Bar conversion with pics

[Jayneflakes]

It has been a long while since I did the conversion, the bars give a much better position, I have clocked up enough miles to reduce a rear tyre to a balding old coot, although still not illegal yet!

The only issue I have is one of comfort still. My little wrists get quite achy on long rides of over the hundred mile mark. It seems that the movement of the throttle causes the ache, which is exacerbated by winter gloves. The end result is an inability to pull the front brake lever comfortably.

I am sure that the main issue is the winter gloves because they are so thick, but it is something to think about for future trips, especially as I have long distance in mind one day.

Would I go back to clip ons? Not on your nelly!

I so far haven't had any trouble with the new position, apart from not being able to see anything in the mirrors! I'll be mounting some universal long arm mirrors on the bar itself I reckon. I also put braided front brake lines on at the same time. the better feel and response means I can adjust the front brake lever closer to the bar. So far in all my winter riding, I haven't had a a problem with my thicker gloves. The heated grips also help.

These were sufficient with my bar conversion.

http://www.suzukisv1000.com/products/chewys_stuff.htm

I'd love to convert my k4 sv650s from clip-ons to regular bars for improved comfort on longer rides.

Do you think if I go for only a moderate rise that I will need to change throttle cables or other switchgear? I already went over to braided brake hoses but fitted the standard sv650 ones so I have a little slack in them.

Also is it really the case that I need a new top yoke or can I drill handlebar clamps into my top yokes? One forum suggested they were not sufficiently strong to have bars attached to them.

Thanks in advance.

[Red Herring]

I converted my S to straight bars, got away using the original electrics and throttle cables, just had to re-route the cables behind the top yoke and down the front of the tank. I made a new bracket on the front throttle body due to the change in angle, but that was it. I also bought a specialist top yoke which was expensive but there isn't a production part to fit GSXR forks.

[Jayneflakes]

I still have my old top yoke here and to be honest I would be worried about drilling it and fitting a set of risers to it. The yoke is very thin aluminium alloy, not more than three or four MM thick. The shaping of the yoke means that you will have to drill through the centre of the section rather than the rear edge, as with the Naked Yoke.

Options worth considering are a naked yoke from E-Bay or here, from a racer breaking a bike, or contacting Suzuki and getting one from them. I suspect the latter option would be very expensive and it would be more economical to buy an after market yoke made for a conversion. I seem to recall that there was a guy on here who made such things.

My bike got knocked over yesterday and the bars took a lot of the force. I know that my N model top yoke is reinforced enough to have survived that impact with out tearing, I am not sure that a drilled S model yoke would offer me the same feeling.

As for throttle cables, go and have a chat with your local friendly old school bike shop. I had some made up that cost me less than fifteen quid, here in Weston. If you get stuck, give me a PM and I can put you in touch with the chap who made mine for me.

Does anyone if these will fit the sv650s?

http://www.banditmaniashop.co.uk/sv1...sion-858-p.asp

They are for the sv1000 but as I dont know if 650 and 1000 have the same front end set up, they look the same?

[yorkie_chris]

Nah, very different between 650 and thou, center distance, fork diameters, etc.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Sporty

Does anyone if these will fit the sv650s?

http://www.banditmaniashop.co.uk/sv1...sion-858-p.asp

They are for the sv1000 but as I dont know if 650 and 1000 have the same front end set up, they look the same?

Theres a naked yoke on ebay atm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-Sv-...ht_2928wt_1072

Can't find t'other one

Despite concerns voiced about drilling the top yoke of the stock sv650s this image from the naked bike yoke on ebay shows the thickness of metal especially where the risers are attached to be no greater than on the stock 650s yoke.



Also the argument about what might happen if the bike fell over or were crashed with a drilled yoke i.e. the risers or yoke may fail and the bars break off the bike seems to be a moot point - that would happen anyway with clip-ons, and its the last thing you are going to be worried about after a crash. It might even take some energy out of the impact - call it a crumple zone!

I have drilled my top yoke to fit risers, but my risers have 4 x m8 bolts and lock nuts to secure them considerably greater attachment than the naked yoke risers. I cannot see how this would fail in anything but a serious accident - the least of my worries in that event.

Lets be fair if biking weren't dangerous we would find it far less thrilling - might as well take the car instead.