2001 SV650s front signal stalk replacement

The (original) front turn signal stalk on my 2001 SV650s snapped
off in the course of a ride, with no crash involved. A second original
stalk broke off in the garage a few days after installation.
Rather obviously the "rubber" is not of the best quality. Nothing
at all wrong with the lampholder, lens or wiring.

Has anybody come up with a simple way to mount the signals in the
stock position using alternative materials? The stalks are rather
elaborate moldings despite a roughly hose-like shape. Unfortunately
they're made of cheese.

There's some aftermarket, but for bikes this old it's getting thin
and I don't particularly want to change the bike, the existing signals
work fine. If somebody has a a simple bodge I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks for reading,

bob prohaska

 

The SV is a pretty popular bike, so I'm pretty sure there are plenty
of aftermarket turn signal stalks available. EMGO would be my go-to
supplier, their offerings are typically indistinguishable from the
OEM parts and are of good quality. I don't remember how the stalks
mounted on my 2001 SV650S, so I can't help with suggestions how to
change things.

There was a very active SV650 mailing list and later a Yahoo! forum
that I was on for quite a few years, but I haven't been involved since
I sold mine in 2008.

 

I've splinted broken turn signal stalks before with a short length
of rubber hose slipped over the outside of the stalk and glued/screwed
in place. More than a little fugly, but you wanted a bodge and this
can be a very satisfying fix when you're facing the prospect of a third
replacement in a couple weeks. As an alternative to the rubber hose,
you might try a metal splint covered with black shrink wrap insulation
tube.

 

of rubber hose slipped over the outside of the stalk and glued/screwed

Unfortunately, the stalk broke where it fits into the fairing. It's
a Rube Goldberg worthy setup: The stalk flares into a teardrop shaped
enlargement with a groove in its large end. The groove snaps into a
matching hole in the fairing and a steel spreader on the inside holds
it in place.

Right now the stalk is clamped together using a couple of cable ties
on the inside, holding the two broken pieces of stalk in compression.
It's flimsy, and the remaining bits are likely to fail under the
steady strain. It's invisible now but will soon sag.

I now understand the popularity of aftermarket turn signals. If the
signals had been replaced by flushmounts many years ago when the first
one broke (in a tipover) it would have been a wise investment.

Thanks for reading

bob prohaska