my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500

[bmxr123]

I've been lurking for a while and figured i would post my build..

She is an 06 gs500f with an 07 gsxr600 tail complete with seats and tail light of course..The frame was cut up and re-welded in a higher position to provide for the correct clearance..

I have use an 01 katana rear wheel installed, spacers on the sprocket and a small 1/16in. spacer on the sprocket-side of the axle to keep the sprocket bolts from touching the swing arm.

I cut and re-welded the brake torque rod to provide acceptable clearance for the 170 michelin pilot power(she looks like a beast!).. I am in the process of fiberglassing the side fairings to good health but in the meantime here are a few pics:






i bought this bike as a non-runner, and it just needed the clutch safety switch contacts cleaned..i also cleaned the carbs and backed out each air/fuel screw 2.5 turns..She starts with no choke now!  Its a really fun bike that gets great gas mileage and definitely has some balls!

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Very nice!

[weedahoe]

Nice work indeed

[ThatOtherGuy]

wow, what a good look.  not sure what country you're from, but that wouldn't be legal in Aus. you'd have to extend the tail down (or put a hugger on) which would be a shame as it would spoil that rear end.

Have you thought about refinishing the swingarm in a metal grey colour to simulate an alloy look?  you may be able to pull it of and it would finish that rear end nicely.

[cbrfxr67]

Nice job and welcome!  G-reat first post with pics!    

[bmxr123]

thanks everyone..Its a labor of love and none of my friends or girlfriend really understand how much work goes into something like this, so its awesome to hear some praise from people that KNOW! 

To answer your question i am in orlando, florida, so the clean tail is perfectly legal..I thought about the alloy look, but i feel like i would have to do the whole frame too, which is a lot of paint work, and i'm not great with paint...lol..I think the frame would look good in a silver though..Too much of the black subframe exposed...

If anyone is in the orlando area i would be glad to help them with any fabrication project, as i am definately experienced and have steel and aluminum MIG capabilites..I would only require two things from you: nourishment(coffee and lunch) and a thirst for knowledge..

[ThatOtherGuy]

yeah the alloy look is one of those things you have to get right otherwise it would just look poxy.  and doing the whole frame, I don't blame you for not wanting to do it, big job.

[cbcanada]

thanks everyone..Its a labor of love and none of my friends or girlfriend really understand how much work goes into something like this, so its awesome to hear some praise from people that KNOW! 

To answer your question i am in orlando, florida, so the clean tail is perfectly legal..I thought about the alloy look, but i feel like i would have to do the whole frame too, which is a lot of paint work, and i'm not great with paint...lol..I think the frame would look good in a silver though..Too much of the black subframe exposed...

If anyone is in the orlando area i would be glad to help them with any fabrication project, as i am definately experienced and have steel and aluminum MIG capabilites..I would only require two things from you: nourishment(coffee and lunch) and a thirst for knowledge..

i wish i lived in florida!!! i would definately would want to learn this. anyone in ontario canada know how to do this???

[bmxr123]

i was just in niagara falls and toronto for a week! its beautiful there.  Too cold in the winters though..If i'm in that area again ill have to get a hold of you!

[Watevaman]

 That's the best looking tail I've seen on any custom GS. Not a fan of the front end (I like naked all the way), but you did a great job overall!

[knowles]

I like it, the only thing i would do a little bit different is the seat fitment on the tank. nice work tho

[bmxr123]

yeah, i have shaved the gsxr seat quite a bit already to get it to fit...I am currently trying to figure something out for the part that goes over the tank...I want to just chop those corners so they would match the lines of the tank but i don't want to make the seat uncomfortable.  i might just take the plunge and start shaving again.

[cbrfxr67]

"none of my friends or girlfriend really understand,...." EXACTAF-INGMUNDO!

Nobody understands around me either.  They just don't get it,...now how can I make this thing fit,.....

[mustangGT90210]

That looks great! Do you have any shots of the frame work you did? Because I love that tail.

And always nice to see a Floridian around, I'm anchored in northern Sarasota

[gsatterw]

Very sexy. I want.

How much $$$ did you pick up the gsxr tail for?

All my friends just think I'm crazy for all the work I dump into my bike. They just don't understand.

[CrownSeven]

HOT HOT HOT!  Looks like the bike came that way. Nice work!   

[7thgear]

Thats a marvelous work indeed..

[bmxr123]

yeah, i actually got a pretty good deal on ebay..i payed 75 for the whole tail fairing set(left, right, and undertail)..They had some scratches and needed to be sanded primed and painted but they were solid..the front seat was 50 and the solo cowl i got locally on craigslist for 20 bucks! the tail and turn signals i ordered for a another 50..if you have time, china sells stuff the cheapest(they sell integrated tail lights for bike for 30 dollars!!..but usually i try to find stuff from the states as it doesn't take 2 weeks to arrive!

To do this conversion you need to shave the seat..If you don't the tail will be way too long!

[amkluttz]

Nice work! 

I have a question about the tire (which is how I found your post).  I see you are running a 170 on a Kat wheel.  I just recently picked up a Kat wheel and would like to run a 160/60 of this tire.  Should I have any problems if I am willing to bend the brake arm and clearance the chain guard?  I'm just making assumptions since your 170 appears to fit fine.

[Worm]