty, as they were in great shape.  Not sure of the exact mosel but they were fitted on a Vision...the same one Lucky got the fork brace from.  Also the one that had the neat balancer tube too.

David (who had a really bad day at work today and may have drank too many margaritas tonight)


David

Quote from: YellowJacket! on September 19, 2008, 09:41:08 PM
Bummer,

Lucky and I found a set of Yamaha Calipers that fit the Vision...probably from an RD350, but the guy at the salvage shop wanted too much for them so we left them.  Pitty, as they were in great shape.  Not sure of the exact mosel but they were fitted on a Vision...the same one Lucky got the fork brace from.  Also the one that had the neat balancer tube too.

David (who had a really bad day at work today and may have drank too many margaritas tonight)

David

I had one of those yesterday (bad days - not margaritas as those things give me a terrible hangover the next day.  ::) )  Tried to cure my bad day with too much beer last night.  Felt like crap all day today.  Not as bad as if I'd done sweetened fru-fru drinks, but lousy, nonetheless.

Hope the weekend is better!   ;D

H₂O

 :o :o :o
@Brian Moffet: thank you so much i cleared my ideas.

@h2olawyer: i just found a used right caliper, but they asked me 400,00 euros (too much!!!).
I don't find any translation for "Speedbleeders". Help me!!!

@YellowJacket!: is the mosel where i attach the caliper to the fork?
I will search for RD350 calipers and if they aren't too expensive i'll buy them to check if they are right.


Besides RD350, if i find a caliper that fit the holes in the fork can i install it on my Vision?

Thank you all,

Ken.

Quote from: h2olawyer on September 20, 2008, 12:33:50 AM
I had one of those yesterday (bad days - not margaritas as those things give me a terrible hangover the next day.  ::) )  Tried to cure my bad day with too much beer last night.  Felt like crap all day today.  Not as bad as if I'd done sweetened fru-fru drinks, but lousy, nonetheless.

Hope the weekend is better!   ;D

H₂O

I'm feeling the pain this morning.  Slept like a baby last night though.  No fru fru margaritas for me.  Straight up plain margarita on the rocks without salt.  Local Mexican restuarant has the best 32oz in town.

As for the RD350 calipers, I'm not sure if they will match up with the mounting holes on the Vision forks.  You will have to measure the mounting points on your forks and on the calipers to see if they line up.
I have part of a right side 83 caliper but the slide is broken and the piston is stuck.  Should be able to get the piston unstuck but the slider will require very good welding skills to fix.

Using other calipers might work but you have to be sure that the calipers fit both the forks and the rotors.

If your welding skills are good and you wnat to try to dissect an 83 caliper, I could possibly send it to you for the cost of shipping.  Not sure how much sending something to Italy would cost though.

David

@YellowJacket!: since it has to deal with my own safety, it's better that i won't even try to weld the caliper. I'm not that much skilled. Thank you anyway for your kindness.

Another boring question: Does the "Master Cylinder" has to be exactly  from '83 or can i arrange anyone fitted for dual brake?

Most any master cylinder that is designed for dual discs should work.  There are some interesting ones available aftermarket - but they're expensive.  However, with the expense, you get an adjustable brake lever - which might be beneficial if you have small or arthritic hands.

H₂O

@h2olawyer: thank you.

I guess i'll be keeping on searching spare parts still for a little while before i can start unbuilding or not ... i'm thinking that i can start unbuilding the bike, since it will take me long time, and see what i find along the way. In the worst case i will use only one brake, but i can ride my "Vision". I will post a "to do" list to see if i miss something.

Ken.

I found that other yamaha bike (XJ650, XJ750, XS400, RZ350 from '83 '84) mounted the Vision calipers.
I've just looked to this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150286977039#ebayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150286977039#ebayphotohosting) and seems to be the same. What do you think???


Ken.

P.S. Does "BRAKE PLIERS" is another way to call "CALIPERS"?

The only other place I've herd the term "brake pliers" is when referring to a tool used for working on drum brakes.  They are used to remove and reinstall the springs.  Not a necessary tool for the Vision's rear brake.  However, try to find a photo to see if the "brake pliers" you are referring to might be calipers.  With the internet, mis-identified part names are quite common.

H₂O

@ h2olawyer: Thank you. I fount the term "brake plier" from the translation of the german word "breimszange" from this ebay auction: http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170247722233#ebayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170247722233#ebayphotohosting).

It look like a caliper to me and seems fine for my bike.

Suggestion?

Ken.

It is definitely a caliper, but it doesn't look like the XZ's caliper(s).  Not sure if it would fit.  You need to contact the seller to see if he has calipers for the XZ or one of the others that uses the same part number caliper.

H₂O

You may mount different calipers if the rotor size is the same and the mount lugs are the same.  I may tackle it during the rebuild of mine, if I ever get the chance to do so.  Already put Progressive springs in those forks, had to make the hex tool for cap nut while at it.

You'd need the services of a TIG welder to fix a broken caliper body.  The body is an aluminum alloy. 

@h2olawyer: unfortunately when i ask for XZ 550 parts or if they have parts that may fit, i have always the same answer: "Sorry i don't know". So i went on searching over the web and found this page: http://www.cmsnl.com/products/4jf-2580u-00-caliper_11u2581000/ (http://www.cmsnl.com/products/4jf-2580u-00-caliper_11u2581000/). From this page i understood that many Yamaha's bike can mount the same caliper. So i thought that an XJ 650 caliper would fit the Vision. If i find a complete XJ 650 brake line not too much expensive, i'll buy it and eventually try it.

@ ironb12s: can you explain me better the progressive spring thing?

Ken.

Ken,

I'm going to put progressive springs on my Vision as well.  From what I understand, the progressive springs become mpre stiff as pressure is put on them, thus the name "progressive" - They become progressively stiffer. It gives a more linear damping to the way the front end of the bike responds and the way the forks become compressed.
With the regular springs, they compress at the same rate through their entire length of travel and the front end of the bike has a tendency to dive.  Once the standard springs reach their maximum compression, they have no more effect.

Did I get it right guys?  ;D

David

Dave , it seems that you are getting 'progressively' better at explaining things. ;D

@YellowJacket!: thank you for the explaining. Will you manage to do a tutorial about it?

Quote from: KENFOLLETT on September 23, 2008, 12:31:26 PM
@YellowJacket!: thank you for the explaining. Will you manage to do a tutorial about it?

Hi Ken,

I did a tutorial about replacing the entire front end of my Vision with an 83 front end.  In one of the posts I showed how to insert the springs (in that case, regular springs) and add the fork oil and reassemble the fork tubes.  I don't have progressive springs yet but hopefully soon- when I have some more money - I will be able to buy some progressive springs and will take lots of pictures of the upgrade process.
From an upgrade standpoint though, replacing standard springs with progressive springs should really just be pull the old ones out and drop the new ones in....and make sure you have enough fork oil.

Ciao

David

Progressive springs, from Progressive Suspension, available thru Dennis-Kirk, $78.  The install isn't much different than stock springs, but you may have to press the cap a bit harder to get it into the tube.  Get new seals with them, another $22.  Orders more than $100, shipping is free.

Same springs fit my GS750E as well.   ;)

I checked dennis kirk last night and did not find any listed that would fit the Vision.  I ordered a set from oldbikebarn.com for 78.49 total including shipping.  SHould be here in a couple days and I will do a tutorial photoshoot of the small project.

David

https://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=CTKAI3BR5IXJTLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=&skuId=58962

@YellowJacket!:  ;D Great!

Finally i have found two calipers and two brake disk for about 30 euros here in Italy and maybe a master cylinder. I think it's a deal!

The guy who's selling the parts also quoted me the tank for 30 euros and exhaust for 100 euros. Are they good prices?

Ken.

spare tank and spare exhaust are good to have.

prices are good if condition is good

Thanks for the link kwells.  I searched by year and by bike but they didn't come up.  ANyway, my set should be here in a couple days, so I'm happy anyway.

Ken,  Heres a link to a picture of progressive springs.  You will notice that they look a bit different from standard springs.

https://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/img_pop.jsp?skuId=58962&imgId=0

David