SV/GSXR front end swap

[05svr650]

This will be my documentary thread on swapping my semi-stock SV front end over to a 2005 GSXR-1000.
According to all the info that I have read on SVrider.com, this should be a direct bolt on.

This will be complete - as in Forks, Triples, Clip-ons, controls, brakes, wheel, etc.

First we will start with pictures from day 1.
Pictures 1, 2, and 3 are what my bike looked like to start with.

Pictures 4-7 are with the front fairing removed

#8 is my helper


Time for day 1: 45 minutes

[05svr650]

Day 2

Starting day 2 was a bit intimidating. I built a stand at work to support the weight of the bike, since I did not have anything above to tie it to.
1. removed gas tank to add some clearance between the bike frame and stand.
2. I used 2 ratchet straps to secure the bike and raise it off the ground.
3. unplugged and removed the fairing stay and gauge cluster.
4. unplugged the speed sensor, this is located just in front of the airbox.
5. remove all controls from clip ons
6. remove steering stem nut and top triple tree
7. remove castle nuts and dust cover
8. now the entire front end should be able to be removed

Time for day 2: 120 minutes

[05svr650]

Day 3 Continued...

I encountered 3 problems today-
1. The steering lock would not mount up due to it rubbing the frame. With a little help from the grinder that was solved pretty easy. The steering now locks in the center instead of at full left. The steering stops are still usable and work fine (although I do not have plastic on the bike yet)

2.The TL1000 wheel is too wide for the forks, I have to use a gsxr wheel. The TL1000 wheel also has 320mm rotors and the gsxr's use 300 and 310mm, so the brake calipers wouldn't have bolted on anyway without spacing them up.

3. My forks seem to be "twisted" or not parrallell. I loosened both triples and could pull them parrallell with my hads but when I tightened the bolts I couldn't hold the same position. When the wheel is straight with the bike the handle bars are turned about an inch to the left. Does this mean that one or both of the forks could be bent or maybe the triples...??? What is weird, the forks go thru the lower triple, and the top triple is perfectly lined up with the forks and steering stem. I'm at a loss.

Over all this has been a very fun experience and is a very easy swap. You could do it all in one day if you had everything together and ready to go.

[Cutty72]

Sweet write up and pics. Eventually this may be done to comonboys' SV.

Where did you get the GSXR front end from? and complete cost of it (if you don't mind)

Lastly, why the 1K and not a 600/750 front? don't they all fit?

[05svr650]

Yes, they all do fit, but the 1000 is what my friend had at the moment.

Total cost was $500.
I sold all of my SV front end parts fot $750, so I really made money, but I haven't bought the fairing stay, gauge cluster, or plastics yet either.

You could probably parts fish on ebay and piece everything together for cheaper, but I wanted all of my parts to match.

I would have much rather had the 600/750 front end for the showa forks, but settled for what I could get my hands on the fastest.

[BobTheBiker]

you gonna sell your gauge cluster? I need one from an SV that isnt broke.

[Crazy]

cool, thanks for writing this up. I'm thinking about this, but I probably won't because by the time I start becoming limited by my bike's suspension and not riding ability I'll just upgrade to a modern 600 SS rather than spend time/money on this.

[05svr650]

Originally Posted by Crazy

cool, thanks for writing this up. I'm thinking about this, but I probably won't because by the time I start becoming limited by my bike's suspension and not riding ability I'll just upgrade to a modern 600 SS rather than spend time/money on this.

I keep up with 600's & 1000's now at the gap ("dragon") with only .95kg springs and 20wt oil.

[Trip]

Anakin is getting big.

[05svr650]

We are feeding him cereal and baby food twice a day along with milk throughout the day.

He's 15lbs and some change!!!

And he is saying Dada!!!!!!