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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Knuttzz on August 24, 2015, 09:07:02 PM

Title: I must say.....
Post by: Knuttzz on August 24, 2015, 09:07:02 PM
That this little GS is growing on me.

I've owned numerous sportbikes... From an old FZR600 to newer CBRs and GSXRs and even 2 buells.
So naturally when the GS sorta fell into my lap I figured meh........ But it's turned into my favorite play toy. Perhaps it's because I'm not really out any money if I screw it up or what but I'm having fun.


I'm modding the hell out of it. It's a small bike displacement wise so my first thing was to make it feel small too. Ditched all the fairings, shortened the tail by 12" or so and narrowed up the tail by about 4".

New dual headlights, new vapor dash, flatter bars, wider rear rim with a wider tire... New suspension etc etc etc..... Well you get the point....
Anyways, it's become an addiction. The bike feels tiny as hell now and with the upgraded suspension and stickier tire along with the re-jet (thanks bhudda) exhaust and k&n it's running like a top.

The R6 is seeing less and less riding time now.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: The fink on August 25, 2015, 01:35:10 AM
uh....we have rules here man....POST PICS!!  :D
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: crackin on August 25, 2015, 04:05:37 AM
yeah pics, or it never happened.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: EdChen on August 25, 2015, 07:43:43 AM
It's a fun little bike, isn't it? I like how simple it is to work on, compared to the all electronic new bikes. Kind of like car, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: The Buddha on August 25, 2015, 07:51:18 AM
This kid's local to me, pics may be good for y'all, I need to see it in person. LOL.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: Knuttzz on August 25, 2015, 12:43:44 PM
I posted a few pics a while back. The bike is a work in progress tho. I got it to basically rough in phase and test ride and now I'm just doing little things that won't take it off the road for more than a few hours at a time. This winter I'll tidy it all up nice and pretty. I'll try and post a few pics this evening after work tho
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: Knuttzz on August 25, 2015, 04:39:04 PM
Here's a few pics.... I basically just have painted flat black to get me through till winter and the final phase when I finish it off. I just couldn't stand parking it any longer. With one daughter in college, twins who live with me in high school an ex wife and two jobs it takes me a while to do the work in it and I'd rather be riding while it's warm.

(http://i57.tinypic.com/28h223k.jpg)

(http://i62.tinypic.com/3589v1k.jpg)

(http://i59.tinypic.com/30b3579.jpg)

As you can see it's still a little rough around the edges. But it works perfectly.
New fork springs , new R6 rear shock etc etc etc.... I'm working a new holder for the headlights  now that will use 3 of the lights that are in it now.  The longest part was shortening the tail. That's the original plastics cut down and narrowed up and mounted to an all new sub frame.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: Knuttzz on August 25, 2015, 04:42:03 PM
The only thing I'm not happy with is the seat. Ive done all the work myself so far but that seat is UGLY!!!! It was my first attempt at making a seat and it'll be my last. The metal and fab work was easy considering I've got a full machine shop at my disposal ( I'm a machinist and cnc programmer ) but upholstery just isn't my thing .
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: 1034am on August 26, 2015, 05:57:50 AM
you can try and bring the seat to an upholsterer that does dining room seats. there's a lot of similarities and it might be done for a few bucks. (i used to work for an upholstery shop and we would do a motorcycle seat every now and then.)

bike looks good.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: anoopb on August 26, 2015, 09:22:25 AM
what exhaust is that?
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: Knuttzz on August 26, 2015, 09:59:19 AM
Quote from: anoopb on August 26, 2015, 09:22:25 AM
what exhaust is that?

It's a delkavic exhaust.

1034,

Thanks for the tip about the upholstery shop, found a place local that does cars and bikes but he said it would be about $300 to do the seat and I need to get a used seat for him to cut down.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: 1034am on August 26, 2015, 11:10:52 AM
after 2 leather pieces and a pre-made seat cover I ended up going w/ebay. it was around $100 and took a few weeks from china, but i'm really happy w/the fit.
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: crackin on September 06, 2015, 04:09:38 AM
Looking good. :thumb:
Title: Re: I must say.....
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on September 06, 2015, 12:28:43 PM
i remember my last gs i went down 2 teeth in front made her jumpy lol. bumped up revs +500 at highway speed but made her even more fun to ride. an idea if youve not considered gearing yet