Hi everybody,
Figured after being on this board for a few years now and owning my GS since early 2012, I am overdue to make a thread about my bike. Haven't done hardcore cutting and welding and wiring and all that custom stuff... because truthfully I really like the bike as it is... but I'll share anyway.
Some of the replies throughout the thread don't make sense because I've had to go through and update picture links several times... and each time I did, I took some pictures out to make it easier on myself. :technical:
I had no experience whatsoever on two wheels except for bicycles when I bought my GS. It was winter of 2011/2012 and I got it in my mind that it was time to get a motorcycle. I had two cars and a van at that time so I sold one of my cars and bought the bike from a family friend for $1000. Pretty rough around the edges but I didn't mind:
(http://i.imgur.com/c5bqV2ol.jpg)
Once I got more comfortable on the bike (and got a few falls outta the way lol) I started fixing things. One of the first repairs was to replace the housing for the gauges.
(http://i.imgur.com/FQ2I0YSl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9ysLlVml.jpg)
And then the sides.
(http://i.imgur.com/njHXHBal.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wh4RZoJl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jClv1oEl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YsY0SIvl.jpg)
The exhaust was rashed, faded and rusty. I ordered a complete stainless system from eBay.
(http://i.imgur.com/JMPcdNil.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FSxKKrMl.jpg)
My stock handlebars were bent, faded and rusty in spots so I got some Superbike bars to replace them.
(http://i.imgur.com/dMSzrlcl.jpg)
The seat was a bit faded and also had a quarter-sized rip in it. I recovered it myself.
(http://i.imgur.com/SuUIlIpl.jpg)
Took apart the headlight bucket and it was rusty inside... so I soaked it in evaporust... sanded it, primed it and painted the inside with truck bedliner.
(http://i.imgur.com/URm0PTQl.jpg)
Painted the outside of the bucket real nice and cleared it:
(http://i.imgur.com/IPytYCRl.jpg)
Also bought a new chrome ring for the headlight (stupidly expensive) and the rubber boot for the back.
(http://i.imgur.com/oNgxtvil.jpg)
Did the LED bulbs in the brake light, indicators and gauges. Did something different and picked red and blue. These are the bulbs I got for the indicators. One green, one blue and one red:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-1-led-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/197/856/
And these are the ones I got for the gauges. These are bright enough and throw the light in the right places to properly light up the odometer and trip counter:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-5-led-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/199/876/
(http://i.imgur.com/2nnj09Sl.jpg)
The stock fender was smashed so I replaced it with one I cut down to make easier to remove/install. I have moved on twice from that fender though lol!
(http://i.imgur.com/MtRSTN0l.jpg)
You can see my first fender in this picture. Also the '04 GSXR nose fairing I added along with matching signals, front and back.
(http://i.imgur.com/edAgZl1l.jpg)
I wired the signals in with quick disconnects so when removing the nose and/or the tail plastics, you can unplug the wires.
(http://i.imgur.com/c4HqTL7l.jpg)
The fender needed some tidying up as well IMO.
(http://i.imgur.com/IuU5OnDl.jpg)
Cut down the fender and swapped the tail light for a GS500F style one.
(http://i.imgur.com/jJp7rF3l.jpg)
Here is the second fender design I made up. Same as the first one though, made out of two halves of a stock GS fender.
(http://i.imgur.com/9jn9JIIl.jpg)
I've done so many other things too over the years that I don't have specific pictures of... replaced fuel lines and clamps (first with cheap stuff from an auto parts store and then switched to OEM stuff), both petcocks are new, I added that rubber trim piece that goes around the bottom of the tank because mine was MIA... new front and rear brakes and oil changes... that kind of normal stuff... replaced the stock mirrors that were broken/rashed with rounder ones... sanded, primed and painted the kickstand and center stand, new battery, at least a few new clutch levers lol, new brake lever, swapped out the forks because mine were bent, replaced the fork seals and switched to 20w fork oil, added one of Chuck81's aluminum fork braces... new chain and sprockets... that's all I can think of but there might even be more lol!
ShowBiz, it's about dang time you make a thread about your GS! It looks awesome, you've done a great job! :thumb: :cheers:
LOL I know right?? Haha thanks so much for checking it out and leaving me kind words fink!! :D
Wow, great work! All the subtle upgrades really came together to make the bike look nice. Love your attention to detail! Great job!
It's about time! Haha....
Showbiz, is that a fiberglass fender from RocCity?
Don't know if I've said it, but the bike looks great! :thumb:
Thank you so much Mr. BIGGZ!! Details have always been something I pay attention to and I'm super glad it shows :D
Rich I had to google RocCity to see what you meant LOL and wow I see what you mean! Haha that fender is one I fiberglassed together from two broken halves :icon_mrgreen:
Thank you for the compliments :cheers:
Yay a ShowBiz thread at last! Love your work, lots of nice neat touches there. I like the subtle mods myself, I try not to go too crazy.
Like your helper there too ;)
Ahhh I'm glad you approve pete!!
I didn't get much done today before work... one last cleaning of the rotor, then I masked both sides and sprayed it with some primer. I've been having really good results on my car with self-etching primer so I went with that for this small project. Only thing I don't like about it is the cure time of 72 hours but whatever... we're getting a bit of rain here so no biggie.
(http://i.imgur.com/rGMPWBfl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sctK4rHl.jpg)
Biz, have you ever had problems with the buttons sticking on the rotors? Sometimes they get corrosion in them, and then the rotors feel like they are warped. Just want to mention it since paint can also gum them up too.....
Thank you Rich!! I will most certainly pay attention to how the brakes/rotor feels once I put this all back together.
I was wondering about that before I painted this thing tbh... But just kept thinking to myself how much paint I put on those buttons 3 years ago and how I never noticed anything different...
If I did eff them up, it will be the push I need to try one of these perhaps:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262315503425?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Or something like it. I don't mind having new parts, that's for sure.
No problem. I had to get similar rotors for my GR because the buttons were junk on the stock ones. I dig them.
Awesome!! If I didn't have a list of things I want/need for my car (since I'm getting farther along with it finally yay) I would have just purchased that new rotor. Lighter, aluminum and stainless I think they are? Heck yeah that sounds good to me. But my wallet was like nooooo not right now :nono:
If you are OK with wiring you may want to look at an electronic tacho/speedo . I am going Acewell as it is way smaller and lighter and has all the lights I need. You may like the look of the std gauges. Many do.
I went with a alloy cage SS rotor. much lighter and looks superb.
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p248/gregjet/GS500F/front%20end%202.jpg) (http://s130.photobucket.com/user/gregjet/media/GS500F/front%20end%202.jpg.html)
I'll give a +1 to Acewell. Put one with a custom dash on the 450 to integrate the stock gear position indicator and love it. I'll be putting one on the Kat as well. Just the stock standard 2853 is all I used, has everything I need.
Maybe someday in the future I'll mess with my tach/speedo!! I do enjoy the looks of some fancier gauges, that's for sure :cool:
Man... after looking back at Rich's GR thread and seeing that (those) rotors on his bike and now with the pic you added gregjet, it's soooo making me want to buy that one. Glad to see I had my eye on a cool rotor in the link I posted!! $90 might not seem like a lot but that same $90 could buy me quite a few things I have on my ebay watch list for my car that I've been dying to drive again after 3 years.... hey the holidays are coming soon too!! I can't forget that :D :wink:
I hear ya' loud and clear there!!! So easy to spend $$$ on all these toys and then realise now you can't afford what you actually should've spent it on... been there done that!
If you ever change your dash, here's some inspiration... maybe... this is what I call the Buck Rogers dash on the 450. The orange LED is a charging indicator...
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/GS450/Acewell/IMG_4689.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/GS450/Acewell/IMG_4689.jpg.html)
You've inspired me to pull the trigger on my own little project ShowBiz. :thumb:
My Sookie has been laid up for quite a while now so I've been pulling bits away from the frame. I've been sticky taping the tail mocking up new looks. Plans are the standard fender-ectomy, fliping the tail light uppside down so the lines follow the cut of the plastics, and flushing the rear indicators into the tail fairings.
Sookie is purple too but the paint looks quite shabby, so I have plans to have it resprayed with a metallic flake and the silvers, like the frame, top yolk, swing arm etc painted gold.
So first my financial focus will be on getting her running smoothly again, but cosmetics will hopefully fit in along the way.
I like the front end on your GS though, great look O0
Cool thread, gave me some ideas on a few detail things I should work on cleaning up sometime. Cheers!
Nice dash, pete!! I like it :star:
63, thanks for checking out my thread! I'm glad you're now inspired. Flushing the rear signals to the tail plastics sounds awesome... I've never regretted moving the signals up to that area. Really cleans up that area IMO.
If flipping that taillight doesn't work for you (I am trying to remember if I tried that myself in the beginning and I think I did) because it's white/clear on the bottom of the lens (for the license plate light) and I don't think it will mount properly upside down but I could be totally wrong!! But yeah... where was I going... oh yeah if that doesn't work for you, don't forget about getting the GSF style lens like I have... picked one up off ebay for cheap and it's so much sportier than the older brick-looking one :-D
Your plans for Sookie sound awesome, and yes, running great is first and then paint and appearance! My GS has always ran great for me, I'm super blessed :kiss3: I can't remember, did you already start a project thread? If you haven't (I'm sure I'll go scroll through and look later today) but if you haven't, you absolutely should.
Torstein thank you!! :cheers:
Finished painting the rotor with the gold... I like how it came out so that's good. Turned each of the rotor buttons and they still move so we'll see how the front brake feels when it's all back together. Seriously thinking about putting that fancy rotor on my Christmas list....
Also decided to take out the battery box, sand and paint it. Been wanting to do that for a while now... also gathered up a bunch of rusty/fugly bolts off the bike (like under the battery and the ones that hold the grab bar on) and took them to a local truck supply place... ordered all stainless.
Still waiting for the Yoshi polishing stuff and titanium bolts for the rotor... and I have to get some pictures but I figured I'd wait until I got something done on the battery box too. Hopefully when I get outta work later I'll start working on that :)
Subd
Biz, if you order a new rotor, keep the old one hanging around as long as it isn't warped / thinner than spec. It's always good to have a usable rotor around in case something happens to the new one, but I use old rotors for bleeding brakes too. Having the caliper & rotor separate from the wheel means you don't have to worry about getting brake fluid on any nice paint / rubber.
Great advice (as always) Rich! Will be keeping the rotor around, for sure.
Pic of the battery area and why I wanted to clean it up.
(http://i.imgur.com/foyAWEGl.jpg)
Got home from work last night and spent about an hour cleaning up the battery box. Peeled the foam off, soaked the sticky residue with brakleen, got that all removed. Sanded it by hand, every little part of it... that took a while. Cleaned it with brakleen and let it dry overnight (wanted to primer it in the daylight). Didn't take any pics of it sanded, just forgot lol... I used rusty metal primer for this thing....
(http://i.imgur.com/RwkwuWul.jpg)
Oh yeah, here's a pic from a couple days ago when I got the gold paint on the rotor. Still have to take the masking tape off and make sure the buttons still turn. Fingers crossed cuz my van needed a lot of unexpected work in the past couple days and that means money is gonna be really tight for a few weeks.
(http://i.imgur.com/exQkpjel.jpg)
This gives me inspiration for my poor beat up '09! I am fortunate, I live in the desert so i don't have to worry about rust...much. I can't wait to see more of the transformation that your bike goes through!
Awesome work ShowBiz!!! My 450 needs some cosmetic time spent on it so hopefully once the Kats done I can get inspired by your work again and get her all tidied up. It was my first rebuild and I was desperate to get her on the road so rushed a few bits I should've spent more time on... lessons to learn with the Kat too :thumb:
Thanks you guys!! Should have more updates soon... woot toot
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on August 16, 2016, 05:29:45 PM
Finished painting the rotor with the gold... I like how it came out so that's good. Turned each of the rotor buttons and they still move so we'll see how the front brake feels when it's all back together. Seriously thinking about putting that fancy rotor on my Christmas list....
Also decided to take out the battery box, sand and paint it. Been wanting to do that for a while now... also gathered up a bunch of rusty/fugly bolts off the bike (like under the battery and the ones that hold the grab bar on) and took them to a local truck supply place... ordered all stainless.
Still waiting for the Yoshi polishing stuff and titanium bolts for the rotor... and I have to get some pictures but I figured I'd wait until I got something done on the battery box too. Hopefully when I get outta work later I'll start working on that :)
I like that rotor too. It's been a bit but I've been motivated lately to get back working on my GS. I think a few frustrations that I got caught up on really demotivated me. The damn Wiring is KILLING ME. It is just so messy.
Love your bike tho Biz. you've done some really nice thing. Like, your handy work it top notch
:thumb:
You're a badass showbiz. Don't stop being a badass.
I admire your workmanship, and it seems like you're putting a lot of love into this bike.
But I have to ask, what's up with the GSXR fairing? What inspired that?
GreenWeenie, thanks for checking it out and for the kind words! Everything I do (whether it's cleaning my house or working on a project, etc) I try to do completely and as best as I can. Janx once said something on here that stuck with me... something like, there's never time to do it right the first time but there always seems to be time to re-do it... and boy is that true!!
I can't tell you how much I understand when it comes to frustration being a motivation/enthusiasm killer. It has happened to me numerous times over the years, with my van and my car... not so much my bike thankfully!! I've found that I just kinda take a break from it and make a list of what I need to do or if that doesn't help then I go and work on some other smaller project to make me feel like I'm still being productive and then I return to the frustrating part. Much much much luck to you to get that wiring figured out and have the project be fun again!!
smokestack, thank you :embarrassed: :embarrassed: :embarrassed: :cool:
qcbaker, thanks for checking out my thread! You are absolutely correct, I love my bike... I have never regretted buying it, learning to ride, etc... and I can't imagine my life not having it. I taught myself how to ride a motorbike with this GS and I feel like it was very good to me and forgiving :kiss3:
I'm trying to think back to when I first got my bike... and how exactly I ended up with the gixxer nose. The first time I saw the GS, the styling of it caught my eye. But I'm not a super fan of the traditional round headlight with the sporty look of the tail section. I also knew back when I got my bike that I never wanted to "end" my riding season... and here in PA, that means riding in the 40's, 30's and even down into the 20's if it's dry out.
I started looking online... ebay... found this forum too... for options to change the look of the front end. And honestly as I've been sitting here typing this, I can't remember how I stumbled on that gixxer nose on ebay. I know I got it from there and it was only like $40 because it has a small crack in it. Liked the look and then I also bought matching turn signals and went from there.
I was messing with it, seeing how I wanted to attach it... and when I did, I just left it on. I knew it wasn't "done" but it was good enough for then.
Then one day I took my bike to the garage where I get the state inspection done... needed help fixing a small leak from my cam chain tensioner. The mechanic fixed the leak for super cheap, but then about a week later it came back. I took my bike back to him and he felt bad. Called me in a few days and said he fixed the leak again and also had a surprise for me (this was like 3 years ago and I have had no leak since so woot for that!). He took some old clear plexiglas he had laying around and made me a clear windshield for the nose fairing. I was like omg thank you!! I wanted to get one but just hadn't gotten around to it yet.
My future plans for the nose fairing is making it look a lot more finished. I still have to fix the crack and scratches it came with, grind down the nubs for where it attached to other things, fill in holes that I'm not going to use... repaint of course... and I'm not sure what I want to do with the air holes. Maybe just put a screen in them or maybe aux lights... probably just a screen.
It blocks a lot of the cold wind which is nice... even keeps it off my knees. Some people like it, some people don't... it's a bit big looking for the GS but oh well. Something different.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on August 29, 2016, 02:58:02 PM
...
qcbaker, thanks for checking out my thread! You are absolutely correct, I love my bike... I have never regretted buying it, learning to ride, etc... and I can't imagine my life not having it. I taught myself how to ride a motorbike with this GS and I feel like it was very good to me and forgiving :kiss3:
I'm trying to think back to when I first got my bike... and how exactly I ended up with the gixxer nose. The first time I saw the GS, the styling of it caught my eye. But I'm not a super fan of the traditional round headlight with the sporty look of the tail section. I also knew back when I got my bike that I never wanted to "end" my riding season... and here in PA, that means riding in the 40's, 30's and even down into the 20's if it's dry out.
I started looking online... ebay... found this forum too... for options to change the look of the front end. And honestly as I've been sitting here typing this, I can't remember how I stumbled on that gixxer nose on ebay. I know I got it from there and it was only like $40 because it has a small crack in it. Liked the look and then I also bought matching turn signals and went from there.
I was messing with it, seeing how I wanted to attach it... and when I did, I just left it on. I knew it wasn't "done" but it was good enough for then.
Then one day I took my bike to the garage where I get the state inspection done... needed help fixing a small leak from my cam chain tensioner. The mechanic fixed the leak for super cheap, but then about a week later it came back. I took my bike back to him and he felt bad. Called me in a few days and said he fixed the leak again and also had a surprise for me (this was like 3 years ago and I have had no leak since so woot for that!). He took some old clear plexiglas he had laying around and made me a clear windshield for the nose fairing. I was like omg thank you!! I wanted to get one but just hadn't gotten around to it yet.
My future plans for the nose fairing is making it look a lot more finished. I still have to fix the crack and scratches it came with, grind down the nubs for where it attached to other things, fill in holes that I'm not going to use... repaint of course... and I'm not sure what I want to do with the air holes. Maybe just put a screen in them or maybe aux lights... probably just a screen.
It blocks a lot of the cold wind which is nice... even keeps it off my knees. Some people like it, some people don't... it's a bit big looking for the GS but oh well. Something different.
Well, that was more of an explanation than I bargained for haha. Can't wait to see this bike when it's "done" (as if any enthusiast's bike is ever "done" lol). Have to say, I really like the look of the oil slick looking windscreen you have yet to put on there. Definitely want to see what that looks like once your front end is the way you want it. Are you planning on putting a GSXR headlight in the fairing as well?
And as for some people liking it and some people not, I wouldnt worry much if other people don't like your bike. If you like it and it makes you happy to look at it, show it to others, and (most importantly) ride it, that's whats most important. The only person's opinion about your bike that really matters is your own.
Haha I know right... long long explanation about a silly nose fairing lol
I have indeed put some thought into a gixxer headlight as well...! don't know if I want to get into all that though. As my bike is now, I designed it so if I want to make it look like a regular E again, it takes about 5 minutes. I wired the signals that are attached to the nose fairing so they can be unplugged and then I have another set of signals that plug in and mount to the fairing braces coming off the forks.
This is one of the reasons why I've not gotten around to "finishing" the nose fairing yet... too many things to consider and too many other projects in my life all the time.
I painted the battery box and cleared it. New foam added too!
(http://i.imgur.com/5rxC7YQl.jpg)
Took the masking tape off the rotor and sat it on the front wheel.
(http://i.imgur.com/nIVknk9l.jpg)
I also started cleaning with q-tips and rags etc, everything I can get to on the bike now that things are off and outta the way. Started from the front and was working my way back but didn't get too far when I decided to take the front fender off and paint it finally. I'm gonna go with silver... will match the forks and the frame, etc. I'd like to get that done tomorrow before work.
Last thing I can think of to say is that I found a Bandit 400 hugger on ebay last week. Waiting for that to arrive as well so I can trim it to fit, clean it up and put that on. I'll be following the wiki for that but I'm sure I will end up going my own way with it a bit as well.
DAMNIT Biz... Now I want to paint my rotor.. ugh you suck. That thing looks sweet. Tell me more about those exhaust bolts? I need a new set very badly.
LOL well I gotta wait and see how the rotor works when I put it back on... I still don't know if I messed things up by painting those button things... but I really really wanted the whole thing gold instead of just the part that was black... blah blah lol
I'm super glad you like it.
The stainless bolts are shorter than the stock ones but should still work from what I saw on my bike today. I didn't do a test fit or anything but I did eyeball it. Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS-500-E-90-07-STAINLESS-STEEL-EXHAUST-STUD-S-BOLT-S-ALL-MODELS-QUALITY-/261757966795?hash=item3cf1fd99cb:g:JGUAAOSwNSxU0LwP&vxp=mtr
EDIT: these were too short to work with my aftermarket exhaust... and I've also had a :icon_idea: moment lol that they are WAY overpriced for what they are. I have since replaced my bolts with studs and nuts.
I've read on this forum that these can be tricky... here's the thread so you can decide what route you'd like to take:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=70647.msg849173#msg849173
Small update. Did some cleaning under the rear fender and under the seat... also around the swing arm where the chain guard attaches... and touched up the frame in spots. Also painted the front fender 2 days ago as planned and sprayed the clear today. I know I know, pics or it didn't happen!! Tomorrow, I should have time to get some pictures.
The exhaust polishing paste finally arrived yesterday and I had a few minutes to try it out earlier before leaving for work. It's AMAZING... seriously, I am really happy with it so far. The gold color on the pipes comes off with little to no effort at all... and the darker blue/black closer towards where it attaches to the engine is lightening significantly with just a bit more elbow grease. It's gonna take me a while... a good couple of hours I'd imagine... and more than a good couple of beers haha... but it will be worth it to remove 4 years worth of discoloration and my exhaust will look spiffy again :happy days:
Also, after years of saying to myself, "No, underglow is overdone... everybody's doing it... it's unnecessary, you don't need that etc..." I figured what the hell, I'm doing all this cleaning and detail work... and LED strips are dirt cheap so... let's get a tiny bit fancy and light up the bike. I'm gonna do the front half of the bike (engine and front fender) in purple/blacklight and the back half of the bike in green. Also found a neat universal rocker switch that'll go right on the handlebars. It looks like the kill switch... except it's only an inch wide and the actual button/switch is gray.
The lights won't happen until I'm done with all this other stuff (only 3 things left, really) AND after I get my hugger in the mail, which hopefully will be next week.
Sounds like great progress ShowBiz! Now you definitely must get those pic's up :D
Ok so here's the front fender... cleaned, painted silver and I did 3 coats of clear. I'm happy with how it came out... probably going to wet sand and buff it this week. Hard to believe this was two halves of two different fenders that looked nothing like this current shape at one time
(http://i.imgur.com/GfoMNeYl.jpg)
Spent about 6 hours on the exhaust this past weekend. I have never done anything to it except wash it in 4 years :oops:
Before...
(http://i.imgur.com/3U5OcsBl.jpg)
...during...
(http://i.imgur.com/7gYVJOol.jpg)
...and after! I can certainly say that I am a fan of Yoshimura STAIN-Magic! :-*
(http://i.imgur.com/IG3j2sJl.jpg)
:thumb:
Lookin good Biz! What kind of paint / clear coat did you use on the fender?
Thanks so much Rich, means a lot !
I hadn't actually planned on painting the fender but my fork seals are leaking (again) and I thought it'd be easier for me to clean a painted/cleared fender than it is to clean one that's just primer. The primer did actually absorb/stain from the fork oil... ugh :technical:
I started looking through my many colors/kinds of rattle can paint to see what I could use. Found a can of Rustoleum "Universal advanced formula" titanium silver with one of those big trigger lookin' things on the top instead of a spray button. I think I bought it like 3 years ago...? Used it to make a custom license plate for a Christmas present lol.... Anywho, I decided to use that. And for the clear I had a can of U-Pol "power can" clear that I can't remember what I bought for :icon_rolleyes:.
Wow, seems like that Yoshi paste stuff you got really worked well, your exhaust looks basically brand new again lol.
Very nice indeed ShowBiz, love your work!!
Those pipes certainly came up well with the polish!
I'm still kinda blown away truthfully... I debated getting less expensive polish... but I was like you know I spent way too much on this exhaust in the beginning... so why not go for something that claims to be specifically for stainless motorcycle exhaust? I want to get some better pictures in the light soon. Hopefully tomorrow!
Thank you to everyone who has been following along !!
Just careful you don't blind yourself from the reflection in the sunshine :icon_lol:
my eyes!!! my eyyyeessssss :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: 8)
Hahahahahaha
You're making me want to give the 450 some much needed cosmetic TLC... poor thing gets ridden hard every day and put away wet... never gets a wash/polish any more as I'm just too busy riding or working on the Kat...
There's just not enough time Pete, I completely understand what you're saying... that's the case with my van. Ever since my Spirit was rear-ended and I made it into a complete tear-down re-do project, it's been my van for the daily driver... through the winters and salt and abuse. It needs some attention before this winter comes so that's what I have to do on the weekends... and I should have my GS back together soon so I'll be able to ride that again but it's like gah... I need 2 more of me!!
Hope to be working more on stuff and put everything back together next week maybe... we'll see :icon_razz:
Oooooh so shiny!!!!
I don't think the world would cope with even one more of me somehow... :icon_lol:
Lmao my dad got me a birthday card this year that said something like that on it...
"Daughter, there is only one you..." and then inside it says, "But that's okay. One is all I can handle." :laugh:
Figured I would post an update and maybe get some pictures tomorrow. Been working on the bike as much as I can, hope to put it back together this weekend or next week some time but I keep doing more and more while it's in its current state lol !!
I decided to attach the LED strips with velcro instead of just the sticky back adhesive they came with. If one of them stops working or whatever, they will be easier to remove/replace that way. Got the velcro, cut the LED strips to size, decided where I want them, cut the velcro to match the lengths of the strips and the switch came in the mail so yay for all that. I'm not going to attach them until I'm done cleaning every bit of the bike I can reach and also get done touching up the frame.
I wet sanded and then buffed the front fender... was my first attempt at wet sanding/buffing anything believe it or not. I was happy with the results so I decided to buff my tank too. Very shiny now.
(http://i.imgur.com/Ho7unREl.jpg)
Buffed the tail plastics a bit:
(http://i.imgur.com/U7XBD35l.jpg)
I want to clean as much of the bike as I can, in places I normally haven't been able to reach without taking things apart so I took the heel guards off... they had some light surface rust on the back... so I polished one of them... came out pretty nice! I'll do the other one, clean them both and then hit 'em with some paint. Doesn't matter terribly because this is the side facing inside the bike. The part you see is still nice and shiny thankfully.
Still waiting on the Bandit hugger I ordered online. Sucks because the listing was in the UK... so I had it sent to my friend in Scotland... he said he'd be glad to send it to me for less than the seller wanted for shipping to the USA... but he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to get it in the mail :technical:
SO tomorrow before work I'd like to clean the chain guard since it looks like it will be going back on until I get the hugger... polish, clean and paint the heel guards.
Yes, pic's are a must!!!! :D
Good idea to clean stuff up you can't normally get to, that will make a huge difference once you get it back together. There are plenty of places on mine that will just be forever filthy I think...
Wet sanding the paint does help a lot, I had to do that when I painted the 450. I was a bit paranoid so probably didn't sand back quite enough and there are still some spots of orange peel around the place as a result. I'll know better for next time...
Can't wait to see your 500 back together, and tell your friend to hurry up!!!
Ugh I know right?? He said he would get it in the mail last week but then he sliced his foot open when he stepped on some glass... couldn't drive... I was like hmm you can't get a ride to the shipping place? But I'm not the pushy type so... I asked him about it this week and he said he should be able to get to it. *sigh* I'll give it until next Thursday... which will be a month since he got it in the mail. And if he doesn't have it sent out by then, then I will get a bit more like hey... wtf get your sh*t together... haha I'm sooooo not good at that sometimes :icon_rolleyes:
Worst comes to worst I'll end up having to cut my losses (it was $42) and buy another one... and pay like $70 to have it shipped to me but at least then I'll know I'll get the darn thing. But that will have to wait until I have the money... next thing I have to buy are two tires for the Turtle Van and front brakes... wanna do that by the end of the month :vroom vroom:
I've been counting Biz. .. so far I'm up to 5 ... you need 5 more of you to smash thru your project list! Bahahaha. ..
You have the touch though! ... I'd be throwing polish rags and tools against the wall way before I had half or even a quarter of your 'finished job quality' done!
If it's building a chook run or guinea pig cage from 'spare' timber and iron though. . I'm the guy! ...
I never admit to friends that I know retaining wall and paving paths though! ... they get the wrong idea about things! ;) lol
@ Janx... 5 of me would certainly be enough lmao... one for my car, one for my van, one for my house, one for the bike and one to go to work! Oh oh but you did say 5 *more* of me... yay that means the real me can relax and watch tv ;) Thank you for the compliments on my patience. The younger me never used to have any so I'm super glad I've developed some as the years go by.
Finally an update with pictures. Worked on the bike this past weekend so yay for that! Mainly just concentrated more on cleaning and touching up the frame and then got into wiring up those LED strips for the purple and green underglow. The 8 total strips cost me around $10 from ebay. They are sticky-backed and I decided to attach them to the bike with velcro strips. If a strip dies on me I can replace it easy peasy. Picture of right after I finished the 4 green strips for the back half of the bike:
(http://i.imgur.com/iB0U7qql.jpg)
Purple done then too:
(http://i.imgur.com/tUgkMdQl.jpg)
This is a pic to show the switch on the bars and a little bit of where I ran the wires... the extra loom with the purple zip ties near the fork tube, etc.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZjV6TC7l.jpg)
I was originally going to have two purple strips on the nose fairing but decided to make it much simpler and attach one strip under the headlight:
(http://i.imgur.com/Tli24QHl.jpg)
Cleaned up and battery box back in with stainless bolts etc.
(http://i.imgur.com/gceeR2Tl.jpg)
That's about it for now in regards to pics... I do have the battery hooked back up atm and I also repaired a crack in one of the tail plastics... hopefully will have it back together on Thursday (took a day off work weeeeee lol) and be able to ride. Still waiting for that hugger though... maybe this week he'll send it out. Fingers crossed !!
Looks really cool Biz, you have great attention to details that I don't see in a lot of peoples posts. Great job :thumb:
Awesome work as always ShowBiz, keen to see it all done and back on the road!! :thumb:
Thanks so much fink and pete!! Details are something I'm very in tune with in just about everything I do... it gets a bit overwhelming at times, not gonna lie :icon_rolleyes:
Bike is back together woot toot!! Finished it up after work last night, went to bed finally around 5am. Was a bit miffed though, the stainless exhaust bolts were too short... had an oh sh*t moment cuz I thought I stripped one but everything worked out OK. Idk if they would work if I still had the stock exhaust :icon_question: But oh well... I put in the old ones for now.
Only thing I didn't have is a new cotter pin for the front wheel grrr... have to get one from my dad's shop. Oh and I'm still waiting on the hugger so... yeah... but when I do get it, I'll do a detailed post about what exactly I do because the few posts I have found on the forum here don't really show a lot about what needs to be done to the Bandit hugger to make it fit. Hoping it'll look nicer than the others since I have a bigger rear tire.
Wahooo! But no pic's?? Come on now that's just slack :icon_razz: :flipoff:
Kidding... Great work!!! :D
LOL I know right?? Haha wtf is up with THAT lmao :icon_mrgreen:
I did take some AND uploaded them to facebook before work but then ran outta time. I will post them up tonight when I have some down time :D :D :D
Back together:
(http://i.imgur.com/gvR66pql.jpg)
Didn't do anything with the nose fairing and windscreen yet... that'll be a project for after I get the Turtle Van ready for the winter.
Looking good Biz!
Forgot to add: that second pic above (with the bike on the center stand), do you have any kind of anchor point in your garage? Whenever I'm working on a front end like that, I tie a ratchet strap to the rear grab rail and pull it to a solid anchor point so the back wheel touches the ground. Still use a jack like you are, but it makes the bike sturdier when spinning wrenches.
That's a great idea Rich, and I have indeed thought about that !! I'm sure if I was going to keep doing this kind of work at my house I could figure out something... I'm just glad I had those bricks to use so I could get this project done. When I took the wheel off I had NO idea it was going to turn into a two month thing :icon_rolleyes:
Looking good ShowBiz! Great work! All that work is very neat and tidy too, attention to detail is spot on... something I aspire to but can always improve on... haha
Had some stuff to do after work last night... and it was a very icky rainy day today... ugh...
It's funny cuz... I feel like I got a lot more enjoyment out of the actual wiring project than I'm getting from knowing it's done :cookoo:
Wahooo! Fancy! But I know exactly what you mean... :D
It's been about two weeks of riding and I'm really happy my bike is back together. I've gotten more compliments than I thought I'd get so far on the lights and it makes me super glad. Also, I'm SO relieved that I don't feel anything strange happening with the front brakes. Was really worried about painting those rotor buttons but the front brake feels perfect. It's been getting down into the 40's here at night but that doesn't stop me from riding!!
Still haven't gotten my hugger from my friend in Scotland... and the next project I want to do after I finish getting my van ready for winter is work on the nose fairing and windscreen and also fab up a totally different front fender. I'm thinking something that goes over the fork brace and extends down the fork legs... basically a sportier looking one. But there are a few other things I need to buy before I start getting scrap fenders off ebay to experiment with ;)
Sounds good to me Showbiz, glad to hear you're getting a bunch of fun from what you've accomplished so far! :thumb: :woohoo:
Almost time to start my 3rd front fender project. Earlier this evening I bought a beat up '05 Busa fender and a decent GS fender with the extender. Gonna have some fun with the fiberglass soon!
Sounds like fun! I'm over fibreglassing for the moment but will be keen to watch how you go :thumb:
Thanks for following along pete :kiss3:
I got the Busa fender in the mail already...!! Unpacked it real quick before I had to leave for work and holy cow it's massive. Idk why I didn't think it was gonna be a monster compared to a GS fender haha but I'm really excited to work with it. Gotta take a pic of it next to the GS fender I bought when I get it. I tried to pass it through the forks and amazingly it's only about (rough guess) 1/8" too fat. But that's okay, I knew this was going to be a cut-shape-cuss-test-dremel-swear-sand-test-etc type of deal :laugh:
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on November 11, 2016, 02:15:40 PM
Thanks for following along pete :kiss3:
I got the Busa fender in the mail already...!! Unpacked it real quick before I had to leave for work and holy cow it's massive. Idk why I didn't think it was gonna be a monster compared to a GS fender haha but I'm really excited to work with it. Gotta take a pic of it next to the GS fender I bought when I get it. I tried to pass it through the forks and amazingly it's only about (rough guess) 1/8" too fat. But that's okay, I knew this was going to be a cut-shape-cuss-test-dremel-swear-sand-test-etc type of deal :laugh:
Try a heat gun before you cut!
Hmm I never thought of that... will keep it in mind! Thanks Hupjai !!
Since I got my camera out today for the picture game, I took a couple pictures of the fenders finally. I'm really looking forward to messing with these but I want to finish the passenger side rocker panel on my van and put up some foam insulation boards in my garage this weekend.
(http://i.imgur.com/STjsSzel.jpg)
Still can't get over the size of the 'Busa fender lol. What I'd like to do is narrow it to fit and then extend the rear of the fender down. My brain is still working on how it will attach... because I really hate how hard it is to remove/install the stock fender... a huge reason why I made two custom ones in the first place tbh.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat, fixing the mud guard is a great idea!
As for the Busa fender, maybe some P-Clamps and stainless hardware? It might not be the most static install but I see them used a lot to install racks on bicycles with no issues. Other than that, maybe some tasteful/clever metal brackets?
Good luck!
Hupjai I love the way you think... p-clamps and stainless... most certainly a great idea. When I did a google search for p-clamp it showed me tons of different ones... and now I know there's a name for what I used to mount my gixxer nose fairing. Thank you thank you thank you :kiss3:
Aw shucks! :embarassed:
Installed a new headlight bulb... the Native H4 which can be found here:
http://stores.advmonster.com/native-h4/
And also aimed the headlight as best I could. Wanted to do it from 25' away but had to settle for 19'. Didn't realize it was so far off tbh. My high beam was always useless and I never really thought about solving the problem. Now it's amazing !!!
I bought this bulb to increase night-time visibility (since I mainly work 2nd shift) and also to cut down on the draw from the bike's electrical system. I went from 55w (stock bulb) to 25w.
Nothing else new right now... been busy with the holidays and whatnot!
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on December 27, 2016, 04:24:55 PM
Installed a new headlight bulb... the Native H4 which can be found here:
http://stores.advmonster.com/native-h4/
And also aimed the headlight as best I could. Wanted to do it from 25' away but had to settle for 19'. Didn't realize it was so far off tbh. My high beam was always useless and I never really thought about solving the problem. Now it's amazing !!!
I bought this bulb to increase night-time visibility (since I mainly work 2nd shift) and also to cut down on the draw from the bike's electrical system. I went from 55w (stock bulb) to 25w.
Nothing else new right now... been busy with the holidays and whatnot!
ohh... I want one of those now. stock H4s on the GS are not even remotely sorta bright. riding in fog in the morning? FORGET it. lol
I didn't post extra pictures here or go into super detail because I've been doing that in this thread here:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=70670.40
There are other options in that thread as well J_Walker, including the H4 R3 that ben2go and Bluesmudge used, the one from superbrightleds that Watcher used in the past and also mr72's way of doing it with a whole replacement lamp that goes into the stock E housing/bucket.
I did mine this way because I didn't want to mess with any extra stuff... I just wanted a bulb :icon_mrgreen:
At work... so bored... thinking about working on the front fender soon. From what I've measured so far, I'll need to cut it in half lengthwise and remove about 3/4" width... then I'll tape it together and test fit it between the forks. Might have to remove a total of 1"... then I can see what needs to be trimmed off the sides so it will sit down over the fork brace. Once that's done I figure I can repair the cracked part and fiberglass it together. Still thinking about those p-clamps! Got a Home Depot gift card for Christmas so that should help out there :yay:
Hope to maybe start working on it this coming weekend. Also looking into getting shipping quotes from two different listings for Bandit 400 huggers that I found on ebay recently. I'm sick of waiting for my friend to ship mine out. If the shipping is too much on ebay then I'll just bite the bullet and buy a new one from Motosport. They run about $126 but it'll be free to ship it and I just want the effin' thing. If my friend ever does finally send out the one I bought in August, I'll post it for sale here.
Hey ShowBiz, just caught up on your project, and although a lot of the pictures are broken (maybe it's just me, can anyone confirm?) I love the work you've put in!!
Where exactly in Scotland is this friend of yours? If he's nearby, I'll snatch that hugger and send it for you!
Thanks for checking out my thread MrLamper! Glad you like it!
Finally fixed all the pictures... switched over to imgur :thumb:
He lives in Cumbernauld, Glasgow but I know he'd be pretty miffed if he knew I'm not wanting to wait any longer. I only sent it to him because they quoted me on ebay about $70 to ship it... and he said, "That's too much, they are wanting to make extra $$ on the shipping, I'll send it for free so just have them send it to me." Didn't think I'd be waiting this long. I've known him for just about 10 years so this isn't like some random new friendship... oh well lol
Thank you for the very generous offer to help me out! :kiss3:
That fender is likely ABS plastic, and most fiberglass has epoxy resin.
Epoxy is notoriously difficult, if not impossible, to adhere to ABS. I hate for you to spend a lot of time trying to get this just right and then deal with cracks or it literally falling apart.
You will be way better of starting with "plastic welding" technique to re-join the fender halves together to make a new whole fender. I skimmed this page but didn't read it in detail, however on first glance it seems to offer some pretty good information that applies to your fender:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Plastics_repair_with_ABS_cement
You will need some ABS cement, which may be hard to acquire (I can't find it locally), and a soldering iron, among other things.
If the joint were perfect you could probably use MEK to bond the two halves together but I think it's more likely you'll need some filler.
The type of plastic you are working with is critical as to which adhesive or filler will bond. I am 80% sure the Suzuki fenders are ABS, which is what most of this kind of bodywork is made from, but if it is PVC or acrylic or some polystyrene blend or whatever then you may have to pick a different adhesive. You'll know pretty quick because either the thing you use will work 100%, or it will absolutely not work.
FWIW I broke a tab off of a part of my Jeep when it was nearly new (the "door suround") and guessed that it was ABS, got some ABS cement and tried to glue it back. It was about as effective as sticking it together with chewing gum. In desperation I also tried epoxy, which just flaked off and didn't even leave a residue. I finally bought a new part, even though I had the perfectly matched cracked pieces. I just couldn't tell exactly what kind of material it was so I couldn't get the right type of adhesive/solvent/filler to do the job.
Cool info mr72!! I'll keep this in mind, totally. :thumb:
I've had lots of success over the years messing with bumpers, fenders, plastics, fiberglass, etc. Dunno why I like working with stuff like this so much but I always have for some reason :icon_razz:
He lives in Cumbernauld, Glasgow?!
Tell him someone on here called him a lazy scrote, and that he should get his arse to the bloody post office! Better yet, tell him an Edinburger called him a bampot for being such a lazy scrote.
Seriously, type "Cumbernauld" into this website (http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder) and check how many Post Offices surround him. I'm utterly insulted that it has taken more than 4 months and he still hasn't shifted his lazy arse for you. What a scabby bawbag.
NO ONE IS THAT BUSY!
omfg I am so glad I wasn't drinking anything when I began to read your post!!! I woulda spit it all out on the computer screen from laughter lololololol I seriously can't stop giggling now XD XD
whooo I hafta wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes to check out that website rotfl :icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
Ugh my eyes hurt. Just went through and updated all the picture links. Dunno how long it'll last though...
I used a different method for plastic welding on my Katana tail piece mounts.
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1541.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1541.jpg.html)
I believe it does depend on the type of ABS used, so I may have been lucky here, but it seemed to have worked.
Basically, I had the remains of an ABS mudguard I used on my 450 which I had to modify, so I cut bits of that up into little chunks and started soaking them in some acetone. After a while this makes a slurry. Keep it in an air tight container so the acetone doesn't evaporate and the ABS will begin to soften and eventually the slurry will form. As soon as you open the lid of the container, the acetone will start to evaporate allowing the slurry to start hardening, so use a bit at a time for what you're repairing. I used an old glass scented candle jar as the lid has a nice seal on it.
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1556.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1556.jpg.html)
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1555.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1555.jpg.html)
To do the repair, I cut some more ABS pieces to weld onto the broken tabs, and I used a soldering iron to drag across the joins deep enough for the ABS to melt and bond into the other side to hold it enough that I could then put the slurry on.
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1548.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1548.jpg.html)
Then I added the slurry, working into the join as much as possible also.
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1559.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1559.jpg.html)
All fixed...
(http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt26/starpoint73/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1560.jpg) (http://s594.photobucket.com/user/starpoint73/media/Katana/Frame%20and%20Bodywork/IMG_1560.jpg.html)
I like the creative method using acetone!
That is absolutely rad, Pete! I love stuff like that.
I've never had much luck with plastic welding or things like that, but it seems like you know what you're doing. Good luck with your endeavors, ShowBiz
Maybe this might help when welding back together?
https://youtu.be/61iyLarL258 (https://youtu.be/61iyLarL258)
Chris
O0
NICE Pete! I really enjoyed the pics... looks super strong for sure.
Thanks qc! I'm hoping to get something started this weekend.
And 63 I will be sure to check out that video asap.
Quick update on the hugger situation, just heard back from one of the people on ebay... I bought one for $63.17 total, including shipping (which is less than the original quoted me *just* for shipping). Can't wait to finallyyyyy get one :woohoo:
They seem to be strong but only time will tell... gonna be a while until I get to really test them unfortunately.
That video looks handy but like he says, watch out for the fumes! The dissolving in acetone method is pretty smelly too, but probably not quite as harmful to your health...
Got my hugger already today right before I had to leave for work! So no pics of it yet but just figured I'd add that update.
I also got started on the front fender... haha all I did was measure and draw the line down the center of it LOL... I have company coming in from outta town tomorrow so projects are gonna have to be on hold (and I also had company last weekend when I said I wanted to really get started on the fender)... it's nice to have friends <3
Hey Showbiz, 2 questions:
1. When you painted the brake disk, is there still some flexibility provided by the buttons or is it now solid? (curious)
2. Your taillight looks great, did you use some sort of surround or something to blend it in? (want to copy like a total copycat!)
Chris
O0
Howdy 63!
When I painted the front rotor, I spun/turned the buttons after the primer dried and then spun/turned them again after the gold paint was dry. I feel nothing abnormal or strange when I apply the front brake so I'm super glad about that.
The taillight is just an F style taillight I got off of ebay. It's a tight fit but it has been working well for me since I got it back in 2012. It came with the black rubber trim around the part that sits against the tail plastics. I'm glad you like it! The stock brick-looking one just wasn't doin' it for me looks-wise lol
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on January 13, 2017, 03:45:14 PM
Howdy 63!
When I painted the front rotor, I spun/turned the buttons after the primer dried and then spun/turned them again after the gold paint was dry. I feel nothing abnormal or strange when I apply the front brake so I'm super glad about that.
The taillight is just an F style taillight I got off of ebay. It's a tight fit but it has been working well for me since I got it back in 2012. It came with the black rubber trim around the part that sits against the tail plastics. I'm glad you like it! The stock brick-looking one just wasn't doin' it for me looks-wise lol
I think that rubber trim really sets it off. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for my own one
Chris
O0
Just searched real quick and here's an example of what I bought. Has the rubber trim seal thingy and the plug. Super easy!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/C015-2007-2008-2009-04-09-Suzuki-GS500-GS500F-Rear-Tail-Light-Brake-Back-Lens-/301865279419?fits=Model%3AGS500F&hash=item4648929fbb:g:lEUAAOSwFMZWtAJv&vxp=mtr
Test fitting the hugger! Looks like having the 140/80 tire is going to make this thing look nice... I'm thinking I don't want to do any trimming like the wiki post shows because of the bigger tire.
(http://i.imgur.com/gq7gn1sl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9V4pH6Yl.jpg)
That looks so cool
Chris
O0
Yep, that's spot on! No need to change a thing I reckon :thumb:
Yep, that's nice.
Biz: be prepared to listen to the perfect chunk of gravel getting caught in your tread and "rolling" inside the hugger. It's unnerving at first.
Glad you guys like it! I was nervous about it fitting with the bigger tire but the wiki gave me confidence. I will have to dremel the front of it a bit on the muffler side in order for it to sit correctly on the swing arm on the chain side. Will drill the two holes in the hugger that line up with the stock chain guard mounts and fill the unused holes. It also needs a really really good cleaning... looks like it probably never was cleaned ever. I wanted to clean it before I test fitted it but realized I didn't have any newspaper to put down and I'm running low on brake cleaner. Will clean it up tonight or tomorrow and then make the modifications.
@ Rich... oooooo I just kinda shuddered as I imagined it haha... THANKS for the heads up!!!
I'm also hoping to cut the 'Busa fender in half and remove the 3/4" outta the center... tape it and finally and do a test fit tonight after work.
That tail light is a REALLY tight fit. :icon_eek:
How are the fenders going?
Chris
O0
It sure is!! Haha did you get one?? I can't remember but there's something that makes it easier... maybe loosening that center piece between the tail plastics... it's been a while since I had the tail light off the bike. It all snugs down though in the end.
I was up for an hour or two working on the fender last night after work. I got the center portion taken out, taped it and was working on the fitment. I took pics and will post them up later this evening! So far the biggest issue I see is making sure it's down low enough to give the nose fairing enough clearance when the forks compress... but high enough to retain its shape and go over the fork brace, which is the look I wanted/the whole reason for wanting this fender.
It has been done before:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41146.msg462681#msg462681
And I even reached out to him a while back but he was last active on the forum like 8 years ago so I got no reply lol
If you look in that link at how the back part of the fender (closest to the pipes) looks waaaaaay oversized... that's kinda where mine is sitting right now and I hate that. I'm thinking cutting it off and re-attaching it at an angle that follows the tire/wheel should do the trick. I have to work with the back of it anyway because I want to add to it so it comes down as far as the stock extender.
I did get one, after the sv650 light didn't work out I decided to reign in the creativity and try on the F light. Looks great :thumb: Tight as a conservative at a fundraiser though :icon_lol:
That fender doesn't look very nice imo. Doesn't seem to follow the line too well, too short at the back and too much clearance between tyre and fender. Would the old fender X-tenda work? Looking forward to seeing what you've got.
Chris
O0
Lolololol conservative fundraiser... I like that ;)
Yeah I never thought it looked finished. The gap between the back part of that fender and the tire has gotta be at least 2" and will do absolutely nothing to keep crud and stuff off the front of the engine and pipes. I want to keep as much crap offa my bike as I can. I'm not sure if a stock GS extender would work well or not... I'm hoping to make a fender that's all one piece that extends down as far as my current one... but I've got to be careful... it's already a tight fit over the fork brace and down the back of the tire... the horn is in the way LOL
Some comic relief from Haste, mid jump :laugh:
(http://i.imgur.com/igy5rarl.jpg)
And test fitting the fender after removing 3/4" width from the center and cutting it right where the fork brace starts.
(http://i.imgur.com/hS8BoFZl.jpg)
Coming along nicely..... I'm sure it'll look great when you're done with it.
And nice tank bag! :thumb:
Thanks Rich!
Hehe ;) I am so glad I asked you about the bag/saw it on your GR when I did... it's one of my favorite purchases out of anything I've ever bought for my bike.
I wanted to clean the hugger before I did the test fit but I just couldn't wait lol. So I've spent some time here and there all week cleaning this darn thing. First I had to scrape it to get all the chain lube and dirt off of it, then I wiped it down with cleaner and then soaked it in the wash tubs for a while... and finally gave the metal brace between the chain guard end and the bulk of the hugger a coat of black paint. I'm gonna work on installing it this afternoon and will take pictures to show what needs to be done since the wiki instructions are kinda lacking in the picture department.
Before:
(http://i.imgur.com/B0Hw4A1l.jpg)
After:
(http://i.imgur.com/IFT9SqTl.jpg)
looks much better. Good job :thumb:
Chris
O0
Cool stuff Biz! Everything is looking really cool! :cheers:
Thanks guys! I did get the hugger installed yesterday and took lots of pics... uploaded them to photobucket but then started cleaning around my house a bit and then of course it was beer time so yeah lol... I'll post them later today.
Here's the thread I made about the installation of the Bandit hugger. I used to have the pictures and a write-up here as well but thanks to photobucket being a butt, I have to fix all the broken picture links and I'd rather just do it in the actual hugger thread.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71283.0
I'll get to it soon :technical:
Absolutely awesome!! Good job on the write up too, the pics are really good. I'm so really very looking forward to getting stuck into project tail on Sookie. Currently saving up the monies and I think this will go a long way in helping me get everything bodged together. :thumb:
Good job. Very well done indeed :cheers:
Chris
O0
Many thanks!!!
I am thinking about maybe copying it into a separate thread in the general discussion area... that way people that don't follow the projects can just check out how to make this hugger work without having to see blah blah blah about my bike.
I think that's a good idea. Alot of the "how to's" have dead pictures and the detail your pictures show are a great source for reference.
Chris
O0
That's what I was thinking too. These things are still available OEM from sites like Bike Bandit and Motosport so even if ebay doesn't have any used ones listed, someone could purchase one new and fit it.
Suzukipartshouse (which is really Babbitts) is also good for tracking things down, especially diagrams.
Also, I'm new around here...nobody commented on the hand-standing cat. Is that just common fair in these parts?
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on January 18, 2017, 02:53:54 PM
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16142983_10155008331308278_1743633775649056524_n.jpg?oh=ba035b23b83670b403c8d16511d2bb32&oe=5924AF85)
oooo that's one I haven't heard of before... I will have to remember that!
And LOL! Perfectly timed pic of Hastey jumping down from the seat. The forum gets kinda dead from time to time... this past month or two has been one of those times :icon_sad:
I am online a lot because I work evenings and just keep the forum open on the computer... check it cuz it's a good boredom killer for me. I often look at "who's online" and wish all the guests that are browsing threads or even registered users that are reading up on something would post more often... even if it's just in the odds and ends section or the picture games etc. Oh well :dunno_black:
Thanks for checking out my thread!
Yeah no worries, it's a good looking bike. It's fun to watch it go from post #1 when you were talking about how little you'd done to page 6 with wheels off, rotors hanging, hacksaws out....haha keep it up!
Also it's that time of the year when bikes are tucked in the garage and people forget. I'm only active because this is also the best time to buy! :laugh:
Had some time over the weekend to mess around with the fender some more. Scored the plastic with the Dremel's cutting wheel to make sure the resin has a good surface to knit to, then repaired two spots.
(http://i.imgur.com/36zk6H7l.jpg)
Then fiberglassed the two halves together after sanding the repaired spots so they would knit too.
(http://i.imgur.com/u7PfPzdl.jpg)
I ran so many different ways through my head to attach this fender... still figuring on the p-clamps though.
I purchased 4 of the same style clamps that mount the gixxer nose to my bike. They will need to be made a bit smaller to hold snug on the for legs but that's no biggie.
Your front fender is drastically different than mine...The F fender is more in line with the busa fender. Anyway, sharp looking work!
The silver one ya see in my main pictures is a custom one I made. I trimmed the edges down so it was super skinny and easier to install. The one that came with my bike was a stock fender (pretty sure it's the same as the F style) but it was busted up pretty bad.
One of the main reasons I'm messing around with this one is because I wanted to eliminate the need to mount it using the fork brace... and I also really enjoy projects like this :D
Thanks very much for checking it out!!
Gotcha. I just got to remove mine for the first time last night. Definitely a PITA to have to yank the wheel to get the fender/brace off there.
good stuff here,...really enjoying your progress pics
Wow thank you cbr! :embarrassed: I'm glad you are enjoying them! There are many more on the way, that's for sure.
This post was showing my progress with making my own seat cowl. I abandoned it because I have too many other projects going on right now but I do still have the fiberglass shell I made. Maybe some day like in the year 2020 I'll get back to it if I feel like it LOL!!
Looks great. I hate the seat on the GS, and saw that some company does a tail fairing that cover the pilion seat. But what you're building there looks wicked. Really great curve and flow.
Chris
O0
Thanks 63!!! I'm glad you approve :thumb: I've seen a handful of different options over the years... but none are as cheap as making my own since I already have most of the stuff I'll need. Only thing I believe I'll have to purchase is some paint!
A few of my friends like to go for rides with me so I for sure wanted something that can easily be removed.
I like it! My skin itches just thinking about all that fiberglass though.....
Quote from: Big Rich on February 09, 2017, 05:38:45 PM
I like it! My skin itches just thinking about all that fiberglass though.....
If you use woven mat it's much better...doesn't get everywhere.
You could always use carbon fibre. Or just pour resin over the ham containers and go au naturale. :icon_razz:
I have both mat and cloth... and I've read that the woven stuff is stronger than the fiber-y stuff. Maybe I will use the woven instead... give it a try!
I'm usually doing messy projects like this down at my dad's auto garage... but it doesn't get very warm down there this time of year, even with the heat cranked up. And since I still want to be working on something, I'm working at home.
It has been easy so far to just keep the shop vac out and vacuum up when I'm done with something... but I'm really nervous about all the sanding I'll be doing soon... and I've gotta make sure to keep Hastey outta the garage when that's going on because it's not healthy at all for her little lungs to be breathing that shaZam! in. Gonna get out my air filter purifier thing I use when I've got company over and they are smoking at the bar in my basement too.
It's not healthy for YOUR lungs either, so make sure you're using a good respirator. Fiberglass work is fun, albeit messy. Sanding won't be too intense if you're just putting a top layer on and then strengthening it from below. You're going to need a good filler compound. Bondo is the most accessible, but there are other choices as well. Have fun!
Idk if it is the best choice but I've always used duraglas for filler on all my projects. The body kit I made for my car, the work I did on the Turtle Van, my first custom fender (the silver one) etc.... It certainly is a pain to sand cuz it's so tough but idk I've just always used it. I do actually have some lighter weight filler that was given to me by a friend... maybe I'll give it a try too.
There's nothing wrong with Duraglas, but I wouldn't really consider it a finish filler. In my experience, the glass in the filler makes it hard to get a showcar smooth finish. I think of it more as a rough filler for quick and dirty jobs to then be coated with something finer. Maybe you're just more patient than I. :technical:
I'm not always a fountain of patience, believe me!! :laugh:
Seat cowl would look pretty cool, ShowBiz. How are you planning to fasten it to the seat?
Thanks qc! I'm aiming for cool... we'll see how close I get to the target lol
If you check out the link I posted, kml.krk came up with a pretty good way to attach to the seat. I think I can follow along with what he did and see if it will work with my earlier style seat. If not, then I'll be improvising.
I can't imagine it would be that different. Best of luck to you :thumb:
Any luck wished to me is greatly appreciated :-*
Looks like the wax paper was a good choice :thumb:
Chris
O0
I am really glad I used it 63... really glad. The drips of resin just peel right off the wax paper.
The mat I used was brand new outta the package and had fold marks in it... and wouldn't lay flat for me over the mould... so I taped it down around the edges. Tomorrow or Sunday I'm thinking I'll trim everything away around the edges and see how much needs to be sanded and added to make it extend down far enough and back towards the tail light where I want it. Also will do some sanding and adding a second layer for strength before I make the attempt to remove the mould from underneath. While that's setting up I can switch back and work on the fender. Or take a break :cheers:
Your cat looks upset that the bike is getting more attention than she is.
Nice work on the first layer of glass. Good luck!
Haha I do think she was a bit miffed.
I will admit, there are some bubbles. Tbh I shouldn't have worked on it last night after work (well it's technically always "this morning" because I work until midnight)... I was really tired from shoveling a buttload of snow before my shift and then work was blah because quite a few blood drives got cancelled due to crummy weather... but I was like meh I'll see what I can do. And then of course as I was spreading the resin I was like ugh I don't feel like doing this I'm so tiredddd but at that point there was no stopping lol.
Protip:
Lay the mat out on cardboard flat, and then roll the resin onto it, making sure you permeate the whole mat. Flip it over and do the other side if you need to. THEN take the wet, resin impregnated mat and lay it onto your form.
Sweet!!! Good tip.
Also when I said "roll," you can literally dump the resin on the mat and then hit it with a paint roller. the 3" rollers work well for smaller jobs.
+1 to dumping/pouring the resin!
Just a written update for now. Managed to find some motivation yesterday (I'm not gonna lie, my body wants to hibernate in the winter) and I removed the cowl from the mould. Then I re-covered the bike with wax paper and marked where I want the cowl to sit (how far down on the side plastics, how far down in the center of the tail section, etc) and added strips of cloth and resin to the edges of the cowl all the way around to extend it down. Next I'll sand/rough up the inside of the cowl to prepare for adding more mat and resin for strength. Once that's done I can start sanding and shaping the outside of it.
Also got around to messing with the fork brackets for the fender. The gray foam I have is gonna work perfect in between the brackets and the fork legs (to prevent movement and scratches). Idk what it's from, I think it might be something people use for around air conditioners in home windows? I also was able to sit and think of what size fasteners I need to 1) tighten the brackets to the fork and 2) attach the actual fender to the brackets.
I took my lunch break here at work a bit ago and went to Home Depot. Picked up 4 #10-24 x 3/8" stainless "button head screws" to tighten the bracket to the fork, 4 3/8"-16 x 1" chrome "button head socket cap screws" for attaching the fender itself and a multi-pack of nylon lock nuts. Was really hoping to get this stuff with a phillips head or something to make it even simpler but they didn't have them. And I'm sticking with Home Depot because I've got a gift card for there :thumb: and I gotta really watch my money now because of the work I just had done on my van.
Since everyone likes pictures I'll try to take some tonight when I get home from work or tomorrow.
Someday I'll get around to plugging in my camera and getting some pics up on here. Managed to make two brackets for the forks, was working on the third on Sunday. Also came up with a plan for the back half which will use the front of a stock GS fender. Honestly I spent a lot of time trying to figure out a shape for the back half that looked good, how I'm gonna mount it, etc etc. I'm on the right track now :icon_mrgreen:
Working daylight this week so it's throwing my whole body outta whack and I've been shopping for a new water heater. That project will be tomorrow evening!
Okay here's pics finally. These are the brackets I bought from Home Depot. I used the black coated ones when I mounted my gixxer fairing to the forks. They are really cheap, less than $2 each. Only 3 in the pic but I bought 5 total.
(http://i.imgur.com/AbfhMa8l.jpg)
More stuff!
(http://i.imgur.com/tfuyBuXl.jpg)
I have spare fork parts laying around so I got one, cut the foam and started bending the brackets to be a bit smaller so they fit tight enough.
(http://i.imgur.com/iyY3VGKl.jpg)
Once I got it bent correctly I used vice-grips to hold it and then I drilled a hole for the #10 screws that will be used to hold the bracket to the fork.
(http://i.imgur.com/Sglibxwl.jpg)
Tightened down the #10 and lock nut. Prepared to drill the hole for the 3/8" screws that will hold the fender to the brackets.
(http://i.imgur.com/Yr8QOq3l.jpg)
Drilled the hole and then cut off the end and rounded it a bit.
(http://i.imgur.com/txVhbjnl.jpg)
I made two like this for the bottom two spots on the fender. Here's what one looks like done.
(http://i.imgur.com/AhoKDaAl.jpg)
Test fitting the first one with the fender:
(http://i.imgur.com/Qzaom8fl.jpg)
Back-side view of the one on the brake side:
(http://i.imgur.com/ULUgLoZl.jpg)
Spacing from the front. The right one has to come down just a teeeeeny bit.
(http://i.imgur.com/Re6ucqCl.jpg)
Close up of the spacing on the brake side:
(http://i.imgur.com/HRbtvMtl.jpg)
Close up of the other side:
(http://i.imgur.com/oRI4ZkVl.jpg)
Ok continuing from last night, here's the beginning of the third bracket. It has to be made different because the hole in the fender is not recessed like the bottom two. I started by making it into more of a p-shape:
(http://i.imgur.com/7wSnV9pl.jpg)
Got it to shape and vice-gripped it to the spare fork. Drilled the hole for the #10 and tightened it down with the lock nut.
(http://i.imgur.com/V04YaVdl.jpg)
That's where I stopped that evening. The front should be pretty secure with the 3 brackets! I would make a 4th but as you have already seen, that part of the fender got damaged when it was still part of a 'Busa so... yeah. That part of the fender will just be smooth.
Biz! updates on that cowl!? that is sweeeeet!
Thanks TGW! No updates on the cowl yet, I'm gonna finish up my fender first and then probably continue the cowl at my dad's garage.
Thinking about buying these this month... the sale is good for all of March it said in the email:
http://www.motosport.com/Galfer-Front-with-FREE-Rear-Brake-Line-Kit?segment=badger&utm_source=yesmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201731
Haven't done anything recently with my bike, had a busy weekend being a bit social lol and then my mom showed me how to use the sewing machine she gave me years ago... it's a Kenmore Model 47 from 1959 and it is cool as sh*t!!! Gonna use it to make seat covers for the Spirit sometime this summer.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on March 01, 2017, 03:45:27 PM
Thinking about buying these this month... the sale is good for all of March it said in the email:
http://www.motosport.com/Galfer-Front-with-FREE-Rear-Brake-Line-Kit?segment=badger&utm_source=yesmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201731
Haven't done anything recently with my bike, had a busy weekend being a bit social lol and then my mom showed me how to use the sewing machine she gave me years ago... it's a Kenmore Model 47 from 1959 and it is cool as sh*t!!! Gonna use it to make seat covers for the Spirit sometime this summer.
says only 1 in stock for a 1996. Can I scoop those up without being yelled at ?
edited 5 minutes later. (too late) sorrrrrryyy
Quote from: TheGreenWeenie on March 01, 2017, 09:43:35 PM
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on March 01, 2017, 03:45:27 PM
Thinking about buying these this month... the sale is good for all of March it said in the email:
http://www.motosport.com/Galfer-Front-with-FREE-Rear-Brake-Line-Kit?segment=badger&utm_source=yesmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=201731
Haven't done anything recently with my bike, had a busy weekend being a bit social lol and then my mom showed me how to use the sewing machine she gave me years ago... it's a Kenmore Model 47 from 1959 and it is cool as sh*t!!! Gonna use it to make seat covers for the Spirit sometime this summer.
says only 1 in stock for a 1996. Can I scoop those up without being yelled at ?
edited 5 minutes later. (too late) sorrrrrryyy
can't tell if joking around, or you just got played by the website... I checked it for 1995. and it said it only had 1 left in stock too.. but 1995, and 1996 are the same exact size...
Haha yeah I wasn't really stressing over it cuz the sale is for all of March and I'm guessing they will get more in. And if they don't... well... then it wasn't meant to be for me! ;)
can't tell if joking around, or you just got played by the website... I checked it for 1995. and it said it only had 1 left in stock too.. but 1995, and 1996 are the same exact size...
[/quote]
I would have got them regardless cause it was on the list of things i needed. I just didn't want to anger anyone by snatching them up real fast like. :cheers:
You made your own P-Clamps! :icon_razz:
Nice job, looks great! :cheers:
I sure did! Thanks Hupjai :cheers:
Haven't had much time to work on this lately but here's where I am. Got the third bracket done and the front half is secure. Took it for a test ride and the nose fairing doesn't hit when the forks bottom out so that's good. Cut apart that red GS fender and realized how I actually should have cut it lol so I bought another one off ebay. Cut it the way I wanted, used some of that black shoe goo stuff to temporarily secure the washers and screws, fit it up through the fork brace to get an idea of how the back half will look.
Will take some pictures once I use the resin and mat to make the screws permanent and I start figuring out exactly what shape I want to make the section of the front half that will cover the fork brace.
Ordered those brake lines and also 4 of these (you get the stud and the nut for each quantity of 1) http://www.ebay.com/itm/231701133196?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT to replace the exhaust bolts. I did some searches and read in other threads that the stainless ones are debatable but they were what I found for a good deal (I also submitted a best offer and it was accepted).
Also fiberglassed the back half fender screws in place and drilled the holes in the fork brace a bit bigger so it won't put strain on the screws when trying to line 'em up with the holes. I'm going on about 1 hour (at best) of sleep in the past 24 hours atm and I've got vacuuming to do so that's where I'm headed and then it's nap time for me! Then I'll work on this stuff some more.
Oh oh and my dad gave me a 4 ft 2 bulb fluorescent light for my garage and I also bought 2 daylight floodlight LED bulbs for the other fixture so I will be able to see what I'm doing a lot better after I get home from work at midnight :D
Removed the exhaust yesterday and had a super fun time removing the old gaskets. Got 'em out and ordered new ones... then watched What About Bob lol while I used more of that Yoshi stain magic I bought last summer to polish my pipes again. Spent about 3 hours on them and now they look new again. Will leave the system off until I get those brake lines and install them.
Ah, classic BFM.....
Biz, if you don't want to wait for exhaust gaskets, dealers should still carry them. At least.... last time I looked for them they were available locally. It's not like we are getting a ton of snow this wee......
Crap, nevermind. Haha.
LOL I know right... this weather :bs:
I'd go to the dealer... it's 2 minutes from my house... but it's much easier on my nerves to order things online. I think my anxiety gets worse in the winter :icon_sad: :cookoo:
A few pics finally. How I shaped the front half of a stock GS fender for the rear half of my design and the screws up thru:
(http://i.imgur.com/WsabiRYl.jpg)
Underneath after scoring the surface with the dremel and fiberglassing the screws into place. I decided against using the nylon lock nuts for this part because I don't want to strain the screws any more than necessary. I'll use simple stainless nuts with lock washers instead.
(http://i.imgur.com/vmgnRkll.jpg)
Back half secure on the bike. This isn't the final fitment, I haven't decided on the color and there is some rash on it I want to fix... just needs to be in place for when I make the middle piece that will cover the brace.
(http://i.imgur.com/p8cUjqnl.jpg)
And finally, I spent $30 and ordered a gixxer headlight from ebay. I want to see once and for all if I can make it work with my nose fairing. After looking at it briefly this morning after getting home from work, I see two ways it could go. I could go about buying headlight brackets for the forks, cleaning up the whole light, packing the wiring into the back of the headlight etc etc etc because I think there will be enough space. Not totally sure yet. My second option is to remove the front half of the headlight, which is the clear lens and some black plastic framing and make it part of the nose fairing itself. Will make it look way more complete but I won't have to mess with the GS headlight and I'll still have a nose fairing that I can remove in like 2 minutes. :dunno_black:
(http://i.imgur.com/znlHGuOl.jpg)
Got my exhaust gaskets in the mail yesterday already! Still waiting for the brake lines and the exhaust studs. I'm thinking tonight I may remake that top bracket if I'm not too tired after work (and I don't have to spend time shoveling out the bottom of my driveway just to get my van in... smh).
Enjoying the innovation B! Good work. Carry on :cheers:
Chris
O0
Nice to know you're still following along ^_^ Thank you!!
I got the studs for the exhaust in the mail today right as I was leaving for work. I also finished polishing the exhaust and wiped it down with brake cleaner as was suggested last summer in my thread about the Yoshimura polish. This time when I reinstall it, I'm gonna wear gloves and wipe it down once more before starting the bike.
I did start the new bracket last night when I got home but didn't feel like finishing it. I also started gathering stuff I'll need when doing the brake lines... found these gems yesterday:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=27147.msg286559#msg286559
http://www.bbburma.net/HowTo/BrakeFluid_Replace/
:sigh: I just really wish I had more energy. If the weather was nice I'd be much farther along by now.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on March 16, 2017, 04:32:43 PM
Nice to know you're still following along ^_^ Thank you!!
I got the studs for the exhaust in the mail today right as I was leaving for work. I also finished polishing the exhaust and wiped it down with brake cleaner as was suggested last summer in my thread about the Yoshimura polish. This time when I reinstall it, I'm gonna wear gloves and wipe it down once more before starting the bike.
I did start the new bracket last night when I got home but didn't feel like finishing it. I also started gathering stuff I'll need when doing the brake lines... found these gems yesterday:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=27147.msg286559#msg286559
http://www.bbburma.net/HowTo/BrakeFluid_Replace/
:sigh: I just really wish I had more energy. If the weather was nice I'd be much farther along by now.
Just read from the first link! HEL are a small company :icon_lol: That's entertaining. I'm about to order my own HEL lines. Like right now. coincidence...
Chris
O0
you got time with that blinding blizzard! finfish that headlight yet?? :dunno_black:
You are so right cbr... that snow has made me and mostly everyone else around here so grumpy and just ugh... thankfully it stopped but we are supposed to now get a bunch of freezing rain this weekend :2guns:
I haven't done anything with the headlight yet but I'm thinking maybe this weekend I'll have the chance to get that project started. Still not sure what I'm gonna do with the H7 port in the housing...
Here's a pic I took this morning after work of the exhaust, new studs and nuts and the gaskets
(http://i.imgur.com/2A5GTOxl.jpg)
The stud kit:
(http://i.imgur.com/KuBaT1ml.jpg)
Wound 'em in without a problem and put the new gaskets in. Test fit the pipes and the flanges fit over no problem. Hooray!
(http://i.imgur.com/VwOir4wl.jpg)
Oooo shiny... love the polished pipes. Where'd ya get the fancy stud kit? :)
And +1 on the weather... what kind of cruel world do we live in where DST kicks in our extra hour of sunlight after work everyday, and suddenly it gets too cold to enjoy it??
I couldn't agree more! I just keep telling myself I'm one day closer to spring! Glad you like the pipes motoMech... I spent waaaay too much for that whole system back when I bought my bike lol and I'm so glad I am able to keep it looking nice after 5 years.
You get the stud and nut for each quantity of 1 you order. 4 or more and they give you the little thing of loctite anti seize! I searched on here and read multiple threads about these... and even though some things were said against stainless, I didn't have much luck looking for suggested chrome plated studs. When I found this ebay listing I figured I'd go this way. OH and I almost forgot to mention, I submitted a "best offer" of $3 a piece and it was accepted so the kit cost me total $12.
EDIT: I should note this... I bought ones that are 50mm because that's what size I needed to work with my aftermarket exhaust. I do not know if that length would work with the stock GS clamps (and I don't have my old exhaust layin' around anywhere for me to test it out for ya or I would!) However I can tell you that the studs thread in 20mm and then stop even though if you stick a screwdriver or something else in the holes to measure the depth, it shows 25mm.
Here's the link. They do have different lengths of course... as well as ones that are alloy steel if you look at the other products they offer:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231701133196?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Perfect! :) Thanks for the edit... in case anyone is wondering for stock, I went ahead with the M8-1.25 x 60mm (http://www.ebay.com/itm/M8-x-1-25mm-x-60mm-Stainless-Steel-Extended-Manifold-Studs-Custom-Quantity-/331665094270?hash=item4d38c7b67e:g:oAUAAOSw37tWBg7p&vxp=mtr&autorefresh=true)
Math:
20mm threaded depth + ~19mm clamp thickness + 8mm (via McMaster) nut height = 47mm
3mm clearance seems tight when working with unknown hardware tolerances and whatever the gasket adds, so I went up a size--I like around at least 50-75% a nut's thickness of bolt extra in case it decides to come loose.
EDIT: Offered $3.00 for (4) bolts, and was countered (and accepted) $4.35--good deal with Loctite and free expedited shipping!
Nice!!! Hope this info will help out some other people in the future :cheers:
Okay so today I removed the stock headlight... had to drill out onea the screws holding the chrome ring to the bucket, labeled all the wires, etc etc.
What a mess lol...
(http://i.imgur.com/ex7MqJZl.jpg)
Anyway, I test fitted the gixxer headlight and after removing two tabs which I wouldn't need anyway, I'm 99% sure it will fit nicely. The cats wouldn't help me hold the headlight up while I matched up where my nose fairing has always been so I used a bungee cord and held up the fairing. It will sit almost exactly where I placed it 5 years ago so hooray for that. Only difference will be that it won't be resting on the top of the gauges anymore and I can get a proper windscreen fitted... both of which are positives! Oh and I should also be able to get rid of the gnarly lookin' fork brackets I have never gotten around to spiffing up.
I am thinking to use the stock GS brackets... and make a "spacer bracket" of sorts that will go from the gixxer headlight to the stock bracket. Had to open up the headlight and make sure there is space inside for a lock nut on each side.
After watching youtube vids and searching on the interwebz, I baked the headlight for 30 minutes at 220F on a foil lined tray after removing all I could from it. It was amazing... the front lens came apart from the back half like melty cheese...
(http://i.imgur.com/SHbwRLHl.jpg)
I feel kind bad for this poor headlight... obviously was in a crash and then sold online... and today it got cut, dremeled, pried at, baked in an oven... lol... and after all that I won't be using this specific one because after all my figuring, I need one with 4 of the 6 mounting brackets intact. I also would prefer one with the plastic aimer dials unbroken... but it most certainly did help me in determining if this will work and what steps I gotta take next. That was the whole point of spending the least amount possible just to get one to see/mess with up close.
Still not sure if I will go this route... much more to figure out but it has been fun along the way.
I saw the picture of the lens separated from the reflector housing before I read the text of your post and my first reaction was "Oh god, what has ShowBiz done THIS time?" lol.
I think the bike will look awesome once you have a real headlight inside of the GSX-R fairing. Keep up the good work :thumb:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I'm always up to something ;)
I think it'll look a TON better too. Didn't really want it to take 5 years to finally get to this point but here I am !!
New brake lines came yesterday :woohoo:
New 4' florescent light fixture is up in my garage so I can see better!
Got the workmate table out of my shed, cleaned it up and it's ready to be used.
Have to find my bench grinder and set it up... hopefully I'll get some headlight brackets made up this weekend.
some really good work going on showbiz :thumb: your solution to clamps for the front mudguard is so clean and simple, but more importantly well executed. theres something ever so explicit about fresh stainless pipes as well :icon_mrgreen: :cheers:
Hey thanks for checkin' out my work!! And I'm glad you like my clamps!! I can't help but agree about the shiny pipes 8)
I haven't gotten anything else done with those yet, been working on setting up my workmate table and dusting off my bench grinder... buying new blades for my jigsaw... figuring out this headlight stuff... took some time to relax this weekend too, wasn't feeling the best physically.
I just now finished making 1/8" thick aluminum brackets that will be attached to the headlight... a Home Depot trip is in my future for more stainless bolts etc... maybe tonight or tomorrow before work I'll get the brackets made for on the forks.
Just a few pics. Didn't get as far today before work as I wanted but oh well. There's tomorrow!!
One of the headlight brackets I made (no they aren't finished yet), the 5/16" bolts I picked up along with some internal tooth lock washers for on the inside of the headlight and the nylon lock nuts I already had cuz I bought that nifty kit a while back.
(http://i.imgur.com/zbzXGdjl.jpg)
Pic from the side of the brackets attached. Put the bolt heads inside the headlight for clearance issues with the adjuster on that side.
(http://i.imgur.com/w4u76PYl.jpg)
Pic of the inside of the headlight. Those toothed washers are under the heads of the bolts to grip into the plastic. Once I tightened them down, I was actually able to tighten the lock nut on the outside of the headlight without the bolt spinning. The reasoning behind this is because once I put the clear lens back on the headlight (when I get a new one that I'm actually going to use), I won't be able to get to the heads of the bolts anymore... unless I re-bake it and take it back apart etc. These brackets have to be super secure/permanent.
(http://i.imgur.com/kHZWM3yl.jpg)
So then I was like well how the eff am I gonna hold this headlight centered and where it needs to be AND look at the sides, draw up the other brackets, figure out what's next on my own? Bungee cord to the rescueeee. I drew up a shape for the bracket that will go from the forks to the headlight, drilled two of the 3 holes and then had to get ready for work. My plan is to have a single bolt connecting the two home-made brackets so I have a bit of adjustment/pivot. Then if I want to, once everything is lined up and I actually aim the headlight, I can drill a second hole if I want. Dunno yet.
(http://i.imgur.com/x0TlVSCl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yyMsEpAl.jpg)
I can't stop being thankful that this is just a rough-draft headlight. I can be a bit less careful with it, I'm not as afraid of making a mistake or whatever... and once I get a new one I'll know exactly what I have to do.
I like it! Can't you just glass something up to use the one you have? You're multitalented like that!
Awe thanks cbr, I'm sure I could come up with something !! Glad you like it so far!
This headlight was dirt cheap cuz it has scratches on the front lens, all the mounting tabs for the nose fairing were broken except one and when I was experimenting with how to open it, I tried the heat gun/prying method first. Really distorted the one side and it looks awful. I bought a damaged one to see (in person) if it was even remotely possible to make work.
Plus a new one is only ~$45 with free shipping :icon_mrgreen:
I finished up the last bracket today before work and attached the headlight. Hooray!! Sat the plastic lens on for the pic... now to take it back off and start tidying up all the wires. Hopefully I'll be able to do that this weekend. I'm tempted to pull some of them in and tuck them under the tank like I've read the F models are... but my tank is full to the top.... :grumble:
(http://i.imgur.com/Z7YyQ16l.jpg)
Sweetness,....and winning with that shop stool by the way
(http://static.fjcdn.com/gifs/The_926ee8_1774123.gif)
Coming together nicely. Looks really good. :thumb:
Chris
O0
Thanks you guys!!! You both made my day :D :D :D
That's lookin' pretty fancy ShowBiz! Nice work! :thumb: :thumb:
Many thanks Pete!
I'm really excited about this project because... I look back to when I first threw on the nose fairing and I remember how intimidating the thought was to do this headlight. There's no way back then I would have been able to figure this out. Hanging out on this forum for 5-ish years has taught me so much... and I'm glad to finally try to tackle this.
My dad is the best, I just have to say. He brought me a new package of the wire connectors with the heat shrink on 'em to save me a midnight trip to Walmart and also a rotisserie chicken for my supper later :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen: OH and a spare 9/16 wrench cuz I don't have one and I need one for that last pair of bolts I used to mount the headlight. Managed to get some vice-grips wedged in there to tighten everything down but the wrench will make it much easier.
Had a fun weekend working on the wiring. For the most part LOL... They really are a mess the way they come (came) from the factory. First explored the option of putting them under the tank but I decided against that. I realized there is adequate space right under the gauges for neatly storing the wires that come down from the bars. Then it leaves the bulk of the space between the headlight brackets/forks for the huge bundle of plugs etc coming out and up from the frame.
The only snag I ran into was for some reason, the OEM spacer that goes from the H7 bulb out to the back of the headlight housing has prongs on it that are set too far apart for a regular H7 pigtail/plug/socket. They make spacers similar to the OEM one that is just hollow all the way through... might get one of those and then a straight H7 plug... or just get an H4 plug and nip off the 3rd wire (because that's cheaper and the OEM spacer's prongs fit perfect into the H4 plug).
:technical:
I also got out my q-tips and cleaner and detailed under the gauges and other bits between the forks... places I couldn't really reach before when everything was together.
Pics once I get farther along! Oh and hoping to do the brake lines this weekend coming up while all this is out of the way of the front one and then I can also put my exhaust back on.
Biz, I believe I suggested you start a thread about your bike. Holy smokes it's turned out to be a great thread. I have some catching up to do, but everything is looking great. Especially that exhaust! HOT DAMN! :cheers:
I think you're right fink!!! Thanks for visiting my thread and for the kind words!! I'm super excited about my exhaust too... it's 5 years old and I'm glad it's still looking so nice.
Saturday the new brake lines got put on. Couple of things, one is that Galfer has the label for which end goes to the master cylinder on the end that doesn't match up to how the factory bends are. Second thing is that the new banjo bolt for the front line that goes to the caliper would not wind in. When I took a closer look, that one bolt that was in my caliper has courser threads on it than all the others.
EDIT: I looked at the parts diagrams and that one bolt has a different part number than the other three. I guess Galfer overlooked that detail :dunno_black:
Once that was done I was able to put the muffler and pipes back on and lemmie just make it known how much easier it was with the new studs and nuts!!
(http://i.imgur.com/d4QuH3Sl.jpg)
Let's try that again LOL
(http://i.imgur.com/LIILElzl.jpg)
And then finally, after a week of arranging, tucking, looming, 5000 trips to Harbor Freight for more wire connectors and heat shrink, starting over and deciding ditch the looms and trim, untangle, splice and heat wrap rather than just fold and tape and kink wires etc etc my wires are tidied up in the front. Ran through a test and everything still works (praise Jesus)... I can't begin to describe how careful I was with all this but you just never know... sh*it happens... but thankfully it's all ready now and I should have my new gixxer headlight this week.
I used wire connectors with the heat wrap on them already, various sizes of black heat wrap (all the way up to 1" to slide over the plastic plugs) and some "Self Bonding Super Tape" instead of regular electrical tape which gets gooey and hard and ick over time and I've never been a fan of that. The picture doesn't to it justice... the wiring looks SO much better now.
(http://i.imgur.com/l8rchaZl.jpg)
I also realized that I've been missing 3 screws that go into the back of the black gauge housing and hold it tight against the silver frame. I added them to my cart on motosport along with OEM fuel lines and clamps, 4 screws to attach the headlight to the nose fairing and that cushion that goes under the gas tank on the front of the frame.
:thumb:
Looking good Showbiz! Every time I see wiring hanging out from the bucket for a rewire, I call it "copper vomit". Yours is definitely tidy now!
Did you get a chance to bleed the brakes yet? You're going to love those braided lines.....
Thanks Rich! Haha yes copper vomit is a very good way to put it. MAN it was a freaking mess! And soooo much extra....
I haven't gotten to go for a test ride up and down my street yet but both levers feel good. I was working on the wires in the front while Pops bled the rear so I didn't get to see that part... but I got to see the front and there was some air in there we had to get out. Hopefully it's all good now and I'll get to test it maybe later this week.
Here's another pic of the cleaned up wiring...
(http://i.imgur.com/ZLeuNjsl.jpg)
And I had time before work today to get that 3rd fender bracket made finally.
(http://i.imgur.com/eimD5LOl.jpg)
Just a written update today. Brand new headlight arrived yesterday finally, can't wait to put it on and hook it up.
Also I attached both halves of the fender and fiberglassed a rough draft center piece that will attach to the front half.
Really am itching to ride, it has been way too long for me.
You are very committed! I can do wiring no problems but I really hate mucking with existing wiring and tracing it etc. Your bike looks really good and I can't wait to see the new headlight hooked up and ready to ride.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much 1018cc!! Committed is certainly a word that can be used for me... my parents have often said I get like a "dog with a sock" when I put my mind to something I wanna do lol
The wiring was a bit tough on me mentally because I kept thinking, "Ok, you know what you wanna do with this... it needs cleaning up... but if you make even one mistake then what?? Wiring can be a real b*tch and do you really wanna get into this?" But I just took my time, did a little bit each day, and made it a "no beer" activity haha... that was prolly the toughest part :icon_rolleyes:
I can't wait to see it all hooked up either!! I wanted to work on it today but I promised my mom I'd make deviled eggs for Easter tomorrow. I just got that done and now I'm off to visit them like I do every Saturday.
I'm still debating on what color to paint the nose fairing and the new fender. I'm leaning towards silver for the nose fairing, silver for the front half of the fender and black for the back half. Good thing is, is that as it stands now, I kinda get to see how it will look all black if I chose that (cuz the nose fairing is a dark blue and the fender halves are black atm)... and then I'll get a preview of how it'd look in silver once I hit the parts with primer.
You'd THINK a person with a degree in fine arts/graphic design would be able to whip it up in the pc real quick... but I don't have any programs on my laptop and my versions of Photoshop are all too old now... I'm guessing I can find something free on the interwebz if I really wanted to!!
Was so hard to stop working on the bike today and come in to work :grumpy:
Anyway, after a few hours yesterday and today I am many steps closer to finally riding. Yesterday I lightly sanded the 4 aluminum headlight brackets I made just to clean 'em up a bit. They are done now. I could spend a long time working them over to get 'em looking perfect but I kinda like how they look a bit raw still. I also got the fiberglass center part off of the mold and attached it to the front half of my fender. It will need more fiberglassing and a whole lot of sanding and smoothing etc... hope to get to that tomorrow. Last thing I did yesterday was Dremel off the tabs I don't need on the new headlight.
Today I was able to bake the new headlight but I guess that since it's not an actual Suzuki headlight, there was no stringy messy black seal to deal with... after I took it out of the oven, I was able to pry the tabs back easily and it just wiggled apart with not much coaxing. I'm really happy about that, lemmie tell ya.
I drilled the holes in the plastic for the headlight brackets, Dremeled bits off of the big plastic dials for the aimers (I can still aim them with either a Philips screwdriver or a 10mm socket) because there were clearance issues. Also, I removed the metal spring bits that hold the bulbs in place from the OEM headlight and put them in this new one. The ones that came with the new headlight are just... not good lol and I don't think they would have worked properly.
I'm off tomorrow and I can't wait to tighten the brackets to the headlight, put the lens back on it and actually have a headlight again. I am thinking I'll aim it the best I can in my garage (at that 19' mark) and then Wednesday if it's nice out, I could ride it to work and when I come out at midnight, use the side of the building to aim it at the proper 25' mark.
I've been taking some pics as I go along and should have 'em up tomorrow cuz it's been too long without pics!
Sweet, looking forward to pics!
PICS!
Brackets done:
(http://i.imgur.com/XncALOWl.jpg)
Headlight on the bike:
(http://i.imgur.com/lYFnH4Ll.jpg)
Nose fairing on just to see what it'll look like:
(http://i.imgur.com/njSlaLUl.jpg)
Center piece first layer of glass:
(http://i.imgur.com/bvCzmOxl.jpg)
More later hopefully! Going to use the evening to work on the fender. Still not sure of what color for it or the nose fairing.
Looking good so far Showbiz! IMO, the front of the bike looks much cleaner with the headlight in the GSX-R fairing now. Are you planning on painting that thing to match the rest of the bike at any point?
Thank you qc!! Omg yes I can't wait to fill in the holes that I don't need and paint it. Black or silver! I can't decide!!
sweet looking progress!
Nice work as always ShowBiz, looking the goods!!
Thanks for sharing in my enthusiasm everybody! :kiss3: :laugh:
I got more done on the fender today before work and also decided to finally fix up and paint the nose fairing. As much as I wanna get out and ride, I think it's time for that stock blue color to go. Hope to start working on that tomorrow.
Cool. What'd you decide on for paint scheme?
I still have no idea. :dunno_black: I like how the fender looks in black... and I could do the nose in black too... but I really want to see them both in silver like the frame. When I primer them, I'll get a bit of a preview of what they'd look like in silver. Then I think I'll be able to decide.
Great work Biz!
What about a 2 tone paint job? Black & silver with a white pinstripe in between?
Would a 2/3 tone sweep be out of the question? Two solid colours and a third accent?
Chris
O0
These are all excellent ideas!! I have a lot to think about now... I was hoping to keep it simple but... ya guys are complicating that for me lol!! :icon_razz:
You planning on rattle canning it, or your pops have a booth?
I've done all my vehicles and painting with rattle can... Pops' garage is not a body/paint shop :cry: ...even though I've tried to turn it in to one over the years with my projects !!! :icon_rolleyes: ;)
I'm still jelly. My rattle can skills are meh. Need mo practice.
Thank youuuuu :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen: It always amazes people when I tell 'em I painted the Turtle Van with Rustoleum Painters Touch rattle cans from Home Depot. There's some Krylon in there too, but mainly I stuck with the Rustoleum. LOVED how it covered and how it holds up... and it was super forgiving... as in, not wrinkling, lifting etc. Let's face it... my dad's garage was never meant to be a dust free perfect place to paint!! :memories:
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18033794_10155302227133278_2971863860035123219_n.jpg?oh=7c08df238f372e713b9e45827766d505&oe=598D69F7)
schweet
Work on the nose fairing has been moving along! I fiberglassed the holes I won't need anymore from behind and sanded the whole thing. Tomorrow I hope to get a few layers of duraglas done on the outside, to fill the holes. Then it'll be time for primer and paint!! Oh and I also ordered the OEM turn signal plates... up until now I have been using thin aluminum ones I made years ago.
Busa fender has been getting some work as well, I have about half of the center piece layered up thick and I was going to trim it on the sides (to fit it between the fork legs)... but for the first time ever in my life, I lost a tool. For the life of me, I can't find the Dremel's mandrel with the cutting disc on it. I remember exactly when I had it last... and why I removed it from the Dremel... but I have looked everywhere (and I do mean everywhere) and it's gone. Dunno if Hastey played with it/carried it somewhere while I was at work or what... but I did move furniture and used a flashlight to check everywhere... :dunno_black: Bought a new one today before work so I'll be back in business soon lol.
Oh I hate that! You *know* you left it there, you remember distinctly... if you had to swear to it you would! Then you find it somewhere completely different a week later after you've bought that replacement and it dawns on you that you did in fact move it... :technical: :icon_razz:
Great progress though ShowBiz!
However what is duraglas when it's at home with it's feet up, a beer in hand, and MotoGP on the telly?
Haha, very true Pete!! Although for me it'd be People's Court on the telly :icon_rolleyes:
Getting really tired of having to go back thru and update all the picture links... so here's some combined pics to save on my work I'll prolly have to do later lol. Had to extend the one side of the center part of the fender a bit so that's curing now and I got the duraglas on the nose fairing. This pic is of the second layer. Gotta get ready for work now.
(http://i.imgur.com/ehJAqrxl.jpg)
Did a bunch of bulb experiments outside of my work last night in the parking lot. Used the side of the building for aiming the headlight and seeing what combination of bulbs is going to work the best. Also road tested each combination. I learned some neat stuff!
1) Lighting provided by a stock H4 bulb with no H7 is adequate (IMO).
2) The Native H4 LED bulb worked great (again, IMO) in the stock GS round housing but it is pretty darn terrible in the gixxer housing. Not gonna lie. Also, flipping to high beam did pretty much nothing.
**I'm actually really glad I got to see this in person because now I see what all the fuss was about 6 months ago when I posted about LED headlight bulbs and how they "just plain won't work in halogen reflector housings!"
I still stand by what I said and saw in regards to it working nicely in the GS's stock housing though.
3) I am comfortable using a stock H4 by itself based on what I saw/road tested last evening (well, this morning haha it was 1am).
4) A stock H7 bulb in the lower (projector) portion of the headlight is really amazing! (I'm sure some of you are rolling your eyes at me cuz this is common knowledge but I have never seen a headlight like this in person before.)
5) The stock H7 bulb in the projector portion of the headlight greatly makes up for the awful output of the Native H4 but I don't really feel comfortable with that setup.
I just ordered this H7 from SBL because I want to try it out.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-replacement-bulbs/h7-led-bulb-36-smd-led-daytime-running-light-led-tower/1583/
Yes yes I know it has a rating of 260 lumens... but I'd like to do the experiment. Plus, based on the measurements/specs of the other LED H7's out there, none of them will fit in the gixxer housing. It's less than $15 to try it out cuz I have a coupon :icon_mrgreen:
Finished sanding the nose fairing today and also put a coat of primer on it :woohoo:
Now sitting here at work :technical:
Pesky job always gets in the way of all our fun......
Yep I hear that... we have a long weekend at least this weekend :D
Haha ok ok I should have worded that differently... I shoulda said, "Now making more money to pay for bike work!"
After hitting the nose fairing with primer, I noticed a couple spots that needed a bit more sanding. Got that done today and did the primer touch up. It's officially done and waiting for paint now. Still leaning towards black which will warrant ordering the exact color from ColorRite.com
Also got more cutting and shaping done on the fender... fitment is looking better and better each day! Hope to get more done on it tomorrow but the lawn needs mowed and trimmed again so that comes first cuz the house has gotta look nice :thumb:
Pic of the first layer of the final bit of the front half. Can get an idea from these pictures of how I want the back to almost hook over the fork brace. Dunno how wide I am going to be able to leave it in order for it to still fit between the fork legs but so far so good. I'd rather have more fiberglass to trim down then have to keep adding to it. What a pita.
(http://i.imgur.com/PZuGUUpl.jpg)
I also ordered some new foot pegs, in silver, front and passenger. Ended up finding some on ebay that match up to the ones in the wiki. Got all 4 pegs for $19.45 !!
In addition to that, I'm playing around with different hardware for the stock rearsets. Just to update the look of them a bit. Have to figure out what I want and where to go.
The last smaller project I also started over the weekend is making some custom heel guards. Nothing super fancy, just similar to the ones you see on aftermarket 'Busa or gixxer sets on eBay. I have some leftover aluminum from my headlight brackets and before I put away my jigsaw and the bench grinder, figured I'd mess around with some heel guards and see if I like what I come up with.
Good stuff Showbiz!
As far as the bolts go - do you have a Fastenal store near you? They have a huge selection of stainless stuff compared to Home Depot & Lowes.
Ohhhh man Rich we used to have a Fastenal and it was wonderful!!! I know what you mean about the selection they had! Prices were much better too....... But they aren't around here anymore afaik :cry:
Thanks for checkin' in Rich :cheers:
Couplea pics to show my fun so far with making heel guards:
(http://i.imgur.com/55scfEUl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZKofMbul.jpg)
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on May 03, 2017, 02:20:45 PM
Couplea pics to show my fun so far with making heel guards:
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18222034_10155341685043278_6221472156238887579_n.jpg?oh=d8da06c9dd0442d32d1630a2ff8e44e3&oe=5977E862)
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18274764_10155341685038278_3891441657031220573_n.jpg?oh=ac1ca057740677b147c9eea61bb86d2b&oe=598BFA9E)
Looks like you need a scroll saw with metal cutting blade... you could bang this out in like 2 hours.
Oh man you're tellin' me!! That would be marvelous :D Buy me one? :kiss3: ;)
I'm just using an old B&D jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. Did my headlight brackets with it too.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on May 03, 2017, 02:52:51 PM
Oh man you're tellin' me!! That would be marvelous :D Buy me one? :kiss3: ;)
I'm just using an old B&D jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. Did my headlight brackets with it too.
Hah. right after I buy myself a NEW one. I miss my old one.. Regret getting rid of it. at least you have a jig saw though, if I did this, I'd be there was a copping saw.
First time I tried that sort of stuff was with a hacksaw... quickly moved to the jigsaw. Unfortunately a lot of times I do it at night, so the jigsaw is out and back to the hacksaw... Fun fun!
Love your work ShowBiz!!
Jigsaw certainly is noisy... no doubt about that!!! Dug out a stick of wax from my college days... had to buy one for my Jewelry and Metals class... never thought I'd ever use it again!
Fun fact, the bolts that hold the stock GS rearsets on are the same thread and diameter as the exhaust bolts! M8 1.25
Those stainless allen ones I bought last summer for like, way too much $$... that didn't work with my aftermarket exhaust... are now holding on my rearsets.
Pegs came in the mail today and they look really nice. Looking forward to finishing the heel guards and installing the pegs in the next few days.
kickazz showbiz! Can't wait to see them cut out :icon_exclaim:
Thanks cbr!!! You didn't hafta wait long :D
(http://i.imgur.com/XppOvNOl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NqD381nl.jpg)
New pegs like the ones in the wiki:
(http://i.imgur.com/BnQNdTAl.jpg)
hah I had one of those pegs on my SV650... yes one, different peg on each side, mismatched everything on that bike, if it was a 10mm on one side, it was a 1/2" on the other.. lol :D still miss my SV..
Front pegs are on :woohoo: Got 'em done today before work.
Ended up using some 1/4" x 1 1/4" stainless bolts and lock nuts instead of the stock pins. The pins were bent so bad that I had to wiggle and swear at and twist the one on the shift side until it finally came out and the one on the brake side I had to cut with the dremel. That part I knew already last week when I removed the stock pegs and put on my heel guards. Could have used the pins from the passenger pegs but I liked the idea of being able to tighten them down. The pegs will still fold up a ways (similar to the stock pegs) if they ever came in contact with the ground but let's be honest, I don't lean that far !!
Also rode the bike to work and will be testing out the LED H7 I mentioned before tonight when I get out. Got it in the mail last week but this is the first day with a rain-free forecast we've had in a while. I'll be sure to take pics of just the stock H4 and then the H4 + the LED H7 shining against the wall at 25'.
Whooo it was a chilly night! Hovering around 35F... got to test out my Joe Rocket heated leather gloves though for the first time and they are wonderful!
OK here are the headlight pics. 25' away from the wall of the Red Cross at the correct height.
Standard H4 bulb, low beam:
(http://i.imgur.com/APdOwg8l.jpg)
Standard H4 bulb, high beam:
(http://i.imgur.com/4YmaJ5Rl.jpg)
Standard H4 bulb and the LED H7 bulb I mentioned earlier in the thread, low beam:
(http://i.imgur.com/HphhD6Rl.jpg)
Standard H4 bulb and the LED H7 bulb I mentioned earlier in the thread, high beam:
(http://i.imgur.com/8w0nO7gl.jpg)
And an extra picture just because lol
(http://i.imgur.com/fenXcSjl.jpg)
This bulb setup is what I'm the most happy with. The headlight swap has been a really fun and educating project for me. Now to keep working on that fender and install the rear pegs and order paint...!
those LEDs lighting up the engine look really awesome!
Gotta say it..... that is probably the most terrifying helmet I've ever seen! Think of the children! Haha....
Thanks for posting pics of the light patterns Showbiz. Huge help!
Your bike is really coming together, ShowBiz. Can't wait to see how it looks when the 'Busa fender and GSXR fairing are all painted and finished and installed. :thumb:
@ Ne0n, hey thanks!! Very much appreciated! Not the best pic but I figured hey when I'm following someone's project thread I like to see a overall pic of the bike here and there thrown in the mix.
@ Rich, hahaha yeah Corey's original mask was/is my favorite and I like sometimes when I ride up behind someone at a stoplight or something and I can see 'em turn around and look at me and then real quick look away lol...!!
I'm bummed that the Native H4 bulb won't work for me anymore but... maybe I can find something to do with it. The one supervisor at my work rides this huge yellow Harley and she expressed interest in maybe buying the bulb from me if it'd work well in her bike.
But yeah, this H7 LED in the pictures is only 260 lumens... but I'm happy with how much light it does put out for me. I'm tempted someday to buy these:
https://www.nighteyeled.com/products/2016-nighteye-car-styling-a-pair-of-car-9-led-fog-lights-bright-white-lamps-left-rights-h7
and try one of those out in the bottom projector spot.
@qc, thank you for following along! Believe me, I can't wait either! I have to admit that the look of the bike without the nose fairing is appealing to me a bit... was thinking about wiring up the front signals so they are there while I finish up the other stuff. I thought I'd really miss the fairing and windscreen, especially last night/this morning when it was in the 30's but it really doesn't bother me tbh.
Grabbed pics of the front pegs before I left for work:
(http://i.imgur.com/D6WhCWsl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/B9uRMbHl.jpg)
Love me some pix in the morning :D
Happy to provide, cbr!!
Finally got the passenger pegs done. I added some notes to the wiki. I didn't use a split pin/cotter pin for the stop... probably didn't have ones as thick as in the wiki (no size was specified)... I stood up on the one side like I would if I was gonna get on the back of the bike and the pin bent... so I drilled a 1/4" hole and used some 1/4" x 1 1/4" stainless clevis pins with 3/32" stainless cotter pins for the stops
(http://i.imgur.com/xcQqYgil.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9vxeMbKl.jpg)
I have the same pegs. Starting friday off nicely with pics again! Sweeet. What's next? :woohoo:
Ahh cool! Are yours silver/chrome too or do you have a color?
Next is more work on the fender and also, since I have been riding the bike this way, I am thinking of making some brackets for the front signals. I don't like riding without them... and it's gonna be a while 'til I order the paint and finish up the nose fairing.
I got the black ones,...
"and it's gonna be a while 'til I order the paint"
(http://reactiongif.org/wp-content/uploads/GIF/2014/08/GIF-defeat-defeated-disappointed-done-facepalm-give-up-had-enough-GIF.gif)
I liked the black ones too... they would have been my 2nd pick!
And it won't be THAT much of a while, dontcha worry ;)
Where are you thinking about mounting the front signals?
I was looking at it today actually before I had to leave to run some errands... and it looks like I can make some more aluminum plates... small ones... that will mount to the last open hole on the stock headlight brackets (the ones that go around the forks).
And since they are already wired up with quick disconnects (I have two more laying around as well) I can easily put them back on the nose fairing once it's done. But if this ends up being too much of a pita, I'll just leave it alone.
Got the signals mounted up and took some pictures. Hopefully will get that fender sanded and primed by the end of the weekend if no other projects come up :icon_rolleyes: Oh yeah and I need a new horn too lol
(http://i.imgur.com/MkoJ99vl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XSq45Oil.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/odYQnyFl.jpg)
I have a horn somewhere.. dunno if it works, or exactly what box its in, ill look. if it works you can have it, unless you're gonna buy an upgraded horn! then don't worry about dinky stock Suzuki horns!
Awe, thank you so much J_Walker, very kind of you! I stopped down at my dad's garage yesterday and he ordered me one from one of his parts places. Said it will be silver !! I'm wanting to see what it looks like and if it will work... if not, it can always be sent back and I'll be sure to PM ya :-D
It's a sweet Friday morning when we gots pics! That's looking hot showbiz. really enjoying your progress! Thx for posting!
Well that's all pretty fancy schmancy ShowBiz!!! Love your work and as always good job :D
+1
+1
:thumb:
No problem I couldn't find it anyway, though I only looked for like 5 minutes. :D everythings a mess, can't wait until the floors go into the house so I can reorganize my stuff.
Cool looking and nice fab work on the ankle guards. Getting ready to tackle rearsets here.
Thanks everybody!!! :-*
Ok so not much to update just yet. I did order the paint though!! Nose fairing will be Suzuki "33J Pearl Novelty Black" like the tank.
I bought this nifty tail bag on eBay for $17. Didn't like the straps it came with so I bought some black elastic for $3.49 and made my own using the clips the bag came with. Got to actually use my sewing machine for the first time in forever!!
(http://i.imgur.com/tyzCdGKl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q7Bgt5hl.jpg)
Very tidy, that's a great idea! I need to work out something a little neater for my gym gear... now you got me thinking :thumb:
Excellant idea. Nice design.
Fabnastic!
That's a sweet little thing and looks good too.
Thanks everybody!!
Not much that's very exciting to report atm... I'm in the middle of replacing the fuel lines... and I finally bought one of those rubber cushions that goes between the frame and the tank. Had to scrape off old rubber/silicone from the improvised one I made like 4 years ago. Also omitted the inline fuel filter that was on my bike when I got it... cuz the old line was stuck to it and I broke it while trying to get it removed :icon_rolleyes:
Having a bit of a headache with replacing the horn. The first one I got was great... plugged in the two wires, turned the key on, beeped it twice, attached it to the bike, wanted to test it one last time and it did nothing. Gave it back to my dad, he tested it on a battery and it still didn't work. Got a replacement... plugged it into the bike, turned the key on, hit the horn button and all it did was click. Like, you could see the disc moving on the front but it wouldn't beep. Gave it to my dad, he tested it on a battery and it works great. Smh I'll be working with it tonight/tomorrow I'm sure. Maybe my battery was just worn down :dunno_black:
Also made a bit more progress on the never-ending fender project. Hoping to have that finished up by next weekend.
Biz, those horns might still be good. If they are like what I'm thinking, the mounting bolt goes thru the center of the horn..... and if it is mounted to tight, it compresses the "bell" part of the horn and it can't vibrate (and therefore not make noise).
That's good to know!!
I don't think that's the case in my situation though sadly... I tried the horns both on the bike and off... and I had the same results each way. I'm gonna fiddle with it more when I get home from work tonight and see what I can figure out.
Okay so here are the deets. When I'd plug the two wires into the horn and hold it in my hand, with the extra bracket it comes with bolted onto the back, turn the key on and hit the button, it works perfectly.
When I remove the extra bracket the horn comes with (cuz I don't need it when mounting to the GS) and hold it in my hand, turn the key on and hit the button, all it does is click.
Then I mounted the horn to the bike, turned the key on, hit the button and hooray everything works as it should.
Smh just goes to show that even the "simplest" of things aren't always super simple :-P
:woohoo:
Another problem solved...... now get back to work on that fender! Haha.....
Omg you know it!!! Can't wait to get that bugger finally done!!!
New fuel lines are on and the bike is back together. Went so much easier than in the past when replacing those lines!
Painted and cleared the nose fairing yesterday and now I'm gonna get some fender sanding/duraglasing done before work at 3:30.
Ooooh progress!!!! Always feels good when you get some stuff done don't it?
what fuel lines did you use? What prompted the change? Sorry if you've covered this before.
I think I need to swap mine too :) But I like my front fender and stink at fiberglass!
Howdy mr72! I wanted to replace the lines because the last time I did them was in 2013 IIRC and they were getting hard. I think it says in the manual to replace 'em every 4 years too so that also had something to do with it lol. I bought the OEM ones this time along with the clamps because I remember how much of a bear it was last time, struggling to make lines fit and get the right clamps, stop leaks, etc. These were a joy to work with, hands down!
Yes Pete you are exactly right, it really is nice to cross stuff of my list!!
Just a few pics of the progress today:
(http://i.imgur.com/EcHKZ6sl.jpg)
Can see my new horn in this pic too :D
(http://i.imgur.com/P8hdEHZl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lD7ImUQl.jpg)
Nice work ShowBiz! Looks like it's coming along nicely there :thumb:
Many thanks, Pete! I got some more done on it today before work. The back section doesn't look like much now but once it's smooth and I do the first coat of primer, I think it'll show the shape and what I was aiming for. I'm still leaning towards painting this half silver and leaving the back half black.
Well that there would be Katana colours through and through... so I say do it :icon_mrgreen:
Sounds like a sweet scheme
Thanks guys!!! :cheers:
I've called in some help from my good friend Jamie for Sunday. This fender is taking too long by myself. There's really no easy way to clamp it or hold it down while I sand it... so she's gonna help me. Pizza and beer time too :woohoo:
Also, I got out my box of fork parts recently. I've sanded, cleaned and primed my spare set of lowers and will probably paint them this weekend. New chrome inner tubes are in my future (my wallet is sure gonna be bruised after that one) as well as seals, dust wipers and possibly springs. Waiting to hear back from RichDesmond for his advice... cuz when I plug in my numbers to the spring calculator, it gives me .70... and idk if I was looking wrong or what but I didn't find that rate offered for the GS. But I'm tired of bottoming out from time to time and even though I have 20w oil currently, they still feel... inadequate. I only weigh ~150 with gear :dunno_black:
But with my spare parts + new parts I'll get, I can build my forks while the current ones are still on my GS and I can keep riding.
Rich Desmond is awesome for that kind of stuff..... when I was looking at Bandit springs for my GR, I was well below the current offerings (I should say: the GR650 is in a different weight category than a Bandit 1200). I was worried about getting custom springs made, but Rich emailed me back saying "I have those springs in your weight, they just aren't listed online yet."
Can't say enough about Rich and his business!
Hey Showbiz, i love your bike its cool.
What is wrong with your fork tube inners? A bit of rust? You can get them redone by a "suspension guru" if you have one in your area. Probably cheaper then new ones. Just remember the GS only has 110mm of fork travel until it bottoms out, with the springs removed. So any rust higher than that isnt going to cause any harm to you fork seals.
Just try and clean them up with steelo or similar and turn the rusty bits to the back lol.
I think you are adding too much weight to your front end. Thats just me though. I wonder if there might be a way to attach the headlight and fairing to the frame instead of the forks like the F model does?
Johno
+1 for Rich and Sonic.
Seal kit is like $14...got mine from All Balls.
I have a set of +04 plus fork tubes sitting in the shed if you're interested. Admittedly though, the damping tubes are a royal shitshow to remove, which is why I swapped for 01's.
Thanks for the offer Suzi! Yeah those newer tubes... I've read quite a few times about 'em... not something I wanna get into lol but seriously, thank you :-*
crackin, hey, thanks for stoppin' by! I was right in your line of thinking less than two years ago with having the tubes redone. I got them from weedahoe a few years back off a parts bike because the tubes my bike came with were bent. But sadly, even after having them cleaned/redone, only 2k miles later, my seals are leaking again. I can feel the burrs/imperfections and several of them are all quite near the dust seal. I'm fed up at this point and would just rather go with some new ones.
Also, now you've got me thinking about the weight on the front end lol! But as I sit here, sipping my coffee, I'm realizing that I should be right about the same as a stock GS, if not less.
-I've removed the steel headlight triangles and made my own brackets from aluminum
-I don't have a scale but I'd be willing to bet the plastic gixxer headlight weighs the same if not less than the metal and glass stock round one
-The signals are a tiny bit shorter than stockers so they are no heavier
-I've shortened the wiring and it's not crammed into the headlight bucket anymore
-I haven't been riding with the nose fairing because it's not done yet
-The 'Busa fender hasn't been on the bike either but it wouldn't have any effect anyway because it's mounted to the fork lowers
But seriously, that was a great thing to consider Johno! I had a :icon_eek: moment there, for sure :laugh: And I think I'd go back to stock before I attach the stuff to the frame rather than the front end... for some reason, I love how my headlight etc turns with the bars instead of staying straight ahead.
Edit: now that I'm waking up a bit and thinking more, even if I have been adding weight to the front, it's all the more reason for upgraded springs yay :-D
All valid points Showbiz. Those forks sound like they have had their day.
I weigh my bike on my bathroom scales, just weigh the front and rear separate and add together.
Carry on :technical:
Johno
Quote from: crackin on June 03, 2017, 05:15:52 PM
All valid points Showbiz. Those forks sound like they have had their day.
I weigh my bike on my bathroom scales, just weigh the front and rear separate and add together.
Carry on :technical:
Johno
Yep. Just make sure there's a 2x4 or something under the other tire (so the bike is level). Or else any liquids run to the tire on the ground, giving a lighter weight on the scale.
Sooooo no fender work got done this weekend :icon_sad: Jamie wasn't able to come help... so I kept myself busy with other things like cleaning behind the sprocket cover, clean/lube the chain, mowin' the whole lawn and sweeping, running the vacuum, etc etc.
Maybe this coming weekend :dunno_black: I'll keep trying to work on it myself in the mean time.
ShowBiz do you sell the bags you modified in this post? If so I would def be interested in one, I am close by also I am in WV I believe I saw you say somewhere you are in PA.
Hi Kirk! I don't sell the bags but I'll send ya a PM with some more details and the link :thumb:
Not much goin' on... last night I put the nose fairing and new windscreen on. Rode to work today and brought my camera... so maybe on my break I'll go out and get some pics!
Also, here's a pic of my spare fork lowers after sanding, cleaning and priming. I painted them silver today and will clear them on the weekend.
(http://i.imgur.com/Lq59pVZl.jpg)
Pics of the nose fairing back on:
(http://i.imgur.com/zFJiCWol.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UldA2JDl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BdlQYy6l.jpg)
I'm loving the Gixxer fairing, it looks great on the Gs.
Have you considered wet sanding and polishing the machined part of your rims? These rims look sweet as polished.
I painted my spokes gold with polished rims, it looks bad arse.
Thanks so much crackin, glad you like it! And that's a sweet idea about the wheels, I'll keep that in mind! I'm picturing what your wheels must look like and I agree, that would look sharp :star:
Is your rear fender stock or did you get an aftermarket one? I like his it fits low over the rear tire, the one on my 89 is high under the seat and takes up a lot of room that I could be using for wires.
I have the same (stock) fender as you, which is the plastic that is high under the seat BUT I also added a hugger (which is what you're pointing out that sits low over the tire) from a Bandit 400. I had to creep on ebay.uk for a bit but I found a used one and the shipping was doable. The wiki gave me a decent idea of how to make it work on the GS and then I made my own thread about how to fit one.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71283.0
Yep that nose really suits it ShowBiz, awesome work! :thumb:
Thank you thank you Pete!! Feels nice to have it painted to match finally!
Fork lowers done. They came out better than I hoped! Can't wait until I can afford the new chrome inner tubes.
(http://i.imgur.com/bTVEk4Ul.jpg)
Oh very fancy!!! It definitely makes you feel great when you get some progress done and start seeing the bits and pieces coming together finally :thumb:
It really does. I can't explain how happy I am to have gotten all these things done finally on the bike. :woohoo:
I'm taking the fender down to my dad's garage this week (I took a couple days off) and he's gonna be my help since Jamie is MIA.
Then I can get back to the Spirit and the van. Gonna work on cutting away the last rusty piece of sh*t panel I paid someone to do years ago :2guns: :2guns: :2guns: on my van and repair it MY way. That's this week too.
And last evening I got the seats from the Spirit out (I have them in my basement) and took measurements, drew up some rough patterns and will be working on making the seat covers. I'll have to resurrect that thread I started a long time ago about other projects and pics!
Nice! That should get you along the way nicely to being done :thumb:
Fender did get worked on! But it's still not done. My dad didn't have much time to help me unfortunately but it IS taking shape. Maybe will work on it more this weekend.
Also got the side of my van patched up like I wanted to. I took a few pictures, not many because I was so focused on trying to get it done, and I'll upload them to photobucket when I get home from work later. Those pictures seem to not lead to broken links nearly as much as facebook ones do. I'll add 'em to the project thread I started a while back.
I'm also in the process of gathering information about the R6 shock swap. Thinking I might want to do that at the same time as the upgraded springs /new fork parts.
(https://68.media.tumblr.com/916568b5667583fc14e2ba3d6e06a2a9/tumblr_ob9c8tdJGD1qbuoyeo3_r1_250.gif)
Haha I know I know :flipoff:
Only thing I did recently that I haven't included a pic of is put on this mirrory purple-blue-shiny windscreen that I bought like 4 or 5 years ago. The look is kinda growin' on me :dunno_black:
Fender still needs finished once someone will help me.
Fork parts need bought, maybe after this next paycheck.
Deciding between the R6 shock with the yellow spring or the black spring.
Need to replace two gaskets (oil pan and left side cover I believe it is).
And that's all that's left! (That I know of for now lol!)
Hey Showbiz, it may not be a big deal at all but I think the red and yellow springs were more common for the R6 shock. Also make sure it's for '06-07 and has the reservoir horizontal and not vertical.
Look for something like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-Yamaha-Yzf-R6-Rear-Back-Shock-Absorber-Suspension-/252912379433?epid=696541688&hash=item3ae2c0a629:g:NLkAAOSwX61ZB2gF&vxp=mtr
I just know that this is what worked for my install. Not sure which model R6 had the black springs. Also weird that the black one has the high and low speed rebound in one place, instead of two separate dials (the gold and blue ones on top).
Let us know if the black spring variant works, if you choose that route. Good luck!
Thanks Endo!!! I'll be sure to update when I get this thing bought and installed... I can't wait!! :icon_mrgreen:
I have been researching these things like crazy over the past week. I've turned up some really good threads with lots of information, pics, and different installs... added those threads to the wiki.
Also, I learned that there is this difference (made this pic myself) which might help with ease of installation where one person said it will slide in through the side if you remove the chain guard and heel plate (thread below):
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19430125_10155525801078278_7575115327589469037_n.jpg?oh=d6593cc0a8e2ae0ad3ab1add3b192413&oe=59D8BD8E)
In addition to the difference you talked about with the dials:
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19437442_10155525595978278_3787470491779654802_n.jpg?oh=913e42b8edf3548c32d797531d779294&oe=59DC23C4)
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19429915_10155525595983278_8780029075648822120_n.jpg?oh=18ba1315afef8e93a75448b1e5588c8c&oe=59C9FE53)
But I was able to dig up threads that showed people who installed both kinds... the '06-'07 and the '08+. Here's a thread about the '08+ one (with pics!): http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=58640.0
Also I read that someone asked a Yamaha dealer what the difference is in regards to the spring colors... they said they were told that it's just cosmetic... not performance-related. That information can be found in the threads I added to the wiki as well :thumb:
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock
"colors are cosmetic" no. red gives you +5 HP but also +attraction to trees [SVforumsjokes]
lolololololol :icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
That's RIGHT!! I forgot ;) ;) ;)
Fingers crossed for fender work this Sunday!!!
Also, I recently purchased the Bilt spine/back protector from Cycle Gear (large size). Fits perfectly in my Joe Rocket textile jacket (men's large jacket) and only cost $25 :D :D :D
Next I'm looking into some overpants with knee and hip armor. Probably gonna go with these, in black:
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/joe-rocket-phoenix-ion-pants
What to buy, what to buy?? Haha... hard to pick! Ordered the fork seals, dust wipers, a couple new gaskets, motor oil and fork oil at the beginning of the month. Still on the list is the sonic springs, new fork tubes, R6 shock and now those pants. I'm thinking the pants first cuz gear is really important....
Gear's always a good choice :thumb:
But the rest is good also... if only our pockets were unlimited!!!! :icon_lol:
could always mount a dual tone horn ( like from a lincoln town car) people would NOT expect a sound like that to come out of a little bike. :)
Aaron
I'm not done uploading my pictures to imgur so I can fix all the broken links but I can at least post a progress picture of the fender. Very very very close to primer step finally!
(http://i.imgur.com/gqtbf8nl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7NJT0fwl.jpg)
woo hoo progress :woohoo:
Nice work ShowBiz! Feels good getting close to that point where you can see it finished don't it? :thumb:
YES :woohoo:
I spent the better part of my afternoon before work updating the pictures for the first 7 pages of my thread here. What a time-eater!!! Bummed I didn't get it all done but what can ya do :dunno_black:
imgur is a LOT friendlier to use than PB was... I very much enjoy it so far.
What spurred my recent thread about the Suzuki oil is that last Sunday, when I flipped to reserve, I went a bit too far... and my bike sat for over 24 hours with the valve half way between reserve and prime :technical:
Soooooo time to change the oil and filter and do those two gaskets that just came in the mail the other day. Also I did notice that the airbox drain hose is rubbed through and has a big hole in it. Almost 20 bux??? Ugh well whatever, I need it :icon_rolleyes:
Showbiz, IIRC you're doing the oil pan gasket? If so, check the oil pump pickup screen. Sometimes there's liquid gasket chunks stuck in there or worse (I've found leaf bits and a couple twigs in one of my used engines).
Good work on the fender so far!
Thank you so much for the tip Rich! Yes I'll be doing the oil pan gasket at the same time.
I'm nervous about cleaning the old gasket material off, after reading about so many people having issues... plus I don't know the history of the gaskets I'm going to change... I have no idea if they've ever been messed with or not :icon_confused:
I don't have time to Google it and reply, but look into the spray on "gasket remover". I think it uses the same chemicals as Aircraft Stripper. If so, a very thin brush could be used to apply Aircraft Stripper to the gasket stuck to the engine, and would be easy to scrape off.
I will make sure to do that! :star:
Just finished fixing the broken links in my thread :woohoo:
I still want to do the hugger thread for sure... and maybe then the Projects and Pics thread... but we'll see. My eyes are tired :exhausted:
I used carb cleaner and a scraper. But I would suggest used scotch bright instead of the scraper.
Good job on the project showbiz :cheers:
Chris
O0
How do you keep the engine looking brand new?! Its practically a mirror finish :cool:
Looks awesome - thanks for fixing the picture links, going to thieve the battery tray fix you did!
Are there any surprises lurking in redoing the gauge pods?
Thanks Toby!!! Even though my GS was pretty banged up when I got it, the engine didn't require too much to clean up. I used a lot of q-tips and rags and brake cleaner to get off old dirt and now I just keep it washed. It does still have some scratches here and there though, not gonna lie!
The gauge pods... you mean replacing the black plastic cover thingy?
That's them, I don't know if they are called pods or houses or what? Do they just come free after pulling the acorn nuts and tacho + speedo cables or do the numbers fall out and the whole thing goes south?? Could you just sub in '12v' LEDs too?
Honestly I am not sure about what all bulbs can be substituted in. I just made sure to order the equivalent to a 194. I originally ordered 194's for the gauges and 74's for the indicators (oil, high beam and neutral) but found out that the 74's are way too small. I believe (from what I've gathered over the years) that in the newer GS's, they switched to a 74 bulb. Just for the indicators though. IIRC the gauges are 194 for all years.
Also when I was ordering them, I originally got ones that didn't have a good enough (for me) light output direction (120 degrees). Meaning, I put some bulbs in the gauges and it didn't throw light downwards enough to fully light up the trip meter (you could barely see it). It also could have had to do with the fact that they were only 2 lumens lol. I had to do more reading and ended up getting the bulbs in the links on my first page. I just had a look back at the listing and it says they "create a 220 degree viewing angle" and they are also 9 lumens, instead of just 2.
I'm trying to think back to when I replaced that housing. I do remember buying new rubber gaskets too, for around the gauges 'cuz mine were all chewed up for some reason. That housing should indeed come off if you undo the 4 acorn nuts and 3 small phillips screws that hold it on. My bike was missing those 3 smaller screws and I just recently replaced them. Unplug the sockets for the 4 indicators and I can't remember if you hafta pull the tach and speedo cables out... but from what I can remember, that's all there is to it.
I think somewhere along the way I mentioned putting this different windscreen on... idk. I bought it 5 years ago back when I bought the nose fairing and never go to put it on because of how I originally had the nose mounted.
At first I didn't like it, thought it was too flashy but I've gotten a lot of compliments on it and it is kinda growing on me. Think I like it more than the clear one. Ugh, can't wait to get that front fender half on.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZYeDewXl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nsriQ6sl.jpg)
Always looking good, VERY clean
Quite like that purpley screen
ive always had a box of single endge razor blades for this purpose. brand new ones worked wonders.
Aaron
Thanks everybody!! :-*
Need to take some pics soon...
Bike is apart... tank, seat, plastics off... air filter out, plugs out. Oil filter out, oil pan off and clean... old gasket peeled off beautifully thank the Lord! Oil filter cover is nice and clean too.
Had gas in one of the cylinders, glad I pulled the plugs. I have no idea how old they are... thinking of replacing them with iridium ones. Also, my bike has the ones that have the 9 in the part number... DPR9EA-9... which according to the manual is for high temperatures... dunno who put those in but I'll go with those again.
Wiped out the air box and put the new drain hose on. Felt good to get rid of the old one that was worn through! I will note that even though I ordered an OEM hose, it did not come with the fancy slotted end thingy on it. Had to re-use the one I had. Wonder why it's not listed as a separate part :dunno_black:
Removed the side cover early this morning after getting home from work. That gasket did not come quietly lol... it's gonna take some patience and work to get it totally cleaned off. Also saw that I'm missing that orange epoxy on 4 of the 6 magnets. Thought it was gonna be Goats but after searching and reading further (and checking my magnets) they are all secure and intact. No cracks either, again, thank God. Resurrected a zombie thread to ask about possibly replacing the epoxy but was advised to just leave it alone.
Got my R6 shock in the mail today right before work! :woohoo: Looks NICE, can't wait to install it.
Stopped at Home Depot before work as well and got 3 M6 stainless acorn nuts and a stud for my oil filter cover. Someone in my bike's past must have ruined a stud and replaced it with an allen head bolt.
Ok here are some pics.
In the background you can see the seats out of my Spirit (along with the 'Busa fender that really is ready for primer but I keep nit-picking about it)... Making my own covers for those seats is next on my never ending to-do list.....
(http://i.imgur.com/bVVmYIHl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/p4RZj7xl.jpg)
Cleaned the oil filter cover with just a toothbrush and brake cleaner. The oil pan was a bit tougher... used engine degreaser, LA's Awesome, the long bristled end of a grunge brush and a bit of a brillo pad. Not too bad for things that people don't normally see right away..!
(http://i.imgur.com/kRAsVHOl.jpg)
New stuff... woot toot :-D
(http://i.imgur.com/on2Nv6Rl.jpg)
Nice work as always ShowBiz! I must remove my sump cover one day... fast approaching 70,000km's since the rebuild so I probably should take a peak and give it a clean.
Keen to see that front Busa guard done and on ;)
(http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs13/f/2007/079/a/0/Dancing_Turtle_of_DOOM_by_cairnthecrow.gif)
sweet
Will that shock bolt right up or will you have to modify the mounts?
It did indeed bolt on with no problems. My Dad and I got the shock installed on Sunday :woohoo: along with switching a few outlets in my house and cleaning off the old gasket from the side cover :icon_mrgreen:
As it says in various other threads and places around the forum (check out the wiki section about shocks if you haven't already seen it!), I too now can confirm that it works perfectly with the R6's lower bolt, nut and sleeve/spacer. I didn't have to grind anything off of my swing arm either, which is a huge plus! When reading up on this shock in the past, I saw that some people did have to and some people didn't so I had no idea which way mine was gonna go.
I did take a few pictures and will be working more on the bike today so hopefully an update with pics is in the near future!
Pops helping by using a scotchbrite pad (thanks 63!) to remove the old gasket from the side cover. Gasket remover (Permatex) did absolutely nothing. (haha and yes that's a Hamm's he's drinking in that cozy :icon_mrgreen: )
(http://i.imgur.com/zjT2qCsl.jpg)
While he was doing that I was working on cleaning up under the bike a bit while the oil pan is off and then I started taking out the airbox so we could install the shock next.
Before he arrived at my house that day, I removed the oil screen and cleaned it. I was amazed at how much more oil came out just by removing the screen. I've also been amazed at how much oil doesn't actually come out when just pulling the drain plug and changing the filter....
Anyway, here's a pic of the cleaned up screen and all the bigger bits of epoxy it was holding for me.
(http://i.imgur.com/MC6t6zzl.jpg)
Here's the side cover all cleaned up.
(http://i.imgur.com/eydt0X5l.jpg)
And then the side of the engine, ready for the new gasket. None of the magnets are chipped, cracked or the least bit wiggly thank God.
(http://i.imgur.com/HKt0VIgl.jpg)
Cleaned up a bit in here as well.
(http://i.imgur.com/ndJr2qrl.jpg)
And here.
(http://i.imgur.com/h3jbfmfl.jpg)
Both covers back on!!! And you can see the shock a bit in this picture too.
(http://i.imgur.com/b1MLLZ5l.jpg)
Cleaned up around where the oil filter and cover go.
(http://i.imgur.com/JNtLiFVl.jpg)
OEM filter and o-ring in place, cover back on, replaced a missing stud and bought new stainless acorn nuts. Was super careful to not over-tighten since I've seen so many stories about that going badly.
(http://i.imgur.com/x5e08pMl.jpg)
Next to do is clean up all the places the airbox exposed before putting it back in and also clean up under the bike more before I put the new gasket and the oil pan back on. Looking into getting a magnetic drain plug even though I've read they aren't really super necessary.
You do such clean work Show. Really good stuff! Your review on the difference the shock makes is hopefully coming soon!! :woohoo:
What a clean motor! I feel inspired to clean mine up.
@cbr... thanks so much!!! Idk how good my review would be since I don't ride like a wild person lol but I'll be sure to post up my reactions!
@ ajensen... Yay!!! I'm glad :D It took me a lonnnnng time to get it cleaned up and I'm still nitpicking at it with q-tips and cleaner every chance I get....
Got a bit more done... reinstalled the screen and cleaned the surface where the new oil pan gasket will go:
(http://i.imgur.com/7LehuiNl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hsmy8lZl.jpg?1)
Pan back on with new OEM gasket. Now just to wait for a stupidly expensive Dimple magnetic drain plug I ordered cuz... why not lol:
(http://i.imgur.com/GbFbNyhl.jpg)
A couple more pictures of the shock... just cuz I'm excited about it:
(http://i.imgur.com/tiZUMBvl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/snCiBk9l.jpg)
super clean show!
How stupid?
Again, can't wait to see what you think of new shock vs old,....!
You don't wanna know how stupid lol
I typed in the search here on the forum "magnetic oil plug" or something like that... and found a link to one for the GS. After looking around on eBay and comparing part numbers, I found that there are two different plugs for the GS... one for certain earlier models also has the same part number as the F's. Mine has one that is a bit harder to find (based on what I've been reading)... if I was to order one off eBay, it'd have to be from the UK and I'd be waiting up to two weeks for it.
Anyway, I just went ahead and bought the one in the link I found. They can be found here: http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/
I can't wait to get back out riding.
Very nice ShowBiz!!! Always love your work :thumb:
I vaguely recall my motor being that clean... that was 5 1/2 years ago just before I got it back on the road :icon_lol:
finally got throught your awesome tread.. what an awesome work you do on your bike!! you keep it so clean!
It really inspires me to do much of the same. I really like how you do everything so nice and neat.
Thank you so much for checking it all out! I never thought I'd end up with this many pages :icon_eek: :laugh:
I'll admit it to anybody that I'm a neat-freak. I really like to be clean and organized etc... it does take me longer to complete a project that way but idk... it just makes me feel better about it :-*
FINALLY put a coat of filler primer on the front half of the fender today. Now I can put it on the bike, put the tank, seat, plastics, etc back on and get an idea of what it'd look like in silver. I'm still torn 50/50 on what color it'll end up (other choice is black). Only needs a small/medium amount of finish sanding and one spot needs a bit more filler. Praise Jesus 8)
Bike almost all back together. Just have to get a socket for the plugs so I can put them back in, that drain plug should be here tomorrow and I can pour in the oil. Bought some Seafoam for when I fill up with gas and then I can test out the shock! Took another pic of it cuz it looks so purdy :icon_mrgreen:
(http://i.imgur.com/z0HCnwel.jpg)
And finally, primer on the fender!
(http://i.imgur.com/bCNYwWRl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9crGlXRl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1GhRTn3l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IyZieW5l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5oTowFHl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zC47p8Gl.jpg)
Whoa..... that fender looks huge (in a good way).
Fantastic work as always Showbiz.
Many thanks Rich!! :cheers: It is indeed the biggest of the 3 fenders I've "made" now.
Still torn on the color. Black would make it more subtle, for sure... match the tank etc... but silver imo brings your eye all the way from the swing arm through to the front tip of the bike. Idk :dunno_black:
Servus,
Really nice Work :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
And now you need a Fullfairing an a longer Swingarm 8) 8) 8)
Holy wow, Jim visited my thread :icon_eek: :bowdown: :cheers:
Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
Haha and don't tempt me!! My wallet is recovering at the moment and then it'll be hit again when I buy new fork tubes and the sonics! :laugh: :icon_razz:
Very nice ShowBiz!!!
I think if you go all silver it will look way too chunky... you need to photochop it up a bit I think... try all black, then maybe black on top with silver across the diagonal lower mounting triangular bit on a similar diagonal line to the tail piece. I hope that makes sense...
Or the top of it silver with black on the diagonal instead.
Great ideas pete!!!
Well I've been up and down my steps several times... seeing the bike each time... and I'm kinda leaning a bit more towards black now. The back half was always gonna stay black and I think if I do the front half black it'll flow better. Idk... I'm glad I don't hafta paint it any time soon lol!
Quick and dirty 30 second job in the GIMP for ya... I tried to copy the black from the tank and silver from the tail but you get the idea... either that or the inverse with silver on top and black in the triangular bit.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4379/36282213072_c04e7e206a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Xh8PTN)bCNYwWRl (https://flic.kr/p/Xh8PTN) by starpoint73 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/89703844@N08/), on Flickr
Many thanks for that Pete! I do appreciate you taking the time :-*
Got the drain plug in the mail. Came with a few extras:
(http://i.imgur.com/nifvU47l.jpg)
Here's the actual plug with a non-crush washer (unlike the OEM one) ... I didn't know it was gonna be blue. No worries cuz you won't see it but that's something I'm sure other people might like to know :dunno_black: But holy wow the magnet is super strong!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/y64gPMrl.jpg)
Also finally got around to doing something I've wanted to do since buying the bike. When I got it, the tools in the bike's kit looked like this:
(http://i.imgur.com/K0x35Qql.jpg)
Right away I thought about soaking everything in CLR... but never actually did it until last night lol. Here's a pic after soaking it all for about 12 hours, full strength and then rinsing with cold water and drying. Much better!
(http://i.imgur.com/feqTsavl.jpg)
That container cost me ~$6 and I didn't even use it all. I like it!
I like the fender in black.. I think in silver it will draw too much attention and stand out in stead of blend in.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don't know if clr puts a coating on metal to keep rust at bay. You might want to wipe them down with a good penetrating oil.
I like jb80 myself
(https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ZDUlcZsR2y4eTuzW-MekgQCfEs&w=119&h=180&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.5&pid=1.7)
Peter Tez, thank you for your input! I'm thinking that exact thing too.
Cbr I do believe you are right. The container of CLR doesn't say anything about preventing future rust etc so thank you for the tip! Not sure yet if I'll be putting these back in my bike or not. I've ridden this whole time without them but I am thinking it'd be good to put 'em back where they should go. Will most likely put the whole pouch in a good ziploc bag too.
No probs at all ShowBiz, like I said it was all of 30 seconds :thumb:
And no, CLR won't do anything preventative (it's good stuff though!) so if you want to prevent future rust you'll need to do something with them.
Finally took the bike for a ride yesterday. Only 2.5 miles from my house to work but I could see the difference the shock makes. Everything on it I set to standard according to the R6 owner's manual. Figured that's a good place to start!
After work, I took it for a little bit longer of a ride. People weren't kidding when they've said in the past how it really does transform the bike. I feel much more confident now in turns. Crazy!!
A co-worker chicky friend of mine wants to take a ride with me sometime soon. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference it makes when carrying a passenger. :woohoo:
Great news ShowBiz!!! I know it made a huge difference when I started adjusting the preload and damping on my Ikons on the 450 so I'm not too surprised to hear there's a big difference when changing shocks. Suspension is one of those things you have to get right for complete confidence :thumb:
Now if only I could pull my finger out and change the oil in my forks... that's well overdue!
I took my R6 shocked and front suspension modded GS500f out yesterday through some twisting roads--big difference.
That's awesome to hear ajensen! I can't wait to get my forks built up too.
Took my friend Alyssa last evening for a ride and it was great! I do enjoy when someone wants to ride on the bike with me. I weigh about 145lbs and she 150lbs. The shock is set on 4 for the preload and everything else according to the R6 manual for standard... can't remember the numbers off the top of my head. Only one time did I hear the inner stock GS fender hit against the hugger... but that's not good enough for me.
I am gonna do an experiment. I ordered some raising links that will raise the rear only about an inch. I'm thinking they are not going to work with the R6 shock though due to clearance issues but I'll give it a try. They were less than $30 so I figure I'll give it a whirl. Plus, since it's only an inch, the stock kickstand should still be OK to use. We'll see though :dunno_black:
A higher preload will take care of that. Just kick it up a couple notches when you've got a passenger. That's why it's adjustable! Preload is to raise/lower without changing dogbones - and you've got plenty to work with. I wouldn't bother with changing dogbones as it will alter the geometry of the bike - I'm not sure you can raise the front to match it. Especially with squishy forks.
Anyways - Love your attention to clean. My bikes looks clean from a glance, but if you really peer at it... ugh. One of these days I'll take off everything that really keeps me from cleaning it ShowBiz style.
- Bboy
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ohh link to these dog bones? with my 80* tall tires, hard bumps have me running into the fender under my bike, I'm debating if I wanna dog bone it, or hack and raise the rear subframe 1" or so, I hope 1 inch is just enough.
Ahh! Thank you for the info Bboy!!
I had wondered about just cranking up the preload a bit....
I haven't had much time lately to really dig around the internet to find the information I wanted. I do enjoy searching and finding out information because I almost always find something else valuable along the way!
Jumped the gun and thought that even if I upped the preload, there would still have to be rising/falling movement when going over bumps etc... that's why I thought I'd need to add that extra space for clearance... since my bigger rear tire + hugger combo is taking up space that would normally be there on a stock GS.
The thought of the back sitting a bit higher visually did appeal to me as well tbh... and upgrading my forks is certainly in my future... I just want to pay down my credit card a bit before buying the remaining parts I need to build them.
Walker, here ya go: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GS500-E-GS500-F-Jack-Up-Kit-Dog-Bone-Suspension-Linkages/370319010452?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
I found 35mm ones too. They are more $$.
awesome. Sometimes I look at the stock ones and go "those look like cast aluminum to me. I bet I can make new ones out of mild steel bar stock" I mean, it is 2 drilled holes, rounded corners optional. :icon_lol:
Totally!! :D
Yeah, upping the preload notch (which is actually decreasing preload) will give you more downward travel before the tire hits the stock inner fender . But that also means you'll have less upward travel which can make for a pogo ride if the load isn't heavy enough to keep it from topping out. The idea of preload is to set it in the middle of spring travel for the given load. Let that spring breathe and you'll have a taller bike that should easily handle a pillion.
I've gotten comfortable changing the preload often depending on if I'm solo, solo with a loaded topcase, two up, two with loaded topcase, etc. It just depends on weight so that I don't bottom out or top out the spring - neither feels fun and neither is scratching up your rear hugger!
I had originally lowered my bike and installed a rear hugger - that hit hard no matter the preload when riding two up. Later I installed the r6 shock, sonic springs, returned to stock height. That hugger doesn't come close riding two up now, and I have more preload to give if it did.
I'd hope you would see similar results, but I couldn't say for certain. I have stock rear tire size and my hugger doesn't add hardly any additional clearance to the tire... I'm sure myself and others will be interested to see where you land solving your clearance issue - you aren't alone with taller tires! I know it will end up looking perfect without a doubt!
- Bboy
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yep, the tip is... increase preload when carrying a passenger and ideally increase tyre pressure a couple of PSI too.
This may be stating the bleeding obvious but if you're planning on raising the rear an inch, just remember that will be a drastic change to the steering geometry! Go too far and she'll probably turn a lot quicker but at the expense of stability and potentially becoming a touch twitchy.
You guys are the bestest. Thank you for all the help and info! :kiss3:
I will for sure keep all this in mind. I'm glad I should be able to prevent the fender from hitting the hugger with just some clicks of the shock collar... especially since I still don't think the shorter dogbones will work because there won't be enough room.
They might end up in the FS section or back up on eBay for someone else! But I'll be sure to post what I find... especially in the wiki section for the R6 shock.
So if I'm beginning to understand this... increasing the preload number (going from setting 4 up to setting 7 for example) actually increases the space that the spring can travel? Therefore allowing more clearance?
Haha derpity derp
Not exactly....
Let's say that when you sit on the bike alone and the setting is at 4, the rear of the bike drops 1/4" (that would be your "sag" btw). If you left the preload at 4 and add a passenger, the rear of the bike could drop 1". If you only have 4" of travel, you can see how just the passenger sitting there takes up a larger bit of travel (and think about the suspension when it takes a bump with the added weight!).
Changing the preload to 7 might change the sag with you & your passenger back to 1/4", so the suspension is basically back to how it was by yourself. But if you leave it at 7 and ride by yourself......it will remind you with a very harsh ride!
Edit to add: in case it wasn't clear, I totally made up all those numbers. I have no idea how much travel you have, or what your sag numbers should be.
That helps soooo much! Thank you thank you!
I thought that's what sag was but now I know for sure.
If you want a read on how to set it up properly, here's the Racetech guide...
http://racetech.com/articles/SuspensionAndSprings.htm (http://racetech.com/articles/SuspensionAndSprings.htm)
And no I most definitely have not done this on my 450 :D
I should, but there's no adjustable preload or damping on the forks. I'm definitely planning on adding spacers to preload the springs after finding the limit of them yesterday in some high speed sweepers (started getting a speed wobble).
Wow thanks pete! I will most certainly be paying attention to that.
Yesterday I decided to trim part of the stock inner rear fender that was hanging down near the hugger/shock. I realized that it isn't really needed anymore because of the hugger.
(http://i.imgur.com/r266gkKl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wv17US1l.jpg)
Also, the fender is finally painted and cleared! I didn't think I had enough of the "Pearl Novelty Black" paint left in the can so I was gonna just paint it black... but then I figured oh well, let's try something. I sprayed it with regular black paint (Rustoleum Ultra Cover) gloss black and then sprayed over that with the pearl black, then did the clear. It worked!
(http://i.imgur.com/0tpGfHGl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/x2uaoill.jpg)
Here's a good pic of why the stock color isn't just black.
(http://i.imgur.com/aNAMgfzl.jpg)
Two more:
(http://i.imgur.com/CSVJVRFl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sB0fVQJl.jpg)
I'll take a picture of it on the bike when it's cured. I don't think I can actually keep it on the bike though until I get my forks rebuilt :technical: The oil line on my forks goes up higher than the clearance between the nose fairing and the center part of the fender that goes over the fork brace :icon_rolleyes:
And then, last week I finally got tired of my chain making so much noise. The whole time I've owned my GS, the chain has been noisy. Finally got it (along with the sprockets) replaced two years ago and it still makes a racket. I thought maybe it was just cause that's what they all do... but I haven't been happy with the chain lube I have nor the wd-40 + a rag cleaning method.
Found a thread where twocool talked about using kerosene and a soft paint brush... using a whole bunch of it really and letting it rinse the chain clean. Loved the idea so I figured why not. Had to go to 3 different gas stations here before I found one who sells kerosene but I need an approved blue plastic container for it. Went to Walmart and they didn't have any so I went home and looked around online. Searched the Tractor Supply site but found this Kerosene fuel product instead for $9.99... went up the next day and just bought it. Said it was low odor too so that was a selling point for me!
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/crown-1-k-fuel-grade-kerosene-1-gal?cm_vc=-10005
I could not believe the amount of black dirt and crud that rinsed out and off of the chain. It was super gross, especially for a chain that isn't that old and has less than 2,000 miles on it. I've cleaned and lubed it probably too many times in that span of time because of the noise it was making. Each time I'd clean and lube it, the noise would quiet down a bit but only for a short while. I kept thinking, "Maybe I didn't clean it well enough..." or, "Maybe I didn't do it right..." etc
I should have taken a picture of all the crap that washed off... and also a before picture of the chain but I didn't.
(http://i.imgur.com/9y8EWpZl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ogcUSzRl.jpg)
Waited a few hours for it all to dry really well while I did some other things around the house, then sprayed white lithium on the chain instead of the watery old chain lube I had been using all this time.
(http://i.imgur.com/dJtb0M0l.jpg)
Rolled the bike around in my garage and holy crap I can't hear anything anymore! I'm getting ready to head to work soon and if it doesn't rain, I'm taking the bike and hoping the clicks and clacks stay gone.
sweet update :woohoo:
Great job on the fender!
I don't know how you managed the nasty drippings from the chain, but I always lay down cardboard under the length of the chain to collect everything. The cardboard is usually good for 2-3 cleanings, and is easy to dispose of (burning in my case).
Cardboard is indeed great for it! You are right Rich. I like to recycle mine at the center right near my house.
I use a pizza box!
Cookie
Quote from: Big Rich on August 21, 2017, 05:23:19 PM
Great job on the fender!
I don't know how you managed the nasty drippings from the chain, but I always lay down cardboard under the length of the chain to collect everything. The cardboard is usually good for 2-3 cleanings, and is easy to dispose of (burning in my case).
This chain noise is kinda bugging me. It's totally gone... silent... no noise whatsoever when the bike has been sitting overnight or for a while. I roll it back and forth in neutral and it's quiet. Put it on the center stand and spin the wheel, same thing... quiet.
After I ride home from work, for example, only 2.4 miles... I get home and it's clacking. When I roll it around in my garage, it makes the noise only when going forward. Backwards... nothing. Up on the center stand, spin the wheel forward, it clacks. Backwards... nothing.
The front sprocket is positioned with that flange on the inside like several other posts I've read say to have it. Everything is lined up from what I can tell. I'm wondering if this is just normal chain sound or something that needs to be addressed. I've been googling, searching on here, etc. Anyone who's following along here have any ideas for me? I wish I could get a video of the sound but I don't have any way to do that believe it or not lol. My cell doesn't take videos and my camera takes videos but no sound :dunno_black:
Can you tell where it's making the noise (towards the front sprocket, close to the rear sprocket, etc)? You might be able to feel the "clack" if you touch the cycle in different spots while moving the chain (please don't lose a finger due to my advice though!).
Aside from strange wear patterns on the chain / sprocket, I wonder if it could be something else......like maybe the bottom of the swingarm rubber cover is tapping the chain, or there is something in the transmission......
Haha it's funny you should mention that because listening really close with my ear up to the front sprocket area and then at the back wheel was what I was doing last evening until I got tired of it. I am in no way sure where the sound is coming from but I'm leaning more towards the front sprocket area.
I also can indeed "feel the noise" if I touch the bike but again, I was unfortunately unable to pinpoint anything definite.
From what I can see, there are no strange patterns on the chain or sprockets. They only have about 1,700 miles on them at this point.
I've checked out the condition of the swing arm rubber thingy numerous times over the years when cleaning things, working on things etc. Nothing strange I can see there either.
All this is why it's driving me a teeny bit crazy lol!!
FWIW, after I lowsided my bike, my chain guard was bent inward ever so slightly, causing the chain to rub and make a clacking noise when moving the wheel. It was much more audible when moving the rear forward than when moving the wheel backwards. I'm sure you've checked that already, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
Thanks so much for reading and checkin' in, qc! Very much appreciated. I wish it was something that easy... I've checked the hugger (since I don't have the stock chain guard anymore) numerous times for clearance issues and there just aren't any. :sigh:
I still don't understand why it only does it after the bike has been ridden for a little bit.
I'm too lazy to check, but is the chain NEW? My abused chains "click" or clunk when they get warmed up due to a stretched link, or broken roller. and remember that every 100 degree's steel expands 1 thousands of an inch. that's enough to tighten up thing's that seemed "loose" at ambient temperature.
The chain is about 2 years old now and has about 1,700 miles on it. Your reply is right in line with a post I read from the great adidasguy about there being a messed up link or roller. Thank you for your reply J_Walker!
Maybe the wd-40 cleaning method and the chain lube I had for years actually caused this new chain to be screwed up.
This clacking noise used to be very loud and there all the time... no matter what... before I did the kero cleaning and white lithium lube job last weekend.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on August 25, 2017, 02:18:03 PM
The chain is about 2 years old now and has about 1,700 miles on it. Your reply is right in line with a post I read from the great adidasguy about there being a messed up link or roller. Thank you for your reply J_Walker!
Maybe the wd-40 cleaning method and the chain lube I had for years actually caused this new chain to be screwed up.
This clacking noise used to be very loud and there all the time... no matter what... before I did the kero cleaning and white lithium lube job last weekend.
if you can measure ALL the links with some calipers and fine the ruined link, and you have a chain riveter, you can replace the link [done this before but its a real PITA, but if you have the tools already it IS cheaper.]
Adidas and Baltimore both "trained me" in the ways of the GS.. ;) and sledge has posted some useful information while he isn't being an angry old fart. :D
Thank you J for the info! I will certainly keep it in mind cuz I wanna solve this issue.
Just a small update... wanted to show pics of the fender on. I was also able to install the raising links but I'll go into more detail about those when I'm sober lol :icon_rolleyes: :cheers: So for now... just enjoy some pictures :thumb:
(http://i.imgur.com/ouqBEJ1l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OnDfgokl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FOceIqml.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hVGXET0l.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/51ltgJgl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sybcZtpl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KiWUOubl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZxChd3cl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4WdRwwHl.jpg)
Quote from: twocool on August 22, 2017, 02:25:17 PM
I use a pizza box!
Cookie
Quote from: Big Rich on August 21, 2017, 05:23:19 PM
Great job on the fender!
I don't know how you managed the nasty drippings from the chain, but I always lay down cardboard under the length of the chain to collect everything. The cardboard is usually good for 2-3 cleanings, and is easy to dispose of (burning in my case).
lol i used the pizza box method also. works pretty good. albeit a slightly thinner cardboard, it still does the job.
Aaron
Nicely done drunk Showbiz!! :icon_mrgreen: :icon_lol: :cheers: :thumb:
Black is the right colour, works in nicely with the rest of the bike :thumb:
Hahaha thanks bunches Pete, I was indeed pretty far gone when I posted those pictures lololol
Glad you like the black color!!!
Anywhoo, the raising links were a super tight fit without modifying anything. Prying up on the tail of the bike and down on the wheel was the only way to get things to line up... but that of course is not good so I ended up grinding the swing arm.
Edit: Also had to adjust (tighten) the chain a bit afterwards... it was too loose after installing the links. I bumped the preload down to 2 (4 is standard) and I'm finding that to be pretty comfortable!
I'm at work where imgur doesn't load so I'll post up pictures when I'm at home.
nicely done my friend. ¡ ¡ ¡we need more bike porn ! ! !
Aaron
Thanks yama!!!! :D :D :D Yes bike porn certainly is hawt :drool:
ShowBiz is my hero--I always enjoy what she has to say and the things she does to her bike.
You just made my week ajensen :kiss3: :embarrassed: !!! I'll try to never let ya down :-*
back after hurricane harvey,...shazam looking good show! :star: :star: :star:
nicely done! the black looks really good
I am stunned how good and clean your bike looks :)
Thank you!!!
These are the only pics I have regarding the raising links. I do notice a slight difference while riding and I also can see the bike leaning a bit more while on the side stand but I like it. 25mm isn't all that much, but I wanted that clearance back between the stock inner fender and the Bandit hugger.
(https://i.imgur.com/NAZ7cGAl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Bc5jm23l.jpg)
I bought this jump pack recently... price was right at $21.99.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-20000mAh-Car-Jump-Starter-Pack-Booster-Charger-Battery-Power-Bank-US/232442381431?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=531739797811&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
It came in the mail technically yesterday but had to wait to try it out until I got home from work a couple hours ago. I switched the key to on so the lights would drain the battery to the point of needing a jump. When it would only click to try to turn over and the lights were very dim, I hooked up this pack. The bike started after 4 or 5 cranks (I haven't ridden in a while) and the LED indicators on the pack were still all lit up (the instructions say to make sure at least 3 of the 4 are lit when attempting to jump a battery.)
It fits perfectly under the seat along with the alligator clips wrapped in bubble wrap and in a ziploc bag. I have no idea if this thing is beefy enough to jump anything bigger than the Turtle Van (will have to test that sometime too!) but for the bike, it's perfect!
I sometimes come out from work to only get a few cranks off my battery and then it's dead. I have been thinking it's because of all the super short trips I make on my GS... it's only 2.4 miles from my house to my job... and I hardly ever go for an actual long ride :icon_sad:
Plus, my trickle charger is ancient... and I don't know if it's working properly. I think it's time to buy some new things..... :icon_mrgreen:
Everybody should have one of those. We used to give that style away free with something, I forget what, but I have one at home along with eight other different ones. Super handy and in case you need a jump, it'll do that too! Good price on that one Show :thumb:
You all finished show? No morez updates? :cry:
I feel the same way lol :icon_sad:
The next thing on the list is still the front fork project... sonic springs and new inner tubes, seals, oil etc... but I've been paying down my credit card before I buy more stuff. I'm getting there!!
The cheapest I could find new inner tubes is a bit over $300. I'm hoping to buy them and the springs (I already have the seals, wipers and oil) in October and get working on it.
I did do a bit of body work on my van this past weekend... I want to put the pics in the other thread I started in O&E section. :thumb:
Turtle Van needed a transmission rebuild last week so my fork plans have been pushed back once again... I did go ahead and finally buy the .75 sonic springs though.
Rode the bike harder and faster than I normally do today... a lot actually... and my license plate brackets I made 5 years ago broke at some point... lost my plate somewhere :technical: :technical: :technical: :technical: :technical:
Oooops! Are they aluminium? I made my flyscreen brackets from some 0.8mm aluminium and the vibration/flex caused the left one to break on the bend lines... added a second layer for some reinforcement and they're now going strong :thumb:
I also had a tail light bracket made out of 2.5mm aluminium which I thought was strong enough, but it also broke on a (curved) bend line after a while due to vibration/flex. That tail light was a little on the heavy side though.
Lesson learnt... if a bracket needs to carry weight, has bends, and will be subject to vibration or flex, use steel not aluminium.
Funnily enough my front mudguard mount which doubles as a sort of brace is made from the same 2.5mm aluminium and it's still going strong. When I bent it though, I made the bends very round.
Anyway, just a little hijack there ;)
Glad to see you're still checkin' in on me Pete!!
Yeah they were aluminum. Here in the Rust Belt, I don't use steel for much at all. I actually like how aluminum can bend a few times and then break because I don't have many proper cutting tools at my dad's shop for when I do body work on the side... dunno why it didn't occur to me that the same stinkin' thing would happen with these brackets. Hurr durr lol
Now I'm kinda thinking about getting a custom one that says something like SHOBZ or SBWLF etc.... dunno though cuz it's more moneyyyy
Haha always checkin' ShowBiz! :icon_razz:
I like working with aluminium for the same reasons, but I've learnt where and where not to use it.
As long as it's either got curved bends, lots of support, or it's completely flat it'll be fine. Thickness makes a big difference too. There are different grades but I'm not too sure on that side of things.
All I know is if it's going to be flexing/vibrating and hold any sort of weight (even a number plate), either get it supported or use steel. If you use galvanised steel it will help prevent the rusting, but best still to get some etch primer and paint on it.
One of the machines where I work has a large ladder / work platform (the ones that have spring loaded wheels underneath) and it's made of aluminum. Well, the operator of the machine smashed into the ladder with a 5 ton piece..... I was standing next to the guy from machine repair when the operator said "it's just aluminum, bend it back!". I told the operator "thick aluminum bends ONE time, and you've obviously used your turn!".
Quote from: peteGS on October 13, 2017, 01:10:15 PM
If you use galvanised steel it will help prevent the rusting, but best still to get some etch primer and paint on it.
Galvanized steel is notoriously difficult or impossible to paint. FYI. It takes specific paint chemistry to stick, in addition to unusual surface prep. Mostly the problem is nearly all common rattle can type paints are alkyd enamels these days and they absolutely will not stick to galvanized metal. Rust-Oleum, krylon, etc. Etching primer is a must. Then a compatible topcoat.
I'm certainly a fan of etching primer! :D
Yes indeed mr72! Galvanised can be a PITA, just did some with some aluminium yesterday... self etching primer + primer surfacer then satin black top coat. I looked into Rustoleum but not compatible with it so I used a local brand (Septone). I've used their self etching primer on galvanised before with good success.
Hey Showbiz, was just reading on the other thread about you thinking of switching to an SV650 shock.
I went stock to SV650 to R6. I think the R6 gives a much better ride as it's got dampening controls which the SV doesn't have.
If you can find shorter dogbones that will work, I'd go that route. And let us know where you find them, as I may be interested in doing the same :D
Quote from: Endopotential on October 31, 2017, 01:26:52 PM
Hey Showbiz, was just reading on the other thread about you thinking of switching to an SV650 shock.
I went stock to SV650 to R6. I think the R6 gives a much better ride as it's got dampening controls which the SV doesn't have.
If you can find shorter dogbones that will work, I'd go that route. And let us know where you find them, as I may be interested in doing the same :D
i agree with this, personally i wouldn't downgrade to the sv shock just to gain height :icon_lol: the problem with using dogbones that short is how dramatically it changes the leverage ratio Endo, it makes the gs shock almost solid with a 2'' lift so do so with the r6 shock would likely make the shock borderline unusable.
another thought showbiz is something i'm doing with another bike, extending the top mount where the shock attaches to the frame. it'll involve a bit of creativity and most likely welding but that way would let you keep the better r6 shock and lift the rear a little extra without messing with the leverage ratio too much. i'm going to be using a top mount similar to the early honda blackbirds (for example), its like a bolt on clevis. going to make a plate up so i bolt that style of clamp onto the frame which will allow for a good bit of adjustability as well.
This is all some very good food for thought!!
My aim was just to see what the bike felt like with the added height (and looked like too, not gonna lie!!) The reason I was asking about the shock and dogbones is because:
1) I feel as though I don't ride in a way that makes me really realize the benefits of the R6 shock... yanno like I'm never gonna ride my bike in a way that I'll be using it to its full potential.
2) I don't feel comfortable grinding/removing any more off of the swing arm to put even shorter dogbones on with the R6 shock. There just wasn't enough room to begin with and I don't wanna remove any more from that spot. There's a hole there now lol from all I had to remove... and I coated all the bare metal with Por15... so I really don't wanna re-visit that spot honestly.
Endo, I know in the past I've searched into eBay "GS500 jack up" and that's how you find raising links on there. If you search for those words, you should find some links in different lengths. I do believe the last time I checked, there were ones that'd do the 2" lift. Was gonna get those and just throw my stock shock back on but then I thought more about going the SV route.
Well, I found a deal I couldn't pass up. SV650 shock + linkage for $17.38, shipped.
If nothing else, I'll gain some more knowledge and take some pics along the way for others to learn from or just be entertained by lol :thumb:
SV650 shock should be good.
Kat shocks also has dampening, but not an external adjuster for it, and it . makes the ride SUPER stiff. best for 2up riding. 2up riding on the GS, oh god. I remember doing that, chugachugachoochoo, did that snail have a better 0-60 then I did?
Yeah I've read that the Kat shock doesn't really increase height... and it's best suited for riders over 200lbs... which is certainly not me lol !
2up riding with the way my bike is currently set up (1" rising links + R6 shock) has been awesome... even with my one friend who weighs... well... let's just say she's a bigger gal than I am :icon_lol: ;)
Finally an update. It's not about the shock though lol.
After months of pinching pennies and finally paying off a credit card I opened to help with some unexpected expenses last year (my van needed a head gasket and my house needed a new water heater) and my tax return being larger this year than what I expected, I finally ordered brand new fork tubes today.
When the tubes and also the O-Rings (that go with the OEM adjustable fork caps) arrive in the mail, I should have all the parts I need to build my forks the way I want.
It will be nice to ride without fork oil getting everywhere AND I'll be able to put the front half of the fender on! I mean, I've had it on already but I'm 99% sure it would have gotten scratched up pretty bad because of the clearance issue between the top of it and the underneath of the headlight/nose fairing.
update? ah whaaa-
(https://media.giphy.com/media/26FxCOdhlvEQXbeH6/giphy.gif)
new fork tubes new fork tubes :icon_razz:
Hahaha I know right?? It's been a while.
Thanks to Suzi Q, I was able to order the OEM fork preload adjuster caps here:
https://www.parts-sale.jp/SUZUKI%2051351-01D60?search=51351-01D60
Part number:
51351-01D60-000
Tracked down the O-Rings that go on them here (amazingly enough):
https://www.motosport.com/oem-parts/part-number/51117-38260
Part number:
51117-38260
And then I heard back from my friend / bike mechanic Brian about his price on fork tubes. They had gone up to over $339 for the pair, plus shipping, with a 6 to 7 week wait because the place is so far behind with orders. I told him I'd have one more look around online before I gave him the OK to order, and I found this link here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fork-tube-for-Suzuki-GS-500-EU-E-51110-01D00/273128539661?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
I was hesitant because even though they list the part number as being the same as what's on the GS from 1989 to 2003 (51110-01D00) the listing clearly states only GS's from 1989 to 1991. I sent them a question asking about this and they replied that their parts catalog is where they get that information from.
I took a chance, ordered them, and now have my fingers crossed that everything will be OK. They were marked as shipped today. The total for the pair of fork tubes, shipped, was $262.52.
Also, I'll put an update here as well about that chain noise I was hearing a while back. It got worse, and turned out to be a too tight chain. Because of the raising links in the back, the chain slack (with bike sitting on side-stand) had to be increased to 38mm (1.5"). The Suzuki spec is 20-30mm.
Woot! :cheers:
then what
(http://www.toilette-paper.com/images/nuns-joke/nun-2.gif)
errr,... happened?
Hahaha cbr :laugh:
I got the O-rings in the mail last week and I'm still waiting for the fork tubes. The tracking says estimated arrival should be by May 29th! :woohoo:
Finally... time to build some forks.
(https://i.imgur.com/ZDjzVoPh.jpg)
After that pic I wanted to put everything in order... just cuz lol
Also... as Suzi Q stated in regards to the OEM adjustable fork caps, they need something to "push" on... I'm thinking for my bike I'll use ShowBiz Pizza tokens :icon_mrgreen: not the super rare ones in my collection, of course... just the regular ones ;)
(https://i.imgur.com/ahnpngXh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ryBedbTh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JJJqG7Rh.jpg)
Ah good stuff ShowBiz! Looks like you're all set to go there :thumb:
They're somewhat similar to the Kat forks with the preload adjusters up top too (assuming that's what they are).
It's been like two weeks show! :dunno_black:
It has not!! Only one week lol... :flipoff:
I was working a long stretch and I'm finally off today. Hope to start working on them this evening.
I also have plans to go to my dad's garage later in the week and finally try out the SV650 shock I bought months ago. I also wanna try out the stock shock with the raising links. Get a feel for the differences and then pick what I like the most.
It will be nice to get some more pics and progress happening in my thread!
You are the best. I always look forward to your posts.
You make me smile!! Thank you so much :kiss3: :icon_mrgreen:
I successfully built my forks :woohoo:
Here's how I started on Monday:
(https://i.imgur.com/E44TsZ9h.jpg)
There was a recent thread about how when changing the fork seals, the Service Manual also mentions the bushings and the sliders. Here's a pic I took to show a comparison. On the left is one of my old bent fork tubes with a worn slider. On the right is a new tube with a new slider. The book says if the black Teflon coating is scratched or worn off to show the copper base material on 3/4 of the surface area, replace them. I bought new parts anyways because I wasn't sure what my new tubes were going to include.
(https://i.imgur.com/aNRrWych.jpg)
Picture of a worn bushing on the left and a new one on the right.
(https://i.imgur.com/VheTvbEh.jpg)
When trying to slide one of the new fork tubes into the lower, it was really tight... even after coating the slider and the lower with fork oil. I noticed that the slider on one of the tubes had quite the gap (the new tubes DID come with sliders, already on the tubes). I removed it and replaced it with a new OEM Suzuki one. On the left is the one with the gap, on the right is the new OEM one.
(https://i.imgur.com/2Et0tiRh.jpg)
ALSO... I did want to mention two things:
1) The Clymer book says to drive the slider into the fork lower with the Suzuki tool (or the PVC pipe)... then slide the oil seal retainer down and then the oil seal and then drive the seal in.
The YouTube vids don't show this... neither do the write ups on the beer garage, threads in the FAQ section on here, etc. I felt better about doing it by the book. But that isn't always better....
2) The Clymer book also says, "Position the oil seal with its open groove facing upward..." ... which, to me (and other people so I found) means the spring side UP. This just didn't seem right though, so I hopped on the internet and found (according to this thread) that the book is wrong. When I looked closer at the pictures in the book, it shows the oil seal being installed with the open groove and spring side down. Crazy!
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=22241.0
Monday night I got to the point where the next thing I had to do was cut the spacers... but I was hungry and I figured I'd give it a rest for a bit.
Tuesday I did get the spacers cut. After following the Sonic Springs instructions, I ended up cutting my spacers to 115.5mm / 4 9/16" ... I really feel good about buying the adjustable fork caps. With them set in the middle, I have 3/4" of preload.
(https://i.imgur.com/cy76VQUh.jpg)
Today I added the fork oil, set the air gap to 120mm, dropped the new .75 Sonic Springs in, then the little washer, then the spacers, then 2 ShowBiz tokens and wound in the caps.
When I was adding the fork oil and getting out the air pockets (like in the youtube vid), the fork I had the slider trouble with felt a little bit tighter than the other one still. I hope it will be OK.
It feels really good to have these finally built. I am going to make an appointment with my bike inspection mechanic soon so when I put these new forks on, he can put the new inspection sticker on them (cuz in PA, Idk about other places, that's where the sticker goes is on the fork lowers).
(https://i.imgur.com/kPSo0HZh.jpg)
I feel so floaty seeing your progress
(https://media.giphy.com/media/XcccL1m8vxkQM/giphy.gif)
rockin show!
:woohoo: nice work ShowBiz!!!
I have found several errors in Clymers before, and in fact when building my 450 I stripped two threads due to incorrect (much higher) torque spec's being listed.
That's a somewhat critical error when it comes to torquing bolts in to an alloy engine! Luckily both were able to be fixed with helicoil inserts.
I never rely on Haynes or Clymer manuals now, only ever on the true facts in genuine manuals, as I'm not the first to report similar errors.
I still do use them for process tips and photos though, as they definitely have useful photos in there that the factory manuals sometimes miss.
Well I snapped off two bolts tightening the side covers to factory service manual specs. At least it didn't screw up the case. Both bolts came right out once I got a vise grip on them, but it was still a lot of work and I had to buy new bolts.
Wait..... you get your bike inspected? Haha....
Good work Biz.
Hahaha Rich, you're not the first to say that to me about the inspection :laugh: :laugh: Thank you for checking out my update and I'm glad to see you're still around!
Thanks Pete!! Having learned from my dad over the years about the errors in Chilton's manuals when it comes to cars and trucks etc, you'd think I'd expect the same from motorcycle service books too :icon_rolleyes: TBH I didn't... but I'm glad something told me, "This doesn't seem right..." when I was working on the forks.
I spent time over this past weekend modifying the SV650 shock I bought last year to fit my bike. It was a fun little project! I removed the raising links and re-installed the stock dogbones with the SV shock.
Here's what I did to the shock (I also added this to the wiki):
(https://i.imgur.com/DQtSnDpl.jpg)
A picture of it installed on my bike after the drilling and trimming off the original holes:
(https://i.imgur.com/YmeIke9l.jpg)
I then did a walk-around of the bike... and I'm glad I did. I knew I'd have to adjust the chain accordingly... but I didn't know that the center stand would now be resting on the suspension linkage and not on the rubber stop attached to the exhaust :icon_eek:
(https://i.imgur.com/OHZdIfal.jpg)
The fancy-pants full stainless exhaust's center stand stop (that I purchased for my bike back in 2012) never did match up perfectly with the center stand foot... and after this shock swap, that problem got magnified. I trimmed the metal bracket so it was far enough away from the rear tire, re-drilled the hole for the rubber stop and then fabbed up a longer stop out of thick fuel hose. I did think about removing the center stand completely... since with the added height, it wouldn't do much at all anymore. However, I knew I'd still want it there... and simply sliding a piece of wood under the center stand legs would make it useful again for chain maintenance etc... so I did what I could to keep it.
(https://i.imgur.com/sCQ82VOl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Mo7M4jVl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yIbkLr8l.jpg)
After I felt confident that everything would be OK now, I rode the bike home from my dad's garage that evening to see if I liked it... and if I could get used to the extra height. I did :thumb: So the next day, I decided to remove the shock, prime and paint the newly exposed metal on the lower mount.
(https://i.imgur.com/TPyMJxEl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ETlpwxnl.jpg)
Re-installed and looking nice:
(https://i.imgur.com/leF6ugnl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RVq28K1l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KHkJDXQl.jpg)
The new lean angle is pretty crazy... but I've so far found no need to modify the stock side stand or purchase and adjustable one.
(https://i.imgur.com/53LP1DNl.jpg)
Here's a before and after picture to show a comparison. The top picture is from 2015, all rear suspension stock. The bottom picture is now (stock dogbones and modified SV shock):
(https://i.imgur.com/PtiXtlUl.jpg)
Now... onto installing the front forks I just built last week... :D :cheers:
Love how it looks in that last pic show! Need an update picture to the hawt bikes thread now! :icon_razz:
really good info. You made it so easy that I can get my 15 year old nephew to look at your post and do my shock for me. Ok maybe not but thanks for GREAT pics and how to! :bowdown:
That's a lot of lean!! Much more than my bike with the kat600 shock, which seemed to add about an inch of static height.
Showbiz, be careful where you park your bike with a sidestand angle like that. I know it stays up fine on level ground, but if you park that on sloped pavement or even level asphalt on a hot day, your bike is at a very high risk of falling or being knocked over.
THANKS, cbr!! I tried to 'show' (haha) the information that was missing or left me wondering after reading threads and the wiki. Agreed, I need some updated pics. I think I'll do that after I put the forks on 8)
I totally hear ya mr72... it kinda scared me tbh when I first took the bike off the stand and leaned it over. I've gotten used to it now and hey, it'll build a bit of arm muscles :laugh:
qc you make an excellent point. There may come a time where I'm updating my thread, talking about a new kickstand. ;)
That being said, I actually wanted the increased lean angle. Compensating for angled/steep/uneven parking surfaces is something every motorcycle rider has to do... but I learned it the hard way lol.
Probably about 5 years ago one morning I was going to church and I parked. The upper lot is built on a hill so it's pretty steep. I got about 10 steps away from my bike and I heard it fall over. :oops: :oops: :oops: Thankfully this was back when the bike still was pretty rashed and rough but still... very embarassing for sure... and I learned how easily it can happen.
They repaved part of the parking lot at my job last year and gave us a designated "cycle parking" area. So, naturally we all started parking there. On the first really hot day, my co-worker and I walked out to find our kickstands had sunk about an inch or so into the pavement. Luckily neither bike had fallen over, but it made me nervous lol. Another co-worker who also rides brought in a bunch of plywood squares that we now all put our kickstands down on just in case.
Just be aware of the surface you're parking on and you should be fine. Maybe invest in one of those kickstand puck things?
I am very aware, don'tcha worry. :-* It's great advice, more people should be aware of this kind of thing!
I carry one of those kickstand pucks with me always! Got it for free from my bike inspection mechanic :D
ShowBizWolf FTW! Well done! Those forks look great!
I like your helper, too. They keep us sane. :)
Big thanks, alpo!!! :kiss3:
I couldn't agree more about my helper... they are amazing. He's the latest addition to my household. Now I have 4!
My helper is a calico who loves to hunt. Sometimes she brings me presents--mice, chipmunks, etc. One of the reasons I bought my GS500f is that it has a center stand, which makes it much easier to work on the bike. What is worse than having your own bike fall over is when someone else's falls over into yours. I got a big dent in my Ducati 250 gas tank when a Norton Commando fell into it.
Quote from: ajensen on June 21, 2018, 11:25:34 AM
I got a big dent in my Ducati 250 gas tank when a Norton Commando fell into it.
Please tell me there are pictures of both of these!
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on June 20, 2018, 07:09:16 PM
Big thanks, alpo!!! :kiss3:
I couldn't agree more about my helper... they are amazing. He's the latest addition to my household. Now I have 4!
Just 4? You're a light weight :icon_mrgreen: :icon_lol:
I love my "helpers" although they're all inside. Great comfort and therapy. We're down to four, too.
LOL Pete!! It's... kinda true though haha, you're right... growing up, my parents always had 6 or 7... and my dad's sister has at least 10 !
+1 for inside kitties, alpo, I'm with you. It's much much safer for them. There are too many things out there in the big scary world that could hurt them.
Btw, forks are installed! :woohoo:
They actually have been for a couple days lol but I haven't had a chance to do a proper update with pics. Hopefully later today!
Good work on the forks, looking forward to the pic's!
Yes, inside kitties are the best for all concerned :thumb:
We have... more than 4... but less than 10 :icon_mrgreen:
I was toasty warm on the couch last night with 4 curled up between my lap and ankles :D
That sounds super comfy for sure Pete. I wish I could have all 4 of mine together... but my calico female is scared to death of the one male I have and so I live in a house divided lol.
Finally I've got time to update. Pics of swapping the forks...
The fork on the left is the new one and shows in comparison to the one on the right how much lower it sits cuz of the preload adjuster caps.
(https://i.imgur.com/OKO2Hcxl.jpg)
This is with the preload caps wound all the way up/out. The fork tube itself is still secure in the top clamp, no worries. If it wasn't, I'd obviously have to look into swapping bars or adding risers. I opted for the extra height in the front to give more clearance between the nose fairing and fender I made.
(https://i.imgur.com/ugKoNoXl.jpg)
It's blurry. I think my camera might finally be wearing out a bit. Both new forks on.
(https://i.imgur.com/xHIGLQCl.jpg)
View from the top:
(https://i.imgur.com/DPfK3Rhl.jpg)
Then I wanted to get the fender brackets I made off the old forks and onto the new ones. Man they were dirty and oily smh.
(https://i.imgur.com/FRtcqm8l.jpg)
Much easier putting them on without the wheel in the way lol!
(https://i.imgur.com/lgZhizLl.jpg)
Wheel back on...
(https://i.imgur.com/bnkYugTl.jpg)
Fork brace and back half of the fender on...
(https://i.imgur.com/cb222mql.jpg)
Front half of the fender on... :woohoo:
(https://i.imgur.com/52vhUsvl.jpg)
Brake line lost some slack as you can see, since the forks are sitting lower now. I was able to free some up from above and of course when sitting the bike back down with weight on the front, there's even more.
(https://i.imgur.com/mzxS7Vyl.jpg)
Ready for a test ride to my dad's garage so we can measure the front end sag and adjust the preload if necessary.
(https://i.imgur.com/2EfeKoVl.jpg)
OH and I made a little wooden lifter thing for under the center stand. It's 1.5" thick/tall to compensate for the added tail height the SV shock gives.
(https://i.imgur.com/2YVNBtUl.jpg)
Chain needs cleaned... bike needs washed... exhaust needs polished again... :icon_rolleyes:
The only other things left I'm thinking about doing is buying some of reload's frame sliders... and maybe a belly pan... oh and I have to do something about the LED underglow strips. The hot, cold, hot, cold temp changes have kinda warped the strips and they aren't sticking to the frame in some spots anymore. I'd toss them off the bike completely but I do believe they help me be seen when I'm riding home from work in the middle of the night.
Awesome ShowBiz! :thumb:
I like those preload for caps... wonder if they'd fit the 450 forks? :cool:
I'd rather have them than the 10 cent pieces I've got in there at the moment... although were at least cheap if not free :D
Oh, we have a house divided also... our old ones really don't want to know about the young ones, so they live in the rumpus while the young ones run rampant around the rest of the house. They're all happy with that, especially given the old ones (ages 14 - 16) sleep 23.5 hours a day now :icon_mrgreen:
(https://media.giphy.com/media/rUWRq77624Xzq/200.gif)
cmon show,..dying for first ride review!
Quote from: cbrfxr67 on June 26, 2018, 01:50:33 PM
(https://media.giphy.com/media/rUWRq77624Xzq/200.gif)
cmon show,..dying for first ride review!
ditto
Earlier today, I finally went for a good ride. Was gone for almost an hour.
I can't say enough about how much better the bike feels now!!! :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen: :icon_mrgreen:
Riding over potholes, thru construction zones... and of course around curves... everything is just so much better. I feel much more confident.
Seals aren't leaking and the fender didn't hit the nose fairing. I'm getting used to the height difference the SV shock makes too. It's supposed to be HOT weather here the next several days and no rain. I can't wait to get out more!!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/3ohzdIuqJoo8QdKlnW/giphy.gif)
love that show! need uh,...video of said awesomeness now :whisper:
:laugh:
I wasn't able to ride a whole lot this weekend but I did get out at least a bit. I'm loving everything and I'm still excited that I did it myself. I'm also listening (probably too much lol) for any strange noises and double-checking for anything I might need to go over again.
I'd love to get ya a vid, cbr!! But my old flip phone doesn't take videos... and my ancient camera doesn't record sound with the short little vids it can do :icon_rolleyes:
Still have to get down to my dad's shop so he can help me get the front sag numbers.
Oh yeah! Almost forgot... I just ordered these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/7-8-1-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Night-Light-Dial-Clock-Thermometer-Temp-Waterproof/332602238613?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Love your work ShowBiz! As time goes on you'll get more comfortable with trusting your own work, but yeah at first you end up second guessing everything you do. Just take care with torquing up bolts and things and put stuff together slowly and carefully and you'll be just fine :thumb:
As for those fork preload caps, where did you get them from? I may have missed that in the thread somewhere...
I sure do take my time with these things Pete... you're absolutely right with that advice!
I found out about the preload caps in Suzi Q's thread. Here is the link to where I bought them from:
https://www.parts-sale.jp/SUZUKI%2051351-01D60?search=51351-01D60
Suzuki part number:
51351-01D60-000
That'd be awesome if they would work for you!
when you ordered those, did they come as two or just one? That's about $50 US right?
I wonder if something like these cheap ones would work? Hard to know without the thread pitch:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Pair-37mm-Motorcycle-CNC-Preload-Adjuster-Fork-Bolts-for-Honda-CBR250RR-MC22/142642895152?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3Deb636fe2a34f4f819197b79f19dd789d%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D152684528328%26itm%3D142642895152&_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598
When I ordered them, I ordered a quantity of 2. The listing is only for one cap.
Those caps in the eBay link are the ones I tried first... and had to get a refund for... because the threads are way too thick to work with the fine threads of the GS500's fork tubes. I took a comparison picture to get the refund but I can't access it here at work to post it up to show what I mean. There are different listings for those caps and some of them actually list that they WILL work with the GS500 (which is why I gave them a try).
Cool cheers for the link! I'll have to check the fork diameter and thread pitch next time I do the fork oil, probably should do that soon actually as the front is feeling a little softish again.
I did also discover that Racetech have a gold valve cartridge emulator kit for my forks too, $US170 which isn't bad in the grand scheme of things although not something on my to do list at the moment.
You are quite welcome Pete. Let me know what ya find out! That's cool about the emulator kit :thumb:
Found the pic I sent the eBay seller to show how those big threads would certainly not work in the GS forks :icon_eek:
(https://i.imgur.com/BFuZMQTl.jpg)
Ah yes, definitely a no go! Will let you know once the forks come apart next time... hopefully get motivated in the next month or so to get it done.
After sending quite a few emails translated from English into Portuguese, I was able to order a belly pan I really liked from this site:
http://www.mototuningbrasil.com.br/Produto/134-Spoiler-Suzuki-GS-500
They asked me what color I wanted and I said black. I honestly didn't think it'd end up being the "Pearl Novelty Black" my '98 is... but it is!
The total cost came to $160. Basically $80 for the pan, painted... and $80 to ship it to me here in Western PA from somewhere in Brazil.
When it arrived at my house, the box was in pretty rough shape. The pan itself was packed nicely... wrapped in bubble wrap and tape and paper. Unfortunately though, there was no mounting hardware. In one of my several emails, I managed to confirm that the hardware was indeed included... but alas, I couldn't find any.
I sent them an email explaining how much I loved the pan and how it was painted! I also explained about the missing hardware. They sent me pictures of what the brackets look like along with the measurements of them. After seeing them though, I decided I didn't want to go that route anyway. The front two require removing the front engine bolt and the rear two (from what I can see in close up pictures of this thing mounted) have to be bent a bit to make work.
Here's a pic of the pan when I got it:
(https://i.imgur.com/gSZNYWsl.jpg)
After just test-fitting it onto the bike, I noticed I would have to trim/sand these spots. The fit around the frame was really really really tight.
(https://i.imgur.com/okVZbFMl.jpg)
Idk if it is my OCD or what but I also wanted to trim the longer side of the pan to match the other side.
(https://i.imgur.com/lQpXA2Dl.jpg)
Trimmed!
(https://i.imgur.com/MuuQFxIl.jpg)
How it sits now.
(https://i.imgur.com/bVHtvJvl.jpg)
I am thinking of getting the same brackets from Home Depot that I used on the forks for the 'Busa fender... and bending them in a square shape for around the frame and attaching the belly pan that way.
Nice. Looking forward to seeing this on the bike.
I believe they still make a GS500 in Brazil. Is that true?
Wonder what other cool accessories they have down there.
Wow, they actually make a fender eliminator.
(https://i.imgur.com/QO6wBSo.png)
http://www.mototuningbrasil.com.br/Produto/135-Eliminador-de-paralama-GS-500
Wonder how that works. Do you get the side panels too? What's going on on the underside there.
Wonder if it fits all models, maybe if you bought a round rear light instead of the square one the older models use.
They have a rear hugger too, looks decent.
(https://i.imgur.com/bggmfDL.png)
http://www.mototuningbrasil.com.br/Produto/133-Paralama-de-pneu-traseiro-GS-500
They certainly do have some cool stuff on the site! And the email replies were pretty fast too. The fender eliminator looks as though you have to remove/replace the whole inner fender piece... which would make sense, especially for that price... but you're right, it's hard to tell.
IIRC you can still get a brand new GS500 in Colombia... so I'd imagine they would be available in Brazil as well.
I'm working overnight shift 9:30pm-6am, just clocked in. I'm thinking when I get out in the morning I might head over to Home Depot and get some brackets and stainless bits :-D
The belly pan looks great Showbiz, I have always wanted one for my bike. I'm really jealous now. :cry:
I'm sure you could bend up some brackets in a vice with some aluminum stock.
Umm? Yep, I think your OCD might be getting out of hand Lol
Thanks for checkin' in, crackin! Yeah that OCD can get pretty crazy sometimes :laugh:
Made some brackets last evening. Totally abandoned my original idea of making them go around the frame. That method just wasn't working for me.
I used the galvanized strips from the ends of the brackets I bought and trimmed them/drilled them as needed. Used stainless button head allen bolts and stainless nylon lock nuts.
Rear two brackets:
(https://i.imgur.com/URw7uUPl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4jE2UGgl.jpg)
Front clutch side bracket:
(https://i.imgur.com/MMTMmeXl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vpxUFtUl.jpg)
Front brake side bracket:
(This one gave me attitude and I broke the first one. I was also idk how many beers in at that point so that's why the part that meets the belly pan doesn't sit perfectly flat against it LOL)
(https://i.imgur.com/6esRn0ll.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BVZWcyFl.jpg)
Done!
(https://i.imgur.com/bp37y1sl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CCFNIPUl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/npiXjoHl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ljOQX0wl.jpg)
After all that effort to order it and get it and mess around with brackets... I stood back and was like meh... it looks OK :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :icon_rolleyes:
I do like it though. I'll most likely keep it :thumb:
That's rocking show! (https://www.motohouston.com/forums/images/smilies/headbang.gif)
Love seeing you do work!
(picture game time!)
Looks pretty sweet, SBW. Cheers for the pics.
Thank you cbr and Toner! I'm glad you like it :cheers:
A couple more pics cuz pics are awesome! :D
(https://i.imgur.com/8ZOQINul.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HIRMqEZl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xUCSb3Sl.jpg)
I really like the combo of your front fender and rear hugger! I am not a bellypan girl myself, but it does balance out your front fairing very neatly. Do you have any plans for a seat cover? :) I think that might take a bit of the "heaviness" out the front and balance the rear a bit, visually.
It is one pretty hell of a GS500 though. :embarrassed:
(also hi! thanks for the rec! when do the verifications stop?! :technical:)
Nice work as always, Showbiz. The belly pan really ties the GSXR cowl into the rest of the bike, visually, I think.
Quote from: Sarasi on August 14, 2018, 06:48:20 AM
(also hi! thanks for the rec! when do the verifications stop?! :technical:)
After 5 posts you should be fine.
@qc, thank you for your opinion! It makes me lean more towards keeping the pan on.
@Sarasi, yes, those verifications should be gone for you now :thumb:
Thanks for the compliment! I never was one for belly pans either tbh. Last year some time, a group member suggested it to me and at first I dismissed the idea... but then the more I thought about it, the more I thought one might look good with the nose fairing.
Seat cover... do you mean like a seat cowl? I started making my own a couple years ago and still have the fiberglass shell... but I ended up abandoning that project. I could always look into it again some day!
Yes, like a cowl! Although I'm getting unsure about it now that I'm taking a closer look at your pics. The rear fairing on your model is quite different from mine and looks a bit more squared, in which case I think a cowl might make it look more alike a lego block than balanced out, maybe. It's hard to imagine one on your bike, for me.
The underlying idea was that I love the tail position on your bike. It's absolutely sexy, but the front gets all the attention in the first look right now, due to the belly pan and the nose fairing.
I just got done searching everywhere for a pic of when I was making that cowl and I found nothing :technical:
Yeah the earlier rear plastics ('89 to '00) are a different shape than the later/newer ones. The cowl I started did make things flow well but I just decided there were other things I'd rather be working on lol... there's a thread here on the forum I used as inspiration (but it was for the later style plastics) ... http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=48791.0
And of course the wiki link with some options I considered: http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearEnd-CowlCover
Right around the time I put the fiberglass cowl shell up on the shelf, I found this nifty little tail bag for cheap, which kinda looks like a cowl. I made my own elastic straps which went under the seat rather than around the whole tail of the bike (what the straps that came with the bag were supposed to do). I ended up selling it to a member here on the forum cuz he liked it so much with the straps I made!
(https://i.imgur.com/Q7Bgt5hl.jpg)
I'm glad you love the tail posture. I know the signals mounted up on the side fairings can remind a person of Shrek LOL but I like 'em there anyways.
Ha, that looks a lot like my tailbag! :icon_mrgreen: I bought mine that way, luckily, so no mods done on that (other than to sew a harness for it so I can carry it around like a shoulder bag, because it zips off the plate that's strapped to the seat).
Making a cowl seems like a crazy difficult task to be honest, but that might just be because I've no idea what fibreglass is other than dangerous for your lungs and apparently in my helmet. :embarassed:
Yeah no I don't mind the signals there! I've been struggling to decide what to do with mine. I would like to cut a bit of the fender off, but I might just stick to cutting off a bit of the bottom and leaving the sides, so I can also leave the blinkers. Dunno yet. I like your solution though. :)
It has been a while since I've done anything to my GS besides wash it and enjoy riding it. Here's a pic from earlier this year after a nice wash (cuz almost everybody loves pics)...
(https://i.imgur.com/RzKK1EOl.jpg)
For a while now though I've been tired of the windscreen and also the purple and green LED strips. I honestly don't even know why I chose purple and green.
Blue is very common and so is red so I didn't want either of those... sure I'm a girl but I didn't wanna do pink... white is kinda boring... orange with the black on my bike would have always reminded me of Halloween lol... so maybe just by process of elimination ? Idk.
But anyways, those colors are going away and I'm looking forward to it.
I have a clear windscreen that I installed for a moment but then switched to the purple/blue/chrome one. Tomorrow I have plans to paint the clear one black and then install it maybe Sunday.
I work 2nd and 3rd shifts and ride at night frequently so underglow for me is more of an added safety/visibility thing rather than just a novelty thing... so I was trying to think of what color to switch to. I've always loved the GS in yellow... and I like yellow and silver... plus I live in western PA and love Pittsburgh sports... and my bike is technically black so...
Yellow it is :thumb:
A couple days ago I bought new LED strips: (They are the same kind as before so I know what I'll be getting and they are inexpensive.)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Multi-Color-Flexible-Car-Motorcycle-Truck-Boat-LED-Light-Strip-Waterproof-12V-US/253273278832?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=552412971152&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
And some bulbs for the gauges: (These are gonna be an experiment for sure because normally I get my bulbs from sbl.com but I'm on a really really tight budget right now.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JR6IKYQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And some of these because the wire on those LED strips is super tiny:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RY243D9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sooooo if all this works out, I'll have changed out the gauge lights, LED strips and windscreen for under $10.
Just gotta wait now until November some time for the stuff to get here LOL!
Love seeing your posts show! you have one of the best looking gs's out there,.....
A project's never really "done" right? :D
Looking forward to the update!
Is there a reason you go with fixed colour LED strips and not RGB ones
I hooked these up to my bike and they work fine
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5050-RGB-5M-300-LEDS-SMD-LED-Strip-Light-12V-Waterproof-24-KEY-IR-Controller/331314589180?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5050-RGB-5M-300-LEDS-SMD-LED-Strip-Light-12V-Waterproof-24-KEY-IR-Controller/331314589180?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)
since this would allow you to change the colour when you feel like it with a simple button press.
For me it is mainly a safety thing aswell, because Australian city and suburb drivers are blind 90% of the time in daylight, and once it's dark it got to 99%
Thank you for the link! That's a good price. I did consider the color changing ones.
Idk if it's the minimalist in me or what but I knew there are colors I'd never use and I didn't want to be bothered with the controller. One year for Christmas my parents bought me a remote start for my car... and I returned it because I like to keep things simple. I know I know, I'm strange... :icon_rolleyes:
The price is a huge factor too. It may not seem like that big of a difference, but I'm a single homeowner with 4 cats and 3 vehicles... and sometimes money gets really tight (like this year I had to put a grand into my van, a over a grand into my house, and over $500 on vet expenses and my main refrigerator finally wore out). $10 makes a big difference to me.
I guess the last reason is that I like the 2835 chip style. When I do a search on eBay for that chip style, waterproof, color changing/rgb, US only, the price goes up even higher than the ones you have.
I know what you mean about blind drivers!!
Do you have a lot of people out after dark there?
Luckily for me, when I leave work to go home at 3am, there aren't many people still out usually... but in the winter months when it gets dark at 5pm, or when my shift starts at 9:30pm, that's a different story smh.
Early morning trips to work, can be pitch black at times. I try and leave before any real traffic comes, so i'm normally at work an hour early.
If I leave 10min later, the amout of stupid people on the road at that time increases dramatically (most of them are still asleep at the wheel)
I can understand about the money issues and only trying to spend money where you have to.
Sometimes though just ebaying it from cheap places and just waiting for the long shipping time is a massive advantage to save some decent money if you aren't in a hurry to change stuff. :icon_mrgreen:
Btw how have you wired up your LED's, I've basically created another wiring circuit, using a relay to from the ignition so there is only power on the circuit when I've got the Key turned, and the other circuit has it's only little fuse box for future things i may want to add. (all looks really janky though :icon_lol:)
It's amazing the difference a bit of time can make, I know what you mean... it's crazy! It can be like that here too.
You know what, I honestly can't remember the details about how I have them wired up LOL. It's been 3 years since I did them and most of the wires aren't visible with the plastics and the tank on etc.
I have 7 strips total right now, one under the headlight, one on each side of the frame above the engine and 2 on each side following the tail section/inner rear fender of the bike. Once I remove them, I'm going to simplify it to just 4 total.
I do remember I wired in a fuse for them... and made it so I can turn them on or off with a rocker switch I put on the bars, whether the key is in the bike or not.
(https://i.imgur.com/kXm7knLl.jpg)
show can you just build another gs so we can experience the magic all over again :icon_razz:
Awe cbr thank you!! :kiss3:
I did manage to paint the other windscreen black on Friday and I installed it yesterday. I also made some brackets for the hand guards I bought years ago. Gotta get some pics tonight or tomorrow.
I am liking the windscreen. Thinking of painting the other one silver and giving it a go sometime... but for now, I like the black.
(https://i.imgur.com/kOj0Awcl.jpg)
The piece of load bar I used to make the headlight brackets and heel plates came in handy once again! I decided to use it for the hand guard mounts.
I'm satisfied with how they came out. They are not super pretty, especially because I'm not a huge fan of bar ends... but I bought the ends years ago and they have just been sitting.
This way is IMO much better than the brackets the guards came with (they attached to the mirror mounts).
(https://i.imgur.com/2GxrMa6l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5Q1pW5nl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zZ5xBekl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lcBrgUGl.jpg)
sweeet,...are the guards for freezing air or road meteors or ?
I like the black,..winning
Nicely done Showbiz!!!
The handguards on the 450 have been extremely helpful in two ways for me... preventing car mirrors from catching my brake lever when they decide to change lanes while I'm filtering (fortunately not very often) and they definitely help keep the icy wind off your fingers in cooler weather.
Thank you :D I love that I get ya posting up outta the TF Pete :cheers:
Road meteors !!!! Yes!!
lololololol :laugh:
And to guard against wintertime bugs! :hithead:
Seriously though, I did notice a difference the one winter I used them. Keeping that cold wind off my gloves (both my regular ones or the heated ones) helps a lot when it's >30F.
Hahahaha yeah there is a world outside of TF :icon_mrgreen:
I just don't know the 500's well enough to contribute usually, while a lot of the motor is in common with my 450 that's about where it ends :dunno_black:
Hand guards are a must! Already had them save my fingers from being removed when a Jeep Wrangler backed into me.
They also let you install Hippo Hands. The #1 best piece of kit for winter riding (even better than heated grips).
I like that your windscreen is blacked out but your hand guards are transparent. Keeps 'em guessing. Like maybe you have eyeballs in your knuckles.
I finished up the lights a couple weeks ago and I'm happy with the result. I wish they were a little more bright yellow and less orange but hey... the price was good and they will help with visibility.
(https://i.imgur.com/OQyFebJl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yzGZTB3l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zhv9atfl.jpg)
The gauge bulbs... well, they were certainly worth a try, given the price. They'll do for now... but after the holidays, I plan to order the better ones from SBL. I'm glad I gave them a shot though.
(https://i.imgur.com/aDbZE7kl.jpg)
I also did a thing and sold my heated gloves. I liked them and really wanted to "get used to them" but they were just too bulky and the batteries hurt my wrists.
After looking into heated grips, I found these and figured, based on the reviews and the price, "why not" ?
https://www.amazon.com/Iztoss-Motorcycle-Electric-Warmers-Handlebar/dp/B018K5XYPE/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=iztoss+heated+grips&qid=1575540960&sr=8-3
My wonderful brother ended up buying them for me :kiss3: :kiss3: !!
I've only gotten to ride with them once so far, in ~40F temps omw home from work last week... so hardly enough time to give them a proper review... but I'm glad I have them... and I love the design with the switch/control built in. I want to ride and use them more but we've been getting snow the past several days SMH!!
(https://i.imgur.com/opFSWRIl.jpg)
The only issue I ran into while installing these was stopping the new throttle tube (and grip) from continuing to rotate forward once installed in the killswitch/starter housing. The diameter of the new tube's flange is slightly smaller so it didn't catch on the bits. I bet I could have worked out a different way of solving this but at the time, drilling a small hole into the housing and winding a screw in for a "stop" did the trick.
(https://i.imgur.com/lCqwGFil.jpg)
As always,..good stuff! What's next show?!
Excellent work Showbiz, glad you're looking out for your safety on your night travels!
No need for heated grips where I am but they sure do seem like a handy addition in the cooler areas of the planet :cool: ;)
Nice job there ShiwBizWolf. My gs500f is a work in progress. I've put a set of perelli sport demons on and changed the rear wheel to 130x80x17. Has given the tyre a bit rounder profile which makes for a really even tip in when cornering. It's also lifted the rear by about 5mm.
Changed out my parker and headlight for Leds, massive difference. The headlight is pumping out 5000 lumens now!
Also changed the speedo and tacho lights to led. Went for a bright amber colour which is quite visible but easy on the eye for night rides. Have bought a set of racetech straight rate .95k fork springs and will be getting an r6 rear shock as well. Also have a set of oggy knobs to put on and have done a full service. Only problem I'm having with my beastie is that it "stutters" at around 5000rpm under full throttle. Can't quite figure it out yet but I'm hoping it's that the carbies just need balancing. Other than that it's a great bike. Will post some photos of it soon.
Love the underglow job by the way.
Thank you Ledian! Hope you got those springs installed and found the shock you wanted. :cheers:
Finally, I swapped out the gauge bulbs. Back to the good ones from superbrightleds!
(https://i.imgur.com/39orHaOl.jpg)
Also, even though I was happy with the increased lean angle on the side stand with the SV shock, I could swear over the past ~6 months or so, the stand developed a kind of extra "flex" when settling the bike down onto it. After searching about it here and finding a few threads saying it's normal and OK, it was still unsettling to me.
I don't weld, having only seen it/learned it 15 years ago in high school shop class... and my Pap was the welder in my family but he passed around that same time so I never got to learn from him :icon_sad: ... so this project I had a friend of my dad help me with.
I purchased a used stock GS500 side stand off eBay for $10 and asked to have 1" welded into it, right above the foot. Didn't want to mess up the positioning of the spring mount or the heel bar. Then I had a slightly larger (wider) foot cut from ~1/8" steel and had that welded onto the foot. (I'll still always have my puck with me though). Finally, my dad heated it with the torch and we bent it ever so slightly to compensate for the lean so the foot would rest flat on the ground.
I painted it and I'm happy.
(https://i.imgur.com/1Yh6okBl.jpg)
Nice work ShowBiz! Looks like a real neat welding job there too :thumb:
I'm not a very good welder, but I know how to grind :icon_mrgreen:
One tip on the sidestand I've been given is that the pivot bolts tend to wear and contributes largely when a bike seems to be leaning more than ever. I need to look into that myself on the 450 as I've noticed the stand has a lot of sideways movement now. It's only 38 years old now, no idea why it might be a bit worn out :laugh:
Hi ShowBizWolf, hi guys. Yes I have got the r6 shock and have installed it as well as the racetech .90kg/mm fork springs. Wow what a difference! It's a whole new bike now. I have also got an LED upgrade tail light with integrated indicators and brake light coming for it and a set of led flowing water style indicators as well. Once I have installed those I will look at a good exhaust and put the k&n air filter in as well. I'm hoping to get a set of jets from Buddha to match. Once that's done it will be finished. (for now!😂) I'll add a photo. Its the best I can do at the moment as my phone takes photos in a really high resolution format and the page won't let me add most of the pictures I have.
Not much going on here but I did clean/lube the chain, wipe off some of the road salt and remake the one bracket for the belly pan yesterday.
(https://i.imgur.com/dJYKekEl.jpg)
Also a fun thing to note... more frequently lately each time I get geared up to take the bike out, my one kitty Haste jumps up on the seat. I think she's been working on her riding posture :-* Looks good!!!
(https://i.imgur.com/7cgpJGzl.jpg)
Bad kitty! :laugh:
You're bike's so clean show,..!
:cheers:
Just wanted to stop in and see how your GS was doing - not that I'm surprised. Hope all is well Showbiz.
And hi to everybody else! Haven't forgotten about you guys.
Thanks cbr!!! You know me, I try to keep it as clean as possible.
Big Rich!!! It's great to hear from you! I was telling someone at my work not that long ago about my tank bag and how I saw it first (on your bike). Got me thinking about how I hadn't seen ya post for a while so I checked to see when you were active last. IIRC it had been a long while. Everything is good here, thankfully! I hope all is well with you too :) How is your bike? Anything new?
My life got really......hectic for a while. But everything is settling into a "new" normal. Which is good! My GR needs a little TLC - weeping oil around the head cover, replaced the CCT with a manual one, pipes are rusting, etc, etc, etc. Haha
Couple weeks ago my son and I were talking about TMNT and I told him I know the girl that made the Van. He didn't believe it actually existed..... but a quick Google search later and he got to see it.
Oh gosh. Life certainly does have a way of doing that sometimes... but I'm very glad to know you're OK :kiss3:
Heyyyy that's awesome about my van! I gave it a lot of TLC last summer... cosmetically. I had a birthday party to do with it in September and had to undo 9 years of PA winter... ah.. "customization" lol... you know how that goes :roll:
If you're on facebook, check out the van's page. It's "Johnstown Turtle Van" ... lots of pics from parties and whatnot.
Quote from: ShowBizWolf on April 23, 2020, 06:09:02 PM
Not much going on here but I did clean/lube the chain, wipe off some of the road salt and remake the one bracket for the belly pan yesterday.
(https://i.imgur.com/dJYKekEl.jpg)
Also a fun thing to note... more frequently lately each time I get geared up to take the bike out, my one kitty Haste jumps up on the seat. I think she's been working on her riding posture :-* Looks good!!!
(https://i.imgur.com/7cgpJGzl.jpg)
OOoooo Cute calico. We had one that adopted us for ~1yr when her prior human lost her husband and she had to move in with her son who had some aggressive dogs. She was called stretch. Knowing her, she'd have bossed over the aggressive dogs very aristocratically making them glad they had such a wise "leader".
Anyway she "went away" ~1yr (thanksgiving 2017) after she adopted us. Never to be seen since.
We got a grey tabby April 2018. Who's now chewing her tail, chewing her back and watery left eye - and she's a young'un. 3-4 yrs max.
Cool.
Buddha.
Thanks Buddha. She's my world. Last summer she had to have some dental work done and she's also now on prescription kidney care food. Her numbers were on the high side of the normal range and after a year of being on the food, her numbers are normal again thankfully. I hope your tabby is still with you/doing well?
I haven't had anything to update since my last post until a few months ago. The clutch cover gasket on my bike started leaking (not bad for still being the original) and I bought a new crank shaft seal to install as well. That is all now done.
Pic of the old gasket:
(https://i.imgur.com/IczQWAMl.jpg)
I decided to also do an extensive cleaning/detail, exhaust polish and routine chain maintenance. I still can't say enough positive things about the Yoshimura STAIN-Magic. I now couldn't find it for less than $50 and I had to get it shipped from Japan but I tried some other products (like Borla's stainless polish/cleaner) and I was very disappointed by comparison. My original tube of YSM was enough to do 3 complete polishes and I still have a tiny bit left.
(https://i.imgur.com/VAMTn0Hl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CwSVi0Tl.jpg)
Not bad for the exhaust being 10 years old now.
(https://i.imgur.com/d1Kb3pvl.jpg)
Last thing I had to do was reinstall the belly pan. Yeah that went well :technical: :technical: :technical:
(https://i.imgur.com/03EzIpMl.jpg)
Popola to the rescue. :rstar: Definitely didn't want to attempt this on my own.
(https://i.imgur.com/bvBYaDKl.jpg)
Drilling into the center of the bolt was going nowhere with brand new Harbor Freight bits. As soon as we switched to an old bit I had in my drill basket, it worked a treat and the easy out did its job.
(https://i.imgur.com/QZsc26fl.jpg)
While I was looking up the part number for a new bolt, I discovered that motosport, partzilla, ron ayers and Suzuki parts direct all have the same error. That clutch cover takes 12 bolts that are the same and 1 that is shorter. All the diagrams show that the shorter bolt should be in the spot where I broke one. That is incorrect... the shorter bolt goes into the hole that is at the front-most part of the cover. I'm glad I figured that out before I ordered a new bolt that would have been wrong, based on the diagrams.
The replacement bolts (I got a spare) showed up on Saturday but unfortunately, the eBay seller made a mistake... the listing had the correct part number I need but the bolts that showed up are clearly much smaller overall. I ordered another 2 from motosport earlier, which is what I should have done in the first place.
Once I get them, I can finish installing the belly pan and be ready for Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally at the end of the month.
Wow, that stainless polish really did the trick! Your exhaust looks amazing. I have some SS polish for my kitchen sink...this makes me think I should try it on the bikes with stainless or chrome pipes.
Thanks Bluesmudge. I never even thought about trying a kitchen sink polish. What kind is it? I have stainless sink as well and even though I keep it scrubbed, I wouldn't mind if it was shinier :)
The stuff I have is Franke brand, which is the brand of my sink. Its called Inox Cream (Inox means stainless in Italian).
I haven't made it through the whole bottle yet to then try any other products but I doubt its substantially different than any other SS polish. It doesn't do anything about deeper scratches but otherwise gets the sink back to the factory looking finish.