GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => Projects / Builds, Racing and Tech => Topic started by: gamdon24 on May 27, 2017, 10:54:30 PM

Title: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on May 27, 2017, 10:54:30 PM
So I have decided to do a complete restoration on a 1992 GS500 E

I bought the bike for a deal and I have been working on it since November.

I have been doing things a little at a time. and I try to document my progress although I'm bad about remembering to get pictures before I finish a project.

I will be posting pictures of what I have done along the way and I welcome any helpful suggestions on things I might want to try.

The first few pictures are of the way the bike looked when I first brought it home.

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/small%20front%20view_zpslphh1qba.jpg
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on May 28, 2017, 04:01:41 PM
I'm slowly figuring out how to post pics. So here are a few of the early pics from when I first got the bike

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/Side%20View%20Small_zps2kpsselu.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/small%20rear%20view_zps0nk2hjne.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161030_182244_zpsujuiqwvz.jpg
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on May 28, 2017, 05:53:26 PM
Since I was soo excited to be starting a new restoration I got ahead of myself and created a big mistake.   :icon_eek:

I started cleaning the body and frame and sanded the old nasty botched rattle can paint someone had previously applied.    :confused:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161030_182244_zpsujuiqwvz.jpg

And rather than following up my sanding and polishing of the frame, I failed to protect it with a clear coat.   :dunno_black:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161116_154426_zpsyjonrwhh.jpg

It quickly turned from a beautiful polished frame to an ugly rusting hulk.   :icon_sad:

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161130_165136_zpseixtm5jr.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161130_165206_zpsw8bk9mbh.jpg

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161130_165836_zpsmoqm7lpz.jpg?t=1495933067

http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161130_165047_zpsquq57alt.jpg?t=1495933093

The last pics are how it looked after I had completed my own painting and polishing....  But sadly like i mentioned, I failed to clear coat the polished frame. 

A few weeks of wet weather turned it from nice to ugly... So I decided to take the whole bike apart and start a slow complete restoration.

I have been aggressively sanding, repairing, priming, painting, and replacing all manner of parts and pieces.

The bike is now in hundreds of pieces while the work continues.  I am hopeful I will have the repair/replace part completed soon and start on the put back together part soon.

Keep checking back.  I'll try to post pictures as i progress.

Thanks for looking.

Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gregjet on May 29, 2017, 01:33:54 PM
gamdon: If you have a std photobucket page setup, just click in the box maked "IMG", JUST ONCE. It will seem it has done nothing but it has copied the link. If you go to the Page you are posting  a reply on and right click and "paste", the actual image will appear when the reply is posted.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: qcbaker on May 30, 2017, 05:24:32 AM
Quote from: gregjet on May 29, 2017, 01:33:54 PM
gamdon: If you have a std photobucket page setup, just click in the box maked "IMG", JUST ONCE. It will seem it has done nothing but it has copied the link. If you go to the Page you are posting  a reply on and right click and "paste", the actual image will appear when the reply is posted.

You can also post images by enclosing the link in IMG tags like so:

[img]http://www.exampleURL.com/images/exampleimage.jpg[/img]
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: cbrfxr67 on May 30, 2017, 07:29:57 AM
subd
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 01, 2017, 07:48:04 PM
cbrfkr67 I hope it won't take me that long!  LOL!  :D

I have been working a lot lately so i has taken a back seat for a bit, but I work on pieces every weekend at least.  I hope to have it all back together and running by the end of the year.   But you know what they say about HOPE right?   :thumb:

Here's my attempt at a pic thanks guys for the info on how to do that. 

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161130_165206_zpsw8bk9mbh.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20161130_165206_zpsw8bk9mbh.jpg.html)

This is what it looked like after I attempted to clean it up the first time.  But I took it totally apart because of issues with "no title"  I got that taken car of and I have a good looking frame painted and ready for parts once I get them all repaired or replaced.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: ShowBizWolf on June 01, 2017, 07:58:48 PM
Oooooooo very nice! I'll have to check out the other pictures when I'm at home (photobucket website doesn't cooperate with the work computers lol)
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: cbrfxr67 on June 02, 2017, 07:03:58 AM
looking sweet!
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: Suzi Q on June 02, 2017, 07:18:37 PM
Very cool, sub'd as well.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 11, 2017, 03:41:20 PM
Here are several of the "BEFORE" pics from what I was dealing with when I started my restoration....

I will post pics of the "AFTER" soon...

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/small%20front%20view_zpslphh1qba.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/small%20front%20view_zpslphh1qba.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161030_182126_zpsp6xsfwnh.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20161030_182126_zpsp6xsfwnh.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161114_165106_zpsbelotf4s.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20161114_165106_zpsbelotf4s.jpg.html)
Anyone Happen to know a way to replace/repair the old cloth covering?

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161114_165027_zpsr99khjyw.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20161114_165027_zpsr99khjyw.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161114_165018_zpsdm83ssi1.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20161114_165018_zpsdm83ssi1.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20161114_164536_zpseoiuhrtt.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20161114_164536_zpseoiuhrtt.jpg.html)

Lots more "BEFORE" pics to come...
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 11, 2017, 04:50:34 PM
Ok so I said i'd post a few "AFTER" Pics so here are a few...

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175715_zpsobr37ccf.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175715_zpsobr37ccf.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175659_zpsoqaydz3b.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175659_zpsoqaydz3b.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175744_zpsxliqsaew.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175744_zpsxliqsaew.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175757_zpsetes3kie.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175757_zpsetes3kie.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175829_zpsep41hdtj.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175829_zpsep41hdtj.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175939_zps6izqnd6v.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175939_zps6izqnd6v.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170611_175530_zpsgqellzjc.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170611_175530_zpsgqellzjc.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: qcbaker on June 12, 2017, 05:19:37 AM
I like the look of the red on the brakes, really makes them pop.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: ShowBizWolf on June 12, 2017, 09:20:36 AM
Absolutely marvelous!!! I love these kinds of threads.

Will you do the rear rotor in red as well? When I painted my front rotor gold, at least one person asked me if I was gonna do the rear one too. I still haven't lol :icon_razz:
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 18, 2017, 01:53:57 PM
I have thought about doing the rear disc too, but it's pretty pointless.  So YEAH I probably will eventually  LOL   :D

I've been doing some more cleaning stripping and painting.   

I completed the magneto cover,  so I'll put up "Before" & "After"

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170617_172852_zpss5lbz3ke.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170617_172852_zpss5lbz3ke.jpg.html)

BEFORE

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170617_172913_zpsafuaw37k.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170617_172913_zpsafuaw37k.jpg.html)

BEFORE

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170617_234208_zpsfhjd486l.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170617_234208_zpsfhjd486l.jpg.html)

AFTER

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170617_234149_zpskldvx3rn.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170617_234149_zpskldvx3rn.jpg.html)

AFTER

Enjoy!
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 18, 2017, 03:31:35 PM
here are a few more "BEFORE" & AFTER pics for ya.

Difficult to see in the pics/ I used the wrinkle VHT paint.  Suggestion..... Be sure you Use VHT primer first!!! 

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170603_133135_zps3fe4zgbm.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170603_133135_zps3fe4zgbm.jpg.html)

BEFORE

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170618_163029_zps7lzo0rku.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170618_163029_zps7lzo0rku.jpg.html)

AFTER

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170618_163042_zpsgyk9yblp.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170618_163042_zpsgyk9yblp.jpg.html)

AFTER
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: Toner on June 18, 2017, 04:52:48 PM
Damn! Nice job so far. 
Why did you use to get the parts so shiny?

Is the tank and fairings gonna be that grey colour?
I like that look.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: ShowBizWolf on June 18, 2017, 08:38:01 PM
Always love me some before and afters... especially when it involves giving a GS lots of TLC!!!  :rstar: :rstar: :rstar:
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: cbrfxr67 on June 19, 2017, 06:37:57 AM
more sweetness happenening!
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: iamhiding on June 19, 2017, 08:36:23 AM
so far so good! looking forward to seeing this one gamdon :cheers: nice detailing on the rocker cover and damn i wish i could leave my side covers bare like that but winters wouldn't be kind.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 19, 2017, 09:30:09 PM
Quote from: Toner on June 18, 2017, 04:52:48 PM
Damn! Nice job so far. 
Why did you use to get the parts so shiny?

Is the tank and fairings gonna be that grey colour?
I like that look.

Thanks for the positive response.   :thumb: :thumb:

I used several different grades of sandpaper 400/200/150/1000 and a polisher attachment on a drill to strip and polish the shiny parts.   :cookoo: :cookoo:

The tank and side frame covers are going to stay in the shadow and charcoal gray metallic.  I like that look as well.  :thumb: :thumb:
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 19, 2017, 09:36:30 PM
Quote from: iamhiding on June 19, 2017, 08:36:23 AM
so far so good! looking forward to seeing this one gamdon :cheers: nice detailing on the rocker cover and damn i wish i could leave my side covers bare like that but winters wouldn't be kind.

For those of you who live in colder climates, I will suggest using a Rust-Oleum gloss clear coat if you want to run your covers polished or "bare"  I have opted for leaving them polished only, because I like spending time polishing them to a mirror finish now and then.   :cookoo:  and I live in a warmer climate ( Oklahoma ) where I don't have a problem keeping them looking nice! 
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: gamdon24 on June 22, 2017, 07:45:40 PM
Haven't had a chance to do anything else to the bike, been working a lot lately.  So I thought I would post some pics of the "new" frame I worked on a while back.

It is a 1990 frame, so technically the bike will be listed as a 90, but all the parts on the frame are from the 1992 I originally started with.  Truth is it REALLY won't matter anyway,  I will have gone through all the systems from the brakes, & suspension, to the electrical, to the engine.  I'm taking my time and dis-assembling and replacing or repairing EVERYTHING!  I am even considering getting a new gauge cluster and starting the milage from zero once I have completed the restoration.  Not like I'm planning to sell it with any false information.  ok now for the pictures, hope you like them.  I used a Rustoleum Truck Bed Coating
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170622_205828_zps1dy7i4ln.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170622_205828_zps1dy7i4ln.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170622_204237_zps2tolsnql.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170622_204237_zps2tolsnql.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170622_204224_zpsrdnkwpcg.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170622_204224_zpsrdnkwpcg.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170622_204153_zpsuxtbyzne.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170622_204153_zpsuxtbyzne.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170622_210007_zpsh9zaggen.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170622_210007_zpsh9zaggen.jpg.html)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n494/gamdon24/20170622_210203_zpsxx62rol8.jpg) (http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/gamdon24/media/20170622_210203_zpsxx62rol8.jpg.html)

I am very pleased with how it came out, it has a good rough texture.  I hope it will hold up well to use,  I am considering coating it with a flat clear for additional protection.  Not sure if it would matter. 
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: ShowBizWolf on June 22, 2017, 07:56:26 PM
I absolutley LOVE the Rustoleum self-etching primer. It's really amazing stuff, I've used it on many different things. Plus, it doesn't have a 72 hour cure time like some other self-etchers do.

I've never used the primer sealer but I also very much like the bedliner. I pretty much always have a can or two on hand for stuff. Just used some last weekend actually! I've found it works best if there are at least 3 layers and all of them have had PLENTY of time to dry/cure in between.

Really loving the thread!! :cheers:
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: ajensen on June 22, 2017, 08:45:03 PM
I have a Spain-built gs500f, which is infamous for bad frame paint. I'm curious how the bed liner paint will look when the bike is put together. Your frame looks really interesting.
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: cbrfxr67 on June 23, 2017, 06:48:47 AM
sweet,...good tips too
Title: Re: New / Old restoration
Post by: iamhiding on June 29, 2017, 12:09:18 PM
Quote from: gamdon24 on June 19, 2017, 09:36:30 PM
Quote from: iamhiding on June 19, 2017, 08:36:23 AM
so far so good! looking forward to seeing this one gamdon :cheers: nice detailing on the rocker cover and damn i wish i could leave my side covers bare like that but winters wouldn't be kind.

For those of you who live in colder climates, I will suggest using a Rust-Oleum gloss clear coat if you want to run your covers polished or "bare"  I have opted for leaving them polished only, because I like spending time polishing them to a mirror finish now and then.   :cookoo:  and I live in a warmer climate ( Oklahoma ) where I don't have a problem keeping them looking nice!

i can't stand people clear coating over raw or polished alloy, when it hazes it looks awful, that and because it's not a keyed surface it tends to chip up super easy, total pet hate after having to deal with others mistakes previously. most people tuck their bikes away over winter here anyway but the salt on the roads is a killer for us who ride it through. ACF50 is probably the best way to keep the bare bits from furring up, a lot of added work when its cold and dark though. either way you're soooo lucky that it doesn't effect you out there :thumb:

bed liner frame looks wild!  :cheers: last time i used bed liner the nozzle clogged up and made a hell of a mess  :icon_lol: