I am looking to learn how to ride, and it seems like the GS500 is the perfect bike to learn on. I really prefer naked bikes, but I know that Suzuki stopped making the bike without fairings. If I were to buy a GS500F, how difficult would it be to make it naked? The gauges are not part of the fairing, right? Are the front turn signals part of the fairing? From what I can tell, I would just need to remove the fairings and mount a new headlamp. Thanks for the help.
This should help http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21212.0
thanks
Some have used their GSF headlight on GSE model.
(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac321/berraha/2006%20GS/0215101345.jpg)
(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac321/berraha/2006%20GS/0215101345b.jpg)
I always loved that look, sort of transformer esk. What brakets did you use to mount the GSF headlight?
When I had the stock F headlight on my naked bike, I used the Drag Specialties universal side mount headlight brackets from Dennis Kirk. Looked like this:
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs125.ash2/39582_488413065863_742095863_6945013_550179_n.jpg)
They need to be bent to fit the F headlight, and massaged with a mallet to fit the fork tubes though. Eventually I went to the E model round light.
Quote from: CapsFanBen on April 04, 2012, 08:22:52 AM
I am looking to learn how to ride, and it seems like the GS500 is the perfect bike to learn on. I really prefer naked bikes, but I know that Suzuki stopped making the bike without fairings. If I were to buy a GS500F, how difficult would it be to make it naked? The gauges are not part of the fairing, right? Are the front turn signals part of the fairing? From what I can tell, I would just need to remove the fairings and mount a new headlamp. Thanks for the help.
Seems like it would be cheaper/easier to just buy an earlier, naked model?? Keep in mind, virtually everybody drops or crashes their first bike, so there's a lot to be said for starting out on an older bike
Quote from: k.rollin on April 05, 2012, 02:46:17 PM
When I had the stock F headlight on my naked bike, I used the Drag Specialties universal side mount headlight brackets from Dennis Kirk. Looked like this:
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs125.ash2/39582_488413065863_742095863_6945013_550179_n.jpg)
They need to be bent to fit the F headlight, and massaged with a mallet to fit the fork tubes though. Eventually I went to the E model round light.
Hhhhmmmm, that's kinda cool lookin
(http://i40.tinypic.com/345ef7t.jpg)
I used a universal headlight bracket off of ebay. (sorry about the shitty cell pic)
Here is my naked bike conversion:
(http://thumbnails39.imagebam.com/18380/56785a183791269.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/56785a183791269)
I like it Jessebeetle!
So question then.......how come when people convert an F to naked.....the don't remove that silly sticker from the tank? I know that there might be some sun damage, but you could always buff the tank out or paint the tank and tail. :dunno_black:
I still have a fully stock F, but someday, I just may buy an E so I could have one of each! :thumb:
Quote from: zute72 on April 08, 2012, 10:32:36 AM
So question then.......how come when people convert an F to naked.....the don't remove that silly sticker from the tank? I know that there might be some sun damage, but you could always buff the tank out or paint the tank and tail. :dunno_black:
I still have a fully stock F, but someday, I just may buy an E so I could have one of each! :thumb:
It's painted onto the tank
Mine actually is a decal/sticker that has been "painted on" with clear coat protection. So is that what you are meaning by "painted on?" Because it's definitely a decal/sticker.