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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: bmxr123 on August 31, 2012, 12:12:09 PM

Title: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on August 31, 2012, 12:12:09 PM
I've been lurking for a while and figured i would post my build..

She is an 06 gs500f with an 07 gsxr600 tail complete with seats and tail light of course..The frame was cut up and re-welded in a higher position to provide for the correct clearance..

I have use an 01 katana rear wheel installed, spacers on the sprocket and a small 1/16in. spacer on the sprocket-side of the axle to keep the sprocket bolts from touching the swing arm.

I cut and re-welded the brake torque rod to provide acceptable clearance for the 170 michelin pilot power(she looks like a beast!).. I am in the process of fiberglassing the side fairings to good health but in the meantime here are a few pics:

(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/BmXr123/20120822_172712.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/BmXr123/20120822_172649.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/BmXr123/20120831_150333.jpg)
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/BmXr123/20120816_194548.jpg)

i bought this bike as a non-runner, and it just needed the clutch safety switch contacts cleaned..i also cleaned the carbs and backed out each air/fuel screw 2.5 turns..She starts with no choke now!  Its a really fun bike that gets great gas mileage and definitely has some balls!
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on August 31, 2012, 12:20:51 PM
Very nice!
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: weedahoe on August 31, 2012, 12:53:21 PM
Nice work indeed
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: ThatOtherGuy on August 31, 2012, 12:56:23 PM
wow, what a good look.  not sure what country you're from, but that wouldn't be legal in Aus. you'd have to extend the tail down (or put a hugger on) which would be a shame as it would spoil that rear end.

Have you thought about refinishing the swingarm in a metal grey colour to simulate an alloy look?  you may be able to pull it of and it would finish that rear end nicely.
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: cbrfxr67 on August 31, 2012, 12:58:11 PM
Nice job and welcome!  G-reat first post with pics!   :thumb:  :star: :star: :star:
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on August 31, 2012, 02:54:18 PM
thanks everyone..Its a labor of love and none of my friends or girlfriend really understand how much work goes into something like this, so its awesome to hear some praise from people that KNOW! 

To answer your question i am in orlando, florida, so the clean tail is perfectly legal..I thought about the alloy look, but i feel like i would have to do the whole frame too, which is a lot of paint work, and i'm not great with paint...lol..I think the frame would look good in a silver though..Too much of the black subframe exposed...

If anyone is in the orlando area i would be glad to help them with any fabrication project, as i am definately experienced and have steel and aluminum MIG capabilites..I would only require two things from you: nourishment(coffee and lunch) and a thirst for knowledge..
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: ThatOtherGuy on August 31, 2012, 03:01:26 PM
yeah the alloy look is one of those things you have to get right otherwise it would just look poxy.  and doing the whole frame, I don't blame you for not wanting to do it, big job.
Title: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: cbcanada on August 31, 2012, 05:24:31 PM
Quote from: bmxr123 on August 31, 2012, 02:54:18 PM
thanks everyone..Its a labor of love and none of my friends or girlfriend really understand how much work goes into something like this, so its awesome to hear some praise from people that KNOW! 

To answer your question i am in orlando, florida, so the clean tail is perfectly legal..I thought about the alloy look, but i feel like i would have to do the whole frame too, which is a lot of paint work, and i'm not great with paint...lol..I think the frame would look good in a silver though..Too much of the black subframe exposed...

If anyone is in the orlando area i would be glad to help them with any fabrication project, as i am definately experienced and have steel and aluminum MIG capabilites..I would only require two things from you: nourishment(coffee and lunch) and a thirst for knowledge..

i wish i lived in florida!!! i would definately would want to learn this. anyone in ontario canada know how to do this??? :)
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on September 01, 2012, 12:34:08 AM
i was just in niagara falls and toronto for a week! its beautiful there.  Too cold in the winters though..If i'm in that area again ill have to get a hold of you!
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: Watevaman on September 01, 2012, 07:39:23 AM
 That's the best looking tail I've seen on any custom GS. Not a fan of the front end (I like naked all the way), but you did a great job overall!
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: knowles on September 01, 2012, 07:46:57 AM
I like it, the only thing i would do a little bit different is the seat fitment on the tank. nice work tho
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on September 01, 2012, 11:16:37 AM
yeah, i have shaved the gsxr seat quite a bit already to get it to fit...I am currently trying to figure something out for the part that goes over the tank...I want to just chop those corners so they would match the lines of the tank but i don't want to make the seat uncomfortable.  i might just take the plunge and start shaving again.
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: cbrfxr67 on September 02, 2012, 05:28:38 AM
"none of my friends or girlfriend really understand,...." EXACTAF-INGMUNDO!

Nobody understands around me either.  They just don't get it,...now how can I make this thing fit,.....
:thumb:
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: mustangGT90210 on September 02, 2012, 11:26:02 AM
That looks great! Do you have any shots of the frame work you did? Because I love that tail.

And always nice to see a Floridian around, I'm anchored in northern Sarasota
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: gsatterw on September 02, 2012, 02:44:31 PM
Very sexy. I want.

How much $$$ did you pick up the gsxr tail for?

All my friends just think I'm crazy for all the work I dump into my bike. They just don't understand.
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: CrownSeven on September 02, 2012, 03:53:25 PM
HOT HOT HOT!  Looks like the bike came that way. Nice work!   :thumb:
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: 7thgear on September 03, 2012, 10:43:28 AM
Thats a marvelous work indeed..
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on September 04, 2012, 06:02:30 PM
yeah, i actually got a pretty good deal on ebay..i payed 75 for the whole tail fairing set(left, right, and undertail)..They had some scratches and needed to be sanded primed and painted but they were solid..the front seat was 50 and the solo cowl i got locally on craigslist for 20 bucks! the tail and turn signals i ordered for a another 50..if you have time, china sells stuff the cheapest(they sell integrated tail lights for bike for 30 dollars!!..but usually i try to find stuff from the states as it doesn't take 2 weeks to arrive!

To do this conversion you need to shave the seat..If you don't the tail will be way too long!
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: amkluttz on September 11, 2012, 08:13:32 AM
Nice work! 

I have a question about the tire (which is how I found your post).  I see you are running a 170 on a Kat wheel.  I just recently picked up a Kat wheel and would like to run a 160/60 of this tire.  Should I have any problems if I am willing to bend the brake arm and clearance the chain guard?  I'm just making assumptions since your 170 appears to fit fine.
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: Worm on September 11, 2012, 08:52:18 AM
 :thumb:  :bowdown:
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: SAFE-T on September 11, 2012, 03:00:16 PM
Lurkity lurky lurk :)
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: Toogoofy317 on September 11, 2012, 09:03:43 PM
Nice!  :thumb: I'm in O-Town too we should meet up sometime!

Mary
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: SAFE-T on September 18, 2012, 10:58:17 AM
Looks like you are about 60% done ~ a better start than many I've seen, for sure.
Title: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: cbcanada on September 30, 2012, 10:00:37 PM
so is that the original gs500 subframe or did you change the subframe too?

if you dint , that how did you put the gixxer plastics and seat on the gs subframe?
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: junk301 on October 01, 2012, 10:25:29 AM
Wow awesome looking bike...the sexiest gs500 I've ever seen.  I was wondering what you did to the front fairing....did you have to mod it?  Also how difficult was it to instal the tail? Cost? Time? Sexy bike dude
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: Higgins13 on October 03, 2012, 08:09:37 AM
Great job man! Incredible work!
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on May 31, 2015, 08:34:52 AM
I figured i would clear up any confusion about whether or not a 170 rear will fit on the stock swingarm. Here is a Metzeler roadtec z8 interact (170/60/zr17) I just put on my buddy's 96 gs500.

Also, to answer someone else's question:yes, that is the stock subframe cut and welded to fit the gsxr tail. Whole process took me half a day.
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/BmXr123/bikes/20150504_174551_zpsrzbfgkx9.jpg) (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/BmXr123/media/bikes/20150504_174551_zpsrzbfgkx9.jpg.html)
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: gsJack on May 31, 2015, 01:27:38 PM
Quote from: bmxr123 on August 31, 2012, 12:12:09 PM.......................an 06 gs500f with an 07 gsxr600 tail complete with seats and tail light of course..The frame was cut up and re-welded in a higher position to provide for the correct clearance..

I have use an 01 katana rear wheel installed, spacers on the sprocket and a small 1/16in. spacer on the sprocket-side of the axle to keep the sprocket bolts from touching the swing arm.

I cut and re-welded the brake torque rod to provide acceptable clearance for the 170 michelin pilot power(she looks like a beast!)...........................

You did this before back in Aug 2012 with a little more info about it that leaves me with a couple questions to get the whole picture, I'd guess others are going to try it.  Did you use the Kat 4.5" wheel again?  How much did you have to spacer out the rear sprocket to clear the tire?  Did you relocate the front sprocket too or just run it with some missalignment of sprockets?  If you ran it missaligned how many miles did it go that way with or without problems?

I've satisfied myself with 150/70 and 150/60 rear tires on the a stock wheel, requires only a bit of bend of the brake rod.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/9Q4P.jpg)
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: ShowBizWolf on June 01, 2015, 05:51:03 AM
I know everybody already said it but wow that tail does indeed look sharp on there... and I totally agree about people not realizing the time and work involved.  I am restoring my car at the moment and some of my co-workers keep asking me if it's done yet.  I'm like yanno what, you fully restore a car by yourself and see how fast ya get it done  :flipoff:  ;)

How is the bike treatin' ya these days?  I see this thread is a bit of an oldie.
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: bmxr123 on June 13, 2015, 01:42:50 PM
Yes, I did use another 4.5" wide katana rear wheel. The Metzler z8 was much more forgiving,as no spacing was needed behind the sprocket. The 06 has 36,000 miles on it nowadays (had around 15,000 when built) and is still running strong and owned by a buddy of mine. Spacing of the rear sprocket was necessary with the Michelin pilot power, but I did leave it slightly misaligned by not spacing the front sprocket. Though as a result,  no additional wear has really been experienced over the course of 16,000 miles and two Michelin pilot powers.
Title: Re: my custom tail and rear tire conversion on a gs500
Post by: Danpasion on April 28, 2016, 06:05:21 AM
I have a 2001 Suzuki GS500 that I picked up as project. I bought a 2002 katana rear rim and 160/60zr17 Dunlop sport max q3 tire to put on it. After the installation the chain is touching the tire even after 3/2.4mm washers. Any ideas or suggestion.