Ideas for making a GL good looking

[tracy borchert]

I don't think most people's top concern about their bike is it's resale value, especially those who take the extra time to personalize it to their own taste.

Keeping your bike bone stock because you love it that way is one thing..

...but if you're doing so simply due to the fact that you're concerned about it's resale value, then your concerns obviously lie more heavily on you getting rid of it someday...and you really don't seem to be too attached to it in the first place.

Kinda reminds me of buying comics as a kid...there'd be the kids who would buy their favorite comic and read it everyday, drag it with them everywhere they went, you know..actually enjoyed it....then there were the kids who'd bring them home from the store, wrap them in a plastic cover, seal them up, and store them in a safe place away from direct sunlight... because someday they could resell it.

I agree chicagogsx thanks for simplifing the facts.

 

[Mike_H]

Man, I need to get some pics of my bike up. I have a 650Gl, that now has a 650G front end (dual discs ) The regular model forks are about an 1.25" shorter than the "L". Bonus! I have a 2 inch rise/4" pullback suberbike bar, VTX 1800 blinkers (bullet style) Drag specialties "O-ring" grips and some NessTech mirrors (all on order). I have carved away the sharp rises in the seat, and given it a more modern, blended look. The chrome fenders will be painted body color (still up in the air), but probably not this year...ran out of money and winter :| All in all, It should look similar to tracy's "Nice Rice" 750. I gotta give him credit, his bike was the inspiration for mine...

 

[tracy borchert]

Man, I need to get some pics of my bike up. I have a 650Gl, that now has a 650G front end (dual discs ) The regular model forks are about an 1.25" shorter than the "L". Bonus! I have a 2 inch rise/4" pullback suberbike bar, VTX 1800 blinkers (bullet style) Drag specialties "O-ring" grips and some NessTech mirrors (all on order). I have carved away the sharp rises in the seat, and given it a more modern, blended look. The chrome fenders will be painted body color (still up in the air), but probably not this year...ran out of money and winter :| All in all, It should look similar to tracy's "Nice Rice" 750. I gotta give him credit, his bike was the inspiration for mine...

Thanks Mike H I would like to see it myself.

 

[chicagogsx]

tracy, is that an aftermarket seat? or custom made seat?

 

[tracy borchert]

seat

seat

tracy, is that an aftermarket seat? or custom made seat?

No chicagogsx, It's the original seat, I just had it recovered. The guy did a great job on it.

 

[Cajun Cycler]

The L is a crappy looking bike... Better send it to me for dismantling. Go get yourself a pretty little standard model....



I'd send it over to OCC and see how much Paul jr could f*ck it up!

 

[Rake78GS]

Where can I get a set of those lowering blocks? The shocks just look too cool at the different angle!

 

[Synthead]

Don't worry about your "mods" Speedy, If thats what you like then go for it, Nice paint on your tank. It will take alot to keep up on the black on the motor though. I've done some "mods" on my bike over the years, but then again I've owned mine for twenty years. I've had to because I couldn't see myself getting rid of it.\\/

Holy crap, that is one nice looking GS!!

 

[graham harron]

my rear fender and taillight change

my rear fender and taillight change

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/greentaco0_1/DSCN0169.jpg

 

[fat_sac]

Holy crap, that is one nice looking GS!!

I concur with this person. I hope you don't mind I'm painting one of my GS's that color b/c I like it so much. :-D

 

[tracy borchert]

I concur with this person. I hope you don't mind I'm painting one of my GS's that color b/c I like it so much. :-D

Thanks guys, Fat sac you wouldn't be disappointed with the turn out of that color either. The candy really makes the tangerine change with the different types of light that shines on it.:-D

 

[highmileage]

Guys, you misunderstood my comments on modifications to your bikes.

Of course these bikes are your bikes and you are welcome to do with them as you please, and yes, the bike directly above this post is gorgeous and is definitely a bike that I would be proud to own and ride.

What I was talking about (if you read carefully what I wrote a few pages back) was making serious, irreversible modifications such as cutting your frame. Again, these are your bikes and I have absolutely no problem with anything you want to do to them, why would I ever care what someone else does to any of their possessions?

I was only trying to pass along a little advise.

For the guy who commented about the comic books, yes, and some guys who bought baseball cards in the 1930's and '40's had a lot of fun with them by putting them in the spokes of their bicycles while other guys treated them like cherished possessions and put them away in pristine condition and only took them out occasionally to carefully look at them.

Guess which guys were happy with their decision years later?

At the recent Daytona vintage bike auctions, I followed the Norton Commandos that were sold (I check them out because I used to have several).

The ones that are essentially stock all sold in the $6k - $7 range (except for the one that was not in great shape, it went for only $4100). The one that had been seriously modified (professionally and tastefully done) sold in the $2k range.

Just something to keep in mind...

 

[fat_sac]

Thanks guys, Fat sac you wouldn't be disappointed with the turn out of that color either. The candy really makes the tangerine change with the different types of light that shines on it.:-D

What colors and layers are actually there? I was just thinking about going with the standard Chevy burnt orange. I had no idea that paint was like that until you took a pic of it in the sun. WOW :shock: It's sure pretty. I'd like to know before I place my House of Kolor order, hehe. \\/

Highmileage - I'm doing some serious mods [irreversable] to one of my GS's, but this bike would never even see a scrap yard if I hadn't pulled it out of the weeds. I'm not changing my 1100GK at all. Except for paint and bars. I like that one just the way she sits. O yeah, I'm putting forward controls on it, but keeping the stock pegs in my closet for the future if needed.

 

[ron bayless]

to fat sac

to fat sac

I am letting you know, my friend and i are working on getting the brake side of the forward controls done this week, will have pictures soon.I would like to see what you are doing too.Ron

 

[odl777]

Guys, you misunderstood my comments on modifications to your bikes.

Of course these bikes are your bikes and you are welcome to do with them as you please, and yes, the bike directly above this post is gorgeous and is definitely a bike that I would be proud to own and ride.

What I was talking about (if you read carefully what I wrote a few pages back) was making serious, irreversible modifications such as cutting your frame. Again, these are your bikes and I have absolutely no problem with anything you want to do to them, why would I ever care what someone else does to any of their possessions?

I was only trying to pass along a little advise.

For the guy who commented about the comic books, yes, and some guys who bought baseball cards in the 1930's and '40's had a lot of fun with them by putting them in the spokes of their bicycles while other guys treated them like cherished possessions and put them away in pristine condition and only took them out occasionally to carefully look at them.

Guess which guys were happy with their decision years later?

At the recent Daytona vintage bike auctions, I followed the Norton Commandos that were sold (I check them out because I used to have several).

The ones that are essentially stock all sold in the $6k - $7 range (except for the one that was not in great shape, it went for only $4100). The one that had been seriously modified (professionally and tastefully done) sold in the $2k range.

Just something to keep in mind...

I think if your in it for the money thats kind of lame, i hate it when my brother and others tell me that i am stuoid for chopping my BSA. I really don't ever plan on selling the thing especially old suzy. Nice bike tracy did a great job that color is awsome.

 

[tracy borchert]

exactly

exactly

I think if your in it for the money thats kind of lame, i hate it when my brother and others tell me that i am stuoid for chopping my BSA. I really don't ever plan on selling the thing especially old suzy. Nice bike tracy did a great job that color is awsome.

Thanks odl777, I agree completely with you,Thats why I have done all I have to mine.I don't plan on selling mine for a profit,I mean I've owned it for twenty-one years and I have done quite alot to it over the years.If I were to get rid of it ,it would be that I've given it to my son someday and that would be it.:-D

 

[highmileage]

I think if your in it for the money thats kind of lame

Lame huh? No, I have had a LOT of bikes. Go put your baseball cards in the spokes, I don't care.

Intelligent folks want to at least be aware of the truth, and many of us like to protect our investments.

These bikes are already about 25 years old. Hw many nice ones will be around in another twenty-five years? Do what you like, I don't care. But to call being smart 'lame', well, I think I agree with your brother...

Oh, and BTW, the more guys who butcher them, the more rare the nice original ones are.

Yeah, many guys plan to keep their bikes forever. Some even turn them into coffee tables (this actually happened to a TZ700 that I tried to buy many years ago). To me, THAT'S lame...

 

[UncleMike]

I think the only lame thing is a bike that doesn't get enjoyed,...and arguing over the best way to enjoy them.

 

[RotaryRodder]

but those kids that never played at or looked at their comic books or baseball cards never had any fun. There are MANY more important things in life than money. Actually im gonna say that money is right near the bottom of my importance list.

 

[ron bayless]

to rotary rodder

to rotary rodder

I agree with you rotary rodder.