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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Tombstones81 on October 17, 2011, 04:50:50 AM

Title: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: Tombstones81 on October 17, 2011, 04:50:50 AM
Just curious as to what everyone plans to do to their bike over the winter season. (if you even really have one!)

Me.
Going to completely dismantle the bike.
Clean everything up that needs to be.
Paint the frame black, tank plastics &  rims a Dark red / Burgundy and repaint the engine black (PO got overspray on pretty much EVERYTHING) and pretty much anything else that needs painting.
Get an R1 or FZ1 taillight as seen here http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id55.html
Replace the rear shock with one from a 93 Kat.
Also possibly swap the front end from the same 93 Kat. (which will add dual front brakes  :thumb: )
Get a K&N open air filter.
Repaint the exhaust again and do an even better job then last time.
Reline the gas tank if it needs it.
Install Buel turn signals (front & rear) as seen here http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id32.html

and pretty much just clean up anything and everything I need to.
Want to get this sucker lookin like it just came off the showroom floor.

Lookin forward to all of this probably as much as I look forward to riding it! haha

pretty big list but its going to be Tons of fun!!!
Def. going to be keeping a thread updated on my progress when I finally get ready to.

So what does everyone have in mind?
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: fraze11 on October 17, 2011, 06:17:04 AM
I'll be installing this gauge cluster; right after I get my garage furnace fixed ;)

http://www.kosonorthamerica.com/fCMSBackend/imgRoot/specs/ba011b02.jpg

Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: Dr.McNinja on October 17, 2011, 07:12:17 AM
Jardine RT-one Full System + lunchbox
Swap out bars for supersports
Ride the twisties out at lee canyon :D
Full fenderectomy possibly with integrated LED taillight
Flushmount front signals.


Quote from: fraze11 on October 17, 2011, 06:17:04 AM
I'll be installing this gauge cluster; right after I get my garage furnace fixed ;)

http://www.kosonorthamerica.com/fCMSBackend/imgRoot/specs/ba011b02.jpg



Do want. How much/is it compatible?
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: tialloydragon on October 17, 2011, 07:37:21 AM
I will be installing stainless brake lines, and adding more LED pods to the inside of the frame. 
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: fraze11 on October 17, 2011, 07:43:26 AM

Do want. How much/is it compatible?
[/quote]

I got it used on ebay for $180 and I'm *told* it will work and fit.  There's a thread on the board somewhere about a member who did the swap, so I trust it will work :)  I'll keep detailed photo's/steps and post it when I'm done.

Found this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57544.msg652687#msg652687
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: XLAR8 on October 17, 2011, 09:46:42 AM
i rode it like normal and now summer is here i will keep riding it lol
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: kml.krk on October 17, 2011, 11:04:09 AM
I will keep riding it to work, like I do everyday. As long as there is no ice on the roads. If there is ice I wait couple days before they salt the streets and then I keep riding.
PS. My commute is short, I use many layers of clothing and I go slowly as there is not as much tire grip as in the warm weather.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: pdx dino burner on October 17, 2011, 11:10:06 AM
Paint, front and rear suspension, indicators, bar adjust, fork brace. Whole new ride!
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: applecrew on October 17, 2011, 12:19:42 PM
I'm with KML.KRK - I'll keep riding as long as there is no ice on the road. If Suzi is willing to start in the morning, I'm willing to ride!
It ain't always easy, but I'm comfortable enough to do it. Came in one morning last year it was 10F.  I'll have to admit that I think that was rather extreme... but I'm a nutcase.

:icon_lol:

Cheers!
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: jacob_ns on October 17, 2011, 06:00:48 PM
I'm also doing a complete dismantle/rebuild. Cleaning everything, powdercoating the frame/other parts, replacing the swingarm bearings, rerouting some wiring, adding a USB charger and reassembling.,
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: weedahoe on October 17, 2011, 07:09:02 PM
Mine is a Gs500e and is 85% stripped now. All i've got to do is finish doing the valve adjustments and then pull the engine and rear rim, front rim and then the trees and forks. I've already started blasting parts with glass beads and black diamonds.

New complete. Katana rear rim will be here Tues. Still looking for a cheap front Katana rim to match. Got a jet kit waiting as well new grips, K&N lunch box, brake pads and some stuff to re-line the fuel tank. Also got a new oil cooler, oil pan, gasket and K&N oil filter waiting to go on.

Everything is getting powder coated but i haven't even thought of colors yet. I've got my own gun and cabinet but want something bright. I can't decide if I'm gonna do metallic or candy.

I also bought the fairing and headlight from a gs500f that will be added on.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: CarlosMendoza on October 17, 2011, 07:14:53 PM
New fork brace, rebuild instrument cluster (so will have spare parts to sell), replace tach cable, replace some burnt out bulbs & ride as much as possible. It does not get too cold for very long in Tennessee.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: mister on October 17, 2011, 08:46:35 PM
Nothing but keep riding it. It's working well so I don't fix what ain't broke but do keep enjoying its non-brokenness  :thumb: :thumb:

Michael
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: rebel_rocket on October 17, 2011, 09:13:30 PM
Installing a koso RX1N gauge
Fixing the dent in my tank
painting
Possibly a tail swap for an SV650 (still deciding if I want a passenger seat since I don't have one)
Installing a belly pan
Installing a cellphone charger
making a bracket for said cellphone charger
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: hawaiianGS on October 17, 2011, 10:28:28 PM
I'm just going to keep riding baby! Love these Hawaiian winters. :D
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: fraze11 on October 18, 2011, 10:39:28 AM
Quote from: mister on October 17, 2011, 08:46:35 PM
Nothing but keep riding it. It's working well so I don't fix what ain't broke but do keep enjoying its non-brokenness  :thumb: :thumb:

Michael
I like to look at it as replacing whats already working ;) ... I'll still enjoy its non-brokenness all while taking advantage of its new workingness :D
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: ASUDave on October 21, 2011, 03:54:15 PM
I would consider this the beginning of the riding season in AZ! (Even though I rode it all summer, too)
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: average on October 22, 2011, 04:57:28 AM
Painting fairings and rusted bits and installing the arm MUUUUUWWWAAAAAAAHHH!  :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: kml.krk on October 25, 2011, 08:10:27 AM
Quote from: applecrew on October 17, 2011, 12:19:42 PM
I'm with KML.KRK - I'll keep riding as long as there is no ice on the road. If Suzi is willing to start in the morning, I'm willing to ride!
It ain't always easy, but I'm comfortable enough to do it. Came in one morning last year it was 10F.  I'll have to admit that I think that was rather extreme... but I'm a nutcase.

:icon_lol:

Cheers!

Yeah starting in such temperatures is often a pain if your battery is not in excellent condition. Due to staring issues I have learned how to push start the bike last year :) I had to start it in 3rd gear because in such low temperatures oil gets so thick that I couldn't even push it in 2nd gear (clutch pulled in all the way of course). Hope this winter will not be as touch as the last one. I believe the coldest I rode in last year was 5F. I was going to school on Saturday morning. On every stop light I had to put my hands over the engine or exhaust just to warm up my gloves/hands.
I have hand guards and heated grips but in such temperatures they don't help much - all they do is that if you put your hand over the exhaust, hand guards and heated grips combined will help to preserve some of that warmth gathered from the pipe.

Ride safe
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on October 25, 2011, 09:35:39 AM
I'm gonna try to keep it simple. Gonna check/adjust valves, clean the carbs, and swap my drag bars out for a set of dirtbike bars I picked up. I'll prolly try again to get my hand guards to work. If all that goes well I may mess with a few other things. But only after it's back together and running first..
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: madjak30 on October 25, 2011, 10:13:22 AM
Replace all the broken bits from my crash in September... :embarassed:

I am planning on a teardown, repaint & reassembly...completely change the look of the bike...will also be working on a rack to hold a fuel cell and some luggage...I know wifey won't let me change bikes, so I will make it into what I want...kinda...

:cheers:

Later.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: cbrfxr67 on October 25, 2011, 11:38:28 AM
Finish my basketcase build,...
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: redhawkdancing on October 25, 2011, 06:38:27 PM
1.change break fluid

2.Katana shock

3.Sonic Springs

Some stuff I'm thinking about:

4.Steel break lines

5.Sliders

:cheers:
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: gtscott on October 26, 2011, 12:21:05 AM
well in 6 months time when it starts heading towards winter ill probley ride my bike
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: pave_spectre on October 26, 2011, 12:32:42 AM
What is this 'Winter' of which you speak?
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: gtscott on October 26, 2011, 05:15:34 AM
The slightly less hot time after the 4 month heatwave or the period of calm before cyclone season depending on where u are
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: vinny on October 26, 2011, 01:28:50 PM
At this rate, burn the damn thing and claim £££.

Seriously though, maybe fix it and sell for a more reliable bike  :oops:
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: oz353 on October 26, 2011, 04:09:18 PM
Hi! first i must go get the bike...(next week  :woohoo:) then i will have to get it running. after that...replacing lil odds n ends to have it perfect for next season.
question on tires... would it be unwise for me, an inexperienced rider, to put 140/70 17 tire on the rear? will it distort the profile to much? my thinking there is wider is better. granted its only a shade wider than stock.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: applecrew on October 26, 2011, 06:00:03 PM
Outside of freezing my ass off on the road, I'm also planning on rejetting for quicker warm-up and cold-weather lean conditions that cause the bike to lose power at highway speeds, and doing some neglected maintenance (replacing fork oil & brake fluid).

I'm praying for a milder winter than last year! My hands take a beating! I did pick up a nice insulated KLIM gore-tex snowmobile bib pant to keep the legs warm, so I'm about as prepared as I can get. Once I get to try them out, I'll post some information as to how effective the bibs are.

We'll have to wait and see how it goes. Snow removal around here is very good, so I can usually hit the roads within a day or two of an average snowfall.

:cheers:
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: adidasguy on October 27, 2011, 12:18:07 AM
Trey will get a major overhaul. He marks his territory. Tonight I noticed some gas on the intakes to the carbs - I better remove the tank and look at that this weekend. I'll rebuild the spare set of carbs then put them on sometime this winter. Engine needs a good going over for the leaky gasket, and valve adjustment. The PO (you may recall from prior posts) did not take good care of Trey. I'll give him new rotors and 2009 brakes calipers with nearly new pads.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: pave_spectre on October 27, 2011, 12:20:03 AM
Quote from: gtscott on October 26, 2011, 05:15:34 AM
The slightly less hot time after the 4 month heatwave or the period of calm before cyclone season depending on where u are

Ohhhhhhhhhhh! The Dry Season!!!!! Best riding time around :D
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on October 27, 2011, 07:57:38 AM
well i've bojangled so much i'll be finishing my summer project this winter hahah:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55672.0
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: Toogoofy317 on November 01, 2011, 12:44:47 PM
Weather is just gettin good high of 83 today. Now if my PITA would run!

Mary
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: ghostrider_23 on November 01, 2011, 01:09:23 PM
I hate to say it but this winter...I am riding
:flipoff:

Love South Florida, sorry all
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: simon79 on November 01, 2011, 01:16:51 PM
My GS's been under a blanket with empty carbs and jacked-up wheels for like six weeks now - and it'll stay like that till early April at least.

In short:

'Nothing.'

:icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: Dresnewtoy on November 18, 2011, 05:39:55 PM
Thought i'd revive this thread as it's been cold here in Md.

This winter i'm thinking of adding:
- R&G frame sliders
- R&G exhaust sliders
- Handlebar clock and temp
- Zero Gravity Touring screen
- replace scratched decals
- Whatever else i see you guys doing that looks good.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: Falcon01 on November 18, 2011, 07:31:47 PM
Live in California so I'll keep riding, but I do plan to do a valve check/adjustment this weekend, and install ss brake lines in the next few weeks.
Title: Re: What are you doing to the bike over the winter?
Post by: bombshelter13 on November 18, 2011, 11:35:33 PM
- Plasti-dipping (flat black rubber) the tank and all remaining plastics (tail plastics, fender, dash panel).
- Repaint the exhaust flat black, it's rusty as shaZam!.
- Repaint top of triple tree and fork bracket flat black.
- Strip tank inside of rust and re-coat it.
- Maaaybe flat black paint on fork bottoms too if I feel ambitious.
- Swapping headlight for stacked horizontal bar headlight.
- Carb adjustment (think the floats are off), drill out and correctly turn fuel/air mixture screws (my mechanic didn't when he installed my jets).
- Maybe a storage rack if I can find one.
- Maybe engine guards.
- Maybe a new front tire. Rear still looks great.

As for riding in the winter? I'm gonna buy dirt bike tires for my electric scooter, put studs in them (it's legally an electric bicycle, so no law against studs here), do some electrical modifications for torque and speed, tear off all the fairings and turn it into an ice-conquering electric skeleton scooter. Who says you can't be on two wheels just because it's winter in Toronto?