Slack's Sport Touring Build

[Slack]

BRP has too slow of a speed limit and is too patrolled.  Back in the 90's, before park rangers were aloud to sit on the side of the road and run radar, the BRP was fun, but too many bikers messed up too many times and got peoples attention.  Federal tickets are a lot more lenient then state tickets though.  About a decade ago I got a 60mph in a 35 and it was only a $70 ticket with no court date, just had to mail it in by some date.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

Seeing this for the first time. I like the work you've done on the GS.

I've similarly modded mine, ST wind screen, 1" up and back risers, GPS, saddle bags(when needed) and large tank bag, 120/160 tires on stock front/kat rear rims. You may also want to try either the $20 ATV seat cover from walmart(great or the money) and also look into Greatdaytoride.com, he modifies your stock seat foam.

[ben2go]

BRP has too slow of a speed limit and is too patrolled.  Back in the 90's, before park rangers were aloud to sit on the side of the road and run radar, the BRP was fun, but too many bikers messed up too many times and got peoples attention.  Federal tickets are a lot more lenient then state tickets though.  About a decade ago I got a 60mph in a 35 and it was only a $70 ticket with no court date, just had to mail it in by some date.

In 20 years,I've only seen a ranger once.

[Slack]

In 20 years,I've only seen a ranger once.

I've been pulled over on my bicycle for speeding while on the parkway.
In 15 years I've run across rangers probably 500 times.
The rangers hang out in the good areas where there is more parkway traffic.  I saw them almost every time out when I lived in Boone, NC.



Forgot to mention that I threw on some lowered foot pegs from Knight Designs a few thousand miles ago.  I'm short, but I like the reduced knee angle for long stints in the saddle.




I just added an R6 throttle tube and Long Boy fuel screws last night.  The R6 tube is 1/6 turn, with a cam 36.7mm in diameter.






I also thought I'd mention that my carbs are jetted at 20/65/142.5 with the screws currently 3 turns out, but I haven't messed with adjusting those yet.

[ben2go]

I'm diggin your filters set up.I am planning to run Kientech extended fuel screws.They're $30 per pair.How much are those Long Boys?

[Higgins13]

looking good, big improvement. painting front fender should make a big difference.

[Slack]

I hadn't herd about greatdaytoride.com before, thanks Nathan.  That's way cheaper then the French or German competition.
The long boys were $45 shipped http://www.factorypro.com/Prod_Pages/prods11.html
I wish those breather filters had been cheaper ($10 each), but I really like the way they look with the tank off, and I had to do something after installing the K&N Lunchbox.
Higgins I know I had said I was going to respray the fender, but I actually have grown to like it.  There are several different blacks all over my bike and I like how they work with each other, versus everything being the exact same shade of black.

I need to pick up some bracket making supplies from my old house, but other then that I think I have everything I need for the next project:

[BockinBboy]

Plug it in, Plug it in!

Sorry, that was lame, I know... just wanted to sub! Great Bike!

- Bboy

[Slack]

I wore out the rear tire after about 8,000 miles. The Michelin Pilot Road III 150 was just too wide.  I had to keep the back wheel tilted just off true alignment to keep the chain from rubbing the sidewall.  This caused funky handling and wore out the left side of the tire before the right.  When it was done it looked like I had done 100 laps on a Nascar oval.  I replaced it with a Pirelli Corssa II 140 a few hundred miles ago.  It feels a bit funny with a 140 on the back and a 120 on the front, but it will work until the front wears out and I can drop back down to a 110.  I couldn't get all the way to the edge of the 120 anyway.

I've also switched back from the lowered foot pegs to the stock foot pegs.  I'm doing a lot less (i.e. almost non) interstate riding, and I like the sportier ergonomics for back roads.  The nearly 2" drop was a little extreme for my 30" inseam anyways.  For the same initial reason I've also switched back to a 16 tooth front sprocket.  Speaking of which, I just ordered new sprockets and a chain; I've already removed a link out of my chain to stretch its life.

The main reason for this post is I finally got started on my electrical project.  I'm planning on adding a 12v DC power outlet and a 115v AC power outlet with on-board power inverter.  I'm going to set each one up on a switch so that they won't have constant power running to them (like while riding in the rain) and they will only be active when the ignition is turned on, so that they won't drain the battery even if I forget to turn the switch off.  I'm also going to rewire the heated hand grips so that they will only be on with the ignition key (I've had to push start my bike more than once because of them).  I'm also going to add some mirrors with turn signals built in so that I can throw some fog lights on where the stock turn signals sit.

So far I've mounted the switches, DC outlet, and AC outlet.  The AC outlet has an waterproof cover that accordions out when you plug something in.  I've also made brackets for and mounted a fuse block and relay block.  I still need to figure out where and how I'm going to mount the power inverter, remount the brain box for the heated grips and re-rout the wiring for the heated grips, then wire everything else up.

Everything is marine grade, so hopefully it will last on the bike.

Pics of Progress:

WARNING TO ADIDAS GUY:  Pictures contain graphic mutilation of fairings.  Not for the faint of heart.  Viewer discretion is advised.   

[codajastal]

Man thats a lot of junk in your trunk
Looks feckin awesome

[Slack]

Thanks 

It's going to add a few pounds all in all.  I guess I'll have to start taking massive dumps before each ride to compensate     huuuwuugha   

[Slack]

I've realized I never posted any pics or gave any mention of my Renntec rear rack.  My wife got it for me for x-mas used from a member on here, can't remember who now.  I like being able to strap my tool bag right onto the back when going to work instead of trying to divide my tools between the tail and saddle bags.  And my wife likes using a tail bag instead of saddle bags when she's riding with me so she doesn't have to sit on the cross straps.





I also got a bit more done on the electrical project.  I didn't have quite enough room to mount the power inverter between the battery and air filter as I was hoping too.  So I decided to mount it to the back side of the fairing, right under the AC outlet.  This will reduce wire and save weight compared to putting it under the tail plastics.  I am actually thinking about weight Coda, that's why the fuse box and relay bank are in the center of the bike, not back in the tail.  Although, honestly, I don't think I'm a good enough rider to tell the difference between that small an amount of weight shifted that short a distance.  Anyway, I found a bracket of some sort in my scrap metal pile that looked like it would work, epoxied it to the back of the fairing and then epoxied part of the shell of the power inverter to the bracket.  I can still disassemble the inverter and remove the working bits, those aren't permanently attached, just the back half of the outer case.























I also remounted the brain box for the heated grips from the tail to under the gas tank on the inner side of the frame.  The main reason for moving this was to make it so that I can remove the fairings without having to remove the gas tank.  The way I had wires run before I had to fish one out from the tail to the fairing to remove the left fairing.  Now the wire disconnect will be right at the fairing, instead of in the tail.

[adidasguy]

Clever on the electricals! You can plug in a microwave and a coffee maker!

I recognize the bags: Just saw a set for sale on the EX-500 forum in case someone wants a set like that.
http://www.ex-500.com/index.php/topic,44954.0.html

[Slack]

Thanks.  The intended use is to charge my cell phone and GPS on long motorcycle camping trips.  But I definitely plan on getting a video of me using my bike to power a drill or something once it's all done.

[Slack]

Been doing lots of soldering.  The wiring harness is almost done.  I just need to pick up a few more ring terminals and 2 diodes tomorrow and button it up.  I've designed it so that it is completely removable, although the way I've routed it I don't think it will ever be in the way of anything.  Still, if I decide to strip the bike to the frame and repaint it one day I won't have to hack into the harness.
Also I still need to mount the new mirrors and run wires for the turn signals and I haven't purchased the aux lights yet.  I'm leaning towards Piaa LP530's but haven't made up my mind.
Got a fresh set of sprockets and a chain this weekend.  Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow to finish the wiring, install the chain and sprockets, change the oil, and if I'm lucky check the valves.

[Bluesmudge]

What? DC power to an inverter to a cell phone charger that converts it back to DC? Why not skip it all and hook up a USB or Cigarrette style connector? Cheap inverters are bad on batteries. Running AC appliances will be cool. Maybe a toaster.

Btw, renntec rack was from me. Originally from adidasguy. All GS500 parts start or end with adidasguy. Glad to see its getting used.

[Slack]

Thanks for the rack Blue, it is being well used!

I just changed the oil and filter.  I'm about to check the valves.  I need to pick up some allen bolts to mount the new mirrors.  I still need to run wires for the signals in the mirrors.  And I need to swap out the chain and sprockets.  But the auxiliary wiring harness is done!   

It took a few days in the garage, but it is by far the cleanest wiring job I've ever done.  Wiring is already run to quick disconnects for the aux. lighting, I'll leave the stock turn signals on until I get the lights mounted.

[Slack]

Got the chain and sprockets on.  I'm trying out a 15 tooth front since I'm almost never on the interstate anymore.  I'm liking it so far but I'm holding off judgement until I can go for a ride that includes a long 75mph interstate stint to see if it's too buzzy now.

[ben2go]

I liked my 15 tooth until I did a 45 minute ride on the interstate.Speed limit was 70 and bike was way to buzzy in the bars.I have Kat front end and clip ons so that made it worse, I'm sure.

[Slack]

Figured I'd give an update.
Back in early spring 2013 I injured my throttle wrist at work.  The bike sat parked as I was unable to ride for nearly a year.  I didn't really feel like coming on here, it just rubbed salt in the wound.  About the time my wrist was finally feeling better and I was thinking about getting the bike ready to ride I blew out my knee (late spring 2014).  Finally, around thanksgiving last year, I felt healthy enough to ride again.  Got the GS running again and also purchased a KLR to play in the dirt with.
So, now I'm back around.  Looks like things have slowed down a lot, but they do every winter.  Can't believe Patrick is gone. . . don't know how to say what I feel on that one, I'm not going to try
I'll get some pics up of the KLR soon enough.  It did come with a Givi top box that I transferred over to the Renntec rack on the GS