Ideas for making a GL good looking

[Guest]

Just enjoy yourself

Just enjoy yourself

If you want to restore and collect motorcycles then that is what you should do. If you are into customs of just a few mods go for it. I bought a very clean 80 GS850G in November of last year and just started to make some changes to it. I bought the bike to ride because I always wanted an 850G. The changes I have in mind are to make the bike more fun and to fit my style of riding. The whole point is to enjoy yourself. Then try and appreciate what other people want to do with there bikes. We are all on two wheels and that is what this sport is really all about.

 

[highmileage]

Well, since I've ridden my GS nearly ten thousand miles in the past eight months, I think I've enjoyed it.

And now that the nice weather is back...

My bike is not restored or bone stock, but I've only changed a few things.

And, BTW, I only paid $200 for it and I turned down $3500 for it soon after I got it on the road (it had been parked in a garage for 23 years when I got it). It's not all about the money. But I'm not foolish enough to ignore this aspect of it either...

Have you seen what an original Z-1/KZ 900 or K-0 CB 750 is worth if they are bone stock and have the original pipes? You don't think that these quarter century old bikes are going to appreciate (the well kept, original ones, anyway)?

If you customize a bike and then want to sell it, you not only have to find a buyer that wants a custom bike, they have to like your taste in customization. When it comes to selling it, I prefer to be able to return it to stock if at all possible. Most would say that this is being smart.

I had a 1200 Gold Wing that I had $500 into (bought it as a wreck), turned down $5000 soon after I got it on the road, and decided to keep it forever. After I put 300k miles on it, I sold it to a friend for what I had into it. It is now a Fiero powered trike w/ '57 Chevy sheetmetal on it, plus a ton of parts for his 1200 'Wing.

I had a '75 'Wing (mild custom) that I had $1000 into, put 35k miles on it, and then turned down $1900 for it so that I could sell it to a good friend for $1000.

I've had perhaps 300 bikes, two Sabres, twenty-five Water Buffaloes, etc. etc. I've had too many bikes to think that I will keep any of them forever.

I've had four CBXes. Rode the p*ss out of all of them and then sold each for more than I paid for them. Did this by leaving them alone!

And this is my fifth GS (two 750's, two 1000's, and an 1100).

Again, they're your bikes, do with them whatever you want. I don't care.

But it's only an idiot and a fool that can't simply accept or ignore good advise without throwing out stupid comments like that I'm lame or only in it for the money. Only a moron would make ignorant judgemental comments like that without knowing the person.

I wonder what kind of experience you bring to this discussion, huh?

Someday when and if you finally grow up, you'll understand....

 

[UncleMike]

But if you guys insist on ignoring the advise, and instead want to get into dumb-*ss lame arguments, by all means. I'm done.

Someday when you grow up, you'll understand....

I've agreed with a lot of what you've said, but this was kind of a prick move. It's not about being mature or immature, it's about doing what you want with what's yours. We shouldn't be resorting to name-calling here, guys. That's the only thing lame in this thread.

I've got one bike that is bone stock, one that is only slightly modified with more aggressive shocks, lowered front and a custom paint job, and a third that is and will continue to be somewhat heavily modified. And none of them really affect anyone but myself.

 

[smithbm]

But if you guys insist on ignoring the advise, and instead want to get into dumb-*ss lame arguments, by all means. I'm done. Again, they're your bikes, do with them whatever you want. I don't care.

But it's only an idiot and a fool that can't simply accept or ignore good advise without throwing out stupid comments like that I'm lame or only in it for the money. Only a moron would make ignorant judgements like that.

Someday when and if you finally grow up, you'll understand....

The last post on this topic was four days ago. Have you really been stewing over this that long? :-s I think you're a little out of line here. :-|

 

[hungryman]

I didn't read all of the posts, but it looks pretty good to me.

Yea, put a half fender on it, lower the front just a tad, paint the wheels black, and add drag bars. Just MHO.

Customizing bikes is a time honored tradition. Do what you like and let everyone else just **** into the wind.

 

[hugeltar]

Isaac I just stumbled onto this thread and I love the mods you have done. I have had my 850gl for 3 years now and have done nothing but change the bars (the regular bars really hurt my wrists) and paint it. I have always intended to do some minor mods but nothing as drastic as what you have done. After looking at yours though it kind of makes me wanna go crazy with it. Anyway, just wanted to say looking good and hopefully you will post the finished pictures soon.

Andy

 

[Guest]

What kind of experience

What kind of experience

Just a little back up to my previous post. My experience with motorcycles is a 1974 Honda CB350, 1973 Kaw Mach IV, 1982 GS550M, 1984 Kaw GPZ750, and now a 1980 GS850G. Maybe not 300 Hundred bikes but no rookie. The only thing I have read that is lame is people not being able to respect other peoples likes and dislikes. Again we are all two wheels and that is what motorcycling should be all about. Anyway everbody enjoy riding and maybe I will see you on the road some day. If I do all I will care is that you are on a motorcycle.

 

[tracy borchert]

deal with it

deal with it

But it's only an idiot and a fool that can't simply accept or ignore good advise without throwing out stupid comments like that I'm lame or only in it for the money. Only a moron would make ignorant judgemental comments like that without knowing the person.

I wonder what kind of experience you bring to this discussion, huh?

Someday when and if you finally grow up, you'll understand....(sounds like you should take your own advise?)

 

[cruisinflatout]

But if you guys insist on ignoring the advise, and instead want to get into dumb-*ss lame arguments, by all means. I'm done. Again, they're your bikes, do with them whatever you want. I don't care.

But it's only an idiot and a fool that can't simply accept or ignore good advise without throwing out stupid comments like that I'm lame or only in it for the money. Only a moron would make ignorant judgements like that.

Now that's funny! :mrgreen:

A fitting statement for such an occasion as this:

Arguments on the internet are just like the Special Olympics - even if you win, you're still retarded.

 

[ron bayless]

message to issaccs

message to issaccs

I think your bike is absolutely awesome.My gs 1000 will have a lowered front and back end,genmar risers,chamelon paint, forward controls that i have been toiling over for a long time due to machiists' screw ups repeatedly.i just waited 2 months for some couplers to be made and when i got them they were inside out from what i wanted.but, no bikes look as good to most of us until we get them the way we want.ever see a stock 57 chevy? a stock harley? a stock home? almost everything everywhere has had some customization or personalizing. i prefer to my project and changes like yours as restyling rather than customizing.my 2006 camry is stock.thats the only thing i have that isnt modified in some way.i hope you get a rear fender to keep the mud off your back though.keep up the good work.

 

[Mike_H]

Now Children...Are we gonna have to seperate you guys...?? Sheesh. Everyone is entited to their own opinions. They're neither lame, nor "smarter" than anyone else. I am modifying a fairly nice original 650L. Why? Cuz I like to tinker. I get enjoyment for tinkering, and I have a particular style and "stance" that I want to achieve. So it's not original...So what. I like it and its mine. You don't gotta like it, and I'm not dumb...or lame...or whatever just because yours and my styles don't match.

On the other side of the fence, some people enjoy saving things in pristene condition. They get their kicks out of pulling something out once in a while, and looking at it through acid free plastic wrap. The joy for them is in the hunt for perfection, and when they find it, they like to keep it that way. To each their own.

BTW, a Chip Foose modified GTO or Hemi Charger will probably get more at auction than an original.... My 0.02 opinion. You know what they say, "Opinions are like *** holes, everbody has one, and they usually stink."

 

[fat_sac]

I, forward controls that i have been toiling over for a long time due to machiists' screw ups repeatedly.i just waited 2 months for some couplers to be made and when i got them they were inside out from what i wanted..

I was wondering about those man. I hadn't heard anything from you lately. Any progress I'd like to know about? I'm anxious to see the finished product.

 

[ron bayless]

Fat Sac, I Have Screwed Around Long Enough Waiting On Others To Make Crap For Me, So Now My Buddy Jay And I Are Going To Make The Pieces Ourselves.it Will Be 3 Pieces Welded Together, All The Welds Ground Down, Then Chromed For The Couplers. The Ends Of The Linkage Will Have A Spherical Bearing Rodend For Flexibility And Maneuverability And Durability, The Other End Of The Linkage Will Have A Closed Sided Rod End With A Stud From It To Put A Nut On.everything But The Rod Ends Will Be Chromed.the Mounting Plates Go Where The Crashbars Would Normally Mount And Be Much Thicker And Stronger Than The Plates The Crash Bars Were Mounted To.footpegs Will Be On Your Own.all I Could Do Is Mount Something Someone Wanted And I Would Have To Pay The Same Price For Them As Everyone Else Because I Am Not A Business Yet.the Stock Rubber Pegs Are Mounted Easily From The Various Bikes' Orignal Equipment.the Shifter Peg And Brake Pegs Are Round Harley Style From Kurakyn And Come With The Set.it Will Take A Few More Days But We Have Already Wasted 2 Months For Some Incompetent People To Make Me Something Absolutely Worthless So Waiting On Myself Wont Be As Frustrating And Take Only Days Instead Of Months. We Have Thought About Posting Pictures Of A Set Just Painted So Anyone Could See How They Look And Then Your Own Imagination Of How They Would Look Chromed Would Come Into Play.i Apologize To Any Interested Parties About All The Delays. It Took From Jan To March To Get The Wrong Parts.grrrrr.

 

[fat_sac]

Fat Sac, I Have Screwed Around Long Enough Waiting On Others To Make Crap For Me, So Now My Buddy Jay And I Are Going To Make The Pieces Ourselves.it Will Be 3 Pieces Welded Together, All The Welds Ground Down, Then Chromed For The Couplers. The Ends Of The Linkage Will Have A Spherical Bearing Rodend For Flexibility And Maneuverability And Durability, The Other End Of The Linkage Will Have A Closed Sided Rod End With A Stud From It To Put A Nut On.everything But The Rod Ends Will Be Chromed.the Mounting Plates Go Where The Crashbars Would Normally Mount And Be Much Thicker And Stronger Than The Plates The Crash Bars Were Mounted To.footpegs Will Be On Your Own.all I Could Do Is Mount Something Someone Wanted And I Would Have To Pay The Same Price For Them As Everyone Else Because I Am Not A Business Yet.the Stock Rubber Pegs Are Mounted Easily From The Various Bikes' Orignal Equipment.the Shifter Peg And Brake Pegs Are Round Harley Style From Kurakyn And Come With The Set.it Will Take A Few More Days But We Have Already Wasted 2 Months For Some Incompetent People To Make Me Something Absolutely Worthless So Waiting On Myself Wont Be As Frustrating And Take Only Days Instead Of Months. We Have Thought About Posting Pictures Of A Set Just Painted So Anyone Could See How They Look And Then Your Own Imagination Of How They Would Look Chromed Would Come Into Play.i Apologize To Any Interested Parties About All The Delays. It Took From Jan To March To Get The Wrong Parts.grrrrr.

Dude, don't apologize, I don't see anyone helping you. I just can't wait to see it finished. If I can do anything feel free to let me know. I don't have many resources, but I have a lot of mechanical incline. I'm not a big fan of chrome either, but if OEM pegs fit then I'm going with a set of fat ass MotoGP pegs. I'll worry about pegs. You take your time man and do it like you really think it should be done. I'll still be here. I need them before the middle of July though b/c I need them for my big bike trip. No pressure though. Just take care of business man, I'll be here.

 

[ron bayless]

message to fat sac

message to fat sac

I appreciate your understanding.Yep me and my pal Jay will not make anything we wouldnt want on our own bikes.They will look good and work good.I am going to cassville missouri in July, they will be done one way or the other in aobut 2 weeks.I wanted so much for the machine pieces.Picture a one piece beautifully machined coupler for the shifter and brake sides.I told the guys in dallas several tines, showed them pictures in their own book of what we wanted, and they made me more shafts that the brake pedal mounts to instead of the couplers with the female splines as i asked for.I will personally gurarantee at whatever it may cost me up to the point of breaking even that i will have you a set ready if no one else has any since you have shown such a keen interest and patience.Thanks again.Ron of J&R(someday).

 

[omaharj]

Just a non-technical observation... My L looks better as soon as I get on it.:-D

 

[lhanscom]

Nice work, maybe I can convince Andy (Hugletar) to actually do some work on his now. :twisted:

I'm working on a chopped GS450 right now, for the wife, who likes the idea of cruisers. I'm planning on displaying that here when I'm done, and look forward to the flaming I know will incur shortly there after :-D

 

[hugeltar]

Nice work, maybe I can convince Andy (Hugletar) to actually do some work on his now. :twisted:

Luke, I will gladly work on mine as soon as I can get it into your barn.:grin:
You have a much better set up than my garage. I can't actually get to mine right now.

 

[lhanscom]

B*tch, B*tch, B*tch, you have a garage, it's not my fault you filled it with a bunch of cr@p. That said, I moved the 450 from the barn, to the garage, so the barn is opened up, just bring her down.

 

[hugeltar]

Ah, Luke you truely are a mechanical guru.