SVS fairing conversion

Date: Sunday, July 2, 2000 From: Bill Metz Mounting the SV-S fairing to the standard (X) model SV Despite Suzuki's reputation for parts-bin engineering, this conversion isn't the simple bolt-on proposition it could (or should) have been. Before investing hundreds of dollars in an SV-S fairing you MUST be aware of the following: 1) The wiring harness connectors for the instruments are completely different, and cannot simply be swapped out or plugged in. The S-model has a single 16 pin connector that plugs into the back of the instruments, as opposed to the X-model's 10 and 6 pin connectors which plug into a pigtail attached to the instrument cluster. Ask the person who is selling the fairing to cut off the connector, and at least a couple of inches of the wiring harness, so you can splice it to your existing wiring. Fortunately, the color codes are identical between the two models. You'll need to add about 10 inches of wire to the wiring on the plug in order for it to reach the instruments. I made a "conversion harness" using Radio Shack connectors, now I can plug either type of connector into my wiring harness. If you can't get the person to include the connector, I understand that you can make a suitable connector from Molex plugs glued together, but I have no information as to a source or part number for these pieces. Finally, you could try to get around this by mounting the X-model instruments in the fairing, but only if you are competent in plastic and/or sheet metal fabrication, or if you don't mind gaping holes and an unfinished appearance. 2) Tubular handlebars don't work with the fairing. I tried the stock bars, clubmans, drag bars... all had problems with the bars hitting the windshield and/or the controls hitting the fairing body. Yes, I've seen the photos where someone cut the ends of the windshield off and used the stock tubular bars. Note also that the controls are rotated waaay forward to clear the fairing - great if you've got 10 inch fingers. So... you must use clip-ons. 3) The S-model clip-ons won't work with the X-model upper triple clamp. Get an S-model upper triple ($200) or try Honda Hawk GT clip-ons ($40 used). The Hawk clip-ons mount under the triple clamp and sit farther forward than the tubular bars, but are not the stretch that the S-model clip-ons are. They do put your hands farther out in the breeze, gaining you more leverage but compromising the view through the mirrors. I'd actually recommend these to anyone wanting a slightly more sporting riding posture on their X-model. Again, I've seen photos where someone has mounted clip-ons above the upper triple clamp by sliding the fork tubes up. Do this only if you enjoy crashing. 4) The stock brake master cylinder will crunch the windshield. Find a used GSXR remote-reservoir master cylinder if you can't get the fairing's seller to throw in the S-model unit with the deal. I think that about covers it. This isn't an impossible conversion, but you'll save yourself a lot of headache/expense/disappointment if you are armed with this information before deciding to buy an S-model fairing. Bill Metz