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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 03:53:25 PM

Title: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 03:53:25 PM
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111353

so, should i convert it to a naked bike? or just leave the cosmetic damage?

if i convert it, what parts do i need? and is there a guide for the conversion somewhere? i just want the one big round headlight in the front.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: crzydood17 on July 02, 2011, 04:31:39 PM
easy fix... leave the rash for now new mirror and emblem and your golden...
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 04:32:22 PM
oh, does anyone know why my tachometer will be fine one minute, and then jump all over the place for several minutes, then go back to normal. this happened most of the day today. the bike rode fine, the engine didnt fluctuate at all, but the tach was all over the place sometimes. not sure. it was happening before i dropped it too. only today. never before.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 07:25:51 PM
Go naked. IMHO, that's the way these bikes are supposed to look. It's the first thing I did when I bought my 2006. It's really easy to do. All ya need is a headlight, headlight bracket, front signals, and mirrors. Now you have the opportunity to put your own personal touches on the bike in regards to styling. You could go single headlight, dual, or something totally custom. Bar end mirrors or something that looks more stock. There are all kinds of styles of turn signals. Plus you can sell some of the parts you took off and make back some of the money you spent on new stuff, like I did. For instance, I bought a new all-in-one set digital gauges for $110 and sold my stock ones for $120. Have fun!   
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 07:29:12 PM
Quote from: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 07:25:51 PM
Go naked. IMHO, that's the way these bikes are supposed to look. It's the first thing I did when I bought my 2006. It's really easy to do. All ya need is a headlight, headlight bracket, front signals, and mirrors. Now you have the opportunity to put your own personal touches on the bike in regards to styling. You could go single headlight, dual, or something totally custom. Bar end mirrors or something that looks more stock. There are all kinds of styles of turn signals. Plus you can sell some of the parts you took off and make back some of the money you spent on new stuff, like I did. For instance, I bought a new all-in-one set digital gauges for $110 and sold my stock ones for $120. Have fun!   

dang that's cool. what gauges did u get? can u post a link or pic?

i'm only worried about all the wind from not having a fairing, and if i drop it again, wouldnt it just scrape up the metal? that seems worse the scraping up plastic.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 07:43:18 PM
I bought this one:
http://www.dan-moto.com/danmoto-180-digital-cockpit-product-389.html?zenid=cuidnrua4vkrvtenjcj21o7nr7

But please note: I went the cheap route here. This guy in China has started his own business and has been making his own stuff. It seems to be of decent quality. I've been running it for about 3 months now and so far, so good. Truth be told, I love it. It's so small and looks really cool at night. The instructions were kinda tough to get through cause the English is terrible. But I've got a Haynes manual with wiring diagrams so that made the installation much easier. The really cool thing is that it replaces the entire gauge set up including the indication lights. Also, now I have a separate left and right turn signal indicator. My first choice would have been the Trail Tech Vapor but you have to buy the "dash" too and it get's pretty pricey. I've been meaning to get pics and a brief write-up of all the stuff I've done so far so hopefully I'll do that soon. 
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 07:46:04 PM
nice. i don't think i really wanna go that custom, as i'd like to sell it mostly stock as possible, but that IS freakin cool.

what about the wind issue removing the fairings? did it cause any issues for u? that's the only thing i'm worried about.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 07:51:52 PM
No there's no wind issue. These bikes were produced for something like 13 years without fairings. So definitely no "issues" but is there a difference? Yes, of course. You'll feel the wind more, and you'll have a bit more drag at higher speeds, but these aren't crotch rockets.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 07:53:41 PM
haha. it's already pretty harsh at 80mph on the freeway. i think it looks cool too. just gotta find a way to make those rusty headers look better. maybe a belly pan or something.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 08:02:55 PM
Rusty headers? Very easy fix: Paint it!
They make high temp paint that works great. I actually used flat black grill (bbq) paint found at the hardware store. But you can also get high temp paint at auto parts store in different colors.
Just take the exhaust off the bike (it's super easy), tape off the shiny parts or anything else ya don't want to paint. And start spraying. Mine came out great. It makes a really big difference. 
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 08:09:41 PM
cool. so i can just buy the stuff that comes for the non-faired version and slap that on?
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: crzydood17 on July 02, 2011, 08:14:51 PM
to see how the wind is different... ride your bike with fairings on... sit up at 70-80 mph... then tuck into your fairings.... thats the difference fairings make... also water protection is nice... I ride 60 highway miles to work and back a day... I would never do that on a naked bike...
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 08:16:27 PM
Quote from: crzydood17 on July 02, 2011, 08:14:51 PM
to see how the wind is different... ride your bike with fairings on... sit up at 70-80 mph... then tuck into your fairings.... thats the difference fairings make... also water protection is nice... I ride 60 highway miles to work and back a day... I would never do that on a naked bike...

i DON'T tuck in ever haha. i've tried it, but it's just louder cuz the wind is rushing over my helmet vents. i find it weird to lean over. so i probably feel how i would with a naked bike anyways. no wonder i don't like slabbing it.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 08:22:35 PM
Quote from: crzydood17 on July 02, 2011, 08:14:51 PM
to see how the wind is different... ride your bike with fairings on... sit up at 70-80 mph... then tuck into your fairings.... thats the difference fairings make... also water protection is nice... I ride 60 highway miles to work and back a day... I would never do that on a naked bike...

True dat.

I have chosen form over function. Plus I have a shorter commute.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: crzydood17 on July 02, 2011, 08:51:16 PM
yup if ya dont use the fairing then your good, and theres bigger nakeds when ya move up
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on July 03, 2011, 02:07:02 AM
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 07:53:41 PM
haha. it's already pretty harsh at 80mph on the freeway. i think it looks cool too. just gotta find a way to make those rusty headers look better. maybe a belly pan or something.
either wrap< or jet coating, or hi temp paint
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: mister on July 03, 2011, 02:43:51 AM
All you "I cannot handle the wind" people need to harden the fack up. Seriously, it's NOT a friggin issue at all. But you all go on and on and on like it's the worst thing in the world and how you cannot handle it.

I don't know. Maybe the air down in Australia is different.  :dunno_black: I've got Two naked bikes and don't have any issues whatsoever with wind. And NONE of the people I ride with who have naked bikes ever complain about the wind either. And a good number of the ride a bit quicker than 80mph I can tell you.

Steve... forget about the damn wind. It's nothing.

Michael

Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: xunedeinx on July 03, 2011, 04:12:58 AM
Just took my fairings off, and the wind is not an issue.

And, I'm a new rider.

Heavy storm winds at 70mph blowing you sideways, and it still isnt bad.

Man up. :cheers:
Title: Re: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: kininja on July 03, 2011, 09:00:06 AM
Wind isn't an issue until it's cold. That's when I really love having the fairing.

--
kininja
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: sledge on July 03, 2011, 02:20:11 PM
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 04:32:22 PM
oh, does anyone know why my tachometer will be fine one minute, and then jump all over the place for several minutes, then go back to normal. this happened most of the day today. the bike rode fine, the engine didnt fluctuate at all, but the tach was all over the place sometimes. not sure. it was happening before i dropped it too. only today. never before.

On the F`s with the elctronic tachos this can be an indication of low voltage in the electrical system, the electronics are not happy and run home to mummy unless they see the full 12v......When you went over did you loose any acid out of the battery??
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: sledge on July 03, 2011, 02:25:19 PM
Quote from: joelmath on July 02, 2011, 08:02:55 PM
Just take the exhaust off the bike (it's super easy) 

AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: StevenDavisPhoto on July 03, 2011, 03:18:10 PM
Quote from: sledge on July 03, 2011, 02:20:11 PM
Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on July 02, 2011, 04:32:22 PM
oh, does anyone know why my tachometer will be fine one minute, and then jump all over the place for several minutes, then go back to normal. this happened most of the day today. the bike rode fine, the engine didnt fluctuate at all, but the tach was all over the place sometimes. not sure. it was happening before i dropped it too. only today. never before.

On the F`s with the elctronic tachos this can be an indication of low voltage in the electrical system, the electronics are not happy and run home to mummy unless they see the full 12v......When you went over did you loose any acid out of the battery??

thanks. it was doing it before the drop. that's the odd thing. i'll check the connections.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: joelmath on July 03, 2011, 08:16:47 PM
Quote from: mister on July 03, 2011, 02:43:51 AM
All you "I cannot handle the wind" people need to harden the fack up. Seriously, it's NOT a friggin issue at all. But you all go on and on and on like it's the worst thing in the world and how you cannot handle it.

I don't know. Maybe the air down in Australia is different.  :dunno_black: I've got Two naked bikes and don't have any issues whatsoever with wind. And NONE of the people I ride with who have naked bikes ever complain about the wind either. And a good number of the ride a bit quicker than 80mph I can tell you.

Steve... forget about the damn wind. It's nothing.

Michael



lol

awesome
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: Toogoofy317 on July 04, 2011, 06:36:48 PM
Well,

Michael not everyone is as superhuman as you! I can't harden the fluck up like you say due to genetic heart failure. I exercise the best I can but can only do so much. So, yeah the wind bothers me some days and I lay on my tank bag to take some of the wind off. Otherwise the fatigue at the end of my all day riding to do chores would do me in. I ride just about everyday except when I'm in the hospital or my doctor forbids it. I value the fairings on Flick and wouldn't have my bike any other way!

It gets so tiresome hearing people complain about others having difficulties. Yes, the vibes bother me! Don't I have a right to ask about other alternatives? Or do I need to harden the fluck up? Guys! chill out and keep it civil.

Mary

Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: crzydood17 on July 04, 2011, 11:40:07 PM
you have angered mary... you will now die... :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: Twisted on July 05, 2011, 12:03:34 AM
Quote from: crzydood17 on July 04, 2011, 11:40:07 PM
you have angered mary... you will now die... :icon_twisted:

Lmao.
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: noworries on July 05, 2011, 12:12:08 AM
Just having a bit of a grumble and a mumble.....it's so easy to drop the bike and you don't even to be having a squirt through the mountains to do it. I almost dropped the GS in the garage this morning. Sitting on the bike, all the gear on, motor running and I thought "Oh, I better check that the gear is strapped on the back OK." So down with the side stand, off the bike, turned to the luggage rack and the machine starts to topple over. The bloody stand had folded up......my fault, of course. Now for me this was an intriguing moment, six months ago, I'd have paniced and jumped away and let the bike fall. Today, I guess with more confidence in myself, I heard myself bellow "Get up, ya b**tard!" and found myself putting all my weight against the machine and getting it upright in one massive heave without anything touching the ground! Whew....
Then, on this fabulous cold but sunny and WINDY Sydney day, I took the bike out and had a good belt and we throughly enjoyed ourselves :D
Steve, hope the rebuild comes along well. Those bbq and wood heater paints work just fine on vehicle exhaust components...they have a nice thick looking finish when dry..cheap and in big cans too!
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on July 05, 2011, 12:55:25 AM
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on July 04, 2011, 06:36:48 PM
Well,

Michael not everyone is as superhuman as you! I can't harden the fluck up like you say due to genetic heart failure. I exercise the best I can but can only do so much. So, yeah the wind bothers me some days and I lay on my tank bag to take some of the wind off. Otherwise the fatigue at the end of my all day riding to do chores would do me in. I ride just about everyday except when I'm in the hospital or my doctor forbids it. I value the fairings on Flick and wouldn't have my bike any other way!

It gets so tiresome hearing people complain about others having difficulties. Yes, the vibes bother me! Don't I have a right to ask about other alternatives? Or do I need to harden the fluck up? Guys! chill out and keep it civil.

Mary


i hear ya. is it the wind in upper body that ets you or whole body? with swollen eyelids riding the goped is fun sometimes lol.  look at it this way. with all the people going naked. youll have an ample choice of plastics if you desire them
Title: Re: First drop! :)
Post by: mister on July 05, 2011, 02:02:18 AM
But Mary, you don't complain. Which means, you are already hardened up  :thumb:

Michael