Suzi Q Build Thread

[Suzi Q]

Alright....I've taken enough things apart, it's time to start putting back together. For those that haven't followed, there is an intro here: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71298.0

Basically, bought a GS500F that had been lightly converted. This is what it looked like when I got it:



A bit about the goal... I want a fun bike to take to ride on the streets and take to the track as I learn to push my riding to the limit of the bike, then I will upgrade to the SV650 that's sitting in the corner, and my Girlfriend will be able to hop from the 250 onto the 500 once she's comfortable on the small bike. So to that end, my modifications will try and meet at least one of three goals; tailor the bike to me, tailor the bike to the track, and drop weight wherever possible.

I have taken a giant step and halved the weight of the bike in one fell swoop, as seen below;





Alright. Any way, I started stripping things down and off, and I just kept finding more and more excuses to keep pulling things apart. I originally went after the carbs to check jetting, then decided to upgrade suspension, yada yada yada.

Anyway, I've basically been hoarding parts since I bought the bike, and I'm ALMOST ready to get going back together.

Here is what I have so far:



Not pictured but also going in are:

Bikemaster Superbike Bars
Shorai 1.39 pound Lithium battery


There are a couple things that are still in the mail that I am waiting on. They are as follows:

Suzuki OEM GS500 front preload adjusters
AllBalls Steering Bearings
Amsoil 10w-40 Metric Motorcycle Oil
Replacement OEM Chain adjusters
Feeler Gauge/Shim tool for valve adjustment

Finally, I still have a couple things that I haven't purchased yet:
Jets
Engine guards
TIRES, OH DEAR SWEET JEEBUS WHY IS IT SO HARD TO DECIDE ON A TIRE?!?!?! 
Spare keys

Bike is going to stay naked because A)I like it that way B)it weighs less C)the stock fairings are absurdly expensive when you can find them unscathed.

Happy to answer questions. Will be posting more as I work through this, and will be aiming to be on the road by the end of April with first track day in June.

I'm in Northern New England, if anybody is in the area and wants to meet/wrench/ride/hit the track.

Thanks for reading.

- SQ

[gianzilla]

Looking forward to your build!

[Suzi Q]

Looking forward to your build!

Haha me too. I'll throw a couple specs out there:

The sonic springs are .95/kg and going in with 15w Maxima Fork oil.
Front sprocket is Renthal Superlight Steel 15t
Rear is Vortex Aluminum 40t
Rear shock is kat750
Bar ends are DR650

Rider weight atm is 230 before gear. Should be down another 10 by the season and down ANOTHER 10 by first track day.

[gianzilla]

I got the same kat750 rear shock but I haven't bolt it on yet.
I heard it will raise the tail up a couple inches.

[Suzi Q]

The research I did said that if you have the rear end properly adjusted in the first place, it doesn't lift the rear end. I can't comment though, as my bike is still currently levitating with no wheels. Also, mine went up anyway since I went back to the stock position on the lowering links.

[gianzilla]

The research I did said that if you have the rear end properly adjusted in the first place, it doesn't lift the rear end. I can't comment though, as my bike is still currently levitating with no wheels. Also, mine went up anyway since I went back to the stock position on the lowering links.

I see. I will see how your build turns out. I am still deciding if I should sell my GS at the upcoming season..haha

[Suzi Q]

Okay. Overwatch has swallowed my evenings as of late while I wait for customs to release my preload adjusters, but I should be back to work on it this weekend.

Anybody tire recommendations for 80/20 street?

[Suzi Q]

Got these in the mail direct from Japan. They are $50.12 each, plus shipping. My total was $113 and it took 12 calendar days from beginning the ordering process to having parts in hand.

[TheGreenWeenie]

Okay. Overwatch has swallowed my evenings as of late while I wait for customs to release my preload adjusters, but I should be back to work on it this weekend.

Anybody tire recommendations for 80/20 street?

Whats youre battlenet? Im trying to make it out of diamond next season and i need some reliable team mates..

[Suzi Q]

Honestly, I just started playing. Came over from Destiny, and I'm grinding my way to 25 with 76 to get situated for the new season. A buddy of mine plays hardcore though...he's prestiged and whatnot. We're on PS4...PM your gamertag if you are as well.

[TheGreenWeenie]

oh... you're filthy console players. lol. But good luck! I probably even shouldn't play considering all the work it will prevent me from getting done.

[qcbaker]

oh... you're filthy console players. lol. But good luck! I probably even shouldn't play considering all the work it will prevent me from getting done.

PC Master Race here. PM me your battle.net ID lol.

Note: I'm about a gold-level player, Ana main but I can play whatever the team needs.

[Suzi Q]

Went with ps4 because;

A)that's what my friends have
B)computer gaming is so much more expensive

That being said, I've got an MSI x99 mobo sitting next to me in a full size tower just begging to be built. I don't PC though...linux exclusively.

[J_Walker]

suzi, did you remove your grab bar? or do you not have one?

[Suzi Q]

Gone when I bought the bike, and no intentions to replace. You're the second person to ask that...what's the deal with the grab bar?

[Suzi Q]

Quick question regarding forks;

Is there any reason at all that i should NOT swap for the first gen forks?

Reasons I'm swapping:

My 04 forks need a $20 adapter to run the emulators that the gen1's do not need

My 04 forks have a smooth bore damping rod, making it f*$5ing IMPOSSIBLE to remove. There is no hex head on top that will work with the special tool, and it took me 3 hours to get the broom back and it's no closer to being out.

So, in conclusion, it occurs to me that the gen1 front forks are considerably more serviceable. Anybody have any cons to the swap?

Thanks,

sq

[qcbaker]

Quick question regarding forks;

Is there any reason at all that i should NOT swap for the first gen forks?

Reasons I'm swapping:

My 04 forks need a $20 adapter to run the emulators that the gen1's do not need

My 04 forks have a smooth bore damping rod, making it f*$5ing IMPOSSIBLE to remove. There is no hex head on top that will work with the special tool, and it took me 3 hours to get the broom back and it's no closer to being out.

So, in conclusion, it occurs to me that the gen1 front forks are considerably more serviceable. Anybody have any cons to the swap?

Thanks,

sq

as long as you replace the forks in their entiriety you should have no issues. I have a'97 front end on my '05 and have no problems.

Went with ps4 because;

A)that's what my friends have
B)computer gaming is so much more expensive

That being said, I've got an MSI x99 mobo sitting next to me in a full size tower just begging to be built. I don't PC though...linux exclusively.

PC gaming has a high cost of entry, but is actually cheaper over time, since you can just upgrade single components, which is significantly less expensive than buying a new console. Plus steam sales usually mean the games themselves end up being cheaper too.

[J_Walker]

Gone when I bought the bike, and no intentions to replace. You're the second person to ask that...what's the deal with the grab bar?

I just have one, nobody seems to want. lol guess GS grab bars just aren't in demand.

[Suzi Q]

as long as you replace the forks in their entiriety you should have no issues.

You just mean the tube, right? Should be fine to use triple trees that i have?

Thanks for the speedy response.

[qcbaker]

as long as you replace the forks in their entiriety you should have no issues.

You just mean the tube, right? Should be fine to use triple trees that i have?

Thanks for the speedy response.

Yeah, the inner fork tubes' outer diameter is the same for all years, as far as I know. The top clamp of my triple is stock 05, but the steering stem and bottom clamp are '97. It all fits together fine.