GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Electrojake on August 21, 2010, 11:32:41 AM

Title: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Electrojake on August 21, 2010, 11:32:41 AM
In an effort to answer some of the questions asked in my last product review, I have posted a YouTube video outlining some of the mods I have done to my GS500F.

The video is of mediocre quality and it is painfully long at 10 minutes but to those of you that are willing to suffer through it, there may be some good information within.

Here is the link. . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jmzo3Dut1k (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jmzo3Dut1k)

Regards,
-Ej-
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Toogoofy317 on August 21, 2010, 01:57:39 PM
Hey cool vid! Where did ya get the thermometer and clock. I'm always looking for a way to mount a clock that some jerk just doesn't walk off with. Thinking about it now not sure if I wanna look at the thermometer down here in Florida when it is hotter than hell LOL.

Did you already do a write up on the turn indicators!

Mary
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Clancy on August 21, 2010, 05:21:11 PM
theses guys are good for clocks too. http://www.clocks4bikes.com/ (http://www.clocks4bikes.com/)
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: reload on August 21, 2010, 06:05:40 PM
nice work there.  :thumb:
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: dread_au on August 21, 2010, 06:09:09 PM
Nice video. I wish I had electrical skills
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: ohgood on August 21, 2010, 06:49:11 PM
that lathe @ the beginning - what is it, does it have a half nut, etc ? when i see those beatifully cast tailstocks and large radius castings, i can't help but ask.

nice vidjeo man, enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Electrojake on August 21, 2010, 08:24:26 PM
Quote from: ohgood on August 21, 2010, 06:49:11 PM
that lathe @ the beginning - what is it, does it have a half nut, etc ? when i see those beatifully cast tailstocks and large radius castings, i can't help but ask.

nice vidjeo man, enjoy the ride.

All the gages (and clock) are 52mm VDO. They are cheap and rather rugged but I don't think they were ever intended to on a motorbike.
If you want "the best" then get VDO Marine Grade gages. They are bullet proof but too costly for my wallet!

Check this link for more gauge info. . .
http://www.vehiclecontrols.com/index.html (http://www.vehiclecontrols.com/index.html)

As for the lathe, it's a 1940's vintage Atlas H36. I'll post a few Picts. I also have a 1970's vintage Smithy Milling Machine but its not nearly as impressive at the Atlas unit.
I might as well warn you now, I'm a hobbyist, not a machinist but I could probably answer most of your lathe questions if you might have any.
I've been working in Electrical for 30 years. Therefore I rely on wife or Son for the more intricate welding/machining/fabrication stuff. I do the electrical/computer/electronics stuff and relay on Son for the mechanical and wife for demolition and heavy welding. <heh-heh>
I could go on about the Mrs but why push my luck. (http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2wc9e/grin47.gif)
I'll back with a bit of lathe info.
Regards,
-Ej-
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Toogoofy317 on August 21, 2010, 09:39:23 PM
Holy Moley really $50 for a clock! Think I'll stick to the $3 button ones from Wal-Mart. Even if someone jacks it I can still buy around 15 more LOL.

Maybe I'll cruise the auto parts places and see if I can find one.

Mary
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Shaddow on August 22, 2010, 12:57:05 AM
Thanks for the vid mate. Thats exactly what I was after and now I've got more ideas then budget. HA! Cheers
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Electrojake on August 22, 2010, 09:10:06 AM
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on August 21, 2010, 09:39:23 PM
Holy Moley really $50 for a clock! Think I'll stick to the $3 button ones from Wal-Mart. Even if someone jacks it I can still buy around 15 more LOL.
Maybe I'll cruise the auto parts places and see if I can find one.
Mary

Actually, it was the cheapest 52mm clock I could find.
VDO makes several units going well into the hundreds of dollars. I really just want the cheapest part that will do the job correctly.
As I have learned, the GS500E/F is an outstanding bike to mod on. Cheap aftermarket and home-brew farkel goes very well with it.
Not so with a lot of other bikes. For instance: I desperately need a set of saddle bags on my Harley.
(http://www.harley-davidson.com/media/images/productphotos/PNA/53050_10_M_26a06.jpg)

That's gonna' cost me about $800.00 to do it properly because cheaper aftermarket stuff looks terrible hanging off that bike. Needless to say; for now the Harley stays naked.
Now just think of all the neat stuff you could do to your GS with that same money! Hence the GS gets most of my attention.

I have been mocked, ridiculed, and chided in other forums (and on the street) over my GS500. A vendor I deal with on a Yamaha forum recently described my GS as a top heavy rust bucket that's so under powered that its actually dangerous. <go figure>
Geez, I paid $2600. for a clean one year old bike with 1700 miles on the ODO. I don't get it? What's not to like?  :dunno_black:
It's a great commuter rig and is small enough to ride into my ground floor office at work and park in the back room. Try that with your FJR pal. (http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2wc9e/urinal.gif)
This GS500E/F is fantastic! I'm glad I stumbled across it and the incredible wealth of talent here at the GSTwin.com Forum.

Lathe pictures, and a list of the vendors and part numbers for the gadgets in my video will be posted here soon.
Thanks all for converting me!
Regards,
-Ej-
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Electrojake on August 29, 2010, 06:58:26 AM
Here is a link to the post that has all the products listed. . .
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53758.0#new (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53758.0#new)
-Ej-
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Suzuki Stevo on August 29, 2010, 07:25:39 AM
That has got to be one of the ugliest, but most functional GS's around  :cheers:
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Electrojake on August 29, 2010, 07:37:24 AM
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on August 29, 2010, 07:25:39 AM
That has got to be one of the ugliest, but most functional GS's around  :cheers:

I know all about ugly. . .
I also ride a Yamaha scooter.
-Ej-
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: Blues hurler on October 06, 2010, 04:55:23 PM
Great video Ej, thanks for all the info and taking the time to do that.  Don't let the detractors bring you down.  All the smart people knowthe GS is a great bike! :)
Title: Re: -Ej- GS Modification Video
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on October 07, 2010, 05:29:25 AM
Great video man. Nice mods.