GS500 Dual Sport

[Bleached]

First post here - I figured it was time I get my project up here, but wanted to make sure I had something that would work first.  It's been going on and off for a while, but finally making some good progress.

1993 GS500 with the front end from a 2000ish DR650.  All of the detailed info is here:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=738523

Here's how it currently stands:


Still a long way to go.  I was planning on keeping the rear wheel, but am now considering swapping it out for the rear from a DR650.  Lot's of sanding and painting and finishing to go.  The bike itself is great, despite how ugly it looks.  1993 with about 6k miles on it. Spent years sitting outside.  I had it idling with about two hours of work.  It's been dropped probably 5 or 6 times from years of storage lol, but doesn't look like it every went down moving.

This might be of value here - here's a good pic of how I ended up using the SV650 rear shock.  I tried repeatedly to get it to work at full length, but couldn't.



As I turn towards working on the GS instead of the suspension conversion, I'm sure I'll have lots of questions here.

[bombsquad83]

Here's a link to a project that was similar, minus the front end swap.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59785.0

[cbrfxr67]

Nice write up for a first post!  Welcome!  I admit I hate how it sits without a matching rear but I'm thinking you aren't worried about looks!  Hope to see more of what you do with it.

[Bleached]

Thanks. And agreed on the rear wheel. Looks worse than I thought it would with that big front end. Care more about dirt functionality than looks but may go through the hassle of getting the DR back wheel on. I think once the back wheel has a higher profile dual sport tire on there and it's painted silver it will look better.

[mikeybikey82]

kick ass, this is eventually where id like to take my bike.  i love that more people seem to be doing this to the gs, it does look cool with a dr front end!  nice job, man.
mikey

[Bleached]

Here is how it currently sits - just a quick update, getting stripped and ready for paint.  This is my first real in depth build, so moving a bit slow I suppose.



Collected some great info on a DR650 rear wheel swap, and it didn't seem too bad (needs machining on the wheel, cush drive and some spacers fabricated), but have decided to start with the GS500 rear.  It will make completing the project much easier.  Also had to remind myself that I'm building this second bike to get into ADV riding without dropping too much money.  Found this picture online and was convinced that once the rear is painted silver with a DS tire, the looks will improve damatically.

[Bleached]

Forgot to add a question:  can I run a tire with tube on the rear? I know the stock rims are cast as tubeless tires, but I dont think it will be a problem?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/11/53/802/15034/ITEM/Shinko-244-Dual-Sport-Front---Rear-Tire.aspx

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Hey Bleached what's up!
Been following your thread for a while over on ADV.
I wondered if you had posted up over here.

[mabrio]

Good plan and interesting mate, bike looking good. Just wondering how was the handling like?

[Bleached]

Still have ridden it with new suspension yet. Going on the reviews by rattonshaw and Chris S over advrider who have built very similar bikes. their reports were very positive.

[peteGS]

Hey mate, just joined and found this thread... I like it! Any more progress?

Is the DR front end a straight bolt on or is there other work to do?

[Manaenrc]

Nice, I will be watching this thread closely as I am still thinking about a different front end for my adventure bike project.

I have to agree I don't like the current stance on your bike, but I know it's a work in progress. I think it's just the 21" front with the small rear.

Interestingly, I have the same rear setup as you, however I was able to get the rear shock to work at full length by modding the arm just a bit. It ended up being too high for the stock front shocks so I drilled the second hole.  I can tell you that the shock actually works pretty well on rough fire roads and trails.

Keep up the good work, oh and here is a link to my build thread maybe we can help each other.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59785.0

Update: well that was redundant, the link was already posted above.... You guys are too fast for me LOL.

[Snake2715]

I think you need to come up with a name!

Cool thread for sure, keep us updated.

My other bike is currently (the old reliable) 2002 Xr400R so this is cool to see being done on a GS.