GSXR front end fitted.

Aye, I know, I know. The headlight thing is causing me most grief just now though. Got pages of them saved on e-bay, trying to find something different that still works properly. Was going to buy an aftermarket one and modify it to work but someone, in the States I think, bought the type I was looking at and did the same thing and it melted.

geeez, that's the one thing I'm not looking forward to, all the messing about. If I could keep the thing off the road for a while like you I'd be sound - but I need mine to get to work so it has to be an in and out jobby!

Firstly good job. Just a few observations from having done a conversion. I thought the steering damper was not needed. The added stability from the bigger & better forks without any increase in engine power means that the steering is already better at all speeds without it. Frankly, on other bikes I've ridden I don't like the feel of a damper and prefer to feedback through the bars, but I also understand why they are necessary on higher powered sports bikes.

The rear wheel debate is an interesting one. I didn't go down this route due to cost and time but I would be interested to hear how it performs. It would have been more interesting to have a comparison between the the stock size and the larger size, to get a true idea of any differences. But from what you said, riding the bike all out is not on your agenda.

Also, I stuck with the stock MC. Didn't see any reason to change this really as the new calipers and disc provide more stopping while still retaining the good braking feel at the lever. Any particularly reason why you chose to change to a radial MC?

Keep it going, very interested. You have a lot more to do by going down the naked route as I just stuck the fairing's back on so it will be interesting to see how this turns out

[Bibio]

your doing a grand job and its looking goood

don't drop the yokes down any further than flush with the top of the tubes (excluding caps) or the bike gets a wee bit twitchy (been there done that) as the forks are around 15mm shorter than the SV to begin with. the GSXR radial MC are ok but not that great, nice bite then a progressive action but not that much better than the SV standard one, personally i would put the SV one back on (remember there is a recall on the radial MC's). the engine braking coupled with radial brakes stop the SV very very quickly. the SV does not need a steering damper once the bike is set up, yes you get a bit of head shake but the front soon sorts itself out but if you like the damper then i see no harm in keeping it on. i also think that the play in the swingarm causes most of the head shake on the SV and i noticed a fair old difference taking the play out. i like the look of the standard headlight on the SV so i would be tempted to keep that.

i have also been toying with the idea of going nekkit but i do too many miles in one go for it to be practical as the fairing does keep a fair old bit of the wind away.

Thanks for that both. The wheel thing is purely cosmetic, but if it makes things uncomfortable at all then I'll get another standard one back on.

Radial master cylinder was an e-bay steal, a fiver if I remember, with the levers that are on the bike now. The re-call thing did cross my mind, haven't read into it in any detail though. What was happening and what was the failure rate does anyone know? I hated the big square standard one but I've got another remote reservoir one lying at work so might need to use it.

I have to say that the steering damper is on for a couple of reasons. Firstly it was hanging off the forks when I got them, seemed rude not to use it. I did get regular headshake though on the few occasions that I was on the bike solo. Predictable is probably a better word than regular. Same couple of corners on the way to work, both bumpy surfaces, both about 80mph ish. I have the shock set for two up riding and I was never sure if that was what was causing it but we'll see soon enough. It's a 30 second job to take it back off for comparison.

It's not the only addition that will make people say "Why" though. More pointless self induced stress to follow.

Shug.

[NTECUK]

If you have the back set up for two it dors decrease trail on the front quickening the starring and more inclined to shake
.The damper will be more noticeable at low speeds. But its not that an intrusion on bikes I have had with them save my GPz 550