Finished round 1 of mods

[hokierower]

Gonna take some getting used to the new feel (no windscreen & lighter front end) but I already dig the way it looks.

Picture of the new front end.  Removed stock fairing, headlight, and indicators with arrow LED indicators and Dominator headlights.


Picture of the bike from the right.  Just shows the tank guard and the new look from the seat.

[driftjunke24]

I see you have what looks like stock bars on a newer GS. How did you mount your end mirrors? Pull out the stock bar end, or clamp the mirrors over it?

[StevenDavisPhoto]

what are those stickers on the tank supposed to do? provide friction?

[gregvhen]

what are those stickers on the tank supposed to do? provide friction?

protect paint from cloathing, zippers and what not

EDIT: and friction for those 180 mph hair pin turns

[SparkzZ]

nice headlights. I would like to do the same for mine, where did you get them from and for how much? thanks

[burning1]

EDIT: and friction for those 180 mph hair pin turns

The only way a GS500 is hitting 180MPH is if you throw it off a cliff. 

[shchuka]

The only way a GS500 is hitting 180MPH is if you throw it off a cliff. 

And even then it will only get to about 120 MPH - the terminal velocity 

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Looks great. I love those mirrors, same ones I have.

[hokierower]

I see you have what looks like stock bars on a newer GS. How did you mount your end mirrors? Pull out the stock bar end, or clamp the mirrors over it?

Tried to screw into the stock bar end supports inside the bars, but when that didn't work, I just pulled them out.  All it is is a rubber piece of blocking with a nut behind it.  After that I inserted the bar end mirror's anchor and tightened it.  As you tighten the screw, the anchor expands and secures itself to the inside.  Imagine a drum brake.

I got the headlights from Fly-N-Cycle.  They were $125, the brackets were $25 (standard 30-38mm black), and the mounting screws were $4.  IMPORTANT: The bracket bolts were not long enough to secure the brackets over the forks so I had to go to Lowes and pick up a new set of bolts and while I was at it I picked up a new pair of locknuts to keep them from vibrating apart.  The size was M6x1.0x35mm (philips head).

Another important thing with the brackets is that the turn signals fit perfectly, but I had to get some washers to get them to fit.  I picked up a pack of metal washers (take the load) and a set of rubber washers (reduce the vibration).  When (not if) you got to Lowes/Home Depot, make sure you take an indicator and a full bracket to ensure that all the stuff you buy fits.  I didn't so I ended up buying a size bigger for just in case.  Not a big deal since it only cost me $1 and I'll probably use it down the line, but it is slightly frustrating.

I will say this.  The front end feels a hell of a lot lighter, kind of wierd, and is definitely gonna take some getting used to.  And the wind blast now that there's no fairing is definitely noticable. 

Light on my speedometer doesn't work now, gonna have to go back in and see if I possibly jiggled a wire loose.  Anyone know where I can get the brackets/screws/rods which secure the speedo/tach?

[jdbutler13]

I just put a new front end on my bike and my dash instruments don't work anymore either.
I'm thinking I burnt the bulb, but I need to go in and see if I crossed a wire too.

[madjak30]

Your headlight mod looks pretty good...that's part of the plan for mine over the winter.  I'm also going to change the tail and paint everything...charcoal gray for all the body parts and black out the engine and frame...chrome/polished bits will stay as they are.  I also want to change the rear lighting, see if I can get a LED tail light with integrated signals...

I'll start a thread once I get started...

Again the lights look great.

Later.