Lighten up GS wheels? (some project GS info inside)

[Toenis]

Is it possible to lighten up our stock rims?
Any other weight considerations?

[octane]

I don't know that you could really lighten them much without throwing the balance off or weakening the structure. You could use later model wheels from another bike, but you'd have to either swap the whole front end or work around the axle width.

IMO, the best way to remove weight from the GS is to simply get rid of all the "extra" parts. Just about everything on the bike is made of steel and is pretty heavy. Aluminum rearsets save a few lbs., as does removing the grab rail and luggage rail. If you get a little radical and do a custom tail like JamesG's piece, you also lose the seat and latch mechanism and the stock side panels (which really aren't so heavy anyhow, but it's a few ounces). I'm also hacking off the rear footpeg brackets and hanging the exhaust off a piece of barstock. I don't need 'em now that I have the solo seat and my gf won't get on the bike anyhow.

[Toenis]

So far so good:

With pod filters and sealed battery mounted under the modified tank it looks kinda light already...  

My design study project as we know....

And with helmets like that:

Just got two of them from Italy.

[DavidGS]

The "best" weight to lose is rotating mass. Simply put, your wheels. Try to get a used pair of Marchesini, Marvic, or Dymag wheels. Aluminum or Magnesium. Be prepared - they won't be cheap. I found one set on Ebay - but I won't be bidding on them. They could be made to work with a little effort. Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=35601&item=2422029989

[Rich500]

That bike blows my mind. Unholy things would be done if I owned it. I cant believe its a GS500.. even if it probably a photoshop special, or some unridable 1-off.
:guns:

[Black Snowman]

My design study project as we know....

Apparently we didn't all know It's a photochop job, but may one day be birthed.

[Rich500]

yah, im a moron, i didnt look close enough at the details. i feel retarted, especially for being in engineering, you think i would have noticed the problems associated with such a thin seat cowl and what not.
but anyway, it looks sick

[KevinC]

Having seen two wheels fail on the race track, I'd be very careful about grinding bits off. Neither case was pretty. If you want light wheels, you are going to have to pay the $.

The carbon fiber ones are nice!

[werase643]

high dollar wheels and fit a GS....nope!
drill out the rear rotor holes
replace the rear brake rod with aluminum
aluminum sprocket
520 non o-ring chain
driving lights
clip ons
replace foot controls
hack everything off the subframe

fab an ALuminum tank!!!!!

remove the counter balancer
remove center stand
JMC/spondon swingarm...to fit a 5.5 CF rear wheel(too much for 40-odd HP but most want phat wheel/tire)

the shorty exhaust loses performance....tuned exhaust kinda theory

[Zarathustra]

i don't mean to be implying anything here, as i don't know any of you; but here's what always strikes me foremost about lightening a bike.  you can only take so much weight of a bike, which seems an insignificant amount to me if the rider has some weight to lose.  personally, i'd start to lose some weight before i worried about 5-10 pounds on my bike proper.  when i say personally, i mean myself, not as in me giving advise to you.  for all i know you're 2% body fat weighing in at 115 lbs.  it's just what occurs to me.  if i really wanted to get more out of my gs, and get some better times, i bet i could do much better losing weight myself before i hacked at my bike.

[JohNLA]

Zara, I think your missing the point.
He is building a cooler GS and any go faster part is one more mod to brag about. Which is what its all about, right :mrgreen:
Toenis, I am gald to here you are still at it. Can you give us an update?

[Toenis]

Those bikes, yes two of those, are born already but they need lots of breeding before they are grown enough to be seen.

 I`am workin` on my bodyweight too...

I also considered to take molds out of GS/Bandit rims and to some carbonfiber & epoxy work but this is kinda risky business I quess.

I`ll give give you an update in two or three weeks @ //www.candybikes.com
... with real photos and not some photoshop designs anymore

Sad to say I am 6 months behind schedule but better late than never.

I was busy with my other project - http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=89977

[mrslush50]

is your site down or something?

it just sits there.  there nothing wrong with my computer is there?

[Toenis]

There are nothing but the logo @ the moment indeed - it`s, how to say, hidden till I got it done... in couple of weeks

[pantablo]

Teonis you are such a tease! :nana:

Show us some in progress pics to prove this beast exists...we're all hoping...

We've been waiting for your school project to come to fruition. Please show us your work!

[Zarathustra]

hey i've got nothing against being a mod whore.  it's fun and stylish.  i just thought he was going for a weight function primarily, hence my responce.  as for mods for the sake of modding, then hellz yeah.

[powrful1]

Drill Holes in the Wheels!
Drill Holes in the Frame!
Drill Holes in the gas tank...oh well maybe not.
Drill Holes in every bracket that is solid.

lol....air is lighter than metal.
Swiss Cheese anyone?

I see them do it with Nascar all the time.

All information above should be considered    and not taken literally!