Various Lightly Tech Questions

[Flint]

Greetings all and what a FAB site !!

I have upgraded my wife from a Kwaka 250 Sherpa to a 2008 low kms GS 500 F and we both love it 
The previous owner (2) had made some changes and I am trying to sort these things out properly .......

1. The front indicators were removed, leaving big holes in the fairing and LED ones mounted in a different location.
2. The front forks had stock springs with long reach sockets on top for additional pre-load.
3. The rear shock has had an extension added to it between the top eye of the mount and the chassis mounting point.
4. K&N drop-in filter and Yoshi muffler.
5. The tyres have good tread but are cracking :-(

Item 2. is resolved by a complete rebuild and .80 springs installed  -  WAAAAY BETTER !!
Item 4. is no problem and the jetting is absolutely perfect !! )

Questions:

1. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can fill the holes in the fairing e.g. rubber grommets or an aftermarket mounting plate for the LED signals ?

3. The rear shock is too soft. I am not worried about the extension as the front end handling remains good and the soft spring means we have huge sag when we sit on it.  I will probably buy a used 2008 R6 shock. How soft is that shock with the stock spring ? My wife and I are not light weight so wondering if we should leave the extension in. We are also very tall.

5. I am considering Michelin "Pilot Street" tyres. Good all round, good in the wet and reasonable life. Does anyone have any comment about stickiness and dry performance ?

Thanks everyone )

[EdChen]

I've been doing some rear shock research lately and from what I've put together is that the R6 shock is not a massive step up in firmness, mostly adjustability. For heavier riders and easier installation, the Katana shock is the way to go. Based on what you said, I would remove the extension and put in the Katana shock. The Wiki says that a katana shock will raise the rear .5-.75"

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock

I've been eyeing this shock: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131534901832 , but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with an R6 shock just because I don't want any additional height, you should jump on it for only $30. You could use a SV650 shock if you want more height (~2" lift): http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57309.0.

For a little more height, I see that the Michelin Pilot Streets are available in 140/70 R17, it's a little wider and taller, and would give you an additional .28" of height. I can't find the approved rim width, but from what I've seen of other tires, they should fit on the 3.5" wide GS500 wheel. Rear lift will change the steering geometry, and too much can make it unstable.

Regarding the hole in the fairing where the turn signals used to be, maybe you could find some small flush mounted side markers that fit and light them up? I'm not very familiar with the size of the hole, but maybe these will fit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-3-4-Amber-Red-LED-Clearance-Side-Marker-Lights-For-Truck-Trailer-Pickup-/371212358677?hash=item566dfb1415&vxp=mtr

You could have them on like parking lamps. 

Do you have any pictures of the shock mount extension? I'm curious.