This is my GS, picked her up in August. Cosmetically the bike wasn't in the best shape but mechanically it ran very well, inspected and ready to ride. I'm always into modifying things, (hopefully for the better!) and now that winters over its time to bring the bike out and have some fun. This is what she looks like right now:
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o540/zstorman/photo1-1.jpg)
So far I've got:
Bike master drag bar/ bar ends
gsxr aftermarket footpegs
fenderectomy with shortened signals front and back
muffler painted
and, ya know, maintenance (oil, air, lube, ect)
the last couple of days i've been working on this:
plus i've got
a battelax 140/70
15t sprocket
sv shock
sonic fork springs (doing seals too)
planning on paint to but havent decided on the details yet
I'm a do-it-yr-self-er and this is my project. It's not a show bike or a track machine. It's my everyday bike and I just want it to be my own.
stay tuned if ya like!
Zach - Sweet bike, I got the same year. Can't help but wonder what the plastic part is for the front (right) turn signal is, some sort of cover?
Thought as you shortened the stalk, you might have noticed.
Front turn signals are stock from all appearances.
Rear's have had the stalk shortened.
On both sets of signals I shortened them. What I did was cut the rubbery part down on the fronts so that the plastic housings are almost flush with the fairing, except the very bottom of the rubber part so I could use the original hollow threaded rod for mounting. I cut and shaped the stalk to fit in as it tapers out and the bottom won't fit in the housings. Then I glued them in, making sure the alignment was right. About 1.5 inches shorter on the fronts. Ill upload a front shot when i get the chance to take some pics if you want to see.
The rears I just mounted the plastics housings to a peice of flat stock mounted behind/ to the license plate.
So I put in the springs and new fork seals as well as oil. Sonic 1's with 15w oil and 1/2" preload. The difference is awesome. Cornering feels more stable but the biggest difference I can feel is in braking performance. I'm a big guy (260# 6'1") and the stock front end would bottom out fairly easily on hard braking. Now she feels sturdy and confidence inspiring.
For the damper bolt I ground a piece of cocobolo (very heavy hard wood) down to a point and ratchet strapped it tight. Actually went pretty easy. Hardest part was all those tiny allen head screws that hold the fork brace/fender on!
When I did the forks I pulled the lower fairing off and re-sprayed them flat grey. Similar to the stock color but flat. The tire is being mounted as I type and tomorrow I plan on starting the sv shock and chain. Will post some pics soon!
Today the wheel went on as well as the shock.
I thought the sv shock just bolted right up, but it didn't ahah. I had to grind down the side of the link(?) to clear the clevis. I also had to drill new mounting holes in the clevis. It wasn't a bad job, but I wouldn't consider it an easy one lol. After that the wheel/ chain was a piece of cake. Except for the fact that my center stand is now useless. With 2 people we were able to shim a 2x4 under the center stand to get ground clearance to mount the wheel.
The bike is about 1.5" taller now, which I like very much. I only rode for a little to make sure it was all good so I can't really comment on performance yet. Just cruising around it felt better taller but then maybe I was just happy I got it all to work! Also didn't notice a big difference with the 15t front sprocket but again I didn't ride enough today.
Heres a pic, the fairing was only mounted on one side with one bolt as they are still hardening (kyrlon fusion). Not nuts about the color but fusion and sand paper are cheap.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o540/zstorman/photo4-2.jpg)
So put the bike all back together heres a list of the last couple weeks:
Sonic Springs, 1kg/mm, 15wt fork oil, 120mm air gap, 1/2" preload, new seals
SV650 Rear Shock, set right in the middle, re-drilled clevis (1/4" higher),
The front is also raised about 5/8", I pushed the nuts flush with the top of the handle bar mount because they interfered with the lower bars.
Bike Master Drag Bars / Ends
GSXR Pass Pegs
15/39 JT Sprockets
D.I.D. 520 X-Ring Chain
Battlax 140/17 Rear Tire
The Rear is about 1.75" higher now. The front is also raised, about 5/8", I pushed the nuts flush with the top of the handle bar mount because they interfered with the lower bars, I didn't even think of it to offset the rear hight (only a lil anyways) but it all turned out good.
I also had to cut the kick stand and weld a 2" section into to lengthen it.
And I painted the rear wheel and fairing myself, it's far from a pro job but I spent about $30 on paint and had a lot of fun doing it.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o540/zstorman/photo6-1.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/zstorman/media/photo6-1.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o540/zstorman/photo5-1.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/zstorman/media/photo5-1.jpg.html)