Handlebar and mirror mods: advice please.

[hairball]

I know I want some aftermarket handlebars.  I've searched this forum and Pablo's site, and the Suburban-Machinery bars, although pricey, are what I'm looking at.

Type 2 vs. Type 1 bars:

http://www.suburban-machinery.com/sv650.htm

1.  Will both bars fit a '98 gs500 without any mods? Pablo's was a 2001, are the pre 01's gonna fit any different?

2.  At 6'1" tall, and total comfort being stretched out on my road and mtn bikes, I'm inclined to get the Type 1's with the more aggressive positioning.  Can anyone share their experiences/opinions on the type 1 vs 2 bars?

3.  Re: shift and rear brake control:  I'm concerned that the more I'm leaned over, the more awkward the angles will be on these two controls.  Any opinions?  Has anyone done mods on the shifter or rear brake as far as the angle, etc?

4.  Are there any other handlebars out there to consider?  I know Srinath is making the clip-ons, but maybe he has ones like the S-M bars that clamp on like the stock ones?


About the mirror mods:

I'm still confused about using the sv650 mirrors.
Can I use the pre-03 sv650 mirrors, but not the 03-04 ones?

Also, I liked the left mirror Pablo had right here:
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/id29.html
Where can I get these or something similar?

Thanks for any help and advice.

[Mk1inCali]

I have a similar bicycle bar-end mirror on my bike, well...had one on there.  Broke off at the rotating joint, but at least it was a clean break.  And yes, if you are riding through San Diego with a broken off bar-end mirror and a cop sees that you don't have any, he'll give you a fix it ticket.  Yeah, it happened to me...so don't let it happen to you.  

Oh yeah, bar end mirrors are nice for lanesplitting also, let's you know if you are mis-judging distances before you hit something that won't rotate out of the way of the car's hard mirrors.

To get a mirror like Pablo's/mine, just head over to your local bicycle shop, any in LA should have 'em, they are like 12 bucks and you might have to hog out the hole to mount them, but it's really easy to cut the metal with a dremel to the proper size.  Check my picture page in my signature, you can see what I am talking about there.

[hairball]

Thanks Tony.

Looks like you have the S-M bars also.  Any advice to pass on?  Did you put on the type 1 or 2? How'd you make the choice?  Any problem mounting everything back on the bars?

[Stephen072774]

I'm still using my stock mirrors with my SM 2's.  Installation was simple following Pablo's instructions.  I put mine on in early spring so they've been on my bike the whole summer.  I love the riding position, altho sometimes I wish I had rear-sets.

[The Buddha]

I know I want some aftermarket handlebars.  I've searched this forum and Pablo's site, and the Suburban-Machinery bars, although pricey, are what I'm looking at.

Type 2 vs. Type 1 bars:

http://www.suburban-machinery.com/sv650.htm

1.  Will both bars fit a '98 gs500 without any mods? Pablo's was a 2001, are the pre 01's gonna fit any different?

2.  At 6'1" tall, and total comfort being stretched out on my road and mtn bikes, I'm inclined to get the Type 1's with the more aggressive positioning.  Can anyone share their experiences/opinions on the type 1 vs 2 bars?

3.  Re: shift and rear brake control:  I'm concerned that the more I'm leaned over, the more awkward the angles will be on these two controls.  Any opinions?  Has anyone done mods on the shifter or rear brake as far as the angle, etc?

4.  Are there any other handlebars out there to consider?  I know Srinath is making the clip-ons, but maybe he has ones like the S-M bars that clamp on like the stock ones?


About the mirror mods:

I'm still confused about using the sv650 mirrors.
Can I use the pre-03 sv650 mirrors, but not the 03-04 ones?

Also, I liked the left mirror Pablo had right here:
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/pablosgs500page/id29.html
Where can I get these or something similar?

Thanks for any help and advice.

I made the ones that are like the type 1's before ...on a GS they actually dont feel right ... BTW Dom made some just a couple days ago ... and came to the same conclusion ... Heck I'll send you a set with the other types, just add $2 for shipping ... fiddle with it and see if you like it ... if you do heck post back here and you have 2 bars for the price of 1 ...
The 2 bend and 2 weld ones are better on a GS and these work great on a SV ... I sold 1/2 a dozen to the SV guys around here ...
Mine will take bar end mirrors on either bar but they have to be those press in types. Bicycle mirrors ... I have no idea ...
And the bars on a 98 and brake and clutch wont be any problem, they will rotate to where its right ... neither will your 6 ft 1... If you can fit on the GS the bars are not going to cramp you up... On the 90-00 bike my bars fit perfectly ... nothing hits anything, you get an extra inch of room to move things side to side and if you fit thicker grips etc they still leave you with a good fit.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Dom]

Both mirrors required in Seattle, not sure if it's a state law.

I put some GSXR pegs on up front and it drops my feet down a couple of inches from stock and my bars actually feel alot more comfortable...must be that I am able to rest more weight on the pegs.  My bars angle out and down at nearly the same angle as the SM bars but if you draw a line from the handlebars they intersect the center on my gauges, so my hands ar positioned signicantly further forward than the SM bars.

[Daniely]

Tony has a set of Drag bars on his bike. Really comfortable and provide for a forward stance. The bars you saw in his picture page are my bike (the blue 01') Really comfortable and more sporty.

[scootr9718]

I just installed the SM type 2's on my bike. I'm 6'1" 180, and I like the position better...it does force you to remember to use your legs and back more to support your weight, not just arms or wrists, but the install was pretty easy, and the riding position is good (I too am already thinking about swapping rear-sets).
By the way, a note, that some of the Suzuki handlebars have the screw in bar ends (with welded in female ends), so with SM bars, you will need the press-in rubber/screw kind.

[hairball]

thanks for all the help.

So, Srinath, you have bars similar to the type 2's if I understood correctly?  You also would be willing to throw in a type 1 bar for $2 extra shipping?  Sounds great, thanks.

What are the differences between the Srinath bars and the S-M bars besides the price?:

1. material?
2. prettier welds on the S-M I assume? (and I don't care much)
3. S-M bars look plated or coated or ?
4. What are people doing to the Srinath bars as far as coatings, etc.?
5. Srinath, do you offer any treatments to your bars, for a price?

anyone happy with Srinath's bars please chime in.

thanks for the help everybody, this board rocks!

[The Buddha]

thanks for all the help.

So, Srinath, you have bars similar to the type 2's if I understood correctly?  You also would be willing to throw in a type 1 bar for $2 extra shipping?  Sounds great, thanks.

What are the differences between the Srinath bars and the S-M bars besides the price?:

1. material?
2. prettier welds on the S-M I assume? (and I don't care much)
3. S-M bars look plated or coated or ?
4. What are people doing to the Srinath bars as far as coatings, etc.?
5. Srinath, do you offer any treatments to your bars, for a price?

anyone happy with Srinath's bars please chime in.

thanks for the help everybody, this board rocks!

No type 1 2 whatever ... I have the bars you see in the avatar ... That is 2 bends and 2 welds ... I also have ones that are 4 welds of whihc I have ~3 whihc I was selling to SV guys but that has since slowed/stopped cos it was all walk in ... so I will give you one free with purchase of 2 weld bars ...  :lol:
Mine are 1/8th wall steel and have a rod inserted in the welds as I have said and mine is all mig welded ... and the important point is... mine were made on a GS ... I tossed 3-4 designs before I landed with the right ones ... they fit a 90-00 one like a glove, and totally feel right. If not ...you you can try the other ones...
SM's are tig welded stainless steel and I believe are 3/32 wall ... and have no rod inside ... BTW I can make the bars out of SS to my specs ... aka GS fit and have the rod inserted and welded up at the welds etc  for ~$75-80 ... and I get killed on material costs buying small pieces... 10 - 20 feet you get no respect...
Prettier welds on SM yes, but mine ... you see none of the welds since they are powdercoated over... after being ground a little ...
Treatments ... they are black and powdercoated ... and you can do a nice floral tratment on them ... I dont mind  :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.