Hey guys. I've just "completed" my s500 build. By completed I mean it's rideable, but of course there is still work to be done. Fortunately for y'all, I already have it done, so there's no waiting for pictures.
Let's begin.
Here's what she looked like when I first bought her for $800. just under 10,000 miles.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1252_zpsnzecxcwk.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1252_zpsnzecxcwk.jpg.html)
I rode it like that last summer, but I eventually got sick of the purple. There were a bunch of rust spots on the top of the tank also. So I decided to tear it down and start chopping things up...
I marked out the approximate areas on the frame where I was going to make my cuts and were I wanted the new sections to end up.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1145_zpsrp5ruul4.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1145_zpsrp5ruul4.jpg.html)
Then I started hacking away and this is what I ended up with...
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1157_zpstdnw6k4p.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1157_zpstdnw6k4p.jpg.html)
Then I mocked up my new supports and welded them in place..
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1162_zpssuug3mib.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1162_zpssuug3mib.jpg.html)
My whole goal with this project was to eliminate the rear tail section and come up with a sleek way to clean up the tail. So I fabricated this tail piece which was designed to double as handles for the passenger, as well as support for the rear of the seat. This was the first version..
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1206_zpseokbgggp.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1206_zpseokbgggp.jpg.html)
But once on the bike, I didn't like the point. Looked too much like it belonged on a custom chopper. So I cut off the point and welded in a bar to make it run straight across.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1216_zpsuodmj3o0.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1216_zpsuodmj3o0.jpg.html)
The rubber seat pads rest directly on the piece of flat stock that runs across the tail piece.
I also decided to make a set of handlebars mimicked after a pair I found online with a google image search..
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1219_zpsy1eavy1b.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1219_zpsy1eavy1b.jpg.html)
Once everything was welded up to my liking, I started the painting process. (This is were it pays off to own an auto repair facility :P) (Thought I guess owning a body shop would have been more suiting in this situation)
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1229_zpsx5ybujos.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1229_zpsx5ybujos.jpg.html)
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1261_zpszot8w3kk.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1261_zpszot8w3kk.jpg.html)
I primered all bare metal with a self-etching primer. Then I spray it all with gloss black enamel and finished with a matte clear coat.
AND FINALLY! Here is the finished product as she sits. still needs a taillight (just have the stocker stuck on there for now to be legal) and several other little touches. Hope you guys like it!
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1288_zpslr73avhn.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1288_zpslr73avhn.jpg.html)
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1290_zpsmxuez0y1.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1290_zpsmxuez0y1.jpg.html)
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag97/dan_kelley1/GS500%20Build/IMG_1292_zpskc8slvos.jpg) (http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/dan_kelley1/media/GS500%20Build/IMG_1292_zpskc8slvos.jpg.html)
By the way.... The rear tire is a 150/60R17 in case anyone is wondering. I know there's a lot of debating going on over this tire size but I decided to give it a shot. The front is a 120/70/17.
I dig it man. Very nice, clean work. Minimalistic without being a hack job.
Wow that looks like some quality work! I love the bars :thumb: Can't wait to see more :D
She's a thing of beauty. I'm jealous! Good work.
How does that pipe sound?
wow, you did that totally backwards. :icon_neutral:
for futures notice. matte colors dry/cure faster then the glossy colors, so its better to spray matte than spray your "shine desired" clear overtop. :thumb:
Looks really good. :thumb:
But you need to reinstall the fork brace. It does more then just hold the fender on. In fact for better handling a thicker aftermarket brace is preferred.
And you should pick up a set of $10 bar end weights from ebay to plug up the opened bars. They detract from how nice the rest of the bike looks.
:cheers:
Looks beautiful - I am aiming for similar look but have to rebuild subframe completely (is bend) and making seat myself as I bought my GS without one
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