'89 GS500 E - to - F conversion

[TarzanBoy]

Average from the board here made a post in another thread asking:
OT: i ve been looking for the write up on Cheesy's old bike i cant seem to find it. Got a link for me,TB? Just trying to see how Srinath went about mounting the fairings because im heading in the same direction

Well, I haven't ever completely dissasembled  the GS... but I did take the fairings off earlier today (valve adjustment) and snapped some photos of the brackets that Srinath added to the frame of Cheesy's infamous '89 GS500E to GS500F conversion bike (sportier than '04 models due to the '89's clip-ons)

Here are links to the photos.  Please note that I did *NOT* remove the upper cowl/fairing/headlight, so I didn't take any photos of it.
The side fairings are held in by 3 brackets on the side of the frame.  The upper cowl is partially held in by a bracket on either side as well.  I have added red circles to the photos to show their locations

http://riftwave.net/misc/gs500/brackets2.jpg - Side view of the 4 brackets.  Top one is for the upper cowl/headlight.
http://riftwave.net/misc/gs500/brackets3.jpg - This should give you some idea as to how far the brackets stick out.
http://riftwave.net/misc/gs500/brackets1.jpg - Close in view of the upper cowl bracket with side fairing bracket
http://riftwave.net/misc/gs500/fairing.jpg - This is what the back side of the left side fairing looks like.  If this fairing were on a bike, then my feet are in the location where the front of the bike would be.  The 3 brackets at the right screw in to the upper cowl.

Average,  I hope this helps you if you decide to go through with your conversion.

[The Buddha]

Average ...
The tail brackets was made with removable stainless sheet metal (16 guage I want to say ... pretty thickish) ... That part is easy.
The headlight fairing gave me the most trouble. Twice it cracked and broke ... atleast partly cos I didn't want to burn up the neck and the fact that its so freaking heavy. If I was doing it again (and if I find myself unemployed for a long time I just might ...If I get all the preceeding projects before it done and out ... )
The carriers for the fairing were all removable. Essentially I welded threaded inserts and put the stock 04 brackets on.
Make sure you mark it and weld it in the right spot. The windscreen and some other bits needed the lockhart kit that has these well nuts and matching machined washers. I believe its a fairing bolt kit or some such.
Remember to put duct tape on your frame where the tail section brackets go, cos it will tear up the things paint.
Cool.
Srinath.

[The Buddha]

Oh yea I made banana clip on bars ... to clear the tank with clip on's.
Cool.
Srinath.

[TarzanBoy]

Those banana clip-ons are very very very handy.  It allows the rider to turn the steering column all the way without pinching any fingers or a hand (and thus be able to still work the throttle in a low speed U-turn.   

I have definitely noticed the difference on my R6.  Full turn = can't work throttle = bike wants to dip and fall over.

[The Buddha]

Bump for average. Look at the links.
Cool.
Srinath.