2017+ GSX-R Bodywork on an SV650 Track Bike
The second generation SV650 is still a staple of trackday riders and racers everywhere. While there are many options out there, this GSX-R1000R version looks the best in our opinion. I take you step-by-step through how to make this conversion, all with inexpensive tools and in your own garage.
You will need the following materials: aluminum sheetmetal (0.100”) or strips, 3/4" aluminum angle iron, 5mm cap head screws and nuts, dzus fasteners (6 min), push-pin fasteners (8 min), GSX-R1000 fairing stay, GSX-R1000 body work (Armour Bodies or similar). I used these tools: cheap sheetmetal brake, drill press, electric drill, hacksaw, tap.
That will get you through the process of securing the bodywork to the bike. I painted the bodywork myself. I used inexpensive spray paint with 2k clear on top of it. I highly recommend 2k if you are going to go through the trouble of painting it yourself. This kind of paint has a hardener inside the can. Once you’ve activated it, you have about 24 hours to use it all up, so be sure you’re done with your base coat first. Having a hard shell over your base coat will help protect the paint from chips. Why go through all the work and not protect it? I performed all the painting in my driveway inside a Wagner pop-up paint booth. I didn’t want a high-gloss finish, which is good because it would be a challenge to get one with all the overspray floating about.
Obsess much, Ulterior Moto?
If you look closely, you’ll see that while I didn’t go for any painted graphics, I did make three subtle decisions to improve the appearance. These decisions were all based on images I created in Adobe Illustrator.
Firstly, I masked the flange on the gas tank and painted it black to match the paint I used on the frame. That flange gets quite thick towards the bottom and the unused hole for the stock side covers would have been glaringly obvious. If you’re going with a very dark color, you could skip that, but if you’re going light to medium, I recommend it.
Secondly, I painted the lower fairing black, but not entirely, only below the upswept contour line. The area where the stock GSX-R belly pan connects to the side fairings is different than it is for race bodywork. Where the break is between the upper and lower fairings on this application would have looked odd and very bottom-heavy.
Thirdly, I painted the lower edges of the tail black. Similar to the tank, the tail has an odd ledge and a mounting tab that do not comport with the otherwise sleek lines of the tail. Camouflage that…stuff. I also painted the draft panel black, and though I clear coated it, it does have quite a few rock chips in it. Such is life.
Earlier I specified Armour Bodies or similar and that’s for a very good reason. I initially rolled the dice on the popular cheaper brand and it did not approach my standards—not by a long shot. It was visibly asymmetrical in the upper fairing and had several spots where you could see the fiberglass mat. It was well worth the cost of returning it and upgrading considering the work I would have had to put into patching it up and sanding it. Again, if you’re putting in the work, “don’t skimp here” is my advice.
If you decide to take this on, please share. Or if you have any questions or suggestions, let me know. We are all in it together.
