I want to clean up a gs550 looking for ideas. just like this So far i have just got her running again. Balanced the carbs and jetted the carbs installed mac 4 into 2, K+N filter, progressive suspension. I removed the body work for new paint. Whats next. I love the way it rides but it is just kinda ugly. I can not find any spoke wheels options. No one makes a decent seat for it. I will post my own pics when i get the camera out.
need ideas project start
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Evan,
I had an '82 GS550M (the Katana) and loved the motor and handling, but like you had a difficult time liking the look of the "L" model. However, if you put some lower bars, taller shocks, and have a flatter/sportier seat made for it you will be surprised how much nicer it looks. You can sport up the wheels by having them painted all black (with no polished highlights). It minimizes that '80's look and allows you to keep using tubeless tires (plus, it's cheap). Seek out a local automotive upholstery outfit. Show them a picture of a seat that you like and give them the existing pan. You'll be surprised what they can do...
I had an '82 GS550M (the Katana) and loved the motor and handling, but like you had a difficult time liking the look of the "L" model. However, if you put some lower bars, taller shocks, and have a flatter/sportier seat made for it you will be surprised how much nicer it looks. You can sport up the wheels by having them painted all black (with no polished highlights). It minimizes that '80's look and allows you to keep using tubeless tires (plus, it's cheap). Seek out a local automotive upholstery outfit. Show them a picture of a seat that you like and give them the existing pan. You'll be surprised what they can do...
That seat will make a neat cafe seat.Take the cover off,"borrow" your mother in laws electric carving knife and trim down the passenger section to a tapered tail section.Then get one of those cheesegrater looking things for removing rough skin from your heels and smooth out the foam some more before recovering.Fabric store vinyl or an old pair of Carhartt pants will make a seat cover. Good heavy duty spray glue will hold it on just fine,no staples or rivets needed.
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1,282 Posts
ditch the bars, drop the front end and add clip-ons. Ditch the hiway bars and go with rear sets.
cut the front fender down and send it off to paint
s***** the rear in its entirety get modern lights (front to match)
Rodburner's idea is good but I think that you should just amputate the rear of the seat. Build a rear for it out of fiberglass. Make a hatch for it out of piano hinges (ala Corbin).
Throw away anything that does not make it go.
cut the front fender down and send it off to paint
s***** the rear in its entirety get modern lights (front to match)
Rodburner's idea is good but I think that you should just amputate the rear of the seat. Build a rear for it out of fiberglass. Make a hatch for it out of piano hinges (ala Corbin).
Throw away anything that does not make it go.
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11,951 Posts
chop it, drop it, cafe that beotch!
All good advice here, strip everthing not necessary, cafe the seat, get some good loud pipes (or straight pipes) and run it!
All good advice here, strip everthing not necessary, cafe the seat, get some good loud pipes (or straight pipes) and run it!
Love the photoshop. I want a corbin gunfighter look, seat. That photoshop sealed the deal on having the wheels sent to powdercoater. D9 your the man for doing that. Looking at also sending out the front fork brace for a black wrinkle finish. I think raask makes or had made rear sets for this set-up
[ This message was edited by: evand on 2007-01-07 00:32 ]
[ This message was edited by: evand on 2007-01-07 00:32 ]
I'm with Sweatmachine and Rodburner.....
If it don't make it go....lose it
If it don't make it go fast....improve it
If it can be modified...modify it
If it's absolutely required, by LAW....minimalize it.
THEN.....ride it like you stole it.....but carefully.
If it don't make it go....lose it
If it don't make it go fast....improve it
If it can be modified...modify it
If it's absolutely required, by LAW....minimalize it.
THEN.....ride it like you stole it.....but carefully.
I ordered up a few things today. V-max mirrors, short stalk signals like n-bonnie sells. Should be in by friday. Looking into pod filters dumping the airbox, removing excess waste. I am dumping the centerstand, maybe chopping off the frame where the passenger pegs go.
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