What do I get...

[rnickel]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this whole scene, and I just got my first bike. I got a 1983 GS550E. I wanted to get myself a nice single exhaust system, but I don't even know where to start looking. I was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction?

Also, I wanted to get some different handle bars, and mirrors. I'm going for a sleeker sportier look, so any suggestions on that would be nice as well.

[GSstiny]

First off, welcome to the GSR.

Handlebars/mirrors are readily available. Almost all non-harley bars are 7/8" diameter tube, so compatability isnt a problem. Personally, Id recommend superbike bars. See the article on ergonomics on the main page for more info. Drag bars are agressive, but with no rise shoulders/wrists tend to start hurting. Ive ridden for 5 hours at a time with my superbikes with no pains whatsoever. Id recommend checking bikebandit, ron ayers, dennis kirk, or http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm They have a good supply of stuff and you can find about anything you want.

Now, exhaust. There are a decent selection of 4-2s out there, 4-1s are a little harder to come by. Just about any 4-1 conversion you do is going to require carb rejetting. Sometimes that turns into a real saga. And it will almost always hurt your mileage. Vance & Hines, Kerker, and MAC all make systems for the GS.

Ergos article: http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_ergonomics.htm

[rnickel]

Would it be possible to get a newer style muffler on the 4-1's?

[GSstiny]

all the ones Ive seen come with a stock-ish megaphone. Ive seen it done though. Mine is stock for the time being, so I dont know what all it takes to make it work. Try searching for "slip on" or something similar in performance and tech, never know what you might find.

[katoranger]

There are some people considering/doing that here. I think it looks great with a modern can. Might need the help of an exhaust shop that can bend pipe. Find a 4 into one header and a can to combine the two.

Allen