Hey guys, I'm new here
I'll be buying my first GS500 soon, as an upgrade from my former CBF250. I want to make it a scrambler, just like the Ducati's namesake or the Yamaha XSR700/900. I've come up with a list of what I'll need, and I have some basic know-how for most of it.

The bike will go through the following modifications:

1.New tires, 80/20, I'm thinking Shinko 705's, if anyone can recommend better, bigger ones that'll fit the stock forks and look MEAN...I'd appreciate it.
2.A new seat, which has to have a 2 person capacity. I'm thinking this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cafe-Racer-Hump-Seat-for-SUZUKI-HONDA-YAMAHA-SR-GS-CG-GN-Universal-W-Grips-UT1-/122001619407
Will it fit 2 people?
3.Frame paintjob (black), tank paintjob, possible engine paintjob if I'm up for it.
4.New turn signals (round bullet ones)
5.Bash plate (I'd love to get a recommendation for one that ships worldwide)
6.New, round mirrors
7.New suspension (front and rear). Are dual-shocks in the rear going to make any difference if I'm going to take the bike offroad sometimes? (gravel mostly, some grass plains, etc) or should I stick with a monoshock?
8.Some luggage support (saddlebags that'll probably go under the seat and will be removable when needed, I'll only use them on weekends).
9.Possible new muffler. I'll see how the stock one sounds, I don't want a bike that's TOO loud (I sometimes ride to work very early in the morning and don't want to piss off neighbors with the choke).

That's about it. perhaps I'll remove the airbox to make it "neater", who knows. I'm going matte-black a-la-Iron 883 with the tank. The bike's going to be my only form of transportation (we ride year-round out here), so between inner-city commuting and long weekend rides I'll need something comfortable, will a seat like the one I've posted do the job? I don't want a plank-thick one. Same with the tires - mostly street with the ability to handle gravel on weekends in-between backroads.

Plus, the budget's a bit tight, and given the fact that it's my only vehicle I'll probably buy all the parts and then pick a day off to start the project and finish as much as I can so it'll be ready-to-ride when I'll need it for work.

Thanks in advance for all the advice guys I hope you'll bear with me 

Hate to rain down on your parade, but if your trying to buy a bash plate instead of building one yourself your probably in way over your head.
Lots of what you want is going to require custom built 1-off stuff.
For example: any seat will fit on any motorcycle, if you have the skills to mount it (fabricating all your own mounts). Of course, no seat is going to match the tank just right, so the best option is to custom fabricate the seat as well...sorry 

You have about a billion things to figure out, take it one step at a time with planning your project.

If you are rising the front suspension your choice of tire sizes are going to be dictated by which susp you pick.  Pretty much any suspension will fit but they will pretty much all require some machining/welding.

Going to two shocks in the rear is going to be a 100% custom job.  It would make your bike unique but I think one shock can do anything two can do.  my intuition tells me the two shocks are going to combine to give you one effective  dampening and rebound.

You can do some searching on this forum and find some nice scramblers and adventure bikes.  If your budget is tight and this is your daily driver my suggestion to you is to make this GS500 run as well and smoothly as possible without going deep into aftermarket parts and save up some $$ for the future to do a custom bike right and/or get a bike that is more conducive to conversion to the style you are seeking.

Thanks for the replies.
I do have SOME D.I.Y experience regarding motorcycle, I'm just looking to opt-out to the least time-consuming options (such as buying a bash-plate instead of making one). I've been studying A LOT about the modifications I've been wanting to make, and I have a relative style I'd like to go with.

I know things like the aftermarket seat won't fit right-away, It's an OPTION. I've seen some good modifications done with the original seat, with I assume is comfortable enough for longer rides. I'm really going for an XSR-ish retro-yet-modern look, so we'll see about that.

I will, of course, do things that are in my comfort zone, such as the painting, fork covers, mirrors, signals/lights, etc, and then I'll gradually go up towards the "heavier" modifications. Plus, I'll be starting university soon so I know I'll keep that bike around for AT LEAST 3 years for my B.A (as it is cheap to run and maintain, and parts are plenty, even here, and that's what a student needs - cheap & reliable).

Going to see a bike on Friday, wish me luck!

Also - what's with the constant verification? every time I post a comment I need to fill a small "survey" about the GS500... what gives?

Tundra, welcome to the site!

If you haven't already seen this, be sure to check out this recent build thread. Very nice work and has some of the things you were talking about:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=69594.0

The verification is only for your first 5 posts. They keep out spam bots and other crap so the forum stays nice. Post 2 more times and you won't have to deal with it anymore.

Good luck with your project! 

The verification is a hazing ritual for new members

Quote from: ShowBizWolf on June 08, 2016, 12:20:50 PM
Tundra, welcome to the site!

If you haven't already seen this, be sure to check out this recent build thread. Very nice work and has some of the things you were talking about:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=69594.0

The verification is only for your first 5 posts. They keep out spam bots and other crap so the forum stays nice. Post 2 more times and you won't have to deal with it anymore.

Good luck with your project! 

Thanks!
I checked out the project, got caught up with it and passed some time at work. Bike porn at it's finest, almost EXACTLY what I have in mind for my own project (minus the front mudguard, light and color scheme). I think I'll PM the builder when I'll need help, maybe get some schematics. Thank your for sharing that post.

Going to check out a bike tomorrow, I hope the owner isn't lying because it's barely used and those are RARE here (and by "barely used" I mean little less then 50K Km, which by our standards is NOTHING). If everything works out - I've got myself a new bike

WOOT I hope you do end up with some new wheels! 

Went to check out a bike. Talked to the seller a couple of days ago and again at around noon. Drove an hour to his city only to find out it was sold just a couple of hours ago...care to call at least?
Nevertheless, I hope I'll find one soon. Most GS's here are pretty worn-out and have a sketchy past so I'm on the lookout for one in good condition that hopefully has some service data.

Just a note if you finally get one. Pirelli MT60's ( and MT60r's) are a tyre that might fit the bill. Good tyre actually for intended purpose.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Pirelli+mt60&biw=1920&bih=969&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2loWg6aXNAhUC4KYKHUhoAOIQsAQIIQ

Guys, say hello to Scarlett! she has 67K KM on her, only previous owners (both were middle-aged men who only rode it to work around town, not even on weekend rides  ). Has a large record of all the work that's been done on the bike (services, oils, everything since it left the dealer). REALLY love this bike, looks brand-spankin-new, didn't even notice I was doing almost 140 KPH.

And now, let the work begin!

And now let the work begin indeed..... whatcha thinkin? or whats the endgame? shes likes the camera for sure .
Aaron

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on June 19, 2016, 03:37:07 PM
And now let the work begin indeed..... whatcha thinkin? or whats the endgame? shes likes the camera for sure .
Aaron

Took her to a place called The Bike Spa for a powerwash, she looks amazing.
I have a lot planned for this little lady, from front suspension, new wheels, fork covers, frame and tank paintjob, exhaust wrap, nee mirrors (maybe bar-end ones), getting rid of the windscreen and topbox (for storage capacity I'll have 2 removable saddlebags), possible bashplate, engine guard, new rear (mudguard, lights, plate), new turn signals (round "bullet" ones), off with the rear plastics and maybe a new seat (this one's really comfy so who knows). Maybe a new slip-on, I like her quiet but I'll ask around. That's about it for now.

Nice!!!!  Can't wait for more pics and updates