gauging interest in my bike as parts

[jeremy_nash]

so on my way home from work today, the bike loses power and rear tire locks on the highway.  about 5 minutes later, it starts pouring rain. on the side of the road waiting for my wife to show up with the trailer.  most likely its last ride ever, I am trying to decide to either replace the motor, or part it out.  its disheartening, I love the bike, but lately I've been looking at getting another, I'm totally undecided as to what to do, so heres a pic.  

[A Non eMouse]

If you're a wrencher, find a new engine and swap it in.
If you're a wrenchtard, part it out and buy another GS...  Or whatever...  SV...  GSXR...  Hyabusa...

[jeremy_nash]

well problem is, I'm very mechanicly inclined, I bought the bike stock, and have modified everything on it, fork swap, modified frame to make sv650 tail a bolt-on  sv650 rear wheel, matching 99 katana front wheel led light kit, painted it myself, custom welded on v&h exhaust, but at the same time, I am "outgrowing" the bike so to speak, its minor flaws are starting to bug me as of late, and I was already looking to get something else, but not this soon. I'd like to keep it, but dont have the time to work on it

[jeremy_nash]

plus getting used engines is a crapshoot, as some other users here can attest to

[the mole]

What a shame, that's a really nice looking GS, congrats. Maybe someone on here would like to resurrect it? Too good to part out IMHO.

[Twism86]

That is a very nice GS/ GV500  . Would be a shame to see such a well build bike parted out but so is the cycle of life. Bikes cant live forever and in the end, the GS is still a stepping stone......

[StevenDavisPhoto]

wait, so the rear tire can just lock on u like that? what kept u from dropping it and u gettin run over or something?

[jeremy_nash]

wait, so the rear tire can just lock on u like that? what kept u from dropping it and u gettin run over or something?

I pulled the clutch in, and the wheel turned then.  plus I have really good reflexes

[burning1]

You never really outgrow a bike... You simply move on.

I'm still trying to find the full potential of my GS.

[Iroquois]

You never really outgrow a bike... You simply move on.

I'm still trying to find the full potential of my GS.

Ahh, so very true. Many people think they have outgrown the GS when they really just want more power.

[Deros514]

I see this and get the itch to go track riding. I don't want to have a track/street bike, or the resources so I always shy away from it...that and I should probably rack up some more miles too before taking on something like that. What are your thoughts on experience before going to a track day burning1?

[burning1]

Street experience helps, as does spending some time reading about track techniques... But honestly, the best way to get started is to attend an an introductory track day school targeted at new riders. Such events are readily available over hear on the west coast, but I'm not so sure about elsewhere.

I did my first Trackday with about 4000 miles of riding experience under my belt. A friend with a lot of track experience talked me into it, and while I was initially very nervous, at the end of the day I was extremely excited about the event. Top speeds that day were on the order of 130-140MPH down Thunder Hill's long back stretch, and I did manage to get my knee down... But, by lap times, I'm now faster around that track on my GS500 than I was riding the Gixxer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/myspeedaddiction/sets/72157603170371470/

Trackday riding isn't like racing. There's a good cross section of skill levels and experience. Speeds are much slower, and you're unlikely to hit lean angles like the one in the attached picture on your first day (see the link above... That's how I looked my first time.)

IMO, it's nice to have a dedicated track bike, or to at least have a set of bodywork that you won't mind messing up... But so long as you ride within your limits and you *do not panic* the risks of hurting yourself or your bike are very low.

[burning1]

BTW... The GS500 makes a very good track bike. If you decide to buy something bigger for the street, I'd encourage you to hang onto it for track use. It's cheap to run (I can race an entire season on a set of tires.) Easy to transport, and easy to manage.

[Deros514]

Awesome...I may end up putting the GS to track duty and picking up another bike for street when I get the chance to.

[jeremy_nash]

You never really outgrow a bike... You simply move on.

your right, what I mean is I feel I am kinda over it, I want a little more power, I want the smoothness of a larger engine.  I thought I was ready a few years ago, and bought a ninja 1000, big mistake, I was no where near ready for that kinda power, plus it wasn't nearly as agile or flickable as my lovely gs.  was glad to see it go.  so I think I may be parting out the bike in the near future, if I cant find an engine for it in the next few weeks. as with most things, the sum of the parts is worth more than the bike.

would anybody be interested in any of the parts?  frame will not be available though

[jeremy_nash]

specialty mods are listed in the sig. I have a set of katana rotors to go with the frontend, so that if the person that buys them doesn't wanna do the 98+ katana wide wheel setup, they wont have to source any extra parts.  will include the brackets for the stock gs500e headlight with the frontend

and since this isn't a for sale thread, I'm just gauging interest without clogging up the for sale forum.

[Anaconda]

how about that windshield?

[jeremy_nash]

the screen itself was damaged when I got it, so I trimmed it down so it didn't look goofy.  it is replaceable, but I never bothered with it.  it is a givi a750.  a replacement screen would need to be sourced, if desired.  pm me an offer, and you get first dibs when/if I part it

[eirving]

what year - I would be interested in the tank if you decide to part it out. having issues with mine and am looking to just replace.

[jeremy_nash]

tank is off an 06, it has been dented a few times, I fiberglassed and bondo'd it smooth it out, but it isn't perfect.  some of the blue paint has rubbed off where the seat touches it on the sides, but if your gonna repaint it, shouldn't be an issue