My New Baby

sanjay · December 10, 2006, 10:01:31 PM

I have twins! That's right, with a 's'. Just picked up an '01 GS500 today, with 8k miles in beautiful condition. Ok, well with some very slight oil leakage around the valve cover gasket, but it's also due for a valve check and bolt torquing.

After drooling over bikes I won't be able to afford while still a student, and contemplating a rebuild and repaint on my POS '92, I decided to split the difference, buy a nicer, newer GS with no mechanical problems, and fix up the '92 at a leisurely pace. Insurance stays the same, I already know how to maintain it, and it looks great (at least compared to my '92 with the faded red paint and glittery throwback decals). And then in a few years when I'm out of school and earning a real paycheck, hello 675...

Anyway, I won't taunt you like An's been doing.

Here are the pics.

annguyen1981 · December 10, 2006, 10:06:51 PM

Give me a break!!!

I have everything under covers here... and they're packed real tight... FOUR bikes in less space than a car takes.

I can only take ass shots... And I've shown those already.

Nice bike BTW

espm1000 · December 10, 2006, 10:21:45 PM

I'm loving it. I'm thinking about ripping the fairings off of my 04 GS and throwing on a set of these.

http://www.flyncycle.com/acatalog/_Dominator__Twin_Headlights.html

s4gs · December 10, 2006, 11:51:11 PM

Nice. I like it.
Looks good without the grab rail as well. Cleans up the lines of the tail.

pantablo · December 11, 2006, 12:04:03 AM

WOW-it looks so....new...and original...
nice.

sanjay · December 11, 2006, 12:20:42 AM

Quote from: pantablo on December 11, 2006, 12:04:03 AM
WOW-it looks so....new...and original...
nice.

Bringing back old memories?

Quote from: s4gs on December 10, 2006, 11:51:11 PM
Looks good without the grab rail as well. Cleans up the lines of the tail.

Yeah the previous owner said it was missing when he bought it. I like it, but the gf will def. mind. It's also missing the sidestand, so that's a priority to find and replace.

EdChen · December 11, 2006, 01:01:03 AM

I bet you mean centerstand

I have the identical bike, '01, same color and everything, it's uncanny how much that looks like my bike. My mirrors are black though, and i have a grab rail. I'm in the same boat as you, still in school, and can't afford the honda I one day will buy...

If only it wern't so cold here now, i'd be riding so much more!

enjoy!

sanjay · December 11, 2006, 02:31:26 AM

Quote from: EdChen on December 11, 2006, 01:01:03 AM
I bet you mean centerstand I have the identical bike, '01, same color and everything, it's uncanny how much that looks like my bike. My mirrors are black though, and i have a grab rail. I'm in the same boat as you, still in school, and can't afford the honda I one day will buy... If only it wern't so cold here now, i'd be riding so much more!

enjoy!

Centerstand, indeed. It's been a long day. Which Honda are you lusting after?

Chuck · December 11, 2006, 08:42:06 AM

Quote from: EdChen on December 11, 2006, 01:01:03 AM
I have the identical bike, '01, same color and everything, it's uncanny how much that looks like my bike.

I used to think that every time I saw an '01. Then I realized that they only made one color in 2001. That's it. All 2001 GS500's are metallic abyss blue. (Waiting for someone to prove me wrong...)

pandy · December 11, 2006, 09:07:18 AM

WooooHooooo!!!!! GORGEOUS!!!

And another member joins the multiple-GS club!

And thanks for not making us beg for nekkid shots!

gsbarry · December 11, 2006, 09:14:19 AM

Looks better without the center stand anyways.

Although will be a pain without the center stand for chain lubing, chain tightening, sprocket changing, wheel changing, bike washing and storage.

Now u need to get a pipe, do a fenderectomy, take off the reflectors and shorten the signals.... that bike will look awesome.

But yeah the bike looks super clean ...... just like my 03'.

Chuck · December 11, 2006, 10:05:47 AM

I haven't done it, but I'd guess a scissor jack and some 2x4's would serve the purpose of a center stand for most of us. I have no stand for my FZR, and I use two scissor jacks under the swing arm and it works fine for changing the rear wheel. On the GS, I have the center stand which I install in about 2 minutes when I want to use it, then take it off again. I took it off because it hits the ground too much.

WildBlue · December 11, 2006, 10:46:15 AM

Man, awesome looking bike. Congrats on the new addition to the family! Does that mean we're going for a ride soon?

btw, metallic blue looks almost as good as black and silver!

Wrongside · December 11, 2006, 10:58:44 AM

When are you guys in the Bay going for a ride again? I haven't seen anything posted in the M&G section.

scratch · December 11, 2006, 03:56:39 PM

I'm doin' the Doc Wong riding clinic next month (missed it last weekend). There are always rides posted in the Group Rides section on www.BayAreaRidersForum.com, as are the Doc Wong rides (in Doc Wong's Corner).

Almost every Saturday morning is the newbie ride.

Personally, I don't usually organize rides during the winter due to lack of interest/availability (myself included). Silicon valley is a very busy/bustling area, many of us are not available all at the same time, and I understand that.

Bike looks great, Sanjay!

sanjay · December 11, 2006, 05:55:10 PM

Yeah I also have a jack, so I could go that route. But I use my centerstand in everything from filling up gas to checking oil, so I'm going to add it back on. I've never had an issue with it scraping during turns.

I'd be down for a group ride, but not until I'm back in town in early January. Finals, then home for Christmas. In any case, the tires on this thing are really terrible - old Bridgestone Exedras that are starting to dry rot - so a set of new tires is in order. Either Sport Demons or maybe buy Alpha's Katana wheel and Pilot Powers.

Thanks for all the compliments, everyone! I never thought I'd turn into a multi-GS owner...

EdChen · December 11, 2006, 08:16:08 PM

Quote from: sanjay on December 11, 2006, 02:31:26 AM
Quote from: EdChen on December 11, 2006, 01:01:03 AM
I bet you mean centerstand I have the identical bike, '01, same color and everything, it's uncanny how much that looks like my bike. My mirrors are black though, and i have a grab rail. I'm in the same boat as you, still in school, and can't afford the honda I one day will buy... If only it wern't so cold here now, i'd be riding so much more!

enjoy!

Centerstand, indeed. It's been a long day. Which Honda are you lusting after?

I'd somehow fallen in love with the honda 919, i've always liked hondas in general too.

sanjay · December 11, 2006, 08:45:31 PM

I took a spin on my buddy's 599. Very sweet bike. Looks great, handles well, the I4 is very smooth, and the fit and finish is excellent. But I can't find a used one for less than 5k... 919's are actually easier to find, but I can't afford the insurance on a liter bike.

Turd Ferguson · December 12, 2006, 08:54:42 AM

Yeah the 519 and 919's hold their value something crazy... I'm really not sure why other than the fact that its one of the only cool naked I4 bikes we get here in the states. Plus...come on...that flat black paint is UNREAL! My buddy has an immaculate flat black 919 that just blows me away.

Anyways, congrats Sanjay! I know you've been jonesing for a bike lately, it looks like you finally found something! That bike is gorgeous too, I love it.

Congrats again,

-Turd.

News:

My New Baby