Questions About Rebuild/Streetfighter

[brokenwall]

So I got a 92 GS500e, and it needs some work, it runs great but odds and ends here and there keep wearing out (not motor). On top of having my first motorcycle wreck (after 2 years of riding) about 3 weeks ago.

-- Just a few scratches on the bike and misaligned the front forks, we got everything repaired and aligned back. I went down at about 45mph because some guy pulled out in front of me in the rain, and when i went to brake one of my caliper bolts came out and locked up and front end and threw me over. I walked away with a torn to pieces rain suit, and a few bruises. None of my gear was messed up and my bike started up after we got some fuel in the carbs

My wife will not let me buy a new bike, but stated she don't mind me putting money into this bike here and there. And treat it as a running project.

So I was thinking I don't want to spend too much, since the value isn't really there at the moment for this bike. But it would be nice to make it more personal and fix the issues, since the last owner had so many ideas and just threw them all together and didn't keep up the maintenance on some areas (like the chain, new one is on the way).

So my questions would be:

If I buy a engine and build it up, would I be able to for cheap get more power out of it outside of custom exhaust, rejetting, K&N filter? (maybe pistons, valve job)

Also I was thinking about getting a new 07+ GSXR front end, and pressing in the new stem and using the entire front end with clipons. (this should be possible correct?)

also what about the rear swingarm, would it be possible to switch this out with something a bit more new and beefy? (later gen gsxr swingarm)

and for looks I was wondering about finding a subframe from a later model GS500F and working it to fit and getting some newer naked bodywork

[adidasguy]

So you want to change the engine, front end, frame and swing arm? Sounds about like a complete bike if you add a gas tank.
Sneaky to get a second bike: rebuild a GS500 after you change all those parts. 

[brokenwall]

So you want to change the engine, front end, frame and swing arm? Sounds about like a complete bike if you add a gas tank.
Sneaky to get a second bike: rebuild a GS500 after you change all those parts. 

Me: I need to work on this bike, it would make sense to buy a new bike
wife: no it works fine, i rather you put the money into this one here and there and make it better
me: but it will be a good bit of money to make what i want
wife: your not getting a new bike, just fix this one
me: ok fine, you win

[bombshelter13]

My wife will not let me buy a new bike, but stated she don't mind me putting money into this bike here and there.

Remind us why you married this woman.

[brokenwall]

My wife will not let me buy a new bike, but stated she don't mind me putting money into this bike here and there.

Remind us why you married this woman.

lol, so how bout some advice guys, on the bike not the woman

[joelmath]

My wife will not let me buy a new bike, but stated she don't mind me putting money into this bike here and there.

Remind us why you married this woman.

lol, so how bout some advice guys, on the bike not the woman

She must be SUPER hot

[HardcoreKeith]

I wouldn't do it, yo.  Restore your bike to original condition, maintain it, ride the poop out of it, and enjoy it for what it is -- an affordable, simple, economical, practical machine.

[adidasguy]

Yes - GS500's are fun just the way they are.
Fix it up. Make it LOOK special and unique (like I did to Junior and others have done).
Changing everything you want to change will cost more than another GS500.
Maybe new front springs. The rear is OK unless you ride like a squid or weight 200+ pounds - then maybe something stiffer (or maybe adjust the shock to be stiffer?)
Clean it. Replace worn parts. Maybe a good paint job.
There's lots of aftermarket stuff floating around for the 1989-2000 models (others can tell you how I know that)
Ride and enjoy.
Hide the money you didn't spend in a secret place when you're ready for another bike.

[brokenwall]

yeah i need to do something about the bike, its slowly keeps giving me new issues, on top of needing a clutch, last night on the way home from work i noticed that there is oil leaking from the camshaft cover.

It seems to only start to leak after a long time at high RPMs (highway ride), I checked the all the bolts and screws are tight, looks like I will just have to keep an eye on my oil level for now

[mike__R]

You're not going to get a ton of additional power out of the engine.  You can do a lot cosemtically to make it look how you want.  Check out the projects section for more ideas - there is a lot going on there.

[The Buddha]

Mike_r - You must have been living under a rock the last 3 months ... there are 2 CBR600 motors living in GS500 engine bays now. I'd almost bet a modern 4 cyl sport bike motor will fit in the GS engine bay and weigh less, and pump more hp.
Cool.
Buddha.

[HardcoreKeith]

on top of needing a clutch

Does it really?  I've never heard of anyone wearing out a GS500 clutch.

last night on the way home from work i noticed that there is oil leaking from the camshaft cover.

So replace the valve cover gasket?

there are 2 CBR600 motors living in GS500 engine bays now.

Yeah, but the people who put CBR600 motors in GS500s aren't the kind of people who post threads asking questions like this one.  They just put on their welding masks and get to work and then post a thread afterwards that says "hey, look what I did!"

[brokenwall]

Does it really?  I've never heard of anyone wearing out a GS500 clutch.

Yes, I rather drop the money on a new clutch for safety sake, the person who owned this bike apparently wasn't bright about it. And $100 or so is worth the quality of a sound mind.

So replace the valve cover gasket?

Im aware of this, Im not an idiot, I know what work needs to be done.

Yeah, but the people who put CBR600 motors in GS500s aren't the kind of people who post threads asking questions like this one.  They just put on their welding masks and get to work and then post a thread afterwards that says "hey, look what I did!"

I don't need a CBR600 motor, but i rather have a lightweight bike for weekend fun, shaZam! if I could I would be happy with a EX500 (i know this can be done) or VF500F motor (not sure about this one due to size)

But I have the experience to work on bikes and repair them, this is something i do in my spare time with my father so that we can have a shared hobby, but I was asking if there is a cheap way to get more power out of the bike, not for racing but to give it more life.

[Big Rich]

Cheapest way to get more power? Chop off anything and everything that doesn't make it stop sooner or go faster. A serious weight loss program brings the power to weight ratio through the roof.

[mike__R]

Mike_r - You must have been living under a rock the last 3 months ... there are 2 CBR600 motors living in GS500 engine bays now. I'd almost bet a modern 4 cyl sport bike motor will fit in the GS engine bay and weigh less, and pump more hp.
Cool.
Buddha.

Yep I've seen those builds, and watched them intently.  But they recognized that you're not going to get a bunch more power out of the GS500 engine, and went for the 4-cyl sportbike engine.  My point is that you won't be getting much more power out of the GS500 engine.

[cbrfxr67]

I think you can find plenty of cheap parts if you watch ebay or even from members here.  Especially if you post a (pictures!) thread on your progress & what you need.  Next thing you know somebody be offering parts they found in a box, behind a radial arm saw, that they forgot they had!!   
You can score cheap stuff on Ebay if you are patient.  This week I picked up a gsxr 600 front fender for 14.95 and a muffler off a Ninja 1000 for 99 cents.  Sure I paid 14 bucks for shipping the muffler but still under 20 bucks total.  My first cbr I basically built off of ebay parts.  I think you can make the GS into whatever kind of bike you want.  Do something different and make it how you want it.  Oh and pics, lots of pictures.   

[pookiebear]

emulaters up front with correct springs.
kat rear shock
rear sets.
weight reduction.
ride it. Leave it scratched. Best theft deterrent available is a shitty looking bike.

OR

Lift fancy tankbag off the bike. Slide newish bike under it. reinstall tankbag.


I guess it depends on how much money the other guys insurance gave you.
IF over $3k get an sv650 and do the suspension. It is almost same weight as the gs500 but more ponies. And more mods that can be done to it.
IF under $3k  Fix yours up.

[Grommett2k]

Just tell her you bought a new set of wheels and the bike came with them. That is how we got new federal building here. The govt would not approve a new building, but they did approve a new foundation. Well, only way to replace the foundation is to tear down the old building.... true story

[adidasguy]

Leave it scratched. Best theft deterrent available is a shaZam!ty looking bike.

Well, someone stole a somewhat beat up PURPLE bike with LAVENDER rims in West Seattle. There were lots of nicer bikes parked on the street within a block of it. Go figure?
I don't thing there is any theft deterrent.

[brokenwall]

emulaters up front with correct springs.
kat rear shock
rear sets.
weight reduction.
ride it. Leave it scratched. Best theft deterrent available is a shaZam!ty looking bike.

OR

Lift fancy tankbag off the bike. Slide newish bike under it. reinstall tankbag.


I guess it depends on how much money the other guys insurance gave you.
IF over $3k get an sv650 and do the suspension. It is almost same weight as the gs500 but more ponies. And more mods that can be done to it.
IF under $3k  Fix yours up.

I really want an SV650 since you can get about 75+HP and make it one hell of a bike for cheap with front end upgrades and body upgrades for not too much. And that V-Twin sound

I left my keys in my motorcycle in the parking deck on accident and came out after 14hrs and it was still there.