Hello guys couple months back I got from eBay something what suppose to have been sold for parts - perfect future project. I am in early stage of refreshing it but stranded by lack of money I am doing what I can at the moment - stripping it slowly and preparing for future paint. I intended to make it whole in satin black and rebuild subframe because I noticed is bend (gives me excuse to do something I wanted anyway;-)). I am hoping to raise it slightly - I am 6'2 - and make custom dual seat. Not planning to put plastics to cover it therfore still thinking on cheap and good looking solution (I roughly know what I want). At the moment started stripping tank for painting and found tones of filler covering huge dents on both sides - it made me rethink painting tank - now I think of leaving it originally colourless with dents - giving it only clear satin coat - it will make it look very rustic (I like rats btw) maybe long black strip along top of the tank. I am curious of your opinions guys. Any input is welcome. Progress in the topic will be slow but I am hoping I will be able to ride her in less than half year (praise the Lord:-))

Here is "the lady" :


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Bare tank

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clear coat it and call it a day.

That's what I was thinking:-D

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There are dents someone smoothed nicely with loads of filler but I am going to leave like that - dented

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I dont think it will take you half a year..I personally like cleared steel..would do it my self but I would say do it up

I like minimalism - and black. Rest definitely going to be satin black. Might look odd but it make it neat rat. Have problem with subframe as I don't weld (probably would learn quickly but haven't got hardware lol). Therfore I will have to ask "third parties" to do welding something I am going to fabricate myself - but it is not going to happen this month - my budget is empty. That's why I don't suspect I will finish anytime soon. I need to buy new sprocket sets and chain. List is quite long.

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Tank looks nice like that


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Thanks guys - leaving it "natural" grown on me for last couple days and I don't think I will be painting it black

Nice just clear coat it really really good


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Did you end up clear coating?

Quote from: MARider on July 14, 2014, 02:52:15 PM
Did you end up clear coating?

Been stuck for now due to lack of money and time (shitty weather during the weekends is not helping neither). Have to get myself some cheap tarpaulin gazebo to erect in the garden (no garage) so I could start works even on rainy days. But answering your question MARider - no I haven't. Although I am definitely leaving tank with its natural look - with clear coat (hopefully soon) and dents

At the moment I am with dilemma - found tube bender (hydraulic with 12 tone press) for £70 and thinking to buy it - but scarred of my old lady a little lol. I want to fabricate new subframe and not in 100 percent decided on shape i have designed so far (made in cardboard lol). So this bender would give me opportunity on experimenting until I would achieve desired shape

I'm also going to be fabricating a new rear subframe, I'll be using the same seat (for now) and basically making the frame hidden in/up under the seat.

Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.

Quote from: captain-longstride on July 15, 2014, 11:27:20 AM
I'm also going to be fabricating a new rear subframe, I'll be using the same seat (for now) and basically making the frame hidden in/up under the seat.

Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.

Me too lol
Would anyone tell me what is max width and length of original gs500 seat and length of pillion part please - I don't want to get to fare of original proportions lol

I will get you the specs tomorrow if some one esle doesnt. I cant get my bike down to the carbs in about 15mins.

Thanks MARrider. I will be grateful.

"Three steps backwards one forward" - managed to decided on shape and angle of the seat - here is mock up of result.  Shape of the future seat rough as on the one on the photos but filled with real foam (not raggs and plywood lol). Tank has two coats of clear lacquer. Hopefully things will go quicker now thanks to my "portable" workshop - garden gazebo and tarpaulin lol

Another mokup of the seat. Made it more "girlfriend" friendly but not sure I like it - kinda bulky this pillion seat. Any suggestions?

And mockup of future subframe replacement (black - covered by Gorilla Tape elements)