Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 11:00:39 AM
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 11:00:39 AM
(http://home.ripway.com/2004-12/217614/Suzuki/gsrightsmall.JPG) (http://home.ripway.com/2004-12/217614/Suzuki/Dawns_GS500_Page.html) <-- Linky Linky
All Spray Cans!
The bike's my wife's '92 Suzuki GS500e. It was red with white wheels when we got it (for $700 bucks). She wanted a darker look with the irridescent purple paint. Found the paint in spray cans by Dupli Color. My son & I did the whole project with rattle cans for about $150.00 including the vinyl graphic set. Cleared the whole project with Dupli Color clear engine enamel. Had some trouble with the clear, wanted to go on dry, or lift the black if layed on wet. Would use another choice of clear if I did it again. Wanted the fuel resistance & durability of the engine enamel.
All in all, the project came out good, Mrs. Downer is happy with it. My son & I had a good time doing it & it didn't cost much.
Other mods include: Avon Radials, rear is 150/70/ZR17. Meyer 1/4 faring. Custom jetting.
All Spray Cans!
The bike's my wife's '92 Suzuki GS500e. It was red with white wheels when we got it (for $700 bucks). She wanted a darker look with the irridescent purple paint. Found the paint in spray cans by Dupli Color. My son & I did the whole project with rattle cans for about $150.00 including the vinyl graphic set. Cleared the whole project with Dupli Color clear engine enamel. Had some trouble with the clear, wanted to go on dry, or lift the black if layed on wet. Would use another choice of clear if I did it again. Wanted the fuel resistance & durability of the engine enamel.
All in all, the project came out good, Mrs. Downer is happy with it. My son & I had a good time doing it & it didn't cost much.
Other mods include: Avon Radials, rear is 150/70/ZR17. Meyer 1/4 faring. Custom jetting.
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: weaselnoze on January 16, 2005, 11:09:44 AM
Post by: weaselnoze on January 16, 2005, 11:09:44 AM
paint looks sharp man!
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 11:34:25 AM
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 11:34:25 AM
Thanx weaselnoze :thumb:
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: gsJack on January 16, 2005, 11:41:26 AM
Post by: gsJack on January 16, 2005, 11:41:26 AM
Very nice, Downer.
Noticed you are running the 150/70 AV46 rear tire. I'm running the 140/80 AV46 now and it comes quite close to the brake torque rod. Did you have enough clearance for the 150/70 without grinding off some of the torque rod?
The 150/70 would make the rear about 1/4" lower than the 140/80 which is the best fit for the 3.5" wide GS rear wheel. A bit lower would be better for me when I put on my 05 season tires in a couple months.
Noticed you are running the 150/70 AV46 rear tire. I'm running the 140/80 AV46 now and it comes quite close to the brake torque rod. Did you have enough clearance for the 150/70 without grinding off some of the torque rod?
The 150/70 would make the rear about 1/4" lower than the 140/80 which is the best fit for the 3.5" wide GS rear wheel. A bit lower would be better for me when I put on my 05 season tires in a couple months.
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: JetSwing on January 16, 2005, 11:46:46 AM
Post by: JetSwing on January 16, 2005, 11:46:46 AM
first, welcome aboard!
great job on the bike, Downer! i see that you've painted the frame, did you stip it down to the frame?
also, how did you do your wheels? i'm about to get my wheels powder coated black but your looks great too.
great job on the bike, Downer! i see that you've painted the frame, did you stip it down to the frame?
also, how did you do your wheels? i'm about to get my wheels powder coated black but your looks great too.
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 11:47:38 AM
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 11:47:38 AM
Thanx for the reply gsJack.
Yes, we had to "clerance" the brake arm, we simply cut a little groove in the arm where the tire would touch it. Likewise the plastic chain guard. Radial tire makes a huge difference in the way the bike feels & handles. I would say it transformed this little bike!
Yes, we had to "clerance" the brake arm, we simply cut a little groove in the arm where the tire would touch it. Likewise the plastic chain guard. Radial tire makes a huge difference in the way the bike feels & handles. I would say it transformed this little bike!
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: gsJack on January 16, 2005, 12:01:38 PM
Post by: gsJack on January 16, 2005, 12:01:38 PM
I've always said a pair of Progressive front springs and a good set of sport touring radials will make the GS500 the closest thing you can get to a sportbike for the modest price of the GS. OEM front springs are way too soft.
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 12:07:09 PM
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 12:07:09 PM
Quote from: JetSwingDowner! i see that you've painted the frame, did you stip it down to the frame?
also, how did you do your wheels? i'm about to get my wheels powder coated black but your looks great too.
JetSwing, we didn't strip the bike completely, though that would be best. We stripped down the tins, pegs & controls, masked the engine & other remaining parts, then plastic trash bagged the fork & swing arm assemblies. The swing arm is painted a dark metallic gray.
As for the wheels, we bead blasted the white powder coat off at a friend's shop. Then painted them with Deltron acrylic paint. Again, powder coat would be best, we wanted to do this project ourselves on a budget. If powdercoating, check with your powdercoater, He will probably want to prepair the surfaces himself.
Thanx for the reply. :P
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: jjr_vw on January 16, 2005, 12:13:05 PM
Post by: jjr_vw on January 16, 2005, 12:13:05 PM
Well, I guess that answers the question I was about to pose, which was
"Is $300 too much for a paint job, if I'm providing the paint (not clear coat), and taking the bike apart?"
That is one sharp looking bike. Let us know how the paint holds up.
In the meantime I'll go to my local car paint store and see how much it'd be for the paint and clear coat, so I can do the job myself. They are called Finish Masters, anybody heard anything about them?
"Is $300 too much for a paint job, if I'm providing the paint (not clear coat), and taking the bike apart?"
That is one sharp looking bike. Let us know how the paint holds up.
In the meantime I'll go to my local car paint store and see how much it'd be for the paint and clear coat, so I can do the job myself. They are called Finish Masters, anybody heard anything about them?
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 12:38:57 PM
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 12:38:57 PM
jjr_vw, I wouldn't think $300 is too much if your getting a good job. You may be suprised how much your materials will be. You should use some type of acrylic paint. We used the spray cans as a way to keep costs down. It's hard to get a good finish though.
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: MARIE11480 on January 16, 2005, 05:03:18 PM
Post by: MARIE11480 on January 16, 2005, 05:03:18 PM
I love that paint excellent job :cheers:[
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 05:13:38 PM
Post by: Downer on January 16, 2005, 05:13:38 PM
Thanx MARIE11480! We had fun doing it. :mrgreen:
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: juggernaught on January 16, 2005, 07:45:08 PM
Post by: juggernaught on January 16, 2005, 07:45:08 PM
Well done paint job..!!! Bike looks great..!! I'm hoping to paint a camouflage pattern on mine this summer. Oh...welcome to the best bike board on the net, I no longer own a GS but i like this site a lot. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: scratch on January 17, 2005, 08:56:11 AM
Post by: scratch on January 17, 2005, 08:56:11 AM
WOW!!!
Welcome to GStwin!
Welcome to GStwin!
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: mwdbruno on January 17, 2005, 10:32:16 AM
Post by: mwdbruno on January 17, 2005, 10:32:16 AM
Welcome...Welcome :cheers:
Excellent looking bike...great work!
Excellent looking bike...great work!
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: average on January 17, 2005, 12:15:54 PM
Post by: average on January 17, 2005, 12:15:54 PM
a buddy of mine painted his vfr the same color. looks great man. there s alot of great information here. welcome aboard!
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: girlracer on January 17, 2005, 03:07:52 PM
Post by: girlracer on January 17, 2005, 03:07:52 PM
very nice :cheers:
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: pantablo on January 17, 2005, 11:37:46 PM
Post by: pantablo on January 17, 2005, 11:37:46 PM
Downer, great looking bike. I'm not a fan of the irredescent paint but it seems to be a popular one, as I've seen several on here do it. YOurs looks top notch. I'd always wanted to paint the frame as you did as well.
Welcome and enjoy.... :cheers:
Welcome and enjoy.... :cheers:
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 18, 2005, 04:52:45 PM
Post by: Downer on January 18, 2005, 04:52:45 PM
Thank you all for the support! I got a lot of ideas looking at your picture galleries & message boards. The tire size information is from gstwins.com & from pantablo's page. You've already been a lot of help to me, I should have signed on earlier! :thumb:(http://home.ripway.com/2004-12/217614/Quick/colormov.gif)
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Roadstergal on January 18, 2005, 05:01:59 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on January 18, 2005, 05:01:59 PM
That really looks sharp. Well done, man.
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Jeppy on January 18, 2005, 11:41:24 PM
Post by: Jeppy on January 18, 2005, 11:41:24 PM
Sweet Sweet Bike! :thumb:
The paint job is smoking!!!! :thumb:
The paint job is smoking!!!! :thumb:
Title: New Member - New pics
Post by: Downer on January 20, 2005, 08:26:49 PM
Post by: Downer on January 20, 2005, 08:26:49 PM
Quote from: pantabloDowner, great looking bike. I'm not a fan of the irredescent paint but it seems to be a popular one, as I've seen several on here do it. YOurs looks top notch. I'd always wanted to paint the frame as you did as well.I agree with with your "not a fan" comment. We've all seen it overused. I think it looks best when used as an accent, rather than as an overall color. :thumb:
Welcome and enjoy.... :cheers: