I bought this bike a few years ago it's stock except for the paint. After seeing a few modified 500's I decided to give it a facelift.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500002.jpg)
I am going to make it a solo seat
GSXR frontend
Katana rear wheel
CR Special carbs
Stainless header
This is a rough sketch of the seat/subframe. I don't do photoshop.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500005.jpg)
This what I have done so far.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500002-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500002-2.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500005-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500014.jpg)
I have bids in on the wheels and forks and I just got prices from Dynoman on the carbs and filters. I'm working on the tank today it looks pretty bad on the inside.
Nice to see another one getting hacked up, lol. Keep the pics coming and welcome to GSTwins!
are you going to make any additional support for the seat? (like the stock triangle)
or you're hoping that what you have now will be strong enough?
what hes got now would hold just him. (assuming he doesnt weigh 250) but I definately wouldnt put passengers on that.
very cool. That color and the tail design you have started with is what got me looking for a GS500 in the first place. Keep us posted on your progress. Very cool indeed.
Whats left of the subframe will definately not support him. When I was cutting up my subframe, I was curious how strong the
tubing was by itself, and it bends very easily without the proper supports. He'll need some additional supports, and he should also think about some additional bracing since he heated and bent those tubes, which defiantely weakened the metal.
+1 to kappa
Newman...can you try sitting on that subframe as is to see if it holds weight. I'm planning on doing the same thing.
Quote from: seamax on November 20, 2009, 08:01:08 AM
Newman...can you try sitting on that subframe as is to see if it holds weight. I'm planning on doing the same thing.
I have sat on it several times. With the seat positioned like it is I sit very close to the tank so my weight is ahead of the heated tubes. The rest of the subframe will be welded to those tubes and will help support my weight. I'm not going to run supports down from the the subframe I won't need them. It will be clear as I box them in.
When you say the rest of the subframe, are you going to run any other supports from those tubes there, to the frame itself? I'm curious what your finished subframe will look like.....just don't want to see anyone get hurt when their subframe decides to fail while going 70 down the highway.
The stock tubed frame was designed that specific way, according to the strength of the metal, to support the
weight of the rider. Now when you remove the bottom supports, but don't add additional supports, you're obviously taking away from the strength. Those tubes were not meant to support weight by themselves. They might be supporting your weight now, but when the stresses from riding come in to play, I don't see it holding up. You won't know for sure until it fails, and then its too late. G'luck with the design!
Quote from: Newman on November 20, 2009, 08:42:22 AM
Quote from: seamax on November 20, 2009, 08:01:08 AM
Newman...can you try sitting on that subframe as is to see if it holds weight. I'm planning on doing the same thing.
I have sat on it several times. With the seat positioned like it is I sit very close to the tank so my weight is ahead of the heated tubes. The rest of the subframe will be welded to those tubes and will help support my weight. I'm not going to run supports down from the the subframe I won't need them. It will be clear as I box them in.
So you are not going to triangulate it..right? But that's what I wanted to hear..that the top frame will bear enough weight for one rider. I wanted to cut out the subframe so the bike has a cleaner line and the area in front of the rear wheel is exposed and looks clean. Will keep an eye on how yours look first. :thumb:
Quote from: kappa2006 on November 20, 2009, 09:32:33 AM
.....just don't want to see anyone get hurt when their subframe decides to fail while going 70 down the highway.
What's the worst that could happen? If his subframe broke off, all he'd get is a 70mph tire right up his ass. No biggie. :thumb:
It looks like it would hold you, but also looks like it could bend over time from bumps and stress. I recomend doing this, 1)added strength 2) keeps the line going to the frame.
(http://i966.photobucket.com/albums/ae150/gregvhen/GS500005-1.jpg)
Quote from: tt_four on November 20, 2009, 09:44:44 AM
Quote from: kappa2006 on November 20, 2009, 09:32:33 AM
.....just don't want to see anyone get hurt when their subframe decides to fail while going 70 down the highway.
What's the worst that could happen? If his subframe broke off, all he'd get is a 70mph tire right up his ass. No biggie. :thumb:
It would never just break off, only slowly start to bend. Hed feel it before anything bad would happen.
I second gregvhen's plan. Good support, and flows well with the frame! :cheers:
forgot to mention to try to steer clear of the petcock. pretty easy to avoid and still keep the flow. but also pretty easy to cover up if your not thinking about it. :thumb:
Out of curiosity......what is your insurance co`s view on mods like this?
Quote from: sledge on November 20, 2009, 11:22:12 AM
Out of curiosity......what is your insurance co`s view on mods like this?
If you check the State of Montana laws regarding motorcycle insurance you will find out we aren't required to have any.
This is what I meant by boxing it in. The teardrop shaped are below them existing frame rail and above the flat steel I tacked on there will be filled in with 16 gauge steel on both sides. I decided to use that because thats what the main beams of the frame are made with.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/GS500006.jpg)
The tank looks like someone used sealer on it at some point. The bottom was very bad along the seams I'll have to find another one.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/GS500005.jpg)
Quote from: Newman on November 20, 2009, 02:04:27 PM
Quote from: sledge on November 20, 2009, 11:22:12 AM
Out of curiosity......what is your insurance co`s view on mods like this?
If you check the State of Montana laws regarding motorcycle insurance you will find out we aren't required to have any.
Can you skip inspections as well?? That would make motorcycle life so easy. Just get a bike and ride it, and there would be no down side to keeping an extra bike or two in your garage even if it doesn't get used much, because you're not losing money on the insurance. I think it's stupid that you have to pay insurance on more than one bike, because whether you ride 300 miles a week on 1 bike, or 300 miles a week split between 3 different bikes, it's still all the same.
Greg: I figured it would just bend first, but describing the affects of that one just wasn't as fun.
We don't have inspections either. We have permanent plates for any vehicle over 11 years old and you can drive four wheelers on the street with the same permanent tags.
We don't have inspections down here in Florida either. Actually, I never even had to show my bike to Progressive for full insurance. The only catch in Florida is that if you don't have 25,000 in medical insurance you are required to wear a helmet. This law is only enforced though if you have a wreck :dunno_white:
Someone did tell me don't know if it is true or not. But, we are only required to have insurance if we wreck. Doesn't make since to me!
Mary
dammit, I wish I didn't need insurance, I get raped out here
Cool build :thumb:
On the topic of insurance... well if you never wreck or get pulled over I guess you would never have to have insurance - or inspection or anything relating to safety (or fees/taxes if you swing that way 8)). I mean... if you were invincible would you carry health insurance? I sure as hell wouldn't - why waste that money? So if you never wreck you wouldn't need collision, liability or comprehensive insurance right?
Of course people do crash, cause crashes or otherwise injure people so insurance is thus required (correct me if I'm wrong - it could all be a conspiracy)
Quote from: NF11624 on November 20, 2009, 09:43:47 PM
Cool build :thumb:
On the topic of insurance... well if you never wreck or get pulled over I guess you would never have to have insurance - or inspection or anything relating to safety (or fees/taxes if you swing that way 8)). I mean... if you were invincible would you carry health insurance? I sure as hell wouldn't - why waste that money? So if you never wreck you wouldn't need collision, liability or comprehensive insurance right?
Of course people do crash, cause crashes or otherwise injure people so insurance is thus required (correct me if I'm wrong - it could all be a conspiracy)
your not wrong. :whisper:
I was just stating the laws of Florida! I have full coverage. Even with an at fault wreck (car) my insurance is $33 a month with progressive. I even have gap insurance if I have a wreck I don't want a penny out of my pocket!
Mary
Not a problem Mary, I was just kindof (in a really roundabout manner) saying that no law is really enforced until its broken. I have full coverage on my GS too because I don't want to pay the price if something happens - because I know it can (and probably will) happen.
A note about Georgia and insurance: If you are stopped for any reason they run your plate to see if insurance is carried on the vehicle. If no insurance, you lose your license. I presume they can run your plate randomly then pull you over for no insurance, but I'm not sure about that one.
Quote from: NF11624 on November 20, 2009, 09:43:47 PM
Cool build :thumb:
On the topic of insurance... well if you never wreck or get pulled over I guess you would never have to have insurance - or inspection or anything relating to safety
The only problem is you can get pulled over just for not having an inspection, at least in PA. I was driving down the road with my friend in her car with an expired inspection sticker, and a cop pulled a u turn right in the middle of the city and pulled her over.
True, true - but a MC inspection is different than a car (at least according to a dealer I spoke to). They apparently cannot zap the MC inspection on the fly like they can with cars (my uneducated guess is it has to do with placement). But that doesn't discount the ... 'helpful' people who will supply you with a valid inspection just for a few bucks - with no regards to the condition of the vehicle.
Either way - I don't condone riding illegally, and I certainly don't encourage riding with no insurance (far from it).
Oh yeah, this is still a cool build :cheers:
any new photos?
I tacked the plate in place on the outside of the frame.I'll do the same on the inside. It will be covered when i get the seat finished.
I made a shelf to relocate the electrics , got the forks and I should get the rear wheel Monday. I'm still looking for a front wheel , rotors , and calipers.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500001-3.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500003-2.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500004-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500006-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/My%20Wifes%20Bike/GS500009.jpg)
Looks like good work. How well does the tank fit over that stuff, and more importantly, how do you hook the front of the tank on the frame with the plate in the way??
what are you doing for a fuel tank?
Quote from: lopee on May 28, 2010, 04:08:39 PM
what are you doing for a fuel tank?
i think he used the original tank, but he had cut out the bottom and remolded? to fit all the cables up underneath it. he said it somewhere.. dont remember right now though
I had forgotten about the insurance/inspection discussion
The Aprilia swingarm has the same pivot and axle bolt sizes and the length pivot to axle is the same as the stock arm. It's steel which made it easy to modify and I liked the shape of it.
The Aprilia it came off of has a right side drive chain so I flipped the arm over, cutoff the shock mount, and welded the GS mount to it. I just took measurements from the stock swingarm before I cut the mount off and them clamped it in the same position on the new arm. I'm using a rear caliper mount that will use the brake stay built into the swingarm. The pivot width is the same as the stock part I even used the GS dust caps. It's not a bolt on swap but I had fun figuring it out.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/PICT0059-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/PICT0058-1.jpg)
Here are the footpeg mounts I made out of aluminum. I made these using a scroll saw and then a sanding roll you can get to port heads with to clean up the edges.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/PICT0006-1.jpg)
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/PICT0001.jpg)
Here is a pic that shows where am at with the seat pan and it also shows the cuts I made in the tail to fit it over the frame rails. I'm going to make another seat pan thats wider and extends up the back of the seat cutout. I bought stick on seat foam but it's so thin I feel like I'm sitting to low in relation to the footpegs.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/PICT0009.jpg)
The tail came with an undertail cover but no fastners to screw into so I used nutserts for 6/32 screws. They use a tool like a pop rivet gun.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/llnewman/PICT0007.jpg)
The nutserts, I'm from what I can see that look pretty much like rivnuts? They all have stupid names. I think you can install rivnuts without a tool, just by tightening the bolt it'll squish it down, but that's probably too much force for a fairing anyway. I think I would've had a million uses for them by now and someday need to get around to ordering a bunch. I wish that was something you could find a local stores, I have no idea why no one around here carries them.
Everything looks fantastic though, very good work.
can you post a pic of the bottom of your tank please?
Looks pretty good so far :thumb:
I just saw this project and I love it! Way more exciting than my build. I didn't fabricate anything. I never thought about a scroll saw to cut aluminum plate. How big of a saw is it? Project looks good, keep it up and and keep taking pictures
Hmmmmmmm, Aprilia swingarm eh?!
Me thinks Ebay might have one?! Now you got me thinking I might not be finished with my build. :technical:
Damn nice build BTW! Damn nice. I love ingenuity!
Crap, forgot, which Aprilia?
O.C.D., you are done. Get out and ride! These posts are for the nonriding public.
Which tail section is that?
EDIT: Found it.