My GS500 did what it was supposed to do, get me endorsed and comfortable cheaply. I've added 2k miles to the 11k that the last owner had on it and I've been looking to replace it with something a little sportier. Not wanting to be broke for the summer, I changed my mind and decided to put some $$ into the GS and keep it a while longer. Even though it's old as dirt ('93), the engine is in good shape with fairly low miles. It has been kept outside, though for most of it's 15 years, so the paint is pretty faded. This last weekend, I tore the body apart and threw the pieces into my truck to take to the body shop for a quote. I'm going to have it all repainted red. If it's not too expensive, I want to get a racing stripe with pinstripes on either side down the middle of the tank and tail piece (a la Ducati). I'm trying to decide between silver (to match the frame) or black stripes.
I'm tired of looking like I'm trying to contact the mothership, so I'm going to replace the mirrors with something like this (I like the black ones). I'm also going to replace the stalky turn signals with something like this. (I like the black/clear ones).
I like the gunmetal grey wheels, so I'm going to leave those alone. I would prefer a black frame, but the paint on the frame is in good shape, so I think I'll leave that alone for now.
Once I get it put together, I will probably give it a fenderectomy as detailed on this website.
Can you guys forsee any problems with these ideas? Do you have any others that might go well with this project?

Here are some "before" pictures:

Removing the bodywork was fairly easy with the exception of the front fender. Fifteen years of road grime had corroded those bolts too much to turn. I had to drill three of the four smaller bolts out.
Now that all the bodywork is removed, it truly looks like a "naked bike".

I think you're off to a good start with it.  Fenerectomy... a MUST.  If you're looking to go sportier, possibly a new set of bars or a set of clip ons.  If you're going to do a racing stripe, I'd go a little deeper red with a white stripe.  A lower chin fairing makes a world of difference in the looks.  Throw a yosh pipe on it, a new air filter and re-jet and call it good!

A nice gold USD front end would look pretty nice

Quote from: BarePaw on January 28, 2008, 11:12:08 PM
Here are some "before" pictures:

Man, that orange (hope it's supposed to be) is rockin. In your second picture, you can see it would look awesome with the darker color gray frame. Some of the gs's had that stock, and IMHO it's a great look. Shine up your hardware (bolts etc) on the cases, and you're in business.

I haven't seen stripes on a gs I liked yet, they're for cafe racers and all you know It takes some work and time for them to look right, and the gs tank has a 'unique' shape.

+1 for deciding to keep the gs. It's such a fun bike, and you earned your endorsement on it. Can't sell it now

Save up for your next bike, and keep the gs. 

Actually, it's supposed to be red, not orange (now you see why I'm repainting it). I'm starting to doubt the stripe, as well. I think I'll keep it stock color and slap on a black tank protector and a decal or two for looks. As for performance, it already has the Vance & Hines pipe, which sounds pretty sweet. If I did clip-ons, I think I'd have to find a new home for things like the brake fluid reservoir and the mirrors. What would be a good option for aftermarket handlebars?

Red rimstripes!   

Black, red and silver = stunning moto! Very Ducati.

Hmm, ok, it's supposed to be red. This would be nice with the charcoal frame:

or even better, CANDY red, charcoal frame, and rim stripes to boot. Verrrrry pretty indeed:



Google does a great job of finding a picture of whatever you're looking for. Couldn't find any with a USD fork, or gold for that matter. If you really went crazy with asthetics, you know, kat front end, paint em gold,  rim stripes, charcoal frame, candy color, candy color charcoal FRAME too, two-tone wheels gray on dark gray, man, it would be too pretty to ride. Or would it ?

I'm a big fan of the gs's that get subtle changes most people wouldn't know about or recognize. Sexy is just a few hundred dollars away.

The ducati sin-spired rim stripes are a great idea.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Dude, that's not f%$king healthy looking   Why the f%$k are you posting pictures of swollen and pierced genitalia??  Jesus f%$king Christ...................

Agreed... take it down!!

I edited the post ... I think ohgood may be the victim of an automatically-changing image or something. 

Yeah, I can't imagine that was intentional.  Thanks Kerry!!!!

look up motorcycle bodykits and they have some nice stuff. I like the tailpiece that goes over the stock seat. Awesome........ They also have other stuff too..I ll find the web site and post it.

I also have a 93 and I am looking to make it look and run a bit more on the sporty side. I like your mirrors and turn signals idea im glad you posted the link....Helps with my ideas. Is there any other exhaust that fits our bike besides the V&H one?

I just got the quote for the paint. $550.00. Is that normal, or does that sound a bit high? I didn't do much prep work and there was still remnants of a decal left. That's probably why. The guy works through a local motorcycle shop and as far as I know that's all he does. He also told me it would take 2-3 weeks, so it sounds like he's thorough.
I love the sound of the V&H exhaust. I've heard others and IMHO, that's the way to go. I also like the idea of the rimstripes. I think I'll add that to the list.
Thrash, are those the stock decals for '93? Mine were gone when I got it. I like the white outline "Suzuki" on your tank. I wonder how that would look in silver. Double check the bolt size on those parts I posted before you order. I haven't figured out if they would fit yet.

As far as I know the bike is all stock so the decals are most likely stock too. I like the one on the tank but the tail decal looks a bit dumb....

Quote from: spcterry on January 30, 2008, 10:47:50 AM
Dude, that's not f%$king healthy looking   Why the f%$k are you posting pictures of swollen and pierced genitalia??  Jesus f%$king Christ...................

Odd, I used 'preview' once before the post and it was fine. I've checked the link a couple of times. Haven't seen the offending image myself yet. Guess that's what I get for ripping an image from google's cache.

Sorry folks for whatever it was, I'll make sure to -not- use google's cache again, still don't understand why I didn't see the offending image though. That's weird.

Update:
Mirrors and signals came UPS today. The mirrors I posted fit just fine and look sweet (see pic below). The signals look like they will work. I'm now thinking about cutting the fender off above where they mount and mounting them where the reflectors are now. I think I'll wait until I get the plastics back from the painter to decide.



I think I'm going to have to add some new grips and bar ends to the list.

Quote from: BarePaw on February 01, 2008, 12:28:26 AM
Update:
Mirrors and signals came UPS today. The mirrors I posted fit just fine and look sweet (see pic below). The signals look like they will work. I'm now thinking about cutting the fender off above where they mount and mounting them where the reflectors are now. I think I'll wait until I get the plastics back from the painter to decide.



I think I'm going to have to add some new grips and bar ends to the list.

Hold on to the stock bar ends. Someone always looses one