so i finally got around to getting the things needed to take these ugly things off. here are the pics:
(http://a996.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/63/l_6c0dc54cbbc7eecfc9a2ec28272c0f3b.jpg)
side view before
(http://a220.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/117/l_267b26361a10d532b8fa24ce6786fd73.jpg)
front before
(http://a510.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/78/l_146bac97d3dc16a2f847724afaa9782d.jpg)
these things were really easy to take off. just a few bolts. take an allen wrench to them and 20 min. later, they're off.
(http://a357.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/54/l_ebaa95886b19c5cca18ae584ac84deb4.jpg)
the front fairing comes off pretty easy as well. just pop off the tabs and unscrew the screws holding the black cover on, and take that off, then take off the fairing by undoing the mirrors (there are two tabs on each mirror base), as well as unscrewing the fairing from the mounting bracket.
(http://a418.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/118/l_25d7ca001859cab9f6ce9a8a275dd711.jpg)
it should look like this now. from what i hear, nobody else has had any problems with this bracket, but it gave me hell! :mad:
it took about two hours to take off considering that i had to figure out what to do and ended up just drilling the bolts out.
(http://a339.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/113/l_a9b85aa45d1211f589931bf3a2ab5eba.jpg)
i finally got that damned bracket off.
(http://a279.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/38/l_98131eb7dd4cff6bd80bb2661c2f195e.jpg)
it's already starting to look better.
(http://a313.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/2/l_ce4e3c8f108e22dfcdda1880c64d4938.jpg)
i put on these led turn signal mirrors from flyncycle.com. they work really well, but i'm going to have to get a new relay for them because they blink too fast. i think the different resistance is messing with it or something. but yeah, they're good and i recommend them. (they also have a version for faired bikes)
(http://a859.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/103/l_a75bb58bcedfced8ff9122a78920ba92.jpg)
i'm really liking the way this is going.
(http://a84.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/106/l_a9cf6116022279181e89a950d8ad7f73.jpg)
added headlights/mount (also from flyncycle)
(http://a655.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/60/l_90e92a640ba0c6f4c25a5f663c21055e.jpg)
tada! done! ~4 or 4.5 hours. would have been considerably less if those bolts would have come off more easily.
either way, i test drove it for about 30 min. and i like the new lights alot. i recommend everything i put on there, and i'll let everybody know if i have any problems with anything.
if anybody has any questions about anything i did, just ask!
Oh how I loved to see the clothes come off that thing...haha.
Goods much better. I like the turn signal mirrors. I'm not a big fan of mirrors, but those look pretty cool and I like how they double as the turn signals.
How bright are those dual lights. I really like the look of the dual lights, but I've heard they aren't as bright? I'm not sure about this specific brand...and if I think about it, I don't really ride at night that much anyway...well right now I legally can't...so I guess it doesn't matter too much. How much were the lights and mounting brackets?
i dunno, they seemed brighter than stock to me...
the whole package was 225 on flyncycle.com (dominator headlights, with dual headilght brackets).
they also have the mirrors there, for 50 bucks.
Well maybe come Spring Season I'll have a little more cash to put towards my baby.
yeah, that's what took me so long in getting around to it! :laugh:
probably the best one-day project there is.
QuoteHow bright are those dual lights. I really like the look of the dual lights, but I've heard they aren't as bright?
I bought the dualies from the UK streetfighterstore and have no complaints about brightness. With the bulbs that come with the kit they put out plenty of light and, if you really had a personal preference for yet more light, you could very easily install two of those superbrightness h4's that people have posted about on these forums. To be honest though, I was perfectly happy out-of-the-box.
Looks so much better without that chicken beak fairing :laugh:
p.s. i'm selling the fairings (everything!) so if anybody wants them, check out this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=38721.0 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=38721.0).
Looks great man! I ordered those same headlights last week and can't wait to put them on!
where did you get those mirrors? I love em!
Quote from: darb85 on November 07, 2007, 12:02:18 PM
where did you get those mirrors? I love em!
http://www.flyncycle.com/acatalog/Universal_Mirrors.html
they're the 5th one down. they work really well, but you'll have to get a new relay (they sell those as well) because the signal speed is too fast with the LEDs.
How do you think these dual headlights compare to the hella dual lights? The Hella duals are only $50 bucks..
Shuluke
http://truckcustomizers.com/products/-HM-CM/R4HLA131.2.html
copied from this post.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33597.0
Maybe we can see some light output comparison pictures.. I dont know which ones to go with.. I want to go with the brightest..
seems like the money you save you make up for with work. if you can handle all that wiring, etc.. you may wanna go for it. but i'm not positive on the light output for those hellas. the dominators get the job done. they're both the same wattage, but the dominators run two at a time on low and two at a time on high (as they're made to be headlights, and the hellas don't have two elements, so high is just both on...), so i'm thinking the dominators are probably going to be brighter. just my opinion, though.
As ive always Said , the GS was born to be naked , that was the reason i bought it , i loved the look
those mirrors are hot , i would have a pair myself , but my indicators are in my headlight :icon_twisted:
aw, how come everyone hates the fairing so much??
I hate it because it's ugly, that's all. I'm not bias to just GSs I pretty much don't like any bike with fairings.
There are a few bikes i like Faired .. The Daytona 675 , And the zx10r .
but as a rule im into streetfighters ,or nakeds , the gsxr1000 looks amazing Naked!
that looks amazin, i might turn mine naked now. twins look sweet.
how did you route the wires for the mirror lights?
Bike looks hot!!! :thumb:
Love the mirrors!
Quote from: shuluke on November 07, 2007, 12:29:01 PM
How do you think these dual headlights compare to the hella dual lights? The Hella duals are only $50 bucks..
Shuluke
http://truckcustomizers.com/products/-HM-CM/R4HLA131.2.html
copied from this post.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33597.0
Maybe we can see some light output comparison pictures.. I dont know which ones to go with.. I want to go with the brightest..
The Hellas have single filament (55w) H3 bulbs. The Dominators have dual filament (55w/60w) H4 bulbs. You can get higher wattage H4 bulbs (I had 55w/100w in my TLR), not sure what is available in H3 bulbs.
Quote from: ImportBabe on November 08, 2007, 07:49:05 AM
how did you route the wires for the mirror lights?
they come out right next to the bottom of the stalk.
(http://a168.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/45/l_3e60103e9f7ce1007180ff191240a9a7.jpg)
you can see it kind of hanging down here. i just used black zip-ties to bundle the wire with the rest of the wires that come from each console, and run it down to where the old wires are.
(http://a48.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/80/l_1cead3a28126fa32acafe91f5387522f.jpg)
this kicks some serious butt. I just got off the phone.. since I ordered my package :icon_mrgreen:
only thing is, I didn't know if I had to get the 2 or 3 pin relay (dont have the bike right here with me), so that will have to wait. :thumb:
just like a woman..... the more you take off the bettter she looks.
im trying to do the opposite with mine. not sure what all is inteled in doing so.
why some of you guys hate fairings and F version so much?? :dunno_white:
I love the fairings and I think they do a really good job when cruising on the highway, keeping the wind off.
Quote from: kml.krk on November 16, 2007, 05:30:45 PM
why some of you guys hate fairings and F version so much?? :dunno_white:
The GS500 was a fairing-free bike for many, many years before they were added. And it shows... to my mind the fairings are quite clearly an after-thought slapped on. The design of the bike underneath had not changed whatsoever (except for the addition of a few brackets here an there to support the new plastics). As a result the fairings don't exactly look well intergrated into the flow of the bike. I have an '05 F and got quite tired at looking at the enourmous expanse of flat, featureless plastic staring back at me whilst I was sitting behind the controls - so off they came.
Of course, this is simply a personal opinion, and I'm not here to start a flame war - and if people like their fairings I'm cool with that too. But you asked for the reasoning, and there it is! :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: kml.krk on November 16, 2007, 05:30:45 PM
why some of you guys hate fairings and F version so much?? :dunno_white:
I love the fairings and I think they do a really good job when cruising on the highway, keeping the wind off.
because it takes a real man to manhandle the wind with the power of a 1000 men... no need for a fruity plastic fairing :laugh:
actually, I originally intended to get a new gs500 without fairings, but that was in 2005, so only faired bikes were available (new). Now they are finally coming off.
I understand the intent of fairing (blocking wind and what not) but again it comes down to personal preference...and I'd much rather take the wind than ride an ugly bike.. :laugh:
I understand the attaction to the naked bike look, but that's only when it has a nicely finished engine and headers. The GS seems to get a lot of corrosion and rust underneath. I like the finish of the Honda 599 much better as a naked bike. Don't get me wrong though, the conversion looks good, and the aftermarket parts go perfect with it.
hey lancemclaughlin I just got all my stuff on the mail today :icon_mrgreen: and I noticed that there was no screw to attach the brackets to the dual headlight stup (you know, one screw on each side of the headlights)... did you get certain screw size at a store?
Also, how do you handle the angle of the lights? in other words, did you just eyeballed how much the dual lights would be pointing down or up?
tyty
Quote from: calamari on November 17, 2007, 07:37:08 PM
hey lancemclaughlinAlso, how do you handle the angle of the lights? in other words, did you just eyeballed how much the dual lights would be pointing down or up?
I put a spirit level on mine to get them horizonal. Then wheeled out to the street to see what it looked like and fine tune - it was about right.
Quote from: davipu on November 16, 2007, 01:13:20 PM
just like a woman..... the more you take off the bettter she looks.
Not all women!!! :laugh:
I'm keeping my girl fully dressed!
Quote from: calamari on November 17, 2007, 07:37:08 PM
hey lancemclaughlin I just got all my stuff on the mail today :icon_mrgreen: and I noticed that there was no screw to attach the brackets to the dual headlight stup (you know, one screw on each side of the headlights)... did you get certain screw size at a store?
It is a 8mm bolt
Quote from: calamari on November 17, 2007, 07:37:08 PM
hey lancemclaughlin I just got all my stuff on the mail today :icon_mrgreen: and I noticed that there was no screw to attach the brackets to the dual headlight stup (you know, one screw on each side of the headlights)... did you get certain screw size at a store?
Also, how do you handle the angle of the lights? in other words, did you just eyeballed how much the dual lights would be pointing down or up?
tyty
i think 3/8" but i'm not sure... just do what i did and take the headlights down to the hardware store and fit it. make sure that you get the shortest one available.
and yeah, i just eyeballed the lights. keep the screws a little loose and ride around for a few minutes before tightening them down all the way.
MUCH better, nice job! It looks so much tougher naked, the GS has such nice lines. I also like the mirrors, I'm looking for something in black, really well made. Don't need signals in them though. I just want something a little tighter in.
My husband would tell you that you need to take all those stickers off the bike... I got mine just last Wed. and that was the first thing he did, at least he asked first and I said knock yourself out! Off came the tank and frame stickers, and one the PO had on the tail. Keeps the visual flow going, especially on a black frame.
Really really cool bike!
just a quick update to say that i just did mine 8)
took her for a quick spin at night and HOLY CARP! I felt the power of nature blasting me left and right. That little plastic fairing does actually work!... but now is off and I will ride Naked... not me, the bike.
pics will follow tomorrow.
OMG. The plastic lovers group is shrinking every day...
I'll keep her dressed anyways :icon_twisted:
Quote from: kml.krk on November 23, 2007, 03:49:39 PM
OMG. The plastic lovers group is shrinking every day...
I'll keep her dressed anyways :icon_twisted:
I keep her dressed at night.. with her favorite blankit
(http://s3dl.com/imagehost/timages/klz1195878163s.jpg) (http://s3dl.com/imagehost/ver.php?id=klz1195878163s.jpg)
When daytime arrived, we had to go for another spin...
(http://s3dl.com/imagehost/timages/bwy1195878235j.jpg) (http://s3dl.com/imagehost/ver.php?id=bwy1195878235j.jpg)
:thumb:
Awwww thats sweet! She has a little rug to keep her feet warm and a blankit to wrap round when its cold! :)
My ZXR sits in the freezing cold garage getting icy so that when i get her out she really wants to shift it! :icon_twisted:
Alright people, today I woke up early and decided to go some 50 miles on interstate 80 goin in and out of Sacramento during rush hour with my new-to-me naked GS.
It was miserable, cold, foogy and interesting experience. :thumb:
I'll give it another try... in a few months :P
Isn't Sacramento in California? Just how cold was it this morning? It was 38 F here in central Arkansas this morning. 44 F yesterday. It's only a 20 mile ride for me at 80MPH+ ( just to keep from getting run over). I'm on a 2000 with nothing but the clothes I put on. It will be that way for the foreseeable future. I will commute on it everyday unless there is ice on the bridges, a rare occasion here. My last bike had a windshield and I would really like to have another one for the little GS but am not sure how to go, flyscreen or all the way to a National Cycle Plexifairing. Either way they all seem to be made of GOLD by the selling prices.
Were these plug and play on your GS? Or did you have to do some wiring? Also, what bracket did you get for your GS? The streetfighter 2 headlight bracket kit? The fork tube sizes for the GS's are the same throughout the years right?
Thanks!
Shuluke
love the streetfighter look!
Quote from: shuluke on November 27, 2007, 10:15:56 PM
Were these plug and play on your GS? Or did you have to do some wiring? Also, what bracket did you get for your GS? The streetfighter 2 headlight bracket kit? The fork tube sizes for the GS's are the same throughout the years right?
i had to splice a few wires, but nothing major. just give yourself some room for error and tie everything up with zip-ties when you're finished. yeah the fork sizes are all the same, and i used the 2 headlight bracket from flyncycle.com.