New GS500 owner

[RyanClarke]

Slightly new GS500 owner here, and here's the quick story...

About 2 years ago I wrecked my first bike, an '01 R6, at about 100 MPH.  I SWORE I'd never ride another motorcycle again.  Little over a year and a half later I got the itch again.  I scraped together what I could and found a '96 GS500 with about 7000 miles on it that ran beautifully.  At first she was perfect for what I as a re-learner bike.  But now I again want bigger/faster...basically anything stupid haha.  People always tell me to just sell my bike and go buy an R6 or a GSXR or a 636 but they don't understand how much fun it is to take something and make it your own.  My first plan is a larger rear wheel (going from a 170/180 to a 130 was tough!!), probably using a bandit 600 or 1200.  That I can do on my own with a free weekend, some patience, and a few 12 packs.  The thing that concerns me is changing the tail.  I've heard of GSF conversions and R6/R1 conversions and even CBR conversions...I like them all, but which is easiest?  I don't want to have to do TOO much modification with that sort of thing.  Any suggestions?  What better looking tail bolts on the easiest, especially with a 150-170 rear wheel?  Thanks for your help guys, I will be talking with you all soon!

[Jay_wolf]

Nice to see you've started riding agen , im glad yopur ok from that accdient ,your either very lucky and had the right gear on , or you slid for miles , the gs is a really fun bike , and it can be underestimated ,

For the Rear Wheel , u dont need to do a swingarm conversion, check the Wiki for ideas on That sort of thing , the bandit 600, Gsx 98+ and the 88-89 GSXR 750 rear wheel is a comman swop , can take up to a 160 , that looks massive on the rear of the bike , and u just have to bend the torque rod , and do certain things , but the Wiki will explain all *you can link the Wiki from the Main Page*

The rear swop , anything will work if u make it , Ducati Monster Rear , r6 Rear , SRAD rear , Aprilla Rear *cant remember what one *
r1 Rear , its all about how much work u want to do it really , i got the modding bug , but i scrapped the idea for a rear tail for now ,

I have the 1996 to , Mines quite Modified , and im working on more all the time ,

Welcome , and Take Care this time !

[RyanClarke]

Thanks for the advice...I was up all night looking at parts and I think I'm going to go with the Ducati Monster tail and seat, but we'll see what my wallet (girlfriend) will allow.

It's great to be riding again...and it was a combination of all 3 variables you had said...I was very lucky, I had a full racing suit/gloves/boots/helmet and I slid for about 1/8 of a mile.  3 days in the hospital though, but I don't remember much of it, which is nice haha.

One last question...what are the best motor mods other than the obvious (exhaust/sprockets etc)?  Or will a larger motor cram in there?  I don't think a 4 will fit in there, but if I brace the frame and work with the clearance will an SV650 motor fit?

[Jay_wolf]

Most swops would be , a 2 Cylinder , not a 4 . as the balance isnt right , you can do engine mods , but they dont do very good gain for money , Search for *my baby* ,. ive done a few mods to my 1996 , i havent fitted the 4.5 inch rear wheel