Handlebar swap

Hi fellow riders,

I am in the process of buying a 04 GS500F and was thinking that after 6 months to a year I would pretty much take the whole front end apart and revamp the front forks and was wondering if it is possible to replace the handle bars with a more swept back bars like a GSXR?

Thanks.

 

Gixxers and other full out sport bikes have Clip-ons, and yes just research the diameter of your forks, there should be an aftermarket clip-on set for your bike.

 

I'm pretty new to this so could you be more descriptive or post some links for products?

 

my suggestion would be to try and find a GS forum. Chances are you can swap a GSXR front end which would upgrade your forks and would get you the clipon handlebars instead of the risers.

here is a link to some clip ons for 37 MM diameter forks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/gs1000-gs850-gs750-gsx750-gs550-clipons-handlebars-37mm-/260505535198

 

So I put those in the forks and then I can buy any handle bars that fit in those clip ons?

 

My guess is that those clamp to the fork tubes and those are the handlebars..............

 

Here's a broad view of what you do...
1. Remove your top triple tree.
2. Loosen the pinch bolts on the original clip ons and slide them off the forks.
3. Put on your new clip on's and clamp on the fork where you want them to be.
4. You need to take off all the components on both handlebars (start/kill switch, front brake reservoir, lights, horn, etc.)
5. Install the grips and throttle tube on naked bars where you want them to be.
6. With the rest of the set up, you just need to re-set where you want your reservoir, throttle tube/cable etc. to be (or where they need to go.)
7. Then install the bars onto the clip on. Make sure that you check your clearance from the fairings and your gauges. Then you can start tightening all the screws/bolts.

hope that helps man!

 

clip-ons are the type of bars that the gsxrs. use. they dont bolt into the forks the bolt onto the forks. The gs uses a regular handlebar set-up. Check out a forum and see what others have done. google is your friend. im pretty sure you can buy a whole used front end off a gsxr and change the whole front end out but you will have to research. sorry im not to familiar with gsxrs and susukis in general. Im a Kawi guy. but check around. www.gs500e.co.uk/forums/ this place seems to have a lot of good info for you.

 

or you can just get a straight bar for the clip on feel of the bike, without having to get clip ons.

 

s2studio- he doesnt have clip-ons he has top mounted handlebars like that of a dirtbike or a sv650. all he has to do is unbolt the 4 top bolts to the bars and they are pretty much off. And he may want to check too because a lot of bikes that dont come stock with clip-ons dont have the room around the fairings to put them on. my buddy has a ninja 250 race bike with clip-ons and it cant be used on the street because he cant make full locked turn because there is no clearance around the fairings.

 

That's the other thing I was thinking. Having a metal shop fab up a straight bar, more of a street fighter look.

So those clip ons that are posted on ebay, those will mount to my forks and then are I need are a set of grips and bolt my components to those bars?

I get what you are saying about not having room, I'm just trying to clarify what my options are?

 

yup those bolt right around your forks and then you have to put all of your controls and grips on. the thing that sucks about them is you have to make sure and align everything up first and take some markings, because they are universal. On the controls they have little tabs that go into holes on the clip ons or handlebars that are on the bike. aftermarket clipons dont have the holes you have to drill them yourself. it sounds harder than it is but people neglect to tell you that part of the installation. all it takes is the right size drillbit and a punch to start the hole. check around to because they may have aftermarket straight bars that you can buy.

 

also check with a company called woodcraft. they make clip-ons of all sizes and makes. they may have a set in your size. not sure though. theres are nice to because most aftermarket clip-ons require you to remove the top triple tree to install. woodcrafts have a 2 piece design that just bolts on which would be nice for your case since you dont have to remove the triple tree to take the bars off on your stock set up.

 

Oh lol I fail

 

Okay I got what I needed with a little more research. This system uses the original setup, no clip ons.

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Handlebars

From this...


To this...

 

In the picture you have, you have gone from a straight type handle bar to a swept type handle bar. If this is really what youre looking for cool. Now you dont have to do a full front swap from a Gixxer, this requires, head bearing replacements, adapters and a whole other can of worms, trust me I know I wanted to do that swap on my Triumph to get the USD fork for more adjustibilty. Anyway if you look at the pics from my Aprilia I went with LSL clip-ons that give you some adjustments to fit tighter fairing tolerances that the others have meantioned. But they are clip-ons, which like another posters have said actually slide down your fork tube and clamp tight to it, not bolting INTO it. Either way your riders triangle will change to a more forward or sporty position placing a little more weight on your wrist, but I suspect you being a youger gentlemen can tolerate this weight transfer. Hope this helps. PM me if you have any other questions, hell I'm close I work out of Baltimore, I ride sometimes to work.

 

Nice. That looks better IMO. Hey s2studio dont worry you dont fail. I had to look up a pic to see what he was talking about. The GS's arent known as well as the sv650's are

 

Hey WV how do you like the LSL clip-ons. I ended up switching my stock clip-ons for a set of Driven Racings. I love them but they vib like crazy especially at higher RPM's

 

Is it finally clear now that this GS500 doesn't have clip-on's?

There's aftermarket companies that make different style handlebars. Rizoma, Renthal, ... and that's all I can think of at the moment.

Looks like you want to go lower. If you go higher, you're going to want to make sure that you don't have to lengthen any cables for ease of installation.