Rebuilt skunk shakedown run

[IanC]

After riding the GS around town for a couple days to make sure everything was doing as it should I decided it was time for a more thorough shakedown. Around here that means heading 'around the corner' to Deal's Gap. Dad (Chris) had just replaced the fork seals in his bimmer so he was piloting that and my brother Colin had some new rubber and brake pads to break in on his GS500.
The Thou surpassed my expectations. The Progressive fork springs and piggyback shocks provided confidence inspiring handling. The CBR rotors and Kawi twin pot calipers make short work of the braking needs. They are much more balanced than I thought they'd be. The carbs need some fine tuning but she pulled pretty hard when asked to.
I was super happy with everything. None of us were setting any records but once we were on our way down and Colin and I had scrubbed our new rubber some the pace picked up a bit. Colin impresses me with his little 500. He's seriously outgunned in the few straights but on a road like that he can practically throw the thing through the turns so he had little trouble keeping up.

Colin and I's bikes warming up.

At the lookout on the way up.

Italian sexiness at the top. Was also a couple KTM Super Dukes.

Lookout on the way down.

Dad looks kinda baffled about something.

 

[davidduarte]

very cool! I rode my 450 through the Dragon, which is why I bought it in the first place. I didn't much want to ride the 850 I had at the time through there, preferring a lighter bike for that, and it was fun!

 

[NoH2Oh]

Ian, where did you source the adapters for the calipers? Looking to upgrade my brakes as well, but most likely will stick w/ a single disk.

 

[IanC]

Contact Salty_Monk here on the forums. He sells the kit.

 

[steve murdoch]

Nice post, Ian.
Do you like the rear shocks?

 

[IanC]

So far so good. They are a bit stiff but not overly so and right now are on the softest setting. I've been clicking it up a couple notches when my girlfriend rides. It's awesome being able to adjust for 2 up riding in just a few seconds.

 

[salty_monk]

Pick yourself up a fork brace from Fast from the Past - you won't regret it. Makes the front feel much more direct/stable.

Bike's looking great!

Dan

 

[IanC]

Thanks Dan! I was wanting one but wasn't sure on a source. I'll pick one up soon.

 

[russr33]

Pick yourself up a fork brace from Fast from the Past - you won't regret it. Makes the front feel much more direct/stable.

Bike's looking great!

Dan

He's right; I have one and it makes a big difference. First time you roll over a big seam in the road you will know it was worth the $120 or so you spend.

 

[IanC]

I'd noticed a little more flex since I got her back on the road. Maybe from the forks being a bit more extended with the Progressive springs.