I'm thinking about upgrading the front end on my 01 to preferably a dual disc, cartridge setup (doesn't have to be upside down). I know there are a lot of posts here about swaps.. mostly to Katana front ends (which I don't think are so great on those bikes anyway) What is the best available upgrade for : 1) Performance 2) Low cost performance.
Also, after dreaming about getting a gs500f only to be stuck with my naked 01, I'm now considering adding fairings to my gs. I'm not interested in expensive ready made kits because they will end up costing more than my bike. My plan is to get the full fairing kit from some other bike through eBay or craigslist and just fabricate the necessary mounting setup in my garage. What bikes do you guys think would make the best/cheapest donors?
Thanks guys
as far as the performance from the front end, I dont know.
But for a fairing, have you checked out the fiberglass stuff from Airtech? They have some great stuff.
Thanks for the reply Rich. I was starting to think I won't get any response. My 01 GS has about 6500 miles on it. Last time i checked, that kit would cost around what my bike itself is worth. Plus ... not my style :)
Quote from: tb0lt on October 30, 2010, 11:11:37 PM
Thanks for the reply Rich. I was starting to think I won't get any response. My 01 GS has about 6500 miles on it. Last time i checked, that kit would cost around what my bike itself is worth. Plus ... not my style :)
tbolt after buying my GSE in 1991 I always drooled over fairing bikes, always wanted to get a fairing after riding a CBR600. There are many fairings you can buy but like you said by the time you do that you could buy and F model GS.
So my suggestion is if you are going to change the front end then do that first then look for a fairing. There are many people on this forum that can help you with that swap. Once that is done look up "seamax" he did the best exhaust mod to date IMHO and he adapted a full fairing from another bike. I am not sure the cost invovled but he did an awesome job!
Quote from: JB848 on October 31, 2010, 11:18:06 PM
look up "seamax"
^this.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52313.0
what are your fabricating skills?
many honda/suzuki/yamaha front ends can be fabbed with good fab skills
The airtech full fairing kit is only $600..on '01 with 6500 miles is worth at least three times that. Granted, it won't add much value to the bike, but it's a good option if you plan on holding onto the bike for a while. I've considered getting just the upper front fairing to my '96 to make it a little more aerodynamic, but I plan on getting an SV next year so I'm going to put my money into maintaining my bike as well as possible.
I also have an '01 that I was thinking about putting cheap fairings on. After some researching I liked the '03 600rr fairing and found most parts like headlights and things were reasonably priced compared to other model bikes. If I could score a complete used fairing set for around $300, the headlight at around $100, and a windscreen n mirrors. Maybe the cost is around $500, then I would have to weld up some mounts and fairing stays. It sounded like a lot of work and a little more money that I wanted to spend. So now I'm kinda leaning towards some kind of street fighter headlight with a windscreen. I've got a F-16 windscreen on my bike right now and it works pretty decent on the highway but to me it just doesn't really match the lines of the whole bike. I too would have like the 500f model but I got the '01 for $400 so I can't complain about that. The full fairing that "seamax" has on his bike is actually made for the gs500. It was somewhere around $1000 for the front end which included headlight, mirror, windscreen, mounts and clip-on handle bars. It's from these guys: http://www.mmotos.com/ (http://www.mmotos.com/)
Quote from: ramennoodles on November 01, 2010, 05:48:34 PM
I also have an '01 that I was thinking about putting cheap fairings on. After some researching I liked the '03 600rr fairing and found most parts like headlights and things were reasonably priced compared to other model bikes. If I could score a complete used fairing set for around $300, the headlight at around $100, and a windscreen n mirrors. Maybe the cost is around $500, then I would have to weld up some mounts and fairing stays. It sounded like a lot of work and a little more money that I wanted to spend. So now I'm kinda leaning towards some kind of street fighter headlight with a windscreen. I've got a F-16 windscreen on my bike right now and it works pretty decent on the highway but to me it just doesn't really match the lines of the whole bike. I too would have like the 500f model but I got the '01 for $400 so I can't complain about that. The full fairing that "seamax" has on his bike is actually made for the gs500. It was somewhere around $1000 for the front end which included headlight, mirror, windscreen, mounts and clip-on handle bars. It's from these guys: http://www.mmotos.com/ (http://www.mmotos.com/)
Mine was the prototype so I got them for half that price shipped and told them I would give them a good review. But after receiving the fairings they were in such bad shape, horrible paint, cracks, etc. I had to reinforce some areas with additional fiber glass and mod the mounts a little to get it on. My windscreen and headlight was cracked. Anyways to make it short I would never order anything from those guys again being in the US. At least in Brazil you can drive there and Buddha Loves You about it. After a few emails back and forth about all these issues they stop responding to my emails.
One day I'm going to make a mold and fiberglass some kits for members. :thumb:
the fairings from a hyosing gt would fit it uses the GS frame and they look way better than the F fairings. goo dluck finding one tho but if you do I would go that route myself. as far as the front end goes its up to your wallet and fab skill as stated before. anything can be made to fit this bike possibly fairings also if your good with glass.
Quote from: seamax on November 01, 2010, 06:22:39 PM
One day I'm going to make a mold and fiberglass some kits for members. :thumb:
I consider myself "in line" for when this happens =P
Yeah I got shafted by mmotos too... Way harder than seamax. But maybe we can ripp these guys off and make molds of their crap improve them abit then get them in the hands of our friends here.. Hmmmm.. I put my project on hold for what seems like forever now.... Maybe I should get back to it.
Hey SEAMAX.. Where do you live?
If MMotos is really that bad why don't you ask the Mods for a sticky to warn people off of these guys. I can't stand bad business's that shaft the consumer.
Do it.
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284437
Quote from: Chanse on November 02, 2010, 09:54:17 AM
Yeah I got shafted by mmotos too... Way harder than seamax. But maybe we can ripp these guys off and make molds of their crap improve them abit then get them in the hands of our friends here.. Hmmmm.. I put my project on hold for what seems like forever now.... Maybe I should get back to it.
Hey SEAMAX.. Where do you live?
Iowa - field of opportunities and a lot of corn that people can't eat.
I'm waiting to build another bike..cruiser. Once that finishes I will have a dd so that I can start learning and testing fiberglass on the mmotos fairings. If buddha knows how to fiberglass he and I can start something. I like his work ethic and customer service.
Quote from: JB848 on November 02, 2010, 10:53:41 PM
If MMotos is really that bad why don't you ask the Mods for a sticky to warn people off of these guys. I can't stand bad business's that shaft the consumer.
Good idea! I will ask a mod right away.
Quote from: seamax on November 03, 2010, 07:27:04 AM
Quote from: Chanse on November 02, 2010, 09:54:17 AM
Yeah I got shafted by mmotos too... Way harder than seamax. But maybe we can ripp these guys off and make molds of their crap improve them abit then get them in the hands of our friends here.. Hmmmm.. I put my project on hold for what seems like forever now.... Maybe I should get back to it.
Hey SEAMAX.. Where do you live?
Iowa - field of opportunities and a lot of corn that people can't eat.
I'm waiting to build another bike..cruiser. Once that finishes I will have a dd so that I can start learning and testing fiberglass on the mmotos fairings. If buddha knows how to fiberglass he and I can start something. I like his work ethic and customer service.
Wha .... buddha has the worst customer servix and his whore ethic is dismal too .. .what plant are you on ...
You were sarcastic ... why you little ... krrr krrrr krrrrr ...
Buddha make wise crack ... Confucius say "girl who have wise crack say no to anal sex ... no ... yes ... "
I dunno, it seems everythign gets in the way of doing sheite these days ... injury, pain, wif, kid, clutter in the house, car, truck ... and the car and truck itself ending up in the shop ...
Iowa - Field of metaphors and a whole lot of corn they are force feeding cows on and dumping in mexico and subverting democracy by having a chicken-us first.
Cool.
Buddha.
Quote from: mach1 on November 01, 2010, 09:16:19 PM
the fairings from a hyosing gt would fit it uses the GS frame and they look way better than the F fairings. goo dluck finding one tho but if you do I would go that route myself. as far as the front end goes its up to your wallet and fab skill as stated before. anything can be made to fit this bike possibly fairings also if your good with glass.
WOW i am SHOCKED to say the least. I rear that the Hyosung GT line is based off the SV650. Never noticed the similarity between the Hyosung Comet and the GS500.
I see what you mean ...
(http://www.gekgo.com/images/hyosung-gt250rb-small.jpg) (https://student.gsu.edu/~bparker9/GS500F_1.jpg)
(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Hyosung%20GT%20250.jpg) (http://www.asl-testsite.co.uk/motors/normal/Suzuki-GS500E-1994.jpg)
I'm definitely gonna look into this. Hopefully this would be a really economical route considering Hyosungs are cheap
As far as fab skills, I have done basic glass work for repairing panels, patching and such... but no actual forming or molding. I do OK with my MIG welder and basic ... i mean real basic metal fabbing.
I am aware of the kit seamax used and love the way his bike turned out ...but the cost is too high. My aim is to focus on handling first and finish up with looks. I don't plan to spend more than what it would cost to trade up to an overall better bike.
hrm I wonder if that seat is more comfortable ... that might be worth attempting a tail swap.....
Quote from: The Buddha on November 03, 2010, 09:24:52 AM
Quote from: seamax on November 03, 2010, 07:27:04 AM
Quote from: Chanse on November 02, 2010, 09:54:17 AM
Yeah I got shafted by mmotos too... Way harder than seamax. But maybe we can ripp these guys off and make molds of their crap improve them abit then get them in the hands of our friends here.. Hmmmm.. I put my project on hold for what seems like forever now.... Maybe I should get back to it.
Hey SEAMAX.. Where do you live?
Iowa - field of opportunities and a lot of corn that people can't eat.
I'm waiting to build another bike..cruiser. Once that finishes I will have a dd so that I can start learning and testing fiberglass on the mmotos fairings. If buddha knows how to fiberglass he and I can start something. I like his work ethic and customer service.
Wha .... buddha has the worst customer servix and his whore ethic is dismal too .. .what plant are you on ...
You were sarcastic ... why you little ... krrr krrrr krrrrr ...
Buddha make wise crack ... Confucius say "girl who have wise crack say no to anal sex ... no ... yes ... "
I dunno, it seems everythign gets in the way of doing sheite these days ... injury, pain, wif, kid, clutter in the house, car, truck ... and the car and truck itself ending up in the shop ...
Iowa - Field of metaphors and a whole lot of corn they are force feeding cows on and dumping in mexico and subverting democracy by having a chicken-us first.
Cool.
Buddha.
LMAO Buddha you make the forum so much fun with your comments :thumb: You crack me up and that has nothing to do with Confucius or the other thing!
Are the mounting points for the fairings on the F and hyosung similar?
Anyone tried this? Could be worth a shot...
So, did some digging and found out some stuff about the Hyosungs.
Front Triple Bearings (41mm USD fork setup sharing a 25 deg rake with the GS)
Description Dimensions Factory
BEARING, steering lower ID28 x OD52 x W16 KBC 320/28XJ
BEARING, steering upper ID25 x OD47 x W15 KBC 32005XJ
GS Bearings
Upper: 25 x 47 x 15
Lower: 30 x 55 x 17
Looks like upper bearings are the same size although the lower one is a bit off.
Also, the 250GT easily takes 160 rubber on the back. I'm looking into swingarm details and a possible direct swap.
Thoughts?
If I'm thinking correctly (it's 6 am for me right now), you should be able to machine that out to 17mm. However, the steering stem length isn't listed. Could be the same though.
If you do a google search for "fork swap compatibility info" you should be able to find a list of all steering stem bearing sizes. Or search for your size on All Balls bearings site.