Improving the "L" model...

[Mike_H]

Maybe???

The image quality sux, but you get the idea. I have installed new mirrors, grip, and superbike bars (2" rise, 3" pulback). I hacked about 3 inches of foam out of the seat to get a much smoother appearance, and I replaced the front end with that of a 650G, which netted dual discs and got rid of that ridiculus trailing axle. I have also been painting as I get a chance. The gage cluster, headlight bucket, headligh mounting ears, handlebar controls, upper fork clamp, and lower fork clamp trim are all pained gunmetal grey.

Sometime this summer, I plan on taking a week off, and painting the front and rear fender, tank, and side covers.. I am planning on a color called "Red Fire." It is a Ford color that is absolutely beautiful in the sunlight. Dark Red Metallic. Prolly will spray it over a silver base, and thin it slightly to give it a "candy-apple" appearance. Actually, last months BOTM was the same color, I believe.

The frame will get the gunmetal grey treatment this winter, and the motor will go black, with polished Aluminum side covers and fin edges. I may try to polish both wheels...not too sure about this. It would be a LOT of work to get the sand casting smooth.
Oh, and if anyone has done a Harley rear fender swap, please let me know. I plan on fittin a newish Harley Sportster rear fender, and seat. I still cannot stand the lines of my bikes rear end. I shaped my seat as much as I could and keep the stock pan I think, and still function 2-up. Still hate it though. It just looks clumsy, and not as sleek as the rest of the bike. Lemme know what you think.

 

[GSstiny]

Looks nice. The bars alone were the single biggest improvement I made to my 750. I like what you did with the seat also. Thats what Ive got in mind as soon as I can talk my ex g/f's parents into helping me with it.

 

[Mike_H]

Good look with talking your ex into doing anything for you

 

[supergus]

Fender Swap

Fender Swap

Mike,

Detman101 changed out to a Honda Rebel fender.
here is the post on his project. (this is exactly the look i want on my bike too, just having a hard time finding that fender!)

 

[Deesel]

I changed to superbike bars, reworked the seat for a lower profile and changed the blinkers on my GLZ- this made all the difference I needed.
I cut the foam down to about 1 inch thick and rounded off on the original seat pan. This took about 2 inches off the ride heigth and I moved the rider position back about 2 inches. Had my local upolsterer cover it for me.
It turned out great!! More comfortable than original. Took away from the passengers space but the old lady hasnt complained.

I had plans of painting all the chrome, changing fenders and all that, but after doing the seat and the bars- Im happy!! Now its low, wide and mean looking while keeping original GS-L looks. I put on a Vance and Hines pipe for a little more bark and bite. More comfortable for me (5'9") as well.

If anyone can tell me how to reduce the size of my jpeg files I will post pics.
peace!
ECR

 

[Mike_H]

Well, to reduce the size of Jpg's... you can open them up with Microsoft phot editor, and resize them. Or, you could use Picassa, which is freeware, and I believe that will allow you to resize pics

 

[Deesel]

Well I tryed. I reduced the size from around 550kb down to 176kb which is still too big to post here and the quality is very bad. Is this because Im using a 2.0 megapixel camara?

 

[Mike_H]

Prolly not the megapixels. My Pics were taken with a camera phone at probably 0.5 megapixel res. they truned out ok. My 2.5 megapixel camera with make very good photos, in very small sizes. It gotta be the way you resized it? Send me the pic, and I can try to post it

 

[jimcor]

It's a leading axle, not trailing.

 

[Deesel]

Emailed you some pics Mike.

 

[emjay]

My thought is that if you don't like the "L" model, leave it stock, sell it, and buy a "G" model.

 

[ron bayless]

I cant believe people act like the g and l models are 2 different bikes.My L has the ugly seat and handlebars.Change them and you have a G.So I did.The L model was made for touring? A cruiser? it is the same bike as the ones used for skunk racers,cooley copies,boulevard and sport tourers.A little tail section here, a little 1/4 fairing there and you have all the same bike with some appearance mods.Kinda like Harley saying they have come out with 50 different models.Us ricers are just as guilty.I love my gs 1000,especially after i got rid of the hunchback look.

 

[emjay]

I cant believe people act like the g and l models are 2 different bikes.My L has the ugly seat and handlebars.Change them and you have a G.So I did.The L model was made for touring? A cruiser? it is the same bike as the ones used for skunk racers,cooley copies,boulevard and sport tourers.A little tail section here, a little 1/4 fairing there and you have all the same bike with some appearance mods.Kinda like Harley saying they have come out with 50 different models.Us ricers are just as guilty.I love my gs 1000,especially after i got rid of the hunchback look.

I'm also an owner of an "L" I guess I took a little offense at the idea of "improving" it by maiking it look like a "G".

Someone told me that I should change out the seat, tank, bars, and fork to make it look better. I think it looks just fine the way it is. The frames are different so you have to use the stock seat pan and modify the cover and foam. Also, again due to the frame, the foot pegs would be too far forward if you put drag bars on it.

It just seems that due to the cost and time to make all the changes suggested you'd be better off getting the bike you obviously want.

 

[Deesel]

It just seems that due to the cost and time to make all the changes suggested you'd be better off getting the bike you obviously want.

I agree, leave the chromed out low rideing shaftys for people who like them!:wink:

 

[Deesel]

Heres a picture of my GLZ. I think I uploaded it right.

 

[ron bayless]

i WASNT TRYING TO OFFEND ANYONE,AND HOPE I DIDNT.MY GL 1000 LOOKS FINE EXCEPT THE BUCKHORN HANDLEBARS AND THE HUMPBACK SEAT.SO I CHANGED THEM.OTHER THAN THAT THE BIKE LOOKS SO GOOD I FIND MYSELF LOOKING OUT MY KITCHEN WINDOW AT IT LOTS OF TIMES.KINDA RIDICULOUS MAYBE,BUT I DO THAT.

 

[ron bayless]

Message To Deesel

Message To Deesel

That Is One Great Looking Bike.love The Paint Job.love The Humpless Seat.thats What Mine Looks Like Except For The Cool Paint Job.its All About The Engine.my 1000 Inline 4 Stuffed Into A 750 Frame Basically Reminds Me Of My Other Favorite Bike, The Valkyrie.

 

[steely]

That is a great looking seat Deesel. I had mine cut down an inch when I had it reupholstered, but the hump is still there.

I had to get rid of the buckhorn bars ar well Ron, my wrists just couldn't handle that popsition for more than about five minutes. I went with some off of an '81 Honda 900.

I am a fellow "L" model lover. I am not leaving mine entirely stock, but the general idea will still be there. I am currently trying to figure out what exactly I am going to do with the tailight, as the one that came with my bike was cracked. I have since bought a stock replacement, but I had a few ideas about modding a 1959 caddy bullet tailight to fit up to the rear fender. When I figure out exactly how I am going to do it, I will post pictures.

 

[ron bayless]

STEELY,how about putting a teardrop taillight with blue dot center.The license plate bracket could be on the side with a bracket holding it to the frame.Or,use a tomstone light with the license plate holder on it.I dont like the big square stock taillight either,but just havent decided if i want to change it or not.I could mount a cateye to the stock setup,but then the wires for the lights would show.If you took some tubing the same size as the caddy taillight,welded them onto the side of the rear fender with the pipework makeing a 90 degree bend with a bologna style cut where it welds to the fender,then fir the caddy light on each side into this new L piece,and then a recessed frenched taillight in the middle,that owuld look cool.OCC did that on mikeys bike and it looked great.Just some ideas.Ron

 

[KGB]

I cant believe people act like the g and l models are 2 different bikes.My L has the ugly seat and handlebars.Change them and you have a G.So I did.The L model was made for touring? A cruiser? it is the same bike as the ones used for skunk racers,cooley copies,boulevard and sport tourers.A little tail section here, a little 1/4 fairing there and you have all the same bike with some appearance mods.Kinda like Harley saying they have come out with 50 different models.Us ricers are just as guilty.I love my gs 1000,especially after i got rid of the hunchback look.

No

The frames are different from E to G/GL model.
Side covers are different. Headlight ize is different.
The gas tank is different. The front forks on some models, leading axel forks for example are different.
The motors are different. Different carbs, different exhaust systems.
Unlike HD, Suzuki didn't just change colors.

Making a GS1000GL into a GS1000S will not be an easy task.
Yes it could/can be done but not simply bolt on parts.


Easiest way to pretty up a L model?
Sell it for an E model.