GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: hokierower on September 09, 2010, 08:01:24 PM

Title: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: hokierower on September 09, 2010, 08:01:24 PM
Gonna take some getting used to the new feel (no windscreen & lighter front end) but I already dig the way it looks.

Picture of the new front end.  Removed stock fairing, headlight, and indicators with arrow LED indicators and Dominator headlights.
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wa8FAyfOOJc/TImMGtg9W7I/AAAAAAAAAQA/8996TfFZ8gQ/s640/IMG00183-20100909-1958.jpg)

Picture of the bike from the right.  Just shows the tank guard and the new look from the seat.
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wa8FAyfOOJc/TImMHAYV7lI/AAAAAAAAAQI/cXqiR4jeo4o/s640/IMG00188-20100909-1959.jpg)
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: driftjunke24 on September 09, 2010, 10:47:10 PM
I see you have what looks like stock bars on a newer GS. How did you mount your end mirrors? Pull out the stock bar end, or clamp the mirrors over it?
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on September 09, 2010, 11:42:08 PM
what are those stickers on the tank supposed to do? provide friction?
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: gregvhen on September 09, 2010, 11:43:40 PM
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on September 09, 2010, 11:42:08 PM
what are those stickers on the tank supposed to do? provide friction?

protect paint from cloathing, zippers and what not

EDIT: and friction for those 180 mph hair pin turns
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: SparkzZ on September 10, 2010, 12:19:39 AM
nice headlights. I would like to do the same for mine, where did you get them from and for how much? thanks
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: burning1 on September 10, 2010, 01:02:33 AM
Quote from: gregvhen on September 09, 2010, 11:43:40 PM
EDIT: and friction for those 180 mph hair pin turns

The only way a GS500 is hitting 180MPH is if you throw it off a cliff.  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: shchuka on September 10, 2010, 03:56:00 AM
Quote from: burning1 on September 10, 2010, 01:02:33 AM
The only way a GS500 is hitting 180MPH is if you throw it off a cliff.  :icon_mrgreen:

And even then it will only get to about 120 MPH - the terminal velocity  :police:
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on September 10, 2010, 04:59:34 AM
Looks great. I love those mirrors, same ones I have.
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: hokierower on September 10, 2010, 06:14:17 AM
Quote from: driftjunke24 on September 09, 2010, 10:47:10 PM
I see you have what looks like stock bars on a newer GS. How did you mount your end mirrors? Pull out the stock bar end, or clamp the mirrors over it?

Tried to screw into the stock bar end supports inside the bars, but when that didn't work, I just pulled them out.  All it is is a rubber piece of blocking with a nut behind it.  After that I inserted the bar end mirror's anchor and tightened it.  As you tighten the screw, the anchor expands and secures itself to the inside.  Imagine a drum brake.

I got the headlights from Fly-N-Cycle.  They were $125, the brackets were $25 (standard 30-38mm black), and the mounting screws were $4.  IMPORTANT: The bracket bolts were not long enough to secure the brackets over the forks so I had to go to Lowes and pick up a new set of bolts and while I was at it I picked up a new pair of locknuts to keep them from vibrating apart.  The size was M6x1.0x35mm (philips head).

Another important thing with the brackets is that the turn signals fit perfectly, but I had to get some washers to get them to fit.  I picked up a pack of metal washers (take the load) and a set of rubber washers (reduce the vibration).  When (not if) you got to Lowes/Home Depot, make sure you take an indicator and a full bracket to ensure that all the stuff you buy fits.  I didn't so I ended up buying a size bigger for just in case.  Not a big deal since it only cost me $1 and I'll probably use it down the line, but it is slightly frustrating.

I will say this.  The front end feels a hell of a lot lighter, kind of wierd, and is definitely gonna take some getting used to.  And the wind blast now that there's no fairing is definitely noticable. 

Light on my speedometer doesn't work now, gonna have to go back in and see if I possibly jiggled a wire loose.  Anyone know where I can get the brackets/screws/rods which secure the speedo/tach?
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: jdbutler13 on September 10, 2010, 06:43:25 AM
I just put a new front end on my bike and my dash instruments don't work anymore either.
I'm thinking I burnt the bulb, but I need to go in and see if I crossed a wire too.
Title: Re: Finished round 1 of mods
Post by: madjak30 on September 10, 2010, 03:12:56 PM
Your headlight mod looks pretty good...that's part of the plan for mine over the winter.  I'm also going to change the tail and paint everything...charcoal gray for all the body parts and black out the engine and frame...chrome/polished bits will stay as they are.  I also want to change the rear lighting, see if I can get a LED tail light with integrated signals...

I'll start a thread once I get started...

Again the lights look great.

Later.