First GS500 + some purchases

[vancity_gs]

Hey everyone!  Just picked up my first GS about a month ago and have been meaning to snap a couple pics on here and introduce myself.  The bike is an '05 with 19,000km's on it and came bone stock.  Since picking it up I've added some new better looking signals, some slimmer bar ends, and have new levers on the way as well. 

Love this bike and how it rides and plan on making some more custom tweaks along the way.  Eventually I will probably go the naked route but for now the fairings stay on!






Next things I'm looking at are new bars (maybe a tiny bit more low profile) and exhaust

Now questions I have for you experts:
When I go the naked route, one of my main pet peeves with this bike is the silver engine and tranny case, now it doesn't really show that much with the fairings on, but naked with a black frame, black front fender, black rims and tires and everything else it really stands out.  Can I paint it without pulling the engine?  Has anyone had experience with this?  Do I have to go the powdercoating route?  Suggestions?
Also there is a lot of loose / sloppy looking factory wiring that the fairings currently hide, have people just managed to tuck these back and secure them up in some way? or do you end up rewiring some things on the front custom?
Lastly, what are my options with the oil cooler?  Does it have to stay where it is?

Thanks guys, hope to chat with some of you!  And if anyone is in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Vancouver, B.C. drop me a message and lets go for a ride!!

[Big Rich]

Welcome to the site man! Cool bike + cool dog.

I can give you some advice about the engine paint: while it is "possible" to paint an engine in the frame, it isn't a good idea. By the time you clean everything, mask off EVERYTHING that you don't want paint on, and mess around trying to get paint to spray at the perfect angle to get in between all the fins, you could have the engine in and out of the frame a couple times over. Seriously, the headache factor is much less when pulling the engine.

Powder coating isn't necessary, but will be pretty much permanent. High temp paint can and will get scratched up.

[ShowBizWolf]

Even though I've never pulled the engine, I would tend to agree with Rich. I have learned over the years that when it comes to painting, it really makes sense to do it right. There is nothing more frustrating than overspray, chipping, dripping a chemical (gas, brake fluid, etc) and watching it eat your paint, etc.

What kind of bars are ya thinking? I have superbike bars on my GS and I really like them (slightly lower) although I am pretty sure that in the future of this bike at some point I will end up trying clip-ons or clubmans.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the pics!!! Keep us posted on what ya do 

[anoopb]

Even though I've never pulled the engine, I would tend to agree with Rich. I have learned over the years that when it comes to painting, it really makes sense to do it right. There is nothing more frustrating than overspray, chipping, dripping a chemical (gas, brake fluid, etc) and watching it eat your paint, etc.

What kind of bars are ya thinking? I have superbike bars on my GS and I really like them (slightly lower) although I am pretty sure that in the future of this bike at some point I will end up trying clip-ons or clubmans.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the pics!!! Keep us posted on what ya do 

what does your superbike bars look like on the bike. I think i saw a link posted on the bars itself but it looked weird as heck to me to imagine that on a GS.

[ShowBizWolf]

They aren't that much different from stock, a little lower. You can get 'em in black or chrome.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Suzuki Stevo]

I'm a painter by profession and I agree with Big Rich & ShowBizWolf 

[1034am]

Since you already have the fairings, what about a vinyl wrap? A chrome wrap would look hot!

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Watcher]

Pulling the engine is straightforward and easy.  All you need to help you is an automotive jack, and the engine and transmission itself is light enough that an average grown man can lift it solo so once it's out you can move it around fairly easily.

There's actually a section of frame that can be removed from the bike.  The engine then drops down and rotates out one side fairly easily.  Once the bike is naked it shouldn't be hard to locate the frame section and its bolts as well as the 4 engine mount studs.  IIRC one or more of the engine mounts must be removed to release the frame section.

It's not hard, just takes time, and its WAY easier than masking the whole rest of the bike and trying to snake a spray gun into some impossible to reach spot.