Customized 500 as a first bike?

[jeremy_nash]

sounds like they are concerned for your well-being, but at the same time they want you to ride the same kind of bike they ride.  the upgraded front end is a good thing.  I have the katana front end myself, and love it.  I have personally seen a buddha katana front end, and am running one of his triples.  the work is quality, it fits perfect, and only an enthusiast could tell the difference.

[Paulcet]

My bike was for sale for, I don't know.... months before I bought it.  I just came along with the right amount of cash at the right time for the sale.  So the time sitting with a for-sale sign doesn't mean anything.  We're all cheapskates here!  I don't know about Homer's bike specifically, but I know that a GS frame can be put together with other parts VERY WELL.  Got 13,000+ miles on mine and it's still solid.  Oh, and if a 40+ year-old can ride 400 miles in one day on a 500 with clip-ons, a young punk like you can, too. 

Part of the problem is you're young and your dad and uncle are not.  They don't trust that you could discern a good buy from a bad one.  I don't blame them really, as hard as that may sound.  They are watching out for your well-being, well informed or not.  I'm an old guy, so no one was going to second-guess my decision to buy a mixed up bike.  If I was 19 you can bet my dad would question the whole thing.  If you are still being supported by dear old dad, you might just have to let this one go.   

[tt_four]

The Katana FE wasn't designed for the 500 and will cause problems.

The GS500 FE was designed for the 500 and it'll still cause problems, haha. Everyone hates the GS front end. They're both from the same manufactured around the same time period. Suzuki makes a ton of interchangeable parts for their bikes. Really I'm just rambling though, as I feel no need to get in between a father son argument. If you want a GS that's definitely cool, but you might do best to wait and keep an eye out. You'll be able to find a stock GS pretty cheaply without too much effort, and then all you'll have to do is take some paint to it.

[Lasse]

Stick with a stock bike as a first bike, it makes everything SO much easier, I have learned the expensive way, please do not go that route.

[tt_four]

too late! he already bought it, then he asked a question about cleaning out the carbs, and the PO jumped on him for driving a bmw, and it all turned into a giant mess. Then they made up but only after feelings were already hurt. haha 

It's a shame you missed it. It was my entertainment the other day while I was at work...
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52778.0

[O.C.D.]

It's a shame you missed it. It was my entertainment the other day while I was at work...
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52778.0

Wait, is that one over, damn.

[dgyver]

My bike was for sale for, I don't know.... months before I bought it.  I just came along with the right amount of cash at the right time for the sale.  So the time sitting with a for-sale sign doesn't mean anything.  We're all cheapskates here!  I don't know about Homer's bike specifically, but I know that a GS frame can be put together with other parts VERY WELL.  Got 13,000+ miles on mine and it's still solid.  Oh, and if a 40+ year-old can ride 400 miles in one day on a 500 with clip-ons, a young punk like you can, too. 
...

It is really great to see that my work is running strong!

[tt_four]

Wait, is that one over, damn.

haha, not sure. Homer still seems a little tense, I'm sure you could instigate it a bit.

[werase643]

My bike was for sale for, I don't know.... months before I bought it.  I just came along with the right amount of cash at the right time for the sale.  So the time sitting with a for-sale sign doesn't mean anything.  We're all cheapskates here!  I don't know about Homer's bike specifically, but I know that a GS frame can be put together with other parts VERY WELL.  Got 13,000+ miles on mine and it's still solid.  Oh, and if a 40+ year-old can ride 400 miles in one day on a 500 with clip-ons, a young punk like you can, too. 
...

It is really great to see that my work is running strong!

it is your old exhaust pipe also on the white bike