New guy in Las Vegas

[FTL900]

I posted elsewhere, but it was at the tail end of an old thread, so I'm re-posting here. 

This is my third GS500, but the first stayed (mostly) stock- it had drag bars and a CF slip-on.  The second was a basket case that never really graduated from that stage.

So here's my thinking.  I'm 61 and I road-raced a bit back in the 80's and 90's.  Now my boys have liter bikes (ZRX1200 and a Superhawk) and they have expressed interest in doing track days.   I REALLY hate to see them take such an expensive (to repair) bike on the track, so I started brainstorming for a cheap track bike.  Mind you, we're not out to set any track records- just go have fun inexpensively.  When I raced, I had a CBR600 and a Ninja 500, and the Ninja was more fun because it was less intimidating if I were to crash it.  I'd still have the Honda to ride, so no big deal.

Everyone recommended the Ninja 250 but I declined.  The GS has more displacement, fewer moving parts, no cooling system to mess with (leak), no bodywork to break (& replace), and the GS500 is an under-rated bike.   So my plan is to get a pair of them and set them up identically.  I mean, it's a track day, so there is no winner, but if you can go out and "race" against another bike set up the same way, life gets interesting... and fun. We did it in 1992 when I had the Ninja 500 and my older son had an Interceptor 500.  We didn't care if we finished in the middle of the pack, it was only about beating each other.  That was the most fun I ever had on a racetrack.

So I picked up a GS500 yesterday for $300.  The rear wheel has a dent the size of a cinder block.  There's no spark plug on the right side (I discovered that when I started the bike), and it needs gearshift lever. The key  is only cut on one side (it works for ignition very poorly and no place else) (I know, I know... but I have a clear Nevada title for it.  Yeah, it surprised me too).
 
Tires look pretty good for now for a play bike, and it'll get new rubber when it's track time.  It'll need an oil and filter change, maybe get a slip-on.   
But here's a bargain basement bike that'll be great fun, and if we toss it down the track, it's not the end of the world.  It's fun at the absolute lowest price.

All that being said, I'm looking for the straight-forward, EASY mods that are direct bolt on and fairly inexpensive.   
I want the bike to be fun to ride, but I don't expect it to run with a 600cc... anything.  Or even a water cooled 500.

I read already that the Katana rear shock is a direct swap, but it didn't say what year, and they have been thru a few evolutions and generations.
What year Katana (600?) shock will fit??  I'm sure all of them don't fit the same.
After I get it running and looking prettier, I'll shop for new brake lines and pads, a lunchbox, and a jet kit.   

Thanks for your input!! 

[FTL900]

One other quick question... how long until this VERIFICATION stuff goes away??  What a PIA!!

[EdChen]

I think it goes away after the 5th post.

If you and your boys are under or around 200lbs, the shock from an R6 might give you more adjustability, which might perfect for your track aspirations.
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock

I would also plan to replace the front  springs with stiffer straight rate springs. The fork oil could be bumped up to 15 or 20wt. You'll want to pull off the center stand too.

Good luck and have fun! Sounds like you guys will have a great time.

[1034am]

And a new back rim. Ouch! 

[Big Rich]

Did the PO happen to say how that rim got busted up?

Search around on YouTube for videos of Burning1 riding a GS500 on the track - he left some 600's behind in the curves. And welcome to the site man!

[ShowBizWolf]

Yes, post one more time and you should be good to go. Welcome to the site and keep us posted!!! I too am wondering how that rim got "customized" 

[The fink]

That rim will buff out  Welcome to the forum, I'll be interested in progress made.

[FTL900]

When my son saw the same picture, he said "Nice rim", and I said "That'll buff out".

The previous owner picked it up in an auction and took it home to gather dust in his garage.  I don't believe he did anything with it at all, and he didn't know the history.  He's been asking $900 for several months, and I've been waiting for the price to drop.   
With the key only cut on one side, I suspect it was a theft recovery, but I got a clean title so I'm happy with it.

I'll look into the R6 shock.   After reading the SV650 was a workable option, I started looking at what the SV650 guys were upgrading to, but I'm afraid it'll get too stiff.   We are all under 200lbs, so I'll look into that... thanks! 

Back in the day when I had my first GS500, a bunch of us were up in the North Georgia mountains, and the roads were damp, so I left my Ninja 900 at the campground and rode the little bike to breakfast with the group. 

On the way back, my buddy on a CBR929 was leading the group into some extreme twisties (GA180) and I was dogging his heels on the GS... every 200 foot straight, he'd blast away from me in a burst of speed, and then he'd slam on the brakes for the next turn and I'd run right back up on him and show him a wheel.    The GS has always been a fun memory for me, so I'm very excited to have another one.