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VStrom handguards on FJR

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VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by CollingsBob »

I see that VStrom handguards are a common addition to the FJR...Do they bolt right on? Are there any modifications required?
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by Intech »

CollingsBob wrote: Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:40 pm I see that VStrom handguards are a common addition to the FJR...Do they bolt right on? Are there any modifications required?
Bought mine from Amazon and they bolt right on.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by Intech »

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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by bill lumberg »

Not what you asked, I know, but I went with barkbusters. Whatever you do, if you ride in the cold, put guards on. Night and day difference.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by Red »

CollingsBob wrote: Sun Apr 08, 2018 12:40 pmI see that VStrom handguards are a common addition to the FJR...Do they bolt right on? Are there any modifications required?
Bob,

To install mine, I made the C at the rear of the handguard deeper in the center using a Dremel rasp, but you could do that job with a utility knife. They snap into place, into the grooves on the bar end weights then, but you may want to loosen the bar end weights to get the handguards on. Then tighten the bar end weights normally.

At the front of the handguards, I got the handlever pivot bolt heads drilled and tapped for a small machine screw, but you could JB-Weld a common nut to the flat part of the handlever mount, for the same result. Just leave room to get a box wrench onto the handlever pivot bolts, if you do that. The common nut will give you several threads in a hole that you can use to accept a short bolt, without drilling any holes in the handlever assembly.. The handguards need very little support at the front mount. If you want a "deeper" nut epoxied in place, just hacksaw an all-thread joiner in half, making two half-inch (1cm) deep nuts. Epoxy the sawed faces of the joiner to the handlever assemblies, so there will be no problems with burrs in the threads from the hacksaw. Pick any size thread and bolt size that you like, there. Put the nut-and-bolt together through the front mounting hole in the handguards. Use washers above and below that hole, because the hole is fairly large. The handguards then will show you where the nut wants to be mounted. Mark the handlever assembly at that place with a pin or scribe, and epoxy the nut onto that place without the bolt. When the epoxy has set fully, add the bolt to the front mount and tighten gently, to finish the job. I used RTV as a thread-locker; it never hardens, and never lets a bolt come loose.

Nobody will see the nut that you epoxy in place, when the handguards are installed.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by CollingsBob »

Thanks for the install tip..I’ll be calling my Suzuki dealer tomorrow to order parts..
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by escapefjrtist »

Bolt right on with very minor mods. I used a '14 and up handguard kit, which you can order from many of the on-line parts retailers. Comes with all the installation hardware you'll need. The "C" that fits on the bar end(s) needs to be slightly enlarged and my '15 needed a washer to space the throttle end weight away from tube. Installation looks factory.

--G
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by CollingsBob »

There’s a 2009 Vstrom in the garage, waiting for the buyer to pick it up...tomorrow I’ll take a few bits off for some measuring & trial fitting
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by Red »

CollingsBob wrote: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:26 pmThanks for the install tip..I’ll be calling my Suzuki dealer tomorrow to order parts..
Bob,

Search the Internet to get Part Numbers and prices. There are several FJR forums, which may help with that.

Check on Amazon, also. They may be faster, or cheaper, or both.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by bungie4 »

Wasn't there some place out west that sold an FJR mounting kit, properly sized caliper bolts etc, the VStrom ones work, but their actually undersized and introduce a lot of play in the calipers.

It was on the FJRForum.. 'Valley' something or other.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by wheatonFJR »

bungie4 wrote: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:53 am Wasn't there some place out west that sold an FJR mounting kit, properly sized caliper bolts etc, the VStrom ones work, but their actually undersized and introduce a lot of play in the calipers.

It was on the FJRForum.. 'Valley' something or other.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by CollingsBob »

“Properly sized caliper bolts”??.. Not sure why caliper bolts are involved..
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by extrememarine »

There was also someone making bar ends with a slot milled in them for the V-Strom hand guards to slide into; I'll take a picture of mine tonight. This eliminates any interference issues with the throttle side.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by CollingsBob »

Will Vstrom bar ends fit ?
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by bungie4 »

wheatonFJR wrote: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:55 am
bungie4 wrote: Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:53 am Wasn't there some place out west that sold an FJR mounting kit, properly sized caliper bolts etc, the VStrom ones work, but their actually undersized and introduce a lot of play in the calipers.

It was on the FJRForum.. 'Valley' something or other.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by bungie4 »

CollingsBob wrote: Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:30 am “Properly sized caliper bolts”??.. Not sure why caliper bolts are involved..
The guards utilize the bolt that mounts the levers (calipers), they contain a machined bushing that the lever pivots on. The supplied vstrom guards are undersized in the bushing.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by escapefjrtist »

All I can tell y'all is the current '14 and up VStrom handguards and mounting kit bolts right on with very minor mods. If you want pics, lemme know.

Just my $.02

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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by Intech »

escapefjrtist wrote: Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:56 pm All I can tell y'all is the current '14 and up VStrom handguards and mounting kit bolts right on with very minor mods. If you want pics, lemme know.

Just my $.02

--G
What he said^^. I bought them from Amazon(link provided earlier) and they mounted right up. I don't have any play in my "calipers"! I did modify the opening that goes to the handlebar.
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by bungie4 »

Well that's some gooder news. I had them on the 04 and loved them. Except the play in the lever got excessive over time.

I have room on my 13 now that I put the Heli Riser dealie on. I think it's time for a spring treat!
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Re: VStrom handguards on FJR

Post by CollingsBob »

escapefjrtist wrote: Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:56 pm All I can tell y'all is the current '14 and up VStrom handguards and mounting kit bolts right on with very minor mods. If you want pics, lemme know.

Just my $.02

--G
If you have pics, I’d sure appreciate it. It’s starting to get warm enough to work in the garage
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