New member with a new project

[Newman]

I bought this bike a few years ago it's stock except for the paint. After seeing a few modified 500's I decided to give it a facelift.



I am going to make it a solo seat
GSXR frontend
Katana rear wheel
CR Special carbs
Stainless header

This is a rough sketch of the seat/subframe. I don't do photoshop.



This what I have done so far.









I have bids in on the wheels and forks and I just got prices from Dynoman on the carbs and filters. I'm working on the tank today it looks pretty bad on the inside.

[O.C.D.]

Nice to see another one getting hacked up, lol.  Keep the pics coming and welcome to GSTwins!

[kml.krk]

are you going to make any additional support for the seat? (like the stock triangle)
or you're hoping that what you have now will be strong enough?

[gregvhen]

what hes got now would hold just him. (assuming he doesnt weigh 250) but I definately wouldnt put passengers on that.

[cboling]

very cool. That color and the tail design you have started with is what got me looking for a GS500 in the first place. Keep us posted on your progress. Very cool indeed.

[kappa2006]

Whats left of the subframe will definately not support him.  When I was cutting up my subframe, I was curious how strong the
tubing was by itself, and it bends very easily without the proper supports.  He'll need some additional supports, and he should also think about some additional bracing since he heated and bent those tubes, which defiantely weakened the metal.

[Chanse]

+1 to kappa

[seamax]

Newman...can you try sitting on that subframe as is to see if it holds weight. I'm planning on doing the same thing.

[Newman]

Newman...can you try sitting on that subframe as is to see if it holds weight. I'm planning on doing the same thing.

I have sat on it several times. With the seat positioned like it is I sit very close to the tank so my weight is ahead of the heated tubes. The rest of the subframe will be welded to those tubes and will help support my weight. I'm not going to run supports down from the the subframe I won't need them. It will be clear as I box them in.

[kappa2006]

When you say the rest of the subframe, are you going to run any other supports from those tubes there, to the frame itself?  I'm curious what your finished subframe will look like.....just don't want to see anyone get hurt when their subframe decides to fail while going 70 down the highway. 

The stock tubed frame was designed that specific way, according to the strength of the metal, to support the
weight of the rider.  Now when you remove the bottom supports, but don't add additional supports, you're obviously taking away from the strength.  Those tubes were not meant to support weight by themselves.  They might be supporting your weight now, but when the stresses from riding come in to play, I don't see it holding up.   You won't know for sure until it fails, and then its too late.  G'luck with the design!

[seamax]

Newman...can you try sitting on that subframe as is to see if it holds weight. I'm planning on doing the same thing.

I have sat on it several times. With the seat positioned like it is I sit very close to the tank so my weight is ahead of the heated tubes. The rest of the subframe will be welded to those tubes and will help support my weight. I'm not going to run supports down from the the subframe I won't need them. It will be clear as I box them in.

So you are not going to triangulate it..right? But that's what I wanted to hear..that the top frame will bear enough weight for one rider. I wanted to cut out the subframe so the bike has a cleaner line and the area in front of the rear wheel is exposed and looks clean. Will keep an eye on how yours look first.  

[tt_four]

.....just don't want to see anyone get hurt when their subframe decides to fail while going 70 down the highway. 

What's the worst that could happen? If his subframe broke off, all he'd get is a 70mph tire right up his ass. No biggie.

[gregvhen]

It looks like it would hold you, but also looks like it could bend over time from bumps and stress. I recomend doing this, 1)added strength 2) keeps the line going to the frame.

[gregvhen]

.....just don't want to see anyone get hurt when their subframe decides to fail while going 70 down the highway. 

What's the worst that could happen? If his subframe broke off, all he'd get is a 70mph tire right up his ass. No biggie.

It would never just break off, only slowly start to bend.  Hed feel it before anything bad would happen.

[kappa2006]

I second gregvhen's plan.  Good support, and flows well with the frame!   

[gregvhen]

forgot to mention to try to steer clear of the petcock. pretty easy to avoid and still keep the flow. but also pretty easy to cover up if your not thinking about it. 

[sledge]

Out of curiosity......what is your insurance co`s view on mods like this?

[Newman]

Out of curiosity......what is your insurance co`s view on mods like this?

If you check the State of Montana laws regarding motorcycle insurance you will find out we aren't required to have any.

This is what I meant by boxing it in. The teardrop shaped are below them existing frame rail and above the flat steel I tacked on there will be filled in with 16 gauge steel on both sides. I decided to use that because thats what the main beams of the frame are made with.



The tank looks like someone used sealer on it at some point.  The bottom was very bad along the seams I'll have to find another one.

[tt_four]

Out of curiosity......what is your insurance co`s view on mods like this?

If you check the State of Montana laws regarding motorcycle insurance you will find out we aren't required to have any.

Can you skip inspections as well?? That would make motorcycle life so easy. Just get a bike and ride it, and there would be no down side to keeping an extra bike or two in your garage even if it doesn't get used much, because you're not losing money on the insurance. I think it's stupid that you have to pay insurance on more than one bike, because whether you ride 300 miles a week on 1 bike, or 300 miles a week split between 3 different bikes, it's still all the same.

Greg: I figured it would just bend first, but describing the affects of that one just wasn't as fun.

[Newman]

We don't have inspections either. We have permanent plates for any vehicle over 11 years old and you can drive  four wheelers on the street with the same permanent tags.