Great to finally post here. I've been reading GSTwin since I got this bike about a month ago but wasn't able to register until the forum software changed over. I'm stoked!
So I bought a a beat up red 93 GS for pretty cheap... looked so terrible when I got it that I didn't even get a 'before' pic. Stuck a couple parts on there so far. Have a few to go.
Working on a TL1000R front end swap here in the near future. Probably a Katana rear wheel swap (as bummed as I am about having the TLR swingarm/rear wheel/etc and not sticking it on the GS that it looks like it'll bolt right onto because of probable chain clearance issues w/ the 180). Then maybe some less bulky pegs, a pipe/filter/tuning and a glossy version of the same paint job and I'll have a pretty bad ass little street beater for well under $2k.
Anyway... here's the progress so far...
A carb cleaning, a few cans of flat gray, some seat upholstery and a couple odds and ends later and it's on its little way to glory:
(http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8633/part1310403022485.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/part1310403022485.jpg/)
Found out I was going to the Sturgis rally for work and decided to take this lil guy instead of the Ducati ('04 900SS). SO I decided I'd get going on some of the mods I have planned before I left. Brought it inside for a lil wrenchin'.:
(http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6363/dscn8787.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/dscn8787.jpg/)
I had to get rid of this mess of big ugly mirrors and turn signals ASAP:
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/318/dscn8788.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/dscn8788.jpg/)
To make way for some Pro-Taper SE (CR High Bend) bars, Powermadd Star Series handguards, mirrors, and hand wraps, Progrip 719's and some short stalk indicators:
(http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/8721/dscn8793o.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/dscn8793o.jpg/)
I think it turned out pretty awesome. The bars are fantastic. The thing rides like a BMX bike. Tell it where to go by just pushing it into place... and it goes there. I love it!
(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5877/2011081015585462.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/2011081015585462.jpg/)
Check out the little pig valve caps I found in Sturgis!
(http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/9557/20110810155838203.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/805/20110810155838203.jpg/)
In case you were wondering what else we brought out to SD:
(http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5676/20110809190002384.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/20110809190002384.jpg/)
Lovin it!:
(http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4562/20110810183943268.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/20110810183943268.jpg/)
Great write up. I really like seeing 'different' ideas on these bikes! Flat gray? Who's ever heard of that!? Good job and loving it. Thanks for posting!
Thanks brotha! Yeah I got this bike to be an alternative to riding a shiny red Ducati every day and worrying about it when I leave it anywhere. Flat grey, MX bars, brush guards... built to get beat the hell up.
I have to admit... the stock suspension is a squishy mess on these things. Maybe I'm spoiled... who knows. What I do know is the forks, shock and brakes on this lil' guy are getting swapped like yesterday.
Even in this form though, it's a ton of fun to ride. I'm seriously in love with it. Probably gonna grab an F soon to step my girl up off her Ninja 250. Or maybe I'll get her an E, stick some fairings on it and not tell her the difference :P.