Vstrom Knuckle Covers, not quite right yet

[dubwise]

I was looking for handguards to ease winter riding.
Some people use motocross guards, but they're flashy and expensive,
tending toward $100 a set for a little plastic and some brackets.
People are using Vstrom guards over on the GS500 forum at GSTwins.com.
Looked to me like they'd work on the GZ250, and the styling is appropriate.
I bought a set from rf900guy on ebay for $52 delivered.
He lists them under the title Suzuki V-Strom Black Handguard Set.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0320676631 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370320676631)

http://s2.postimage.org/rjnOi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/)

The very detailed instruction sheet that came with them says they're
genuine Suzuki accessories Knuckle Cover Set for the DL650, part number 57300-27820-291

The various parts all seemed to relate pretty well to my 2000 GZ250,
so I went for it. I had to do a little modding, and hit a couple of snags.

First you take the handlebar balancers off the bar ends. What it doesn't point out,
is that if you just take the long screw out, the nut may drop off inside the handlebars,
and then you're pretty much screwed. On the left side, the nut stayed in place,
and I put the spacer on the provided longer bolt and it all went back together.
On the right side, the nut fell off, and I pretty much destroyed the expanding rubber piece getting it out.
I have the bar end reasonably well remounted, but I really need to get a new insert.
I guess I was supposed to pull the rubber expander out intact somehow.
I'm not sure how that was actually supposed to work.

Next you replace the clutch and brake lever pivot bolts with the provided longer bolts.
The knuckleguard mounts to the bar end spacer and the top of the new pivot bolt.
It's also supposed to mount to the bottom of the pivot bolt, but that didn't really work or seem necessary.
Right hand mounted perfectly. Once mounted, part of the brake lever rubbed inside part of the knuckleguard,
so I chewed the knuckleguard away with a knife until it cleared. An artisan I'm not.

http://s4.postimage.org/1xo2R9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1xo2R9)

http://s4.postimage.org/1xozh0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1xozh0)

On the left side, the replacement pivot bolt didn't work. It was only threaded part way, where it
needs to be fully threaded to the round shoulder. I'm going to try to put together a bolt and sleeve,
with a fallback plan of threading the replacement bolt.

http://s2.postimage.org/rlSXi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TsrlSXi)

The knuckleguard does kind of snap into place anyway, secured by the bar end.
Doesn't seem to be going anyplace.

http://s3.postimage.org/1MiHnS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1MiHnS)

http://s3.postimage.org/1MiMn9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1MiMn9)

http://s3.postimage.org/1MiRmr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1MiRmr)

http://s3.postimage.org/1MiTRA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1MiTRA)

So, not quite done, but functional nonetheless.

[Water Warrior 2]

Well done. I am sorry for not warning you about the bar end removal. Never even thought to mention it. Normally you just loosen them off a couple turns with a screw driver and wiggle them out. After you are finished and satified with the install be sure to experiment by filling in the bottom of the guard. Will keep the fingertips much warmer.

[Water Warrior 2]

Oh just a thought if you want a bit more visiblity for oncoming traffic.
http://s1.postimage.org/9RZB0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx9RZB0)

http://s1.postimage.org/9Sg30.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx9Sg30)

I put reflective tape on the handguards. The amber on the GZ really showed up nice even during the day and gave the bike a slightly larger appearance to oncoming traffic. 3M tape from Wally world.

[alantf]

I put reflective tape on the handguards. 3M tape from Wally world.

Seems like America/Canada's the only place you can get it. 3M's a well known brand, but I've never seen the reflective tape on sale either in England or over here. :cry:

[Water Warrior 2]

I put reflective tape on the handguards. 3M tape from Wally world.

Seems like America/Canada's the only place you can get it. 3M's a well known brand, but I've never seen the reflective tape on sale either in England or over here. :cry:

Could be some international trade agreement in place. But you do have other product lines over there ? If you are interested in 3M products I can dig up a couple sites here that may ship overseas. Actually just Google 3M Scotchlite or ACR Reflective tape. That should keep you busy for a while. Also look for SOLAS reflective tape, it is a real eye popping tape.

Just found a better place to shop. Reflectivelyyours.com They have a lot of different things to oggle and reflect(pun)upon.

[alantf]

Yes, I'll try & get some over the internet. Thanks. Actually, I've never seen ANY reflective tape on the shelf (either England or here). I've been using some that I got when I was working down the mines, over 30 years ago. That was the first time I ever saw it, but what I've got left has gone brittle, but still not bad for 30 year old tape. :)