I've been contemplating a swap like this. Similar engine size, more power and fuel injected. Comments?

Why turn an apple into an orange     (seriously)

EDIT: And in the end after you have overcome all of the problems you will encounter....it will just be a cobbled up POS that will never work as good as this....

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 17, 2012, 11:40:47 AM
Why turn an apple into an orange     (seriously)

just for fun honestly. it's just a thought though. I know I could do it, and with 15 or so more hp, not much weight difference I think it would really wake up the gs. And get rid of the sometimes troublesome carbs for an ultra reliable fi system. I think it wouldn't be turning an apple into an orange but maybe candy coating  the apple. At any rate right now it's just a thought.

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 17, 2012, 11:40:47 AM
Why turn an apple into an orange     (seriously)

EDIT: And in the end after you have overcome all of the problems you will encounter....it will just be a cobbled up POS that will never work as good as this....

+1
Not to mention you're turning a 20 year old apple into an orange   and I'm by no means a mechanic, but as Stevo said; you'll likely have to overcome alot of problems. and what about brakes, suspension and what not?

Projects are fun tho...if you make it work it would be interesting to see it.

I have fabrication experience, welding is something I enjoy. Ive done straight axle swaps on two different trucks, one was my daily driver, of which I also stuffed a ford 302 in, backed by a 5 speed (ranger p/u) it was reliable because i used as many factory parts as possible. On a bike, you taking out one hamster and replacing it with a slightly more athletic one. Cut out old mounting tabs, measure, mock up new engine, measure again and again and start welding. hardest part would be electronics. And again, using factory kawasaki harness and associated parts where would reliability be compromised? The engine its comparable in size and weight to the gs engine. Brakes and suspension would still benefit from the same upgrades as with the stock engine. Would it be worth it in the end? no. not unless I could get my parts cheap (which I'm pretty good at) but the end results probably would not outweigh the costs. I do think it would be pretty cool, but thinking about it more a may as well take the money I'd spend and save it, sell the gs and slap it down on a used sv650. I understand what you guys mean, was just curious if anyone out there ever thought hey.... That looks like it could be accomplished somewhat easily and keep the gs's parallel twin roots. Ok, done rambling now

The Ninja 650 engine is probably one of the best picks for the project if it was to be done 

Imagine the look you would get racing against Ninja650's if you won.

Quote from: SAFE-T on March 17, 2012, 03:27:44 PM
Imagine the look you would get racing against Ninja650's if you won.

isn't the gs somewhat lighter than the 650?

Quote from: dropitlow88 on March 17, 2012, 04:04:24 PMisn't the gs somewhat lighter than the 650?

It's the other way around, the GS weighs more than the Ninja 650.

Ninja 650R: Dry Weight: 393.0 lbs
GS500F: Dry Weight: 396.8 lbs.

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 17, 2012, 05:06:40 PM

Quote from: dropitlow88 on March 17, 2012, 04:04:24 PMisn't the gs somewhat lighter than the 650?

It's the other way around, the GS weighs more than the Ninja 650.

Ninja 650R: Dry Weight: 393.0 lbs
GS500F: Dry Weight: 396.8 lbs.

meh, negligible difference there. I imagine straight line acceleration would be nearly identical. From the youtube videos I've seen the 650r is no slouch

reminiscent of a guy that put a CBR1100XX motor in a CBR900RR chassis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gOCLzhztXo

More power, less weight, better handling.

Plus, it would be unique as hell..

TJ

maybe start with the gsxr750 front end swap?

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 17, 2012, 11:40:47 AM
Why turn an apple into an orange     (seriously)

EDIT: And in the end after you have overcome all of the problems you will encounter....it will just be a cobbled up POS that will never work as good as this....

Don't you get it, he wants to preserve the GS500 handling!  Buy a 650r and trade all of the suspension for 25 year old technology.  Also, make it look less attractive with a baseball bat.

Quote from: dropitlow88 on March 17, 2012, 11:54:08 AM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 17, 2012, 11:40:47 AM
Why turn an apple into an orange     (seriously)

just for fun honestly. it's just a thought though. I know I could do it, and with 15 or so more hp, not much weight difference I think it would really wake up the gs. And get rid of the sometimes troublesome carbs for an ultra reliable fi system. I think it wouldn't be turning an apple into an orange but maybe candy coating  the apple. At any rate right now it's just a thought.

15 more horsepower, and what about them thar brake thingies ? the ninja650 has better ergos, better wind protection, better brakes, better engine/efi, better tire options, annnnnnnnd

If you have the time and money to give it a shot go for it. I would love a fuel injected GS as it gets rid of my main dislike, CARBS!! Not something I could accomplish but I would enjoy seeing it done.

Quote from: Twism86 on May 31, 2012, 08:18:20 AM
If you have the time and money to give it a shot go for it. I would love a fuel injected GS as it gets rid of my main dislike, CARBS!! Not something I could accomplish but I would enjoy seeing it done.

Carbs aren't that bad.  Sure, the GS500 carbs are bad, but I've ridden other carbureted bikes that require very little choke, warm up quickly, and idle just as well as FI bikes.