Fairing removal, new headlights, new mirrors, etc... (pics included.)

[dgyver]

How do you think these dual headlights compare to the hella dual lights? The Hella duals are only $50 bucks..

Shuluke

http://truckcustomizers.com/products/-HM-CM/R4HLA131.2.html

copied from this post.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33597.0

Maybe we can see some light output comparison pictures.. I dont know which ones to go with.. I want to go with the brightest..

The Hellas have single filament (55w) H3 bulbs. The Dominators have dual filament (55w/60w) H4 bulbs. You can get higher wattage H4 bulbs (I had 55w/100w in my TLR), not sure what is available in H3 bulbs.

[lancemclaughlin]

how did you route the wires for the mirror lights?

they come out right next to the bottom of the stalk.

you can see it kind of hanging down here. i just used black zip-ties to bundle the wire with the rest of the wires that come from each console, and run it down to where the old wires are.

[calamari]

this kicks some serious butt. I just got off the phone.. since I ordered my package   

only thing is, I didn't know if I had to get the 2 or 3 pin relay (dont have the bike right here with me), so that will have to wait. 

[davipu]

just like a woman.....   the more you take off the bettter she looks.

[birdsGS]

im trying to do the opposite with mine. not sure what all is inteled in doing so.

[kml.krk]

why some of you guys hate fairings and F version so much??
I love the fairings and I think they do a really good job when cruising on the highway, keeping the wind off.

[philward]

why some of you guys hate fairings and F version so much??

The GS500 was a fairing-free bike for many, many years before they were added.  And it shows... to my mind the fairings are quite clearly an after-thought slapped on.  The design of the bike underneath had not changed whatsoever (except for the addition of a few brackets here an there to support the new plastics).  As a result the fairings don't exactly look well intergrated into the flow of the bike.  I have an '05 F and got quite tired at looking at the enourmous expanse of flat, featureless plastic staring back at me whilst I was sitting behind the controls - so off they came.

Of course, this is simply a personal opinion, and I'm not here to start a flame war - and if people like their fairings I'm cool with that too.  But you asked for the reasoning, and there it is! 

[calamari]

why some of you guys hate fairings and F version so much??
I love the fairings and I think they do a really good job when cruising on the highway, keeping the wind off.

because it takes a real man to manhandle the wind with the power of a 1000 men... no need for a fruity plastic fairing 
actually, I originally intended to get a new gs500 without fairings, but that was in 2005, so only faired bikes were available (new). Now they are finally coming off.

[Prafeston]

I understand the intent of fairing (blocking wind and what not) but again it comes down to personal preference...and I'd much rather take the wind than ride an ugly bike..

[ABSOLUTNATI]

I understand the attaction to the naked bike look, but that's only when it has a nicely finished engine and headers. The GS seems to get a lot of corrosion and rust underneath. I like the finish of the Honda 599 much better as a naked bike. Don't get me wrong though, the conversion looks good, and the aftermarket parts go perfect with it.

[calamari]

hey lancemclaughlin I just got all my stuff on the mail today  and I noticed that there was no screw to attach the brackets to the dual headlight stup (you know, one screw on each side of the headlights)... did you get certain screw size at a store?

Also, how do you handle the angle of the lights? in other words, did you just eyeballed how much the dual lights would be pointing down or up?

tyty

[philward]

hey lancemclaughlinAlso, how do you handle the angle of the lights? in other words, did you just eyeballed how much the dual lights would be pointing down or up?

I put a spirit level on mine to get them horizonal.  Then wheeled out to the street to see what it looked like and fine tune - it was about right.

[galahs]

just like a woman.....   the more you take off the bettter she looks.

Not all women!!! 




I'm keeping my girl fully dressed!

[lowcountrygs]

hey lancemclaughlin I just got all my stuff on the mail today  and I noticed that there was no screw to attach the brackets to the dual headlight stup (you know, one screw on each side of the headlights)... did you get certain screw size at a store?

It is a 8mm bolt

[lancemclaughlin]

hey lancemclaughlin I just got all my stuff on the mail today  and I noticed that there was no screw to attach the brackets to the dual headlight stup (you know, one screw on each side of the headlights)... did you get certain screw size at a store?

Also, how do you handle the angle of the lights? in other words, did you just eyeballed how much the dual lights would be pointing down or up?

tyty

i think 3/8" but i'm not sure... just do what i did and take the headlights down to the hardware store and fit it. make sure that you get the shortest one available.

and yeah, i just eyeballed the lights. keep the screws a little loose and ride around for a few minutes before tightening them down all the way.

[Teek]

MUCH better, nice job! It looks so much tougher naked, the GS has such nice lines. I also like the mirrors, I'm looking for something in black, really well made. Don't need signals in them though. I just want something a little tighter in.
My husband would tell you that you need to take all those stickers off the bike...  I got mine just last Wed. and that was the first thing he did, at least he asked first and I said knock yourself out! Off came the tank and frame stickers, and one the PO had on the tail. Keeps the visual flow going, especially on a black frame.
Really really cool bike!

[calamari]

just a quick update to say that i just did mine 
took her for a quick spin at night and HOLY CARP! I felt the power of nature blasting me left and right. That little plastic fairing does actually work!... but now is off and I will ride Naked... not me, the bike.

pics will follow tomorrow.

[kml.krk]

OMG. The plastic lovers group is shrinking every day...
I'll keep her dressed anyways 

[calamari]

OMG. The plastic lovers group is shrinking every day...
I'll keep her dressed anyways 

I keep her dressed at night.. with her favorite blankit



When daytime arrived, we had to go for another spin...

[Kasumi]

Awwww thats sweet! She has a little rug to keep her feet warm and a blankit to wrap round when its cold! 

My ZXR sits in the freezing cold garage getting icy so that when i get her out she really wants to shift it!