Frame Sliders, '06 GS500F

[Cal Amari]

Actually, I think I'm the only one so far. I didn't do mine to protect the plastic, either, as it was already scuffed from the previous owner. I took mine off because I like naked bikes.

Just to clarify things, I didn't mention that you did it to protect your plastics, only that you had converted your GS to run naked, and that others (not necessarily members of this board) had done the same thing (I've seen a few in the course of my travels); the beautiful black frame and stock Suzuki oil cooler are two of the tell-tale components.

Maybe you should consider writing a brief how-to for those who want to follow in your footsteps here... What tools you needed, parts you had to fab, mod, or locate somewhere, approximate cost involved... just something to consider. Who knows how much plastic you could help someone save?

[Alphamazing]

Actually, I think I'm the only one so far. I didn't do mine to protect the plastic, either, as it was already scuffed from the previous owner. I took mine off because I like naked bikes.

Just to clarify things, I didn't mention that you did it to protect your plastics, only that you had converted your GS to run naked, and that others (not necessarily members of this board) had done the same thing (I've seen a few in the course of my travels); the beautiful black frame and stock Suzuki oil cooler are two of the tell-tale components.

Maybe you should consider writing a brief how-to for those who want to follow in your footsteps here... What tools you needed, parts you had to fab, mod, or locate somewhere, approximate cost involved... just something to consider. Who knows how much plastic you could help someone save?

I have only seen a few people remove their lower fairings, but never replace the upper with a headlight. I had a thread with pictures, but never a how-to on how to do it. It's pretty straight forward, but I might be able to write something up.

[jbsprocket]

Of course, you're right about that aplitz; I was trying to break the news about cutting holes in the fairing gently... some people hate the idea of making changes to something they perceive to be "perfect", such as the paint job on a new motorcycle. I've run into noobs who thought that frame sliders could be rigged onto a frame with hose clamps and prayers, but if they think that will work, it would probably be just as effective to mount them with chicken wire and chewing gum...

Anyone who wants to protect their plastic should remove it and store it in a safe place, then follow the advice provided by rangerbrown (and a cast of thousands (OK, at least two other members so far); ride the motorcycle naked until you get some serious mileage under your ass, and reinstall the plastic when you feel more confident in your skills.
Alpha and others have converted their '04+ rides, and nervous noobs should follow their example. The price of new plastic will put a nasty dent in your wallet, so riding naked for a while can really save you some serious cash...

Thank you very much for the advice. This really helps coming from people who know this bike. None of my friends have seen the guts of this bike so their suggestions are assumptions about the frame and all.

Final answer - Plastics Coming Off!!! 

Thank you to rangerbrown for directing me to this awesome site. 

[Cal Amari]

I have only seen a few people remove their lower fairings, but never replace the upper with a headlight. I had a thread with pictures, but never a how-to on how to do it. It's pretty straight forward, but I might be able to write something up.

Hey Alpha, as time goes by, there are bound to be more people who will want to know the same answers to the same questions, so I hope you will take the time to document the basic process.

I realize you're a student, and probably have better things to do with your free time, but you post here just about 24/7, so obviously there are times when you're not riding... the weather there might give you some time to write...

You don't have to write a document for the ages, just something that provides a basic step-by-step on the parts required, URLs to an online fiche; you know what a noob would need to see. Don't simply write it for those new to the GS, write it for those new to motorcycling; IOW, keep it simple, and I'm sure you'll do an excellent job...

This isn't something you'd have to write in one sitting (though you're such a prodigious poster, you'll probably have it online before I finish typing this sentence)... just think of creating a basic step-by-step guide to walk noobs through the hows and whys...

Thanks; let me know if I can assist you in any way... I don't mind sharing the burden, though I'll be offline for the next week or so, on Phase Two of my long-delayed vacation...

[Alphamazing]

I realize you're a student, and probably have better things to do with your free time, but you post here just about 24/7, so obviously there are times when you're not riding... the weather there might give you some time to write...

Hahahahahahahaha. 

This isn't something you'd have to write in one sitting (though you're such a prodigious poster, you'll probably have it online before I finish typing this sentence)...

Hahahahahahahaha. 

That sounds like a good idea. I'll get that up sometime. Maybe I'll bust out the plastics from their bubble wrap and reassemble my fairings so I can disassemble them with photos. One of these days...

[rangerbrown]

dude change you text color, thats ghey

[jbsprocket]

dude change you text color, thats ghey

Who, me?

[Toledo Jim]

dude change you text color, thats ghey

Who, me?

Yes, most of the people here have changed the look of the forum away from the black background to a lighter one and your yellow lettering does not show up very well, if at all.

You can change the look/color of the forum by going into your
profile and selecting Look & Layout preferences. 

[annguyen1981]

Yes it is difficult to read IF you have a light background, but I have maintained the dark.  Isn't it her choice as to what color to use?

[afplayboy18]

i use a black background so the yellow works for me.

also...according to the pic of his bike in another thread either jbsprocket is a cute girl or a guy with a cute girl standing next to his bike...

[jbsprocket]

LOL - that is me in the pic - thanks   

[annguyen1981]

WOW!

[jbsprocket]

[Toledo Jim]

Yes it is difficult to read IF you have a light background, but I have maintained the dark. Isn't his choice as to what color to use?

Yep, it is indeed her choice, just letting her know why someone may have mentioned it.

Keep it, change it, not my decision. No offense meant.

[surlybruce]

What I did was to buy a set of aftermarket [ EMGO ] bar ends [ RED  $12.00 cdn ] and used the stock black bar ends as frame sliders . The upper middle fairing screw is the same thread as the stock bar end it just screws right on. Works good/looks good and only cost was the emgo bar ends. There is a thread on this subject somewhere that explaines the procedure.    CHEERS!

[jbsprocket]

Thank you for the idea. I actually just bought extra (used) "play" farings. 

[middlem2]

Actually this whole discussion of frame sliders (real ones) that bolt to the frame has me thinking I should get these.  I took the Honda course in Troy Ohio and rode a bike 2 times there, then bought a GS500F and rode it 2 times around the place where its stored, then finally took it out on the "real" road one time.  I took her out and got some experience dealing with wind (hate side wind), animals (squirrel running around on the road), people (trucks, cars, car doors, traffic lights, idiots,  etc) so it was a real lesson, but I enjoyed it.  Total 5 times on a motorcycle in my life.  Probably wouldnt be a bad idea to get something to protect the bike "just in case", since I'm a newbie.  Yeah, wife bought me a helmet and I got a Joe Rocket jacket and gloves so I feel kinda safe. 

Anyway, if anyone can post a link to "real" frame sliders for the GS500F for me and the other newbies, I would really appreciate it.  I beleive this would be a great investment, even if I never drop her or whatever.  Thanks in advance.

[Alphamazing]

Anyway, if anyone can post a link to "real" frame sliders for the GS500F for me and the other newbies, I would really appreciate it.

They don't exist. Sorry man.

[middlem2]

Figures!  Oh well, its light enough, I think I will be fine.  Fun to ride, just hurt my hands pretty bad on my 1hr ride (first real road ride) that I took.  someone said it was the gloves, but I dont really understand that.  Probably just the stress/anxiety of being out on the road the first time.  Learned pretty fast I like the rear break a LOT more than the front one (which about throws you off!).  Anyway, enjoyable bike.  I'm sure I'll get a lot of fun out of her.