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Installing Suburban-Machinery SV650 handlebars
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Clear Taillight Lens for 01-03 Models
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What's it worth?
Progressive fork spring install-the lazy way
Rear shock swap information
More rear shock info-SV650 install
Suspension tuning 101
Installing Suburban-Machinery SV650 handlebars
Install an SV650 headlight
Converting standard 1/4 throttle to 1/5 throttle
Installing LED's in stock taillight
Uber Fender Eliminator
R1 Taillight on 89-00 GS500
Speedo/Tach light replacement
Better handlebar grips
Installing Buell turn signals - Rear
Installing Buell turn signals - Front
Flush mount rear (stock) turn signals
Installing a 2001 Ducati Monster fairing
Fix a broken oil filter cap bolt
General battery info
A Wal-Mart sealed battery?
Chain Maintenance
Installing SV650 Chainguard
Spark plug information
Installing a GSXR front end
Installing a GSXR swingarm
Installing GSXR rear passenger peg brackets
Installing an OEM Bandit 400 rear hugger
Installing a Bandit 400 rear wheel
Installing a GSXR rear wheel-simple swap
Polishing your wheels
"The Mystical Art of Tire Reading" and other tire info
General tire info for the GS #1
General tire info for the GS #2
General tire info for the GS #3 - mixing brands/types
gsJack's opinion on tires for the GS
Gearing and sprockets
Slip-on mufflers
Slip-on exhaust : using stock SV650 muffler
Installing an R6 tail
Installing GSX-R600 stock rearsets
Installing CBR600 stock rearsets
Replacing stock front pegs with CBR pegs
Replacing stock front pegs with Katana pegs
Why re-jet a stock US bike
More on re-jetting your carbs
Jetting for 2001 models
Links
A new take on Clubman style bars

fairing_side.jpg

Suburban-Machinery make two types of bars for the SV650, the Type 1 and Type 2. These are a modern version of the old "clubman" style handlebars that mimick the more aggresive position afforded by clip-on handlebars which were only available stock on '89 US version GS500's. They are a direct bolt in replacement for stock handlebars and can be installed in 1/2 hour. Both Type 1 and Type 2 fit the GS well. The Type 1 set the handlebar ends lower by about 1" than the Type 2's.
The following is what I did to install the Type 2 bars (same for Type 1).
 
1. Place bike on centerstand, disconnect battery if so inclined (I wasn't).
 
2. Remove bar ends.
 
3. Remove left grip. You can cut it off and replace both grips with new or do as I did and slide a long screwdriver inbetween left grip and handlebar from the outside, slowly working it in and around to break the glue. Twist grip off. It took a little effort to get it off but not much time on my 2001 GS.  Right/throttle grip does not need to be removed; it comes off with throttle body.
 
4. Remove the 2 or 3 screws holding the left switchgear halves together and loosen the left switchgear and clutch perch. Do not remove completely yet.  Disconnect the wires from switchgear to clutch perch, connection point is obvious and is simply a plug connector.
 
5. Remove the 2 or 3 screws holding the right switchgear halves together and loosen the right side switchgear/throttle body and brake lever perch/master cylinder.
 
6. Remove 4 allen head bolts holding handlebars to triple clamp. You may need to remove chrome trip caps from these bolts by prying them off with a screwdriver (if you still have them).
 
7. Carefully work the left and right side switchgear and levers off by sliding the handebars in either direction to give more slack on cables and wires. You should do the master cylinder last and have new handlebar handy so you can slide master cylinder on first without setting it down. That way you don't have to worry about keeping it vertical and worrying about the brake fluid spilling (maybe I worry for nothing but didn't want to take a chance).
 
8. Slide new handlebar in either direction to install throttle body, levers and switchgear (for slack on cables and wires again) by sliding them on from ends. Bar is predrilled for mounting nubs on inside of switchgear so note that holes are right side up when you install bar. Make sure you carefully re-route the cables and wires since these new bars are lower than stock and wil require yo to push everything down a bit. The master cylinder banjo fitting in particular will touch the tach housing and requires a llittle finess in getting it just right.
 
9. Tighten the 4 bolts on handlebar clamp, not completely yet.
 
10. Tighten all switchgear, lever and perch bolts/screws tight.
 
11. Twist handlebars around until you get them where you want. Make sure you get them centered (the center of the bars is less than 1/4" clear of the clamps on each side-note the bars are different now than in their website photos). Tighten down the 4 bolts holding handlebar.
 
12. Reinstall left grip using either grip glue, available at local dealer, or soapy water, which helps slide it on easier and when dry helps grip adhere.
 
13. Reinstall bar ends.
 
14. Make sure everything is tight and start it up, making sure all lights, kill switch, etc work.
 
You will find clearance problems between the master cylinder and the Tach housing. You can fix this permanently by replacing the master cylinder with one form a 88-93 Katana GSX-1100. Otherwise, simply finesse teh bar rotation and the osition of the brake lever to get the master cylinder brake line banjo fitting to rest against the Tach housing. Mine is this way and it works fine so I'll get a new master cylinder someday but not now. You will have this same clearance problem with Drag bars as well.
 
These Suburban-Machinery bars are not cheap and I was lucky to have gotten them for a song, but the above can generally apply to other handlebars, such as Drag Bars but these require drilling holes for switchgear nubs (I don't recommend removing the nub, but it's up to you-many have done this).  At full lock the S-M bars still give good clearance to tank.
 
 
For comparison:
Stock handlebars                    Suburban-Machinery Type 2 bars
Dia.   7/8"                                 Dia.   7/8"
Height    3 1/2"                         Height    1"
Width    27 1/2"                        Width    26"
Pullback    7 1/2"                     Pullback    6 1/2"
 
 
 

handlebar1-at_full_lock.jpg
Clearance to tank at full lock

handlebar3-3.4_view.jpg

handlebar1-rider_view2.jpg

Special thanks to Colin Stuffman for "donating" his bent bars and to Suburban-Machinery's excellent customer service for quickly and inexpensively repairing these bars. Any modifications you perform are done at your own risk. no guarantees are made as to the accuracy or completeness of this modification description.