a while back, i asked, if you could put a gs500f full fairing on a 98. i have decided to do it, and wanted to tell you, that i will keep you guys posted. well, wish me luck. i'm buying the left and right side fairings today, and upper fairing next week.

I wonder how cost effective this would be in comparison to the 500r kit from the Brazilian company. I'm getting a GS500 this summer hopefully and plan to ride it naked for a while, then put a fairing on it of some sort. Keep us updated.

It can be done...  Good luck!

Take pics of each step in the process and make a write up...  Then we can post it in the FAQ when people ask the question.

Detail the work involved with moving the mounting points, changing tank, fabricating mounts, etc.  

Everyone will love you for it!

i'm hoping that it won't be to cost effective. the 2 side fairings are used ( which i plan on sanding and painting myself ) cost me around $140 dollars including shipping. upper fairing around $100. as for the tail end of the bike, i'm not sure if i'm going to modify it, at the moment. but i'll keep you posted.

I don't think the fairing will match up with the older tank style...  Not 100% on that...  I haven't really looked into it.


If you change the tank, the old seat won't match up...
If you change the seat, the old tail plastic won't match up...
If you change the tail plastic, the old tail-light won't match up...


[edit]Wait...  I think I'm full of it...[/edit]

Being cost effective is a good thing.

Dave

Quote from: My Name Is Dave on May 10, 2006, 12:42:50 PM
Being cost effective is a good thing.

Dave

That it is.

You guys could always buy Turd's fairings...since everyone wisely convinced him to take them off.  And help him now that he'll be poor and married. (Which is a GOOD THING)

*opens door and steps into room*

Did I hear my name?

There is much more to it than just the fairings here folks.  There are 8 brackets that hold on the side fairings alone.  There is also the upper cowling brace, the headlight, windscreen and a few other misc. pieces.  Getting a hold of some of these brackets and such would be near impossible.

I'm going to try and sell the whole "kit" for $300.  I think this is a good deal considering it includes EVERYTHING, even all of the bolts and clips.  The paint is in showroom condition (seriously...I have this "addiction" to washing and waxing).  Bike has never been down and it has been garage kept since I rode it off the showroom floor.

There are some issues you guys should know about with mounting the factory fairings.  It definitely can be done, but takes a bit of work.  Here is a quick list of the obstacles associated with the project:

Many of the mounting brackets bolt directly to the frame.  At the factory, they basically inserted threaded bungs directly into the frame and welded them in for the brackets to mount to.  Here is an example.  There are four places like this on either side of the bike.  You would have to find an alternate way to bolt the brackets to the frame.



The next issue is the upper fairing mount.  The upper fairing weighs at least 20lbs due to the large tubular metal support.  This support bolts to a large tab that is welded to the steering head.  Any non "F" bike does not have this tab installed on the frame.  You would need to weld something to the steering head on your own.  Any shop would help you with this if you do not have a welder.  Here is a picture of the tab.  It is somewhat hard to see, sorry!



Hopefully this helps.  I can answer any questions you guys have.  Good luck!

-Turd.

There is also some basic information regarding an 'E to F conversion' GS500 FAQ in the Appearence Modifications and Accessories section.   If you post more details and photos, we can add it to that as well to help others members interested in such a conversion.