1996 GS500 Free Bike Cafe Build

[Dwayne]

Excellent! Definitely worth deciding if I want to do this myself!

As for the wheels, if you drain some of the air out, you can carefully mask around the rim's lip without unmounting the tire.

Another option is to deflate the tires a bit and slide playing cards between the bead and the rim. Using my googlefoo, I found this:

http://hermajestysthunder.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-painting-motorcycle-rims-on-cheap.html

[mr72]

Excellent! Definitely worth deciding if I want to do this myself!

As for the wheels, if you drain some of the air out, you can carefully mask around the rim's lip without unmounting the tire.

Another option is to deflate the tires a bit and slide playing cards between the bead and the rim. Using my googlefoo, I found this:

http://hermajestysthunder.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-painting-motorcycle-rims-on-cheap.html

I think that's a tube-type tire in the picture. Harder to set the bead correctly on a tubeless. You'd have to deflate the tire and break the bead. IDK if you have a big enough compressor to set the bead.

I masked mine. It's imperfect but unless you absolutely know what to look for, you can't find the masking faults. It does take a while to mask a wheel with the tire mounted.

[TheGreenWeenie]

I agree!! Was just thinking about this build the other day and wondering what's goin on 

Hey everyone!

First off, I am suuuuper sorry I havn't had updates. But, here's what has happened the past few months.

School and work have been rough on me. I'm in my last semester and classes are kicking me in the nuts. fortunately i have a good friend who runs a custom build shop, and have enlisted his help in finishing the job. the last pics i posted were the most recent.

I told him to take his time, (he doesn't charge me  very much) and he should be starting actual work on in here in the next couple weeks.

Good news was it was running. and i drained everything proper so there shouldnt be anything nasty in the carbs or tank.

Bad news is I can't weld and for some reason, wiring harness frighten me.

In other news... I drove up to Pittsburgh with the wife and picked up an XSR900, hauled it all the way back to Northern VA in a mild snow storm and a box truck...

made some changes to my other bike and taught my little brother (who has moved in with me) to ride a little too.

Sorry I take crappy pictures too. but these were the only ones I could find.

I PROMISE to have the GS road ready this season!

[TheGreenWeenie]

So went over to my buddies for friday night at the shop (beer and bullshitting). and he has already fabbed up a housing for the wires and the battery box. cut off some tabs and cleaned up the seat pan a little. following pics are the progress thus far.

the battery is under the tail hump. and the wiring is all layed under the flat part of the seat pan.

[ShowBizWolf]

Nice!!!!

[qcbaker]

Looks awesome mate. Looks super clean with all the wiring under the seat and stuff.

[TheGreenWeenie]

tiny update.. picked up some bars, turn signals and grips from work today.  we are forgoing the clubman style bars and putting a mx style bar on. not my choice but if it gets the old lady to ride it i;m okay with it. plus, ill keep the clubmans for when she finally comes around 

below is a little fiber glassing to cover up the gap between the seat pan and the tank. it's almost ready. maybe a couple more weeks. the biggest hurdle is going to be getting padding on the seat. I think im going to try and recycle the foam that came with the seat. will have more updates throughout the week and next.

Yes its a bad picture, i wasn't there for too long.

[qcbaker]

Excuse me if you've mentioned it somewhere else, but is that a license plate mount coming off the swingarm? I love the look the plate mounted there on bikes. Makes the tail look so clean.

[TheGreenWeenie]

Excuse me if you've mentioned it somewhere else, but is that a license plate mount coming off the swingarm? I love the look the plate mounted there on bikes. Makes the tail look so clean.

Yep. That was put on a couple days ago too. Just bolts right on.  I like the look too.

[qcbaker]

Excuse me if you've mentioned it somewhere else, but is that a license plate mount coming off the swingarm? I love the look the plate mounted there on bikes. Makes the tail look so clean.

Yep. That was put on a couple days ago too. Just bolts right on.  I like the look too.

Is it custom, or did you order it from somewhere?

[TheGreenWeenie]

Excuse me if you've mentioned it somewhere else, but is that a license plate mount coming off the swingarm? I love the look the plate mounted there on bikes. Makes the tail look so clean.

Yep. That was put on a couple days ago too. Just bolts right on.  I like the look too.

Is it custom, or did you order it from somewhere?

We carry them at Cyclegear (my employer )

here you are bud https://www.cyclegear.com/parts/speedmetal-swingarm-license-plate-bracket

[yamahonkawazuki]

so how goes it?
Aaron

[TheGreenWeenie]

so how goes it?
Aaron

It's going good! how are things with you?

i'm just sitting in class, preparing for midterms next week.

nothing exciting

[qcbaker]

We carry them at Cyclegear (my employer )

here you are bud https://www.cyclegear.com/parts/speedmetal-swingarm-license-plate-bracket

Thanks, mate.

[Endopotential]

Looks awesome!  Keep us updated

It looks vaguely similar to mine.  Great minds think alike 

[TheGreenWeenie]

Looks awesome!  Keep us updated

It looks vaguely similar to mine.  Great minds think alike 

I'd be lying if I said I didn't steal a couple things from you. Namely your electronics nest..

[TheGreenWeenie]

latest update. she runs. both calipers and master cylinders were rebuilt. new brake lines. Wifey has got some crazy paint scheme in her head. So until she finishes her class next week its gonna be getting prepped for repaint and some finishing touches.

upcomming mods. new headlight assembly, new cluster gauges,

Today was the first time i actually got to ride it. fun little bike and it handles like a pro. it has a tendency to idle really high after a little ride. im wondering if the choke is getting stuck open or something. ill have to check in on it soon.