Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Ok, I have seen a few responses from this forum on clip on style handlebars. I understand that Vortex sells some, as well as, a few other manufacturers. My hang-up is I have only seen one person on this forum show a picture of his handy-work and I thought it looked good but don't know if that is the only option. Has anyone else done this mod. I have seen a lot of info for the SV 650 as it has a strong "track day" following/use.

My questions:

1. has anyone found anything on the internet about our bike and installing clip on style bars.
2. are we limited to doing a mount above the Triple tree or can we mount below (enough clearance at full turn)?

I do not want to drop $140 dollars for these only to find out that I am not pleased with how I will have to install. Hopefully there are some more daring folks out there who have ventured down this road. Again, thanks for your time.

I've wondered the same thing. I have tried searching for bars that are more swept back and concluded that to achieve that style, clip ons is the only way to go.

I'm seriously considering Convertibars I believe these are spendy but the ability to completely customize the bars are worth it. I figure if i'm going to ride 2 up straighter would be best, but by my lonesome sticking out that much gets tiring.

Also, these mount below the triple tree.


Helibars also makes a similar product.

I just picked up a pair of the 41mm Vortex ClipOns, i am going to install them this weekend and will post up some pics after i am done

NorCalHunter

Cool.
Get some close up of where they mounted .

How the hell do you get the controls off of the stock handlebars?

Any updates on this?

im pretty sure theres about two bolts that hold the control clusters on. then when you take out the bolts they should slide off ...... after you already take off the grips

I've been messaging with NorCalHunter to answer some of his [very good, thorough] inquiries, so I'd figure I'd post our conversation and details about my experience installing the clip-ons, along with some pictures:

1. Which ones did you order, the 41mm kit?
- Yes, I did order the 41mm kit and they fit perfect (no mods or shims required). I verified this sizing with my local dealer and a Vortex rep.

2. How hard were they to install and did you do it yourself?
- Yes, I did do it myself and I felt the install was relatively quick/easy (~1-2hr. -- I'm not a mechanically-inclined person, but I found a GREAT link with decent instructions). My install time WOULD have been less had I not loosened one of the fork bolts too much... That caused the front end to drop completely, instead of lowering it only .75-1.0". I then had to jack up the front to re-align the forks. You will have to lower the front-end to get the clip-ons secured to the fork, but I don't feel much of a difference in handling. In fact, it takes corners a little sharper (better, depending on your riding style).

3. Are there any special tools needed to complete the install?
- No special tools are required. Just the appropriate sized allen keys (metric, of course) to loosen [I think] four bolts (two near the triple-tree, two further down near the wheel) on each fork. Loosen (very slowly) but don't remove any of the bolts. You'll likely want some thick pieces of fabric and a rubber mallet to move the triple-tree down the forks (that's what I used, anyway).

4. about how much time did the install take?
- ~1-2hrs. The longest part of the install involves clamp, bar, and control positioning. It will fit and work (without pinching your hands between the tank and bars), but adjustment takes time.

5. Are you able to go full lock to full lock with the clip-ons?
- Yes, I can go full-lock left and right with about 1/3-1/2 inch clearance from the tank (my hands are not pinched). However, there is some slight (and I emphasize slight) rubbing from the rubber boot on top of the throttle cable. This is more of a problem for me than you since my dash is painted and not the original matte plastic (and may show wear if I'm not careful).

6. I was thinking about removing the top clamp and putting the bars under the top clamp rather than lowering the front end, did you already try this?
- No, I didn't get to try placing the bars under the triple-tree clamp, but it crossed my mind. I worried more about tank clearance and dash clearance [with the controls] more than anything. Because of the way the tank is tapered (wider at the base than the top) I had concerns I might be worse off placing the bars lower on the forks, rather than higher; however, don't take my word for it. You might find there's more clearance with the dash when the clip-ons are placed lower on the forks. If this is the case, simply angle the bars further out from the bike to achieve tank clearance.

7. With the lowering of the front end did you have to mod your side stand?
- Nope, I didn't have to modify the side stand after lowering the front-end.

8. Is the vibration alot worse with the clip ons?
- Not with weighted Vortex bar-ends. The difference is slight, if at all noticeable.

See next post for pics.

These were copied from another phpBB post, so sorry about all the pics. Pay close attention to control mounting positions and the angles of each bar. Consider both of these factors when adjusting for tank and dash clearance. Hope this helps!

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I agree, the clamps (and even their mounting holes) do look a bit out of place. I think if I found some caps to cover up the clamp mounting holes things would look even cleaner. I'd like to make a correction to my original response (#5):

- I actually have about 1" to 1.25" of clearance on the tank NOT 1/3-1/2" clearance ; however, my clearance on the dash is mere centimeters. I was parking the F last night and looked down to check my clearance, and things looked more roomy than I remembered.

As for an increase in leverage, I might not understand the question. I can attest that steering is more precise and QUICK at both high and low speeds. Maybe that also answers the question about leverage (?). And generally, with the clip-ons, I do tend to lean much more into corners (at high and low speeds) because of how quick the bike comes in and out of them. This might also be because I had to lower the front-end, or because I'm in a more aggressive riding position with the clip-ons vs. the up-right position with the commuter bars -- I feel more comfortable hugging the bike than I do sitting up-right. I hope this answers most of your question(s). Thanks for the feedback!

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I went down my local bike salvage yard to get some cheapies just to try and see if I preffered clipons.
I think they were off a 90 something gixxer. Anyway fitted them in about an hour and loved it!
Much better control and handling at speed. Only cost me $25.

I put some pics up soon

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After seeing the pic's and loving the sports bike look with clips on's after the bikes been lowered like in the pics.
All you need is some carbon fiber sticker sheet to cover for the top yoke and it would look stock with the old handle bars holes covered .

So as liveaverage said ,IF the forks are 41mm and then looking around and at some bike models with higher standard clip ons ,as the Honda VFR 98-2001 Models {41mm from what I read },I think as long as you have the bike lowered already and got the space for clips on to go on top of the forks {like in the above pictures} ,the VFR bars would still give you some comfort ,but with the sportier look of the clip ons.
See picture here. ,this guy has swapped his clips on for traditional bars ,but notice the extra height of these clip ons.

http://www.bikepics.com/members/jrw600/01vfr800/

Sportier look ,with comfort ....I DON'T KNOW 100% if they will fit or have clearance ,but it worth doing some more research.

Scandy71 ,where are the pictures ,keen to see