Back when I redone mine, I took the rear plastics off and cut any tabs off the frame besides the rear footpegs( still had to ride my GF lol) then I put them back on, with a sharpie I marked alomg the inside right at the frame. Removed the tail again then trimmed down plastics to the line. Smoothed it all out and man it cleaned up the whole rear and FOR FREE! Stock they come down real low into the angle. I wanted the rear to be more sleek. And the headlight was busted, I bought 2 high powered "fog lights" or driving lights from the parts store, made a bracket that mounted to the stock headlight bucket then mounted up the twin headlights. Got a set of straight bars of Ebay for like 20$, along with some bar end mirriors and stubby turn signals. The stock ones look goofy AF. Lastly the tank was junk from it being wrecked so I got a tank from a later bike. Earlier ones like this had the seat go up the tank. Later models had the seat stop right at the tank like on the GSXRs. I took my stock seat, pulled the leather off the front, cut it down and shaped the foam then folded the leather back over and restapled it together. Looked just like a newer seat. All in all I spent about 150$ and the new gas tank was like 100$ lol it actually looked realy good. Too bad it was still a slow bike. Great for a starter bike or a smaller person tho. I just needed something bigger
Basicly it started with my step dad taking the bike in on a trade when I was like 15, it set in our basement and never ran. I wanted to ride it SO bad but nope.. Anyway I turn 18, get my motorcycle Licence, am prepared to pay my stepdad 1000$ for it. He sells it to his nephew instead so I don't wreck it... Right LOL. Long story short less then 6 months later he wrecked it, went and bought it off him for 500$ and then modded it. When I brought it back to show my Stepdad he literally didn't even recognize it as the same bike. To me that was a win. Definatly a good starter bike to ride and mod both. They are just so damn goofy looking stock its not that hard to improve the looks. Mine looked a lot like this one, wish I still had pics of it.
I've seen a lot of terrible streetfighter mods to GS500s, but this one is the best one I've seen. Still classy, and you kept that front headlight- my favorite aesthetic part of the bike. Really nicely done.
@Bikerstanley I ordered that from streetfightersbydesign website, They make them custom for the GS500, takes about six weeks around 150 dollars, but they are the best looking. Made in England out of fiberglass not plastic.
Thanks for the comment, I have family in Switzerland, I live in the U.S. I used matte black automotive wrap to make the frame black. You can purchase it on Ebay it's peel & stick, works really well. 502 is police code.(Megadeth reference)
hey so iv got myself a 1990 gs 500and im looking to do a similar thing to it. i have to say i loved the vid and u have def inspired me to go bigger than i was origionally gonna. :) the 500 was my first bike n now that i got a new one its just sitting there i dont wanna get rid of it but i need to make my own u no. im a 20 yr old girl with no experience so this should be fun :P be safe n awsome bike ;)
You can shorten it some & leave it open. I took a piece of fiber 3M pad and pushed it in the tube to act like a dust filter, but it will still allow pressure and an occasional drop of oil out of the hose.
I like the look of your bike, great job on the mod. I have a 93 and am doing a complete streetfighter mod with it. A have a few questions for you. Did you just cut the frame behind the seat mount? Are those the stock frame cover fairings just cut down?
Yes the new style 250 Ninja. It sounds great, plus the can gives you three options for mild, loud, or loudest(racing) Check my other video for a sound sample.
I cut maybe 8 or so inches off the frame and some off the seat pan to match, no welding. That is the stock swingarm, I removed the chain guard and cut off the mounting brackets.
Hard to say for sure, most of it is just my time. I used second hand parts etc. So not counting the price of the bike I probably spent around $500. Notice I used a waste basket for the black mesh on the chin spoiler and the tail light.
Hey man, awesome bike. I just picked up a 2008 myself. Do you have a parts list someplace? I'd like to see what headlight/handlebar/handlebar mirror and exhaust you have.
I rejetted the carbs/shimmed needles etc., so it took a bit of trial & error. Any type exhaust will affect carb performance somewhat, but everyone says it sounds great & it runs like a scalded weasel..
It's not shown on the website, but you can contact David Cork and he will give you the details. It's a great quality product ( fiberglass not plastic ) streetfighters by design dotcom
i have the same bike (1996 really) but ove always wanted to streetfighter mine !!! the only thing i cant figure out is how to succesfully chop the back end, but without ruining the lighting/wiring and the pillion seat ! please can you put a video up explaining, or write back !!! also, where is your belly pan from ??? thanks man !! SWEET bike btw !!!
Did you have to cut the rear end of the bike (As in, chopped and welded to increase the angle of the frame?? I noticed you trimmed the fairings for sure.
@pfriday2001 That is the tail light from a Kawasaki Z750, I just painted the rear part of the frame so it wouldn't rust since I cut on it. I left enough of the plastic fender to bolt the tag right onto. I went up to a 17T front sprocket (Bandit or Katana sprocket)
What tail light did you use? And did you just paint the frame under the seat or did you transplant something back there? Really nice looking bike. I am about to start my build in a few weeks. Ride safe.
I noticed for parts of the frame you just used strips of vinyl black wrap. Is this some sort of tape that sticks? What about the durability in extreme conditions like rain or heat, or a simple wash for your bike, doesn't it come right off?
I saw one yesterday and was thinking that motor would be what I need .I have a 1974 HD sx 175 and was thinking about changing the motor, I was also thinking about a modern dirt bike motor like a 450 or something. I know its a HD but feel like making something different(retro supermoto or streetfighter) . Tell me what you think.
did u have any problems with the bike considering its 500 and the exhaust was for a 250. did u have to tweek or adjust anything on the bikes carb or somethin?
fascinating, ive got a 2008 gs 500f and i didnt think ther was any way to modify them (properly) Great work man she is a keeper! how much did all the work cost you though?
I have a 2009 GS500F and want to put on a new exhaust. I really like the look of that Two Brothers you put on yours. What model is it? When I looked on the Two Brothers website it doesn't list one for the GS500. Thanks! Nice looking bike by the way!
also did you replace the rear swing arm?? and what kind is that? Great looking bike man. I've got a GS in my garage and never looked at the bike like I am now lol. no lie lol. I'm going to build this one too I guess lol.
Not sure of the brand. Look on Ebay for the ones with NO screws on the back of the mirror. The ones with screws holding the stem to the back of the mirror are inferior.
Greetings from the netherlands! i own a stock suzuki gs 500 E slingshot by. 89 But your bike is looking really cool!! Is it possible too find some tips on the internet to build something like that you have? THX and roll on...
this video had great potential but it was ruined for me by the completed bike being shown every few slides i like to see the first version and watch it slowly broken down and rebuilt back into what the finished product is. I dont want too see the finished product while i am trying to establish what is happening it ruined the video
