Here they are. Original 1989 factory clip on type bars on my new 2009 GS500F. This should answer the question of "can it be done to the 2001-2009 model?" Just swap the bars and move the controls. Zero fudging with the forks. I didn't have to disconnect anything. Just unscrew and slide the controls off the stock bars and slide them onto the left and right clip-ons, change the top plate then tighten everything down.


They give it that sporty GSXR look without having to go all prone position on the gas tank. Riding position is really about the same except your hands are closer in. really fun. Aurora Suzuki saw them today and thought they were just sooooo cool! had to go there to get a couple bolts - like the original 1989 chrome bolt to hold the top plate. The bolt that holds the current top plate is hidden under the bars and is ugly. When exposed, you notice it. I'll replace those two black bolts when I put freshly painted parts on in a couple weeks.


Now that I know it works and how to do it, I'll paint an extra set I have that gun metal gray of the instrument cluster then swap them after the paint sets up. When I do that, I'll take photos of the process and provide instructions.

As a note: there are 4 different clip on pieces, one top plate and a left and right bar. (Update: there are 6!)
Left and right bars: only difference is the hole for the pin on the controls. Drill a hole and you can make a left into a right or a right into a left.
Clips: there is left and right with no visible side angle to the piece. These have a large L or R on the top back of the piece. Then there is a left and a right with and extra offset. These have L2 and R2 in smaller letters in the middle back of the piece. Don't mix them! The bar offset is different. People you buy them from probably won't know this. If you buy separate bar clips labeled LEFT or RIGHT fro different people, they might not be the same type. Look carefully at the pictures when you buy them or buy a set. Buying a set pretty much guarantees they took them off the same bike and they are the same type. I have two bikes and each has different clips. Later I'll get out my protractor and measure the difference (which is very small).
Update: The 1989 US "bar holder" is different from the other two. It is a little lower. There is a left and a right.

Top Plate: all are the same.

Bar Ends: Optional. These screw in and do not use the rubber bushings. Can't use bar ends that have the rubbers because the nut is 3/8" in from the end of the bar and is welded in. Use just a screw. You might have to shorten the screw as the screw hole doesn't go all the way through! If the screw won't go further - STOP! Take it out and shorten the screw.

Someone else posted instructions on how to use after market bars but I don't remember where that is. The original bars are steel and are heavy. That helps with vibration and stability. After market bars are usually light aluminum. You need to add weight somehow because it makes steering better. I can understand no weight if you're racing.

That's it for now.

Your side pieces that hold the handlebars look different than mine.  They're higher and have the handlebar clamp screws on the opposite side.  Possibly aftermarket risers?  The '89 clipons are a popular mod.  Here's a similar walkthrough I wrote a few months ago about putting them on a '98 -- http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52450

Thanks for posting that. I knew it was somewhere and read it before buying parts for mine.
Your clips/risers are different. They are lower. I haven't come across those yet nor have I seen them for sale. I have seen 2 different styles so there could be a third style. Maybe you have original American ones, and I have Canadian and European ones. You know yours is 1989. My 1992 Canadian bike has one style and the ones I've bought from Europe are a different style. I'd love to see a Suzuki parts catalog from Canada and the UK. The US only lists the bars for 1989 and we know they were sold longer elsewhere (even mentioned on the home page here on the right side bar). Maybe they went higher for a little better tank clearance.

You did a nice job!

Update: Here on the US parts catalog, it appears to show your risers. Note that right (#5) is $119 and left (#6) is discontinued?!?!?!?
http://www.aurora-suzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=92757&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1989&fveh=2103

Anyone have a link to a Canadian and a European parts list? It would be interesting to see what the parts catalog shows for the risers (called "holder" in the parts list) and if they changed styles between 1989 and 2000.

I got a set of the alternate euro style from adidasguy, I'm pretty much in love with them so far, had them on for over a week now. I snapped a few pics with my cellphone.

Yeah, mine look like Brendan's.  Mine's an American '89.

-SPiNNeR-