New guy here...

[Aerocore]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone. I'm new to the forum and new to my GS500. I found my GS on the side of a Ford Body Shop garage where my father works. It had been sitting for atleast 3yrs from what I can account. Figured it would be a great project. I've already started a photojournal and I'm a little behind but here are some pics of it. I guess the previous owner raced the bike as you'll notice in the pics.








Here's a link to the photos of my progress.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerocore/

I need to update them as I now have gotten the bike to run and am in the process of pulling the motor so I can repair the frame. I'm also interested in buying a frame and the missing pieces to the bike. PM if you've got parts. Anyways, this place seems great and hopefully you guys can help me out when I come to any snags.

-Aero

[tt_four]

Hey, welcome to the forum. This is a busy day for new people. I'll have to wait until I'm hope from work to check out the pictures.

Did you get a title with the bike you found, or are you just hoping to get a good title when you find a new frame?

[scratch]

Welcome!

What a great project!  Have the shop put a mechanic's lien on it, and buy it from the shop.

[seamax]

Welcome. Cool project. I wonder why she has 'aprilia' badge all over her.

[pandymai]

Welcome. Cool project. I wonder why she has 'aprilia' badge all over her.

they were probably just living the "dream" haha

[tt_four]

Oh man, that's way cooler than I was expecting. I assumed it was a standard beat up GS, but that's an awesome find. They might've raced it, but the headlights they put in the front make me assume that just wanted a cool looking GS. I really wish the rest of the tail was still on there. I've wondered what an Aprilia RS tail would look like on the GS before, and at least now I know it would fit and mount up decently clean. Someone who's good at photo shop should take that first picture and try to photoshop a whole tail on there just to see how it looked at some point. Look how low those clipons are! haha

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[pandymai]

i just noticed the rear wheel mods. i wonder how wide it is.

[drduimstra]

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your project. Im sure any of the guys on here can answer any questions you have.

[Aerocore]

i just noticed the rear wheel mods. i wonder how wide it is.

The rear wheel is modified? How so?

Also, the reason why I assume it was raced is the two Mikuni Flatslide Pro-Series carbs and high-end brake system on the bike. To run those Mikuni's, you'd have to have some engine work done, as to what that might be, I don't know. Check out my flickr photojournal for more indepth pics. I'm going to be working on the bike today so I'll take more pics while I'm at it. The last pics I have there are from when I tested the starter to see if the motor was siezed. Since then I've actually gotten the bike running.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerocore/

The idea about having the shop put a mechanics lean on the bike and buying it from them, how would that work? For getting a title to it, I was going to register it as a Kit Automobile in Florida if I couldn't find a proper frame and title.

[pandymai]

i just noticed the rear wheel mods. i wonder how wide it is.

The rear wheel is modified? How so?

the stock wheels have a curved design to the spoke. looks like the back wheel has a straight design. probably a gsxr or katana swap.

[Aerocore]

i just noticed the rear wheel mods. i wonder how wide it is.

The rear wheel is modified? How so?

the stock wheels have a curved design to the spoke. looks like the back wheel has a straight design. probably a gsxr or katana swap.

Yeah, it's straight. I used to own a 97 GSXR750 and the wheels made me think they were the same.

[pandymai]

seems to me you got a great find. congrats!

when i need to get new tires im thinking of finding myself a rear wheel to swap in as well. there are plenty of good write-ups about it, like pantablo's. seems the person who built yours went a different route though for the brakes, relocating the brake caliper and everything.

can't wait to see how this turns out for you. 

[seamax]

What would be the reason(s) to relocate the rear brake to be under the swingarm? It looks kinda wird with the brake hose going over the swingarm like that.

[Aerocore]

What would be the reason(s) to relocate the rear brake to be under the swingarm? It looks kinda wird with the brake hose going over the swingarm like that.

No idea. That's how I found the bike. I'm uploading more recent pics now.

[tt_four]

There's not even a brace on the rear brake caliper. I wonder how well that works.

[Paulcet]

There's not even a brace on the rear brake caliper. I wonder how well that works.

There is a brace, probably.  Like this:

[cboling]

What are your plans for the fairings that you pulled off? Can you upload some close up pictures of them and possibly how they were attached?

EDIT: I looked at your flickr pics and saw how they were mounted. Still interested in what your plans are with them.

Thanks,
CB

[Aerocore]

What are your plans for the fairings that you pulled off? Can you upload some close up pictures of them and possibly how they were attached?

EDIT: I looked at your flickr pics and saw how they were mounted. Still interested in what your plans are with them.

Thanks,
CB

The fairings were in rough shape. It looked like the person mounted them with some kind of lag device once the threading was screwed into the frame. The only option to remove the bolts were to cut them off flush at the frame. All of the plastics on the bike were made out of fiberglass and it was crumbling and falling apart. My hands had fiberglass in them for weeks after I removed them all. I just posted a topic regarding the tail section. For the front fairings, I found this Cafe Fairing. Yes I know everyone and there brother wants to "cafe" their bike but I just like the simplicity of it.

[pandymai]

that fairing is pretty cheap! i might just pick that up. it's been windy recently and gettin some pressure off of me while riding would be awesome.

[cboling]

Thanks Aerocore. I realized that they were in bad shape but sort of thought if the fiberglass was still in reasonable shape, I might work something out with you. I don't think I would want to bargain for itchy palms.  Even though that bike frame is in really rough condition and I am not really fond of faired bikes that probably shouldn't be, I really really like the attempt at the color pattern, the fat rear tire, the bobbed / covered tail, and the low flying fairing. The more I look at it, the more I think I might like to go to a custom fairing setup almost like that. Good luck on the project!