How interchangeable are the parts from Gen 1 to Gen2?

[struckjm]

I initially bought a 99 500e, but I am in the market for a 'parts bike' and recently saw a great deal on a 07.

Could I swap the engines? Carbs? instrument cluster? Gas tank? headlights?

I know that's a lot of questions. But these are all things I am considering. Anyone's feedback or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

[ShowBizWolf]

I'm sure you'll get at least one reply with more specifics... but this section of the wiki could be of some help:
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Main.YearChanges

Overall, they do have many many parts which can be interchanged.

A newer style gas tank will indeed work on a pre-'01 bike... you might want to trim the "lip" at the front of the seat (I've seen it done and I've also seen it left alone).

The headlight would be a direct swap too, as long as we're not talking about the F style headlight of course

It's a small thing but I have a later style tail light lens on my '98... so I know that'll work too.

[Sporty]

From used part shopping and reading this forum archives and the wiki, It seems that most parts can work, but you might have to swap supporting components too. One example would be the later bike has different ignition, electronic tach.

I'm no guru or expert on the subject, but searching this forum will reveal most answers 

[Bluesmudge]

There are a lot of "if you change this, then you need to change that" situations.
With enough effort and corresponding parts, anything from gen 2 can go on gen 1 but some things are easier than others.

[struckjm]

Here's a big one: are the carbs interchangeable? I know the gen 2 has 3 needles instead of two, but will the original carbs mount to manifolds on a gen 2 engine? I can't imagine why not, but thought I'd ask the experts. 

[Sporty]

Here's a big one: are the carbs interchangeable? I know the gen 2 has 3 needles instead of two, but will the original carbs mount to manifolds on a gen 2 engine? I can't imagine why not, but thought I'd ask the experts. 

I'm not the expert, but the silence is deafening on this forum.

I don't see why you couldn't swap carbs onto the manifolds. The manifold boots are real easy to swap if you wanted/needed to. The Orings almost certainly need replacing anyway.

It seems the three circuit carbs are an improvement.  If I had a good set of three circuit carbs, I'd try and use them.

[Bluesmudge]

I see no reason the carbs wouldn't be swappable. I think there was a change in the actual manifold boot size/o-rings to fit the newer carbs so you will need those to be from the same generation as the carbs you choose. The 3 circuit carbs will be the best, you will just have to cap off all the emissions crap.

[struckjm]

in this case I'd be putting old carbs on a new engine.

sound kosher?

[Bluesmudge]

Old carbs on a new engine should work fine. Again, I think the intake boots might have changed with the carbs so make sure they match up with the carbs, not just the engine.

The engine is one of the least-changed things over the years so no reason it can't run on the old carbs, assuming the carbs are set up correct.

[SK Racing]

The Igniter on the new model GS500 gets information from the Throttle Position Sensor and the Solenoid on the right hand carb to advance the ignition timing. Maybe something to consider.

[Bluesmudge]

The Igniter on the new model GS500 gets information from the Throttle Position Sensor and the Solenoid on the right hand carb to advance the ignition timing. Maybe something to consider.

AFAIK, that was added to control emission not improve performance. I have run my '04 with the TPS unplugged and noticed no difference. If anything it seems to run slightly smoother with the TPS unplugged. I don't think it will be an issue to run the old carbs with no TPS.

[SK Racing]

Good to know, thanks. I was wondering how it would run with those wires unplugged. So, if that is true, I wonder how the ignition advance works. Maybe from the RPM, which is a known value on the later models with electronic tacho?

I'd be keen to hide those wires going to the carbs on my '04 street tracker project - to get a cleaner looking bike. I shall do my own tests once my bike runs again. 

[sledge]

Early carbs use a single cable, later ones ones use a dual cable setup. You will also need the later twistgrip assy` and cables if you convert.

[SK Racing]

I've disconnected and removed the second cable from my dual cable carbs ('04 model). I rode it like that for about a year and it works fine. The idea was to declutter the handlebar. I know it's just one cable, but it's one thing less.