Wanted : First Bike Advice

[joeyshakespeare]

Hello!

I just bought my first bike (2007 GS 500) and love it!
I just wanted to post some pictures and see what advice people can give me.
I took it to my local bike shop just to get it looked over because I didn't feel like a could lean into a turn safely.
He said that for some reason the previous owner had replaced the whole front end with a Katana front end and it's throwing off the dynamics a little bit.
It looks pretty messy, the big silver clamp in between the handlebars looks like it has been smashed to kingdom come to try to get it on.
I'd like to try and return it to looking as classic and "pristine" as I can without spending a lot of money (I'm a poor married college student).
The main thing for me is the front end and handlebar set up, everything else seems in good condition.
So far I've changed the oil and filter, replaced the headlight bulb, and replaced the back tire.

Thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93658390@N02/sets/72157632885075452/

[BockinBboy]

Looks like it has had a decent down on the right side. Which is likely the reason for the front end swap, cheap aftermarket signals, missing gauges, missing fairings, bent levers, etc...

I'm not too familiar with front end swaps as far as what to look for and I'm on my mobile, so ill leave that to those that are.

- Bboy

[crzydood17]

Someone move this to general,

The top plate is whatever, it doesn't matter if its all beat to hell or not.

Does the front end turn without binding? Everything looks pretty much fine to me.

Might want to look into redoing the steering stem if it doesn't turn correctly but unless you want to invest in a whole new front end when you have a "better" than stock one.