Making L versions into non-L, what's to be done?

[Joe Garfield]

The pipes on an 'L' are shorter and more flared.

Like the pic above, I think you can do a lot with custom seat work and new handlebars. I also think the pinstripe on the L tank exemplifies the teardrop shape. If you get rid of that stripe, or break it like the pic above, it will help.

Depending on how much of a project you want, you could modify and/or paint the fenders, change the tail light, and maybe swap a few things up front.

 

[roeme]

To tie up some loose ends; thanks a lot everyone for chiming in. I enjoyed getting the L-lovers out of the bushes

With all the info provided, I decided to pass up on this bike and much rather concentrate to first finish the 550 I'm currently restoring. I'd have nowhere near enough free resources to achieve something like rkroby's bike, and I wouldn't settle for less (Even though I don't particularly like L's, I wouldn't butcher one).

 

[Guest]

To tie up some loose ends; thanks a lot everyone for chiming in. I enjoyed getting the L-lovers out of the bushes

With all the info provided, I decided to pass up on this bike and much rather concentrate to first finish the 550 I'm currently restoring. I'd have nowhere near enough free resources to achieve something like rkroby's bike, and I wouldn't settle for less (Even though I don't particularly like L's, I wouldn't butcher one).

Next to the L's I think the T's look very good.
It puts me in mind of a non-L'd L. It must be all the chrome.

 

[Guest]

This may be functional in case you would change your mind about a bobber.View attachment 50648

I love that bike and had the thread earmarked before my laptop was worked on. Do you have the link available for that build?

 

[Guest]

I love that bike and had the thread earmarked before my laptop was worked on. Do you have the link available for that build?

Rick, I actually found that on an image search for gs1100l bobber and downloaded the pic.
Researched it again and found the link...
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?172955-GS1100GL-Project

 

[Guest]

Thanks Alan, it's bookmarked again. I looked, but I suck at searches. This is one of the most beautiful L conversions I've seen yet. I've been trying to find a cheap 1100L since I first saw this bike. I'd change it a little as not to completely replicate it, but not by much. I picked up one while in Tennessee five years ago, but it didn't have a title and there was no way to title it(that I knew of) back then. Plus the engine had been swapped for an 850, which they didn't say in the ad. Now I'm looking at an '04 1100 VStar here at work for $800, so that may satisfy my urge for a cruiser style of bike for the stable. Then again I look at this one and the gears are a turning.

I think even Tom had nice words for this L. That's something rare.

 

[Guest]

He did a good job on it. As I was searching the photo again I found he had it up for sale on Pinterest for around $1600. Dont know how long ago though.

 

[gustovh]

This is a 1980 850L. Has a 1100L fuel tank which is about 1 1/2" longer and about a gallon larger. The seat is a Sporster seat which fit like a glove after removing the seat mounts. Dropped the seat height about 2". I like my L's I have a bunch of em.

V

 

[gustovh]

View attachment 51001 This is a 1980 850L. Has a 1100L fuel tank which is about 1 1/2" longer and about a gallon larger. The seat is a Sporster seat, and some other Harley seat, which fit like a glove after removing the seat mounts. Dropped the seat height about 2". I like my L's I have a bunch of em.

V

 

[Tom R]

While I have the forks off, I fitted some e model headlight brackets and painted the headlight shell. I painted the lower triple tree cover too, but am still unsure if I like it - I'll see what it looks like with the chrome fender on - luckily the one I painted was a spare rusty cover, so I can put the chrome one back on.
Other mods were new handlebars and mirrors, turn signals from an e model I believe, a V&H 4-1 super sport exhaust system, new tail light, and 13" black Hagon shocks.
This has all been done over the course of years with no real vision to speak of - I would like to replace the seat one day... I know someone who has a seat and tail section from an '80 E model, but haven't committed yet.

 

[wishy]

What do you all like to do for bars? The stock ones on my 650 are almost a hazard to ride with.

 

[Guest]

I had this 650L for a little bit and then traded it for a 750L. Both had either Euro or Daytona bars. It opened up both bikes for a more comfortable not so crowded ride.