First post! So I'm switching over to clip ons on my bike, and noticed that there seem to be 2 different types of fork caps on gs500's:
There are the rubber ones that I have:
(http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/uploads/Upgrades/type1bars_1.jpg)
Then there are the more industrial looking metal caps:
(http://www.ody.ca/~jross/clipons.jpg)
How can I get the second type on my bike?
I am also in the market for some 1989 factory clip ons, which i cant seem to find anywhere. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Also, has anyone come up with a good solution for remounting the instrument cluster when the top yoke plate is removed (the one with the brackets for the cluster)? I might have to go with after market clip ons if i cant find the 89 factory ones.
Adidasguy has a really good break down of all of your OEM clip-on options at the link below. It looks like you have a pre 2001 with the smaller tank so you would be able to fit any of the three to your bike.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59176.msg676469#msg676469
As far as where to find them: patiently search various European ebay stores and bike forums (specifically this one). They're in high demand and make an appearance occasionally. I recently just snagged a set from a bike breaker in the UK, Spares Unilimited Motorcycles. Pitstop 90 (UK ebay store) has had them in the past. I'd keep my eyes open in stores like those. Good luck!
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Spares-Unlimited-Motorcycles
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Pitstop90UK?_trksid=p4340.l2563
As for the fork caps, you can order them or get some from used trashed forks.
There are 3 types of fork caps.
1. Steel with a rubber cap
2. Aluminum with a rubber cap
3. Aluminum with the nut on top rather than a recess for the rubber cap.
All are interchangeable.
It would be cheaper to bid on that bent set of forks on ebay for $10 or so than buy new caps. They are $60 each! Ouch!
22 .CAP 51351-01DD0 $60.40
Cool, thanks for the info, I actually have an 02 gs500e, I stole those pics from the wiki. I'd like some SM2's, but they're a bit too pricey.