Just bought my first GS - planning a streetfighter build

[JJ2004]

And suggestions for turn signals?

[JJ2004]

Added some adjustable levers also.



Took a bit of adjustment to clear the mirrors, looks cleaner with them being black.

[the_63]

Turn signals are proving to be a pain in my arse. They're either ugly, poor quality or wildly expensive. Bikes coming along nicely though 

Chris

[JJ2004]

Tell me about it! The choices are skeleton hand blinkers, eBay specials or like $80 per blinker.

Hoping for something small, modern and bright.

[cbrfxr67]

sweet,....then what happened,....

[JJ2004]

Decided to order these guys:
http://www.carpimoto.it/en-HK/44090_XL-01-Traf-X-Led-indicator-X-Light-01.htm

Ended up around $160 CA for all 4, the blinkers are aluminum frame and similar to rizoma, same factory, but a bit cheaper.

[cbrfxr67]

aww yea

[JJ2004]

Lol, I'll post picks so you can see how it's looks on the bike. I'm working on the headers now also. They were as rusty as F. I have them being sandblasted right now.

[Watcher]

Not sure where you're located but if you can avoid salt corrosion getting the headers polished up and letting the heat turn them bronze looks pretty darn good.  It does require some maintenance, though.  They get progressively darker with heat cycles so it goes from bronze, to dirty copper, to awful.

Before:


After:


Later:


I've had good luck in the past with VHT header paint, it's fairly durable but it will show dirt and grime easier.

And of course, the top GSTwin recommended treatment is Rutland Stove Polish.  Gives the headers a nice satin black finish.

[mr72]

Not sure where you're located but if you can avoid salt corrosion getting the headers polished up and letting the heat turn them bronze looks pretty darn good. 

I think that may only apply to stainless headers.

As far as I can tell the GS headers are ordinary carbon steel, not stainless. At least on my bike they are. They will rust very rapidly if there is no surface coating, like paint or some other anti-rust treatment. You might be able to get away with regular treatments (like, weekly) of something like Breakfree CLP. Or the stove black stuff.

[JJ2004]

The Buell pipes look great Watcher!, nice patina. I'm in Ontario Canada and the pipes are definitely not stainless as Mr72 mentioned. Planning to do the VHT paint you referenced. I have a lot of black bits on the bike so it should look decent.

[Suzi Q]

He's missing all the fairing hardware and the oil cooler, so I'm guessing it's not a conversion and it's outside USDM.

Can I have these ugly blue body pieces before you make them all cool looking by painting them flat black.
Oh, was this a naked conversion from a full fairing bike ? you're likely not in the US then.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Watcher]

That's true, Buell headers are stainless, I guess I didn't really think of that...

Yeah, it would definitely be worth the time to prep and coat the GS headers.


Thanks for the compliments!  I'll always have room in my heart for the GS, but right now the room in my parking space is occupied by something with a little more pep in its step and I don't intend to change that, lol!

[JJ2004]

No not in the US I'm in Canada.The GS is 500e non faired bike also. I'm trying to get a modern fighter type look though. I liked the carburated air-cooled simplicity and size of the GS.

I kinda like the stock blue paint on the tank and tail. Might keep it blue for now.

[Watcher]

If you want more Street-fighter posture as well you might consider some different handlebars.

Drag bars or "superbike" bars will place you more aggressively on the bike while more or less keeping the same look.  Clubman's replicate the placement of sportbike clip-on bars, but look a little wonky to me.

[JJ2004]

I thought of the bars a bit, mostly for the look as you mention Watcher. I hear clip ons are hard on your body if you ride for more then an hour at a time. So I was thinking maybe clubmans so the drop isn't as severe.

Any tips are appreciated!

[Watcher]

IIRC clubman's can be as low if not lower than clip-ons.


But your comfort depends a lot on your physiology.  I find full-tuck sport bikes more comfortable than cruisers, if you can believe it.

[JJ2004]

Signals came in and they look awesome!

[JJ2004]

And on the bike:

[Watcher]

They look cool, but they don't seem too bright.