Improving the "L" model...

[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

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.

[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]

[QUOTE][/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]

[quote=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

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

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.