my 04 gs500f project

[steezin_and_wheezin]

picked up my first bike about a month back, and have already started transforming her into how i imagine

figured i'd start a build thread now rather than forget to later

sorry for the terrible cell phone photos, waiting to get her washed up and out in the sun before i get some better shots

first thing i wanted to do was remove the fairings

before



after



definitely was set on going duals, but felt the dominators left the front end lacking something. stumbled onto a thread about aztec8, saw their 5-3/4" duals and was sold:




clip on's installed:




to do:
-install .9 sonic springs and new fork oil
-get out seized bolts!!!! then wrap and install jardine exhaust
-mount chin fairing
-mount and install new bt-003's on white rims
-install new 15t front sprocket
-install reloads fork brace
-install rearsets
-install new levers

thanks for looking, feel free to ask any questions!

[chilloutdamnit]

Are those mirrors weighted? I want to put some bar-end mirrors on my bike, but I'm not willing to put up with massive handlebar vibrations.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

they're not the cheaper light weight ones, but no i don't believe they're weighted

only got one bar weight when i bought it, so i figured save cash and get bar end mirrors. honestly didn't think about vibration/harshness. 

i drove it for almost an hour after adjusting the headlight. didn't notice any but it was below 40, overcast, and windy. so i was probably shaking worse than anything

i will say i enjoyed driving it much more with the fairings off

[steezin_and_wheezin]

comment/critiques are always welcome!

[kluge9]

comment:  headlights look great
critique:  needs a bath

[tykho]

Wow, those headlights do look good. Clip-ons next IMO!

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Wow, those headlights do look good. Clip-ons next IMO!

been tossing the idea around, but i'm not sure if i'd like 'em just for the comfort factor

[k.rollin]

Looks good. Would look better without the safety stickers on the tank and swingarm.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

  never noticed them haha will be removing asap! preciate it

[impulse816]

Id say while you are at it remove the reflectors and the extra 6 inches of fender.

[ghostrider_23]

WHy is everyone removing their fairings and riding their bike naked?

I understand it's personal choice, but WOW it seems like more of a fad now to shed your plastic.

[Pictory]

Its hard to speak for others, but I know I wouldn't have bought this bike with fairings. To me, naked looks better by alot; I like to see the guts.

Also, given that alot of people on here do their own wrenching, a naked bike makes everything easier to get at.

[ghostrider_23]

Well I must be in the minority, but that's OK. I love the looks of this bike with the fairings.

Just as an FYI if any of you all that don't want your fairings I will take them just incase I mess mine up.

PM me and maybe we can make a deal.

[mike__R]

Well I must be in the minority, but that's OK. I love the looks of this bike with the fairings.

I agree - I'm putting fairings on to an "E"

[steezin_and_wheezin]

fenderectomy will definitely be coming soon, got to get a dremel or make it back to the parents

haha i could see riding no plastics becoming the hot thing, but naked bikes have always been my preference. since it's my first bike, being able to put frame sliders on w/o having to drill in the fairings is plus as well

i've been thinking if want to sell the fairings or not, and the more i get into this bike the more i want to overhaul it and make it mine forever haha so i might sell em to aid the flow of parts, i'll let ya know

[steezin_and_wheezin]

stoked!

[AccidentalF]

I'll never understand why some guys take an F and make it naked, while the E guys add fairings and windscreens.  We should set up some kind of exchange program...

[mach1]

The big reason is the front fairings stick out wider than the rear looks kinda funky. I kept the fairings but added a wider rear to make it a little better.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

after riding for these first few months, i've decided i don't want to outgrow this bike, ever!

its ridiculous the enjoyment i get from it. i have no need for more power when i'm on two wheels.

so i've decided to swap my subaru for the power, and keep the gs til the wheels fall off.

so my plans are - finish painting my new passenger seat cover and chin spoiler, installing my jardine exhaust, getting the carbs cleaned and rejetted. then i'll be moving onto getting clip ons(euro style or 89's) and rearsets. after i get all that bolted on, i'll be moving on to suspension- new rear shock, and a gsxr front end is my dream, but will settle for a more tuned spring/oil setup.

comments/criticism/critiques are always welcome!!

[Toogoofy317]

I like my Flick dressed thank you very much!

BTW on the reflector bit I don't know about other states Florida requires them! I did the button ones on the tag on Flick but yes please look into local laws regarding that.

Mary