Improving the "L" model...

[steely]

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

Great ideas! I do really like the blue dots. I will probably leave the license plate holder where it is, they always seem to get in the way when they are mounted out to the side. The tombstone is a bit too ubiquitious for me. I have an idea that I am still thinking about that involves some chromed pipe to fit the tailight lens and some sort of cutout on the underside near the fender end of it to illuminate the license plate. I have it nearly worked out in my head, the modification of the taillight lens will be pretty simple. I am just working on what sort of bracket I will fab to mount it to the stock fender. Eventually, I plan to put a different rear fender on the bike (non chrome), and will french the tailight mount in when I do this. I have been removing all of the chrome I can from this bike. Eventually, I would like to have it mostly blacked out, with only a few chrome pieces to catch the eye.

 

[Dexx]

Hey, all you guys that are getting rid of your L model handlebars....what are you doing with them? I need an undamaged set and can't seem to get lucky with ebay.

 

[Deesel]

[/Hey, all you guys that are getting rid of your L model handlebars....what are you doing with them? I need an undamaged set and can't seem to get lucky with ebay.QUOTE]

you pay shipping and Ill send some to you for nothing.
Let me know at deesel@juno.com.

Eric

 

[supergus]

[/Hey, all you guys that are getting rid of your L model handlebars....what are you doing with them? I need an undamaged set and can't seem to get lucky with ebay.QUOTE]

you pay shipping and Ill send some to you for nothing.
Let me know at deesel@juno.com.

Eric

man! you beat me to the punch! :-D

 

[steely]

Hey, all you guys that are getting rid of your L model handlebars....what are you doing with them? I need an undamaged set and can't seem to get lucky with ebay.

Mine are now a wall decoration for my garage. If you, or anybody else need a pair of ungodly uncomfortable handlebars, please PM me and you can have them for the cost of shipping.

 

[Deesel]

Yes, I hate to just throw those bars away but I dont think Ill ever use them again. I would love to just store each and every spare part I end up with, but Im running out of room quick.
So if anyone needs those bars, just say so.

 

[Headphase]

If any UK owners have L model bars, I'd love em.

Bought my 750L in May, garage was burgled just after and all my tools stolen.

Should all be replaced in the next week or 2 , and then the fun can begin.

 

[ifly85]

I have been doing a partial restoration on my 1983 GS1100GL and so far it is turning out great. When I get done I will post some before and after pics. I have been trying to decide on a different tail light and license plate setup as well. I found some replacement VTX 1300/1800 Classic LED units on eBay that have integrated turn signals (just in the light, not external). Two problems though; they are $85 (Ouch!) and the back isn't smooth, it needs a pocket or cutout in the fender. I may do it, but the license must go elsewhere with a light. I think it could be mounted under the rear of the fender with a light above it under the fender as well.

I am redoing the seat as well. I was planning on removing the original foam from the entire seat, then using the dense foam from those garden kneeling pads and shaping that how I like. Then that would be covered with a small amount of that temper foam from a pillow. I am planning on having the rear section no higher than the metal plate in the rear where the lock is. Then I have some carbon fiber design vinyl to cover it with.

Any suggestions on these ideas are appreciated.

 

[ron bayless]

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.

SO, THE BIKES ARE THE SAME.DIFFERENT BOLT ON PARTS,I.E.,THE FORKS,TANK,SIDE COVERS,HEADLIGHT,ETC.I AGREE TO DISAGREE.EACH TO HIS OWN I SAY.ANY GS IS BETTER THAN NO GS.

 

[ron bayless]

several answers to gl modifiers

several answers to gl modifiers

In the drag specialties book there are tons of taillight combinations that should work and look great.All are expensive but totally truly custom looking.Foe the guy that started this thread...Click on fiberglass motorcycle fenders.They have on i will probably use for only $41.00.Anone wanting thes ungodly buckhorn handlebars can have mine for free.Just pay shipping like others have said here.Radiantz makes bendable taillights for those of you thinking aobut mounting lights under the fender or seat.The stock taillight,the handlebars,the humped seat and the mailbox quality tank emblems make this ugly duckling a potential absolute beauutiful bike once removed or modified.

 

[Deesel]

Some of them forward controls would set off an "L" nicely. I got to save a few bills and get some! Ron Bayless you are the one making those right?
I started making some myself but quit my job in the machine shop so I might buy some.

 

[Headphase]

Man, where is the love.
I've never owned, or been interested in any type of 'custom' bike ever, till I saw my gs(x)750L , and the moment I saw it I thought, now that's a good looking bike!

The shape of the tank, that big fat engine stuffed in there, it's brilliant.

(course, I'm gonna change a few bits :-D )

 

[sandspur]

I LOVE my L ! the way it is now

 

[ron bayless]

Some of them forward controls would set off an "L" nicely. I got to save a few bills and get some! Ron Bayless you are the one making those right?
I started making some myself but quit my job in the machine shop so I might buy some.

YES,I AM THE ONE.TOO HOT HERE RIGHT NOW,103 IN THE SHADE.I WILL POST PICTURES SOON.I HAD TO CHANGE THE DESIGN,MY SUPPLIER,THE PARTS I COULD NOT HAVE MADE,ETC.LOTS OF PROBLEMS.STARTED THIS IN JANUARY,STILL HAVENT GOT IT DONE.DECIDED TO RELY ON MYSELF SINCE NO ONE ELSE IS DEPENDABLE.

 

[BadBillyB]

Heres the improvements I made to mine back in around 1981-1982. Kerker header, 1175cc piston kit, 33 smoothbores, cams, ported head, etc.....

 

[ron bayless]

82? thats a long time ago.1175 kit?I cant imagine the gs 1000 or 1100 needing to be hopped up,they are plenty fast enough for me as they come.I think the 750 and 850 are the best looking though.

 

[Deesel]

Heres the improvements I made to mine back in around 1981-1982. Kerker header, 1175cc piston kit, 33 smoothbores, cams, ported head, etc.....

Awesome!!!
Thats had to have been one mean machine! What a Bad Azz Bike-very nice!
How did it run compared to an old Kaw KZ1000?

 

[Poot]

yeah,. on my L I've changed the bars to the G models, but I've kept the sissy bar since its so useful.

 

[BadBillyB]

Awesome!!!
Thats had to have been one mean machine! What a Bad Azz Bike-very nice!
How did it run compared to an old Kaw KZ1000?

The guys I rode with, one had a KZ1000 MKII and the other, had a Yamaha XS1100. After a few times out with my new motor, they wouldn't even ride with me anymore. The guy with the Yamaha went into hiding and the guy with the KZ had me build his motor for him after I let him take mine for a ride......My L model as pictured with street tires ran 9.70's in the quarter. I almost had a head on crash with a police car one day going around a corner (he was in my lane haulin but, no lights, no siren, on a lonely stretch of road) and decided it was too scary and too fast for the street. Plus I was tired of riding alone....So, I put a 7" slick on the back with a 4" over arm and a 1238 Wiseco piston kit in it and ran it at the strip only..... Set my first national record in 1984 with it at an AMA Dragbike national event....The class was D/Altered, the time was 9.17 @ 143.31 ......You can see the evolution of my bike at my personal website. Its not organized, but there are a few good pics. In the final years that I raced it, I put an E model fiberglass tank and side covers on it but never painted it. Its black gel coat finish to this day....BadBillyB
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&ext=1&groupid=178726&ck=

 

[Deesel]

You must have earned your name BadBillyB with that bike. Thats pretty kewl.