which way to go,stock or custom?

[ron bayless]

I was totally going to restore my 80 gs 1000gl (t),but the custom bug has got me again.i intend keeping all the stock parts and may still do a restoration since the only thing i need is 2 turn signals and sidecover badges.But,how about this...I already got rid of the buckhorn handlebars,so add kurakyn grips,put the tomstone taillight signal combo on the rear,lowered progressive front springs and rear shocks,leave the stock tank badges on,paint the whole thing semiflat black,put the stock sisbar on, but lower it down with twisted metal sides with a cross in the middle since i am about to ride with sons of thunder Christian motorcycle ministry,redo the seat to get rid of the queen hump in the rear,paint the wheels gloss black.or,leave the whole thing completely stock.I really need 2 bikes, but can only ride one at a time.since i rebuilt the petcock, i am averaging aobut 75 miles a day because it runs so dang good.yesterday i went into a custom leather shop where it said all bikers welcome.25 harleys were parked there.i ride on the gs,park next to a sportster,and hee looks at me like my bike had a disease and did not want to be the one parked next to me.My bike will do in third gear what theirs will do in fifth flat out but they dont care,they still think they are better than me.Input appreciated.My forward controls will be added too.I aint finished them yet,but i will be.

[J_C]

I started with a full restoration in mind, but as time goes by I'm finding it somewhat easier (and cheaper) to customize it with some aftermarket parts. Ultimately it's whatever makes you happy

I would love to see a picture of your taillight mounted!

[Billy Ricks]

Do what makes you happy and make it your own.

[ron bayless]

I think you guys are right.Yep,it wont be a classic any more, but it will be MY bike as one guy here said it before.I rode 150 miles yesterday.MMMMMMM.Gotta get rid of that trunk and big luggage rack.Aint cool.Thanks for advice.

[tracy borchert]

Do what makes you happy and make it your own.

I agree with Billy,make it yours, there will not be another one like it.\\/

[Pharkmeh]

...what these guys said is most important - its yours for the joy of the ride do with it what you want and can afford....\\/


as far as the Hardly riders snobbery - pay close attention to where the KILL switches are on them.....

lotta fun to be had flickin them as ya cruise past before rocketing out of site :-D

[sandspur]

Custom Gs's are a lot of fun , I get a lot of people asking me what it is . and how old it is , My dad has a Roadking with a 3g $ paint job on it , and when we ride together, I get more people looking and asking then he does when parked side by side :shock: He gets a kick out of it though , He helped me put it together and back on the road :-D

[Billy Ricks]

Custom Gs's are a lot of fun , I get a lot of people asking me what it is . and how old it is , My dad has a Roadking with a 3g $ paint job on it , and when we ride together, I get more people looking and asking then he does when parked side by side :shock: He gets a kick out of it though , He helped me put it together and back on the road :-D

Really nice job on your bike. You should submit it for Bike of the Month.

[J_C]

Really nice job on your bike. You should submit it for Bike of the Month.

Yeah that's great! I'd love to see some more pictures of the work you did. Particularly like the rear fender taillight combo

[Craiger]

Yeah that's great! I'd love to see some more pictures of the work you did. Particularly like the rear fender taillight combo

Check out his homepage link to Webshots. Lots of good photos in there.

[sandspur]

Thanks every one ,
I have a lot of photos of the build , But none of the before after sitting out side for 16yrs. I really didn't think it would ever see the road again, To much had rotted away to try to put it back stock so we worked with what we had & could get. Just goes to show you can't keep a GS out of the wind :-D

[mixongw]

As it has been said several times already, "make it yours". Cost of customizing has to be cheaper than OEM parts. When its all over and you should choose to sell it, in perfect stock condition, it still won't bring what you invested. So, get out the catalogs and have fun. Whatever you do, don't ask anyone else how THEY would do it.

[ron bayless]

Message To Sandspur

Wow! your bike looks exactly like i want my bike to look minus the chrom front fender.I cant believe it! Now i know what mine will look like.Wow!

[ron bayless]

Message to all respondents

Thanks guys,i appreciate the input and i agree with you.If you got 3 grand in it, it will bring about 1200 resale.My bike runs so good i hope i am never stupid enough to part with it.I will make my bike much like sanspurs bike shown here.I have totally given up on any machine shop making the parts i wanted to complete my forward controls, so i will have to get a master welder to make a compromise part.I hop everyone likes the outcome.I intend getting real busy with the project next week.I have the shifter side done except for the coupler that i will now have to make a different way.

[doughnut]

customizing gs1000g

Hi, i want to customize my gs1000g. but I need some ideas. can anyone e-mail me some pics. I'm in South-Africa
thanx