My SK3 Copper Progression

[TCochrane]

I bought this SV in May '12 for £1600 as my first bike and right from the word "go" I had a list as long as my arm on all the things I wanted to change / add.

June '12: ( picture taken day I bought her )
Cleaned and polished
White LED sidelights
New tyres

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Suzuki%20SV650s/1May12Buying_zps30cecd13.jpg

July '12:
Red rim-tape
Carbon-fibre style tank protector

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Test/1_zpsc6de219d.png

August '12:
Red aftermarket levers

October '12: (YAY student loan! :D)
HID headlights
Rear hugger
Aftermarket mirrors with built in LED indicators
Oxford Neptune front indicators
Clear LED indicator integrated rear lights (indicators not working yet due to no resistor)
Laser X-treme GP style exhaust with custom link pipe
Lower fairings

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Test/4Oct12_zps76fc69ea.jpg

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Test/5Oct12_zpsdad1869f.jpg

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Test/6Oct12_zps1e307121.jpg

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Coventry-20121015-00181.jpg

December '12:
R&G heated grips
Removed original rear indicators
Removed front LED indicators
Replaced red rim tape with black rim tape
LED relay

Christmas!!
GSXR1000 rear shock
MRA double bubble tinted screen
Painted brake calipers gold

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Guildford-20130101-00059_zpsd5c95be7.jpg

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/Guildford-20130101-00062_zpsed73a63c.jpg

March '13:
Smoked LED flush fairing indicators
LED indicators on rear as well as integrated indies in the brake lights
Carbon fibre fender extender
Carbon fibre top yoke protector

http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u589/TCochraneSV/IMG_20130306_010222_zps14dd0188.jpg

May '13:
New steering bearing
Braided brake lines

Huge thank you to Hopper650 for the exhaust and Phil_24_7 for the lower fairings!

This is my pride and joy so please be nice with your feedback :)

- Tim

[Jayneflakes]

I hated the colour of these at first, but it has really grown on me. That looks lovely. I fitted flush fit indicators in the fairing and front facing ones too, but also tried Oxford indis, but found them to be less than useful so reverted back to standard for the rear.

It looks nice with the fairing, how about fitting a colour matched seat cover and remove the pillion pegs?
:D

[TCochrane]

***Main post updated***

Runako - Thank you for your feedback :) muchly appreciated mate
I'd like to mount the exhaust on the rear brake so it's much lower down purely for ascetic reasons, I think it looks much nicer mounted down there. There are many pictures of them mounted in this way on the internet, just google something like " Laser xtreme gp style R6 " Have had a look at the possibility of doing this today and it looks like the 2-1 collector is too far to the rear of the bike so it won't really be possible..

1) The rear tyre has done about 800 miles, and not sure how much the front has done, but both have plenty of tread left in them.
2) I'm currently waiting for replacement resistors for the rear indicators ( ones I was sent were faulty ) and yes, currently have the originals connected.
3) I'm really not a fan of crash bungs, and I know I've only been riding for a relatively short amount of time, but I really wouldn't like to put crash bungs on.

It has K&N oil and air filters that were put on in the last service a couple weeks ago as well as new plugs, oil etc
Am getting a tinted double bubble screen in the winter as an xmas present from my brother.
Don't worry - I would never pay someone to fit something I could learn how to do myself ;)
I'll have a look into rearsets, most likely will get them around xmas time too!
I take pillions too often for a sport cowl to be of any real use tbh, but I definitely love the look of them! If I had infinite money..


Jayneflakes - Thank you too for your feedback :)
Funnily enough, when I set out to get an SV I told myself that I wouldn't get a copper one because I thought they were so ugly in all the pictures, but when I saw one in the flesh I fell in love with it and never looked back! One of the best colours for SV's in my opinion!

As stated earlier in this reply, I take pillions too often to think about removing pillion pegs and a sport cowl.

[jambo]

I like the colour, though generally I try to make sure modifications aren't just cosmetic.

Mounting the exhaust down by the rear brake would probably look neat, though you'd need to check for ground clearance, so it doesn't ground out before the pegs. Mounting it TO the rear brake isn't really a good shout as the exhaust is fixed to the engine / frame, and the rear brake moves with the swing arm :)

Jambo

[Runako]

I'd like to mount the exhaust on the rear brake ...

Ah, see what you mean (connected to the rearset). Examples online do look quite cool, but Jambo also makes a good point.

... really not a fan of crash bungs ... but I really wouldn't like to put crash bungs on.

You live in the UK. Put em on. If you have to be creative then personalise/customise them ... but put them on. This question pops up time and time again. Search the site for more opinions.

Other than that, not much else unless you're seriously modding. DarrenSV has converted his front end with cool front light set up. I think TamSV has customised fairing panels. Some even acquire/build a new sub frame so that they can use a new seat unit. Search SV of the month.

But for your intentions I'd go the comfort/gradual customisation route.

A plusher seat is nice. Heated grips is a must for winter IMO (I have em, they're great). Colour coded bar ends/bobbins, extendable levers, bolts & nuts is also popular along with clear clutch covers (really nice but useless other than to look at). Requires little effort but will create a much nicer, individual look.

Gradual changes will transform the look of the bike, but think it through carefully before making the changes and you're more likely to get a result you're happy with.

[TCochrane]

I think I'm going to leave re positioning the exhaust for the minute while I wait for the next student loan installment early next year, I'll have another look into it then.

I was considering doing a streetfighter conversion similar to DarrenSV's, I love his as well as many other examples on the forum, but I figured my next bike will be a GSR 750 / kawasaki z1000 or something similar to that, so will go down the naked route then. For now I'd like a faired bike.

For xmas I think I'll definitely get a gel seat from Corbin or something equal to them. I won't be riding my bike in the winter months so heated grips don't really apeal to me. I think I'm going to take your advice, Runako, and change the colour of the nuts and bolts to black and put black rear sets on at xmas.
I'd never heard of clear clutch covers before, but after looking up a few examples I think they're gorgeous! Will definitely put that on my list of things to get!

Have just ordered a new rim tape in black to replace the old red tape. The new tape is much wider than the red ones so should make them look a bit meaner.

Cheers Runako

[hopper650]

It's virtually impossible to mount the exhaust lower down, I tried many different combinations including cutting and bending stainless pipe when I had it. That was the best I could come up with when I had it. How are you finding the noise :) lol

[TCochrane]

It's virtually impossible to mount the exhaust lower down, I tried many different combinations including cutting and bending stainless pipe when I had it. That was the best I could come up with when I had it. How are you finding the noise :) lol


Ahh that's a shame.. oh well :)
Well it's certainly much louder than my old Beowulf can that's for sure! I wasn't expecting it to 'pop' so much and backfire so much haha. Really makes people duck for cover when I ride past with it backfiring, fantastic. Love it, thanks a lot mate!

You got the road legal insert for it?

[TCochrane]

My bike ( Stella ) and my housemate's CBR600f

[Thunderace]

Coming on nicely Tim!:D

When you gonna be back with the GM for a rideout?

Just a thought, if you mount the can on the rear brake would it not move up and down with the swingarm?:confused:

[TCochrane]

Coming on nicely Tim!:D

When you gonna be back with the GM for a rideout?

Just a thought, if you mount the can on the rear brake would it not move up and down with the swingarm?:confused:

Thanks! :) Still many many more upgrades to come! Truly loving my SV at the moment, it's gorgeous!

Weather permitting I think I should be next down mid to end of December around xmas time.

Yeah, I've scrapped the idea of re-positioning the exhaust

[Thunderace]

Thanks! :) Still many many more upgrades to come! Truly loving my SV at the moment, it's gorgeous!

Weather permitting I think I should be next down mid to end of December around xmas time.

Yeah, I've scrapped the idea of re-positioning the exhaust

Cool give us a shout when you're back.;)

You may be able to get it attached to the rear brake if you could get a bracket made that holds the can horizontally to the brake but allows it to travel up and down. Maybe you could cannibalise something similar to this.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-RX8-ALTERNATOR-BELT-TENSIONER-PULLEY-BRACKET-MOUNT-/230866720005?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35c0ba9505&_uhb=1

[Runako]

Cool give us a shout when you're back.;)
You may be able to get it attached to the rear brake if you could get a bracket made that holds the can horizontally to the brake but allows it to travel up and down.


The laser extreme examples (on Google Images) suggest attachment by bracket to the brake lever assembly. The problem is the space between the lever and swingarm and possible ground clearance as mentioned by Jambo. I would like to see someone work it out though.

[TCochrane]

I'd love to see it done on an SV too, but at the moment ( and also being a student ) I don't really have the skills / tools / time / money to do it :(
I don't even have a garage / workshop haha
Damn student housing... ¬_¬

[[etesv650]

Definatly get a fender extender! Cheap and easy to install using some rubber sealant and saves your front cylinder and radiator from a pounding. Bike looks nice! How did you get the lower fairings? seem to be like gold dust!

[TCochrane]

Definatly get a fender extender! Cheap and easy to install using some rubber sealant and saves your front cylinder and radiator from a pounding. Bike looks nice! How did you get the lower fairings? seem to be like gold dust!

I honestly think fender extenders are ugly :) so not much chance of putting on of them on
I got the lower fairings off Phil_24_7, they were off his bike and he resprayed them for me in the copper colour. Fantastic :)
I agree - I spent 2 months looking for lower fairings before I stumbled on them!

[Tomor]

If you ride all year, a fender extenda will be a god send when it starts raining. TRUST ME!!

[garynortheast]

Ugly vs stuck on the motorway in the pi55ing rain with a wet front cylinder. Give me ugly!

[[etesv650]

As you said your planning on getting a black mudguard so get a carbon extender, that wont look ugly at all!

[TCochrane]

Ahh such words of wisdom.. I might have to consider it ;)

[[etesv650]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIKAFLEX-221-WHITE-Caravan-Motorhome-Sealant-Multi-Purpose-/320999951086?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item4abd168aee

They are well worth the money, plus I used this sealant to avoid having to drill the mudguard. Will be a good addition to your bike :)

[Bibio]

don't bother with all the tat of the day put the money into things that matter like decent bouncy bits and servicing then you can thank me later :-)

[TCochrane]

don't bother with all the tat of the day put the money into things that matter like decent bouncy bits and servicing then you can thank me later :-)

Fitting a GSXR rear shock over xmas :D

[leebex]

you can always colour match a fender extender.Less noticeable then.

I agree with Bibio about servicing and a few things that really matter, the previous owners of my sv have thrown a fortune at it with bits, but half of them to me seem a waste of money, and as mines mainly a commuter bike, they cause too much agro or grief so are slowly getting changed or removed.

Spend and modify wisely ;)

[phil24_7]

A colour matched undertray would look lovely on that when your next student loan cheque comes in and I could make that happen if your interested!!! ;)

[TCochrane]

I can see you learning my student loan calendar and offering me stuff everytime I get my loan through :P

That being said... could I have some more details of the undertray? For example, do I have to provide you with one or do you have one ready to paint? Definitely interested!!

[phil24_7]

I have one, I have some paint left over so I'll sort you something out. It is the same as I have on my bike. pics of mine can be found in my GSXR conversion thread in the photos section. The actual item is in my pointy bits for sale thread.

Regards

[TCochrane]

Would it just be a quick easy swap for mine or would I need any extra parts for it? For example the number plate holder

[S.V SCOTT]

right nice tidy bike there mate, like the little mods you done to her, bet you she sounds a beast ! ;) haha

[TCochrane]

Updated

[Tomor]

You got some baffles yet?

[TCochrane]

Lol no and I don't want any :P I like it stupidly loud

[TCochrane]

*** Updated ***

[Runako]

*** Updated ***

Coming together nicely. I really like the look of the Calipers. I notice still no crash bungs (and no bar ends?). I note what you say about the Bungs and respect that its your choice. But I also see it as protecting your pride and joy for the sake of something which really won't look that noticeable once installed. But fair enough, its personal choice.

On the other hand, that colour has really grown on me. Haven't seen many (in fact, none) like that around :)

[TCochrane]

Thanks Runako, the gold calipers were a great choice but they get dirty too quickly :P

The bar ends came out when I changed the grips to heated ones and I'm not sure how to put them back in :P

Crash bungs are in fact on my list of things to get at the moment, I'll get them on at some point :)

[phil24_7]

Seriously, get some bar ends, they will protect the bars in case of a drop. Owenski has some decent ones for a cheap price so there's no excuse. Proper crash bungs will also be worth their weight in gold in the event of a crash but each to their own on that front!

Regards

[phil24_7]

Too slow!

Build the bungs out of the bars, push the bolt through the bar end, then through the rubbed expander and finally screw it into the nut loosely. Push the ba end assembly in until it touches or all but touches the grip (making sure that there is still free play in the accelerator) and then tighten...simples!

[TCochrane]

Cheers I'll try and do that when it stops raining!

[Merv121]

hi mate noticed you had the beowulf warrior exhaust before the laser ones, are the lazer exhausts much louder than the beowulf warriors as i am looking at getting something a little louder

[TCochrane]

The laser one is basically a through pipe and is therefore very very loud.
The laser one i have is for a GSXR with a custom link pipe for the SV so you can't buy mine off the shelf. However I don't know about other laser exhausts, I can only speak for the one I have - Laser xtreme GP style
It's a lot louder than the beowulf and sounds very different