Asthetic treaking a GS550?

[OzJavelin]

[should have been "tweaking" .. but can't change it now!!]

I'm trying to work out how to make my '79 GS550 have more of the "stance" of my '78 GS750. The 750 seems to have fuel tail, seat and tank all in a straight line with a slight rake down at the front .. very cool. The GS550 seems to have the tail and seat in a line and the tank heading upwards and the front too high. I've pulled the fork tubes thru as far as I can but they can't come thru anymore without hitting the handlebars.
The two things I've thought of are:
1. Clipons .. to allow the forks to be pulled up more giving more of a rake.
2. Modify the front tank mount (probably just the rubber insulators) to try and drop the front of the tank down to have it level with the tail/seat?

.. or am I just trying to make a silk purse out of a cows ear?

[FiremanBob]

How about something like a Honda racing tank that has a more level top and a longer line?

Clipons would be cool, but where can we buy a set and how expensive are they?. I went with Bikemaster European bars from Bikebandit for under $25. They are narrower, lower and less pullback than stock, and I find them both comfortable and good-looking.

[ChicagoBob]

You could lower the front of the tank by modifying the rubber biscuits to sit lower on their mounts, or raise the rear of the tank an inch or so by making a spacer for the mount.

I've used clip-ons on my 550, with the forks slid up 2" or so. You can also mount the clip-ons above the top clamp, which also requires raising the fork legs. Works well, but leaves you with issues as to what to do with the old bar clamps.

[FiremanBob]

The old bar clamps, with a short piece of handlebar tube attached, would make a great GPS/phone mount.

[keman]

What about slightly longer rear shocks too ?

[OzJavelin]

The old bar clamps, with a short piece of handlebar tube attached, would make a great GPS/phone mount.

I've seen them with just a flat piece of metal put across the bottom half of them .. looked OK

[Flyboy]

Redesigning the paint job with some clever lines in the right places at the right angles will also give the visual impression you are looking for.

[ChicagoBob]

Here's how I did mine

Here's how I did my 550 when I ran clip-ons. I used a piece of a Radio Shack project box to make a "dashboard" to hold warning lights and the gear indicator.

[mvalenti]

How about something like a Honda racing tank that has a more level top and a longer line?

Clipons would be cool, but where can we buy a set and how expensive are they?. I went with Bikemaster European bars from Bikebandit for under $25. They are narrower, lower and less pullback than stock, and I find them both comfortable and good-looking.

Check ebay for used clip ons and clean em up. My gs850 took 35mm, not sure what your bike takes. I think it cost me 30 bucks shipped. I was almost going to go with a set of clubmans, and keep the oem mtg hardware if I didnt find a set of clipons. The clubmans may get in the way of your fork tubes if they protrude past the triple tree. Good luck!

[kawfeedave]

You have to watch how far you raise the forks in the clamps. Sooner or later the front wheel/fender will get close to the header or frame at full suspension compression.

Clip-ons will help by reducing the 'bulk' in the front end, and making look more 'racy'. Add a set of shocks that are 1/2" or 1" longer, or make up some brackets that move the mounting point down a notch, to jack up the rear of the bike a little.

I'd avoid screwing with the tail or tank mounts. Unless you adjust everything and cut down the seat, the 'line' of the bike will be all crooked. As it sits now, the 'line' is good, it's just the angle you want to tweak.