Hey Guys- hoping you can give me a hand with this. This forum has been a great source of knowledge & entertainment for me since buying my GS last spring. However (and I'm sad about this), I think it's time for me to let her go. So I'm calling upon you all for one last bit of help in getting her in tip-top condition for sale. She runs great, but there are a number of cosmetic issues I'd like to take care of.
Pictures below, but one thing I didn't get a picture of that I'm wondering about. The paint/decals on the tail (the black part) have faded in the sun over time. Anyway you know of to easily spruce this up?
I chipped the paint here when removing the warning stickers (didn't read the wiki!) Quick touch up suggestions?
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/UncleSamMC/IMG_0877_zpscff1c342.jpg)
The black here was faded/stained a bit white when I cleaned the bike for storage last winter. Spray paint? Or is there a better solution
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/UncleSamMC/IMG_0878_zpsdbb6f826.jpg)
I had a low speed spill that scratched one of the fairings. Not too badly, though. Easy fix? Worth fixing?
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/UncleSamMC/IMG_0883_zpsf8ef68f0.jpg)
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/UncleSamMC/IMG_0885_zps434e8d30.jpg)
This is weird, becuase it looks like it should wash off, but it doesnt:
(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc497/UncleSamMC/IMG_0884_zps8be5f351.jpg)
I've also toyed with the idea of going naked & selling like that. If the cost (money & time) of this conversion was similar to what it would take to fix up these other issues, I'd do that & then include the fairings in the sale or sell them seperately. Maybe even hold on to them for when I'm missing my GS and can only find naked versions for sale. Just trying to get as much dough as possible for her.
I'd honestly rather keep my GS and get a second bike, but right now I don't have the money for that. So the plan is sell the GS & go from there. I love the bike & I know there's still lots I could learn from her, there's just a few situations where her limits make riding less than ideal.
Thanks in advance for the help, and I'll definitely point the new owner in your direction. I'm not going anywhere yet though- sale probably won't happen for a little while, maybe not even until spring.
What limitations make you want to sell it? We might be able to help there. Everyone finds upgraded front springs help handling. Those that have installed Brisk plugs find better acceleration and more responsive throttle. Many people re-jet for improved performance.
Inside black piece: often available on ebay for $10-$20. Check price of new: PANEL,FRONT 94671-01D00-291 $20.81 (cheaper than used!)
Right side: Find used on ebay. Or repaint white and apply new stickers. A company in UK sells complete sticker sets pretty cheap. Ask them about your model: http://www.ebay.com/itm/190725286188?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Though new stickers might be about $70 for the whole side. Side plastic is like $250 so repaint or get a good used one.
Top black sticker on right side: replace sticker or touch up the black and leave it. Or remove black sticker from both side. Or remove both then mask off and repaint that area black.
Front marks on black part: buff them out. Get a small polishing/scratch remover kit like 3M or something at an auto parts store. $20 maybe.
I have the exact same bike and also ran into an issue when removing the sticker that's located at the 'top' of the fairing (your first pic) - I ended up gouging the black vinyl sticker underneath the safety sticker. You just need to remove the black vinyl sticker and replace it with a new one, problem solved there.
Only thing is, not sure if you can just get the 'black' vinyl sticker by itself. I was just going to get one made by a detailer/clear bra dude, but does anyone know if they sell just that one sticker by itself?
Quote from: CrownSeven on September 19, 2012, 11:30:36 AM
Only thing is, not sure if you can just get the 'black' vinyl sticker by itself. I was just going to get one made by a detailer/clear bra dude, but does anyone know if they sell just that one sticker by itself?
All stickers available separately. But you won't like the price of that one:
TAPE,UPPER 68185-01DA0-291 1 $46.05
TAPE,UPPER 68195-01DA0-291 1 $46.05
(one is left, one is right side. On any Suzuki parts list for GS500)
46 bucks for that one sticker?!? :cookoo:
I just bought all of the stickers on the left side of my bike (expecting them in the mail soon). I found a new left set in packaging on ebay for my year and model variation for $55 shipped. Decent deal after looking them up on all the OEM parts sites. The left side of my bike has similar light rash like the above, though not quite as 'bad'. PO dropped it when the rear tire slid out in the grass into his gravel driveway. I just bought the touch-up paint kit along with the stickers, and it should look brand new. Paint kit ($60) plus the sticker set ($55) = $115 fix and I'll have extra paint for touch-up anywhere else later on. A new OEM left fairing and stickers would cost around $300.
Just not sure if your fix is worth the difference in money you would get from the sale.
- Bboy
Thanks for all the advice, guys. It's just going to come down to some cost/benefit analysis & a little bit of market research. The bike doesn't look terrible or anything, but I feel like the little things can make a big difference. Might try to sell as is and see how much people are trying to haggle given the cosmetics.
AdidasGuy- I've thought about some modding & honestly the handling doesnt bother me (nothing else to compare against). I hit the highway a decent amount though & I'd like something that can "cruise" a bit better. As it is now, I have a lot of fun for stretches of time, but keeping the throttle almost wide open for an hour + gets old fast. Not to mention the vibrations. I'd probably like a bit heavier bike as well, one that doesn't get blown around in the wind so much.
Bikes on my radar right now include 650r, F4i, sv650s (not the ugly one), vfr, possibly gxsr.