GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Bluehaze on August 13, 2008, 09:58:23 PM

Title: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on August 13, 2008, 09:58:23 PM
Ok this is my first try at modding my bike. Thought i would share how i Grilled my bike.

What you need:
1 Dremel (the best tool for modding ever)
1 onion  basket (you will see what i mean, picture provided)
1 JB Weld putty
1 chrome spray paint
1 Dry erase pen
50 pack of clear medical gloves. (i ended up using about 20 pairs) they are real cheap.
All parts were obtained from Lowe's.  (maybe this website should get some money for inserting that name here)

So here are the picture of the basket, dremel, and paint can.  I obtained the JB Weld later on thus not in the picture.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/maishani/How%20TO/IMG_2076.jpg)


I then proceeded to cut one side of the onion basket with my dremel.
This is pretty easy to do. Just be careful you dont cut yourself. I was also wearing my paintball facemask.. long sleeve shirt as it will create sparks.

One side of the onion basket will fit one side of the fairing. Try to cut as close as possible to the outline of the onion basket to maximize the amount of metal grate you can get  out of one side. Once you cut one side out... cut that in half. in half in which there is more leghth. So i guess longways...   top half goes to the top hole the other half on the bottom hole.  I cut it right in the middle first.  This will allow me to better draw an ouline of where to cut to fit on the top hole of the fairing as the metal grate is not so big.  You then place that metal grate on top of one of the hole and outline about half an inch around the hole using your Dry Erase Pen.  Reason you use dry erase is you can clean up later very easily.  You then cut that outline with the Dremel. 

Start slow and only do 1 hole at a time.  Put the cut outline on top of the hole and slowly bend the metal around the hole.  This is where you want to take your time and really do a good job.  It allows the metal grate to rest on that area naturally and not forced making it easier for you later when putting in the jbweld.  When you are bending the tips of the grate to match the slope of the hole.. you may need to cut using your dremel part of the corners so that it bend more easily. I cant describe what that means but  maybe you will know when you are actually doing it.  Also one side of the top hole there is a plastic close to the hole that you will need to cut around so that your grate will fit better.  Dont be afraid to cut away at the grate slowly to help you bend it a certain way and such. Just do things slowly and with a plan.

Do this same exact procedure to the bottom hole.  This is the harder one as it bends down a bit thus creating an awkward bend for the grate. Just keep rubbing it down. Even use pliers to bend the ends in a bit.. If you have a hard time makig it fit naturaly following the curve.. no problem.. your jbweld will hold that grate down for you with no problem.  Its just that if you take your time to really try to follow that curve it makes it easier... but not neccessary. 

After you have shaped the grate to as close a form around the hole as you can. This is the part where you can paint the grate. I chose the chrome. But you can certainly choose your own color. Looking back..i may have done blue as well.. but i am good with this as i will be putting underlighting  next to this grate which would cause it to reflect the blue light.  Let it dry and do not hurry it.. jbweld is rather permanent and you dont really want to say oh i missed a spot or part of the paint came off your hand while putting it on.

8 hours later.

Ok now that you are done with the paint you are ready to use JBWELD .
JBWELD putty is like this tube that you cut part of it then you squish it together until the 2 different colors meld into one and becomes sticky.  You only need a very small amount for each time you squish together the JBWELD. The reason being you wont be able to use it all at once.  You take that one small amount and you put it between the grate and the fairing holding it down firmly for about 3 minutes. That should be enought time to dry. You can then cut away excess with knife..yes i said cut.. by 3 minutes it hard enought that you have to cut it to get parts off.  really cools stuff.. it basicaly dries up like litterally a rock. You should only do spots and not have to go all the way around. You may notice on the picture that i didnt put jbweld on the silver part on the bottom hole. I figured taht was close to the exhaust pipe thus gets hot... i didnt want the weld to be in that area.. because i took my time bending the grate to the form of the hole i was able to do this without messing up the look.

YOU HAVE 3-4 minutes to get this on one side of the grate before it dries.  Do it one spot at a time.  This is where you need lots of glove. you put on both glove to mesh the weld together. Once its the correct consistency,  you then take off one glove from one of your hands.. the reason... (you will want to hold down that weld onto the grate and the fairing and you will want one hand pressing down on the fairing from the inside and another hand pressing on the other side.. the hand on the other side you want your glove off as you have small amount of jbweld on it with gloves on and can stick messing up the shiny side of the fairing.   Watch those thumbs with the gloves as well as they tend to go around the hole and hold pressure  naturally on the other side but since its the glove side has jbweld on it and will get that clean side dirty.  I had to stop what i was doing many times to clean the shiny side of the fairing due to this mistake. Keep an eye out for it.

45 minutes later.

here is the final result with the grate and jbweld putty.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/maishani/How%20TO/IMG_2078.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/maishani/How%20TO/IMG_2077.jpg)


AND THE FINAL RESULT: GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO TRY IT.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/maishani/How%20TO/IMG_2083.jpg)




Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: PuddleJumper on August 13, 2008, 10:14:32 PM
Cool!
Looks very nice.

PJ
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: scottpA_GS on August 14, 2008, 06:20:10 AM

Ehh...

I was wanting to see a tailgate party GS w/ a cooking grill on the back or something  :laugh:

:thumb:
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: DoD#i on August 14, 2008, 06:26:10 AM
Quote from: scottpA_GS on August 14, 2008, 06:20:10 AM

Ehh...

I was wanting to see a tailgate party GS w/ a cooking grill on the back or something  :laugh:

:thumb:

You just need steak/burger holders that clip on the cylinders. "install steak - ride 5 miles in stop and go traffic - pull over, marinate with wd40 and turn over, ride back, add a little 10W40 sauce and eat!"
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: NEWGS500F on August 14, 2008, 08:32:32 AM
Looks superb mate ... nice work  :thumb:
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: kml.krk on August 14, 2008, 09:10:00 AM
nice write up!
thanks!
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: B kizzle on August 14, 2008, 09:51:18 AM
Niice job! I dig it.  ;)
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: utgunslinger13 on August 14, 2008, 11:29:29 AM
Love the mod!  I'm not sure what that "grill" material cost, but you can also pick up some Gutter Guard from Homedepot for around 3-5 dollars and do basically the same thing.  It probably isn't as sturdy as what you used, but none-the-less cheap!

Nick
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: ATLRIDER on August 14, 2008, 07:29:07 PM
Quote from: utgunslinger13 on August 14, 2008, 11:29:29 AM
Love the mod!  I'm not sure what that "grill" material cost, but you can also pick up some Gutter Guard from Homedepot for around 3-5 dollars and do basically the same thing.  It probably isn't as sturdy as what you used, but none-the-less cheap!

Nick

Yep, used the Gutter Guard on my Honda Odyssey to keep the bugs and rocks from hitting the a/c condensor.  Looks sharp, it's cheap,functional, won't rust and got 3/4 roll left over for future projects :icon_lol:.

Bluehaze,

Nice job!

Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: bikejunkie223 on August 16, 2008, 07:26:49 AM
That looks really tight. I like it!
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: souljeroflight on August 19, 2008, 07:14:55 PM
you have inspired me and i went right out to Home Depot to get materials......ooops should have gone to Lowes nothing at Home Depot! but did find some fish baskets at Wally-world that did work chrome spray paint j-b weld and some clear epoxy did the job great and like you my LED light kit is in the mail. :cheers:
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on August 19, 2008, 09:03:24 PM
nice bro.. provide pictures please when you get yours all set up.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on August 25, 2008, 01:41:21 AM
Well got my lighting in and spent the weekend hooking it up.   Here is the pic.  I lovin it..  It really makes that grill stand out now.
Not that great of image as its in nightime but this will get attention at night.. And the cloudy weather up here in the NW. Thats all i need for safety.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/maishani/IMG_2109.jpg)


This second one is on the side with the headlight off..


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/maishani/IMG_2113.jpg)
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: souljeroflight on August 25, 2008, 07:48:16 AM
That sure is some bright lighting. What are you using? I ordered these Led's off e-bay and got four single LED's and they just dont put out half that light ? Let me know it looks great i want t
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on August 25, 2008, 08:09:58 AM
http://www.customdynamics.com/Suzuki_tail_retro.htm     ..its a candy store for  all lighting equipment.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: nascarkeith on August 25, 2008, 08:29:21 AM
Looks cool.  I think I am going to have to follow suit and do this while the bike is parked for winter.  Think I might at a couple led's under the tail to hit that rear wheel area.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: The Buddha on August 25, 2008, 08:30:38 AM
Naaaa ...
I Just ...
Rob a jewelrey store and tell em make me a grill.  :laugh:
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Toogoofy317 on August 25, 2008, 03:11:24 PM
Isn't the blue illegal? Think it looks cool but down here in Fl the cops would have a field day with fines. Was thinking another color but not sure.

Oh well,

Mary S.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on August 25, 2008, 03:46:51 PM
I got a switch on it.. so if they dont like it.. i just turn it off.. go around the corner and turn it back on.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: souljeroflight on August 25, 2008, 04:36:57 PM
do you remember what kit it was you bought from them was it the sportbike kit?
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: nascarkeith on August 26, 2008, 08:05:16 PM
This post inspired me to put a grill in my gs.  I picked up a hinged gutter screen and some JB Weld at Home Depot.  The gutter screen was $1.94 and the JB Weld was $4.99.  The gutter screen is made for outdoors so it doesn't need painting but I am debating leaving mine as is or painting it black.  It can be cut with snips or a dremel.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/carb002-1.jpg)
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on August 27, 2008, 12:39:45 AM
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on August 25, 2008, 03:11:24 PM
Isn't the blue illegal? Think it looks cool but down here in Fl the cops would have a field day with fines. Was thinking another color but not sure.

Oh well,

Mary S.

I just looked at the washington state rules for lighting and vehiicle  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.37&full=true  .. does not state anything about having motorcycle  alternate lighting on vehicle.. which could mean its ok here in washington. If anyother have contradicting information please let me know. I would like to be at least knowledgeable of the rule.. just play dumb when actually confronted with it.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: bikejunkie223 on August 27, 2008, 06:29:34 AM
I'm pretty sure any blue lights on a vehicle that doesn't belong to the Man are illegal. Maybe you need to evolve to Redhaze...
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: nascarkeith on September 01, 2008, 05:44:15 PM
Holy pain in the but, Batman!  I tried adding the grills too mine and finally said to heck with it.  Never could get the stupid mesh to bend right and I never could get the JB Quick Weld to hold.  Props to Blue Haze for making it look so easy.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on September 01, 2008, 09:43:01 PM
nascarkieth.. from the picture you are using the wrong jb product. The jb weld is what you want.  it should be come in a round putty like substance. To mix you actually have to squish it together to make a sort of soft clay like substance.  That will make it easier to do than the product you bought.  Its well worth it and very eashy.. grab that product and it will be very easy.

Here is the link to the actual product. http://jbweld.net/products/jbstik.php
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: utgunslinger13 on September 02, 2008, 11:31:47 AM
The JB weld he has will be ok to use since its the quick setting type.  The other will take to long to set and might run (I know from experience), but that was solved by just laying the frame on itside (the bike was completely dissassembled.

The putty you mentioned would be a good deal easier as well.

Nick
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: nascarkeith on September 02, 2008, 11:44:03 AM
The quick stuff didn't set up quick enough.  I tried and tried and could not get the mesh bends exactly like the fairings so I was counting on the jb weld to hold it.  I would sit there holding it down for a while and when I let go it would pop out of place.  I even tried taping it down.  Then I added more hardener to the mix to get it to set quicker.  That didn't work so I just got frustrated and quit fooling with it.  I may go back and try the stick stuff.  I already have the screen cut and painted black.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Kasumi on September 02, 2008, 01:08:00 PM
And i thought, looking at the title, that we were talking about a GS mounted BBQ grill. That woulda bin ace, fast food bbq style off the back of the GS.


*sigh* well atleast what it turned out to be showed good workmanship, still cant help but think sausages sizzling on the back seat would be better though...
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: utgunslinger13 on September 02, 2008, 01:19:44 PM
Nascarkeith:

You will need some sort of clamping device with the type of JB weld that you are using.  I know they slow setting stuff I used needed to be set overnight for full cure.  So I used a clamp to lock it down till it fully cured.

Nick
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: nascarkeith on September 16, 2008, 08:53:54 PM
The JB Quick weld was obviously the wrong thing and didn't work and I could find the stuff linked to so I used the Loctite equivelant.  It worked well.  Thanks for the encouragement Blue haze.  I think it looks better.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun007.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun008.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun006.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun009.jpg)
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Villager on September 17, 2008, 04:53:46 AM
That does look mighty cool but I'm fairly sure that would be highly illegal here, and the po-lice are fairly ticket-happy - you'd be lucky to get away with a warning.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: sdufresne on September 17, 2008, 10:07:44 AM
I'm a huge fan of this mod. Once the season is over and can't ride, I will take mine apart and throw some of this stuff on. Thanks for the idea! :cheers:
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: LimeyYankee on September 17, 2008, 11:43:08 AM
Great job on your grill.  I too think I'll tackle this project in the "off" season. 

Nascar Keith, what foot pegs do you have on there, I'd like to get something like those on my 07!  You have one nice looking bike, good job  :thumb:
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: nascarkeith on September 17, 2008, 02:44:37 PM
Thanks!  The pegs are off the wiki.  I got the carbon fiber ones but they come in different colors.  They were about 35 bucks front and rear from the bay.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on September 18, 2008, 10:26:02 PM
Hot.. thats what i am talking about. Took this mod up a level and put it on your side as well.  I will have to get another onion basket and try it out.  very nice indeed.  Now if we can just figure out where to put the hotdogs...   :cheers: :cheers:
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: efushi on September 22, 2008, 08:46:46 PM
Hey blue haze, you ever get pulled over for the blue under lights you have there?  I don't know the laws about it here in MA, but so tempted to get some lights too.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: Bluehaze on September 22, 2008, 09:12:08 PM
No have not gotten stopped.  Thought i think its more on the Trooper mood.  I have a switch and can turn it off easily enough.  I ride it an night lots of time.  I am glad i have not been stopped and the cops are pretty nice about it.  I have seen other motorcycles with lighting underneath as well. I think its also more of not going too overboard with it.  It can be seen but you have to really be close to it.  You cant see it longer than 50 feet i dont  think.. so maybe thats why its not such a big deal.  None of the leds point outward that would make it visible very far.  I got the kit from  www.customdynamics.com 
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: efushi on September 22, 2008, 11:53:04 PM
cool cool. which kit did u get from customdynamics
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: bikejunkie223 on September 23, 2008, 06:27:07 AM
It's not the lights, but the color- I'm suprised you haven't been jacked up by the man. looks cool.
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: TwoWheelRida on September 25, 2008, 08:04:37 AM
Hey blue haze, are those LED lights easy to install? is there an on off switch ?

Let me kno,
DY
Title: Re: How TO put on a Grill on you GS500F
Post by: NEWGS500F on September 26, 2008, 01:55:39 PM
Quote from: nascarkeith on September 16, 2008, 08:53:54 PM
The JB Quick weld was obviously the wrong thing and didn't work and I could find the stuff linked to so I used the Loctite equivelant.  It worked well.  Thanks for the encouragement Blue haze.  I think it looks better.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun007.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun008.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun006.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/nascarkeith/GS500F/sun009.jpg)

Excellent job mate...looks very good indeed  :thumb: