First GS, graphics change and progress day 10

[Bikerbaz78]

Sorry about the crappy pics, need decent weather and will do some out-door ones

Since these I removed the rear hugger and currently searching for some more GSA parts; Black bench seat, tail under-seat panel, screen and brackets. Having said all that next on the list is tyres!!!

Other work done; Removed baffle, Alternator belt was a tad slack causing slip, Silencer bush was crushed at an angle causing the bracket to vibrate against rear foot rest stay. So I "re-aligned it" (with a vice and copper hammer ) and changed the dreaded cat code, pending further trials...

As I picked it up from Grim (thanks again Grim for a fantastic bike );

After graphics kindly supplied by 2 wheel humvee, beak from motorworks, Givi Top box and mounting plate removed and a good clean up around the corroded areas etc. (Gona advertise the Givi Top box and a grey baglux tank cover soon )

Standard GS stickers OFF;

All thanks to this man!

GSA graphics ON;

Chuffed as NUTS, Baz

 

[elevensies]

tidy

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

I was a tad scared when fitting my new decals

 

[Stewart H]

Yup thats how it starts, a sticker here, a stainless doodad there, before you know it theres a touratech catalogue in the loo and you are nonchalantly trying to intercept the postman before the missus sees what he is carrying


Stewart

 

[Bikerbaz78]

HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH OMG... LMAO.... HEHEHEHEHEHEEHE i'm slightly embarrassed to admit that my Touratech catalogue is on the bog window sill...

It would appear I have a stalker!

I just got torn to shreds by Elevensies about farting around with tiny detail and Steptoe says "Ride it", Sproggy has his versions too! All fair comments I think but dicking around with the GS is a really enjoyable past time for me. It means no working, no house renovation stuff just wrench time knowing that next time i jump on the bike something no matter how small is different (and hopefully for the better )

Postman interception.... Not too much of an issue as long as "we" all understand that things like a GSA beak extension is a "service requirement" much the same as a "replacement" 'decal' kit too!!!

Thanks for the reassuring words guys; it helps me convince myself that its ok to be obsessed with a bike

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Thanks for the heads up Baz

Enjoy tinkering with your new ride it's unlikely you will do much that cannot be undone or reversed if you don't like it

 

[carrera2]

Why didn't you buy a GSA out of interest? Looks good by the way, just never understand the 'tribute' type mods.

 

[Bikerbaz78]

I was a tad scared when fitting my new decals

It's all your fault!!! I read your post about the new graphics even before I had collected the bike! Once I got the pic's of it I could just hear it... calling out to me..... "I need GSA tank decals". Of course being a decent and understanding GS owner i thought I had to oblige

It did make me nervous fitting them, the worst part being is you have no straight edges to line them up with? Very hit or miss with only one chance of getting it right!

still it looks the part and as long as I dont stare at it too long I shouldnt be able to notice if I have made any mistakes

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

It's all your fault!!! I read your post about the new graphics even before I had collected the bike! Once I got the pic's of it I could just hear it... calling out to me..... "I need GSA tank decals". Of course being a decent and understanding GS owner i thought I had to oblige

It did make me nervous fitting them, the worst part being is you have no straight edges to line them up with? Very hit or miss with only one chance of getting it right!

still it looks the part and as long as I dont stare at it too long I shouldnt be able to notice if I have made any mistakes

It's now "your" bike.
I tried to follow an online instructional video on YouTube, but right from the start it wouldn’t work. Because the tank is curved your unable to make a hinge. Still, I got on with it and it came out OK.
Carrera, I haven’t made a tribute bike. I have changed the colour of my bike, and changed the decals. TBH I didn’t know they were GSA decals. I simply liked the look of them.

 

[Bikerbaz78]

Why didn't you buy a GSA out of interest? Looks good by the way, just never understand the 'tribute' type mods.

2000 plate GSA's are seling for £4.5k to a whopping £6k... Hence I didnt by a GSA... Also alot of people warned me that the suspension being that much higher can be a nightmare if you are vertically challenged! I'm 5'11 but my heels dont touch the floor on both sides with GS suspension

So the answer seemed to be, buy a GS and add GSA parts to taste

Jobs a goodun!!! The only thing thats really bitten me in the ass is the GSA optional low ratio first gear... I took my GS down the lane in front of the house and got straight on the clutch to maintain a slower, controlled up hill crawl Oh well, i'll just have to learn to ride faster off road so i wont need to use the clutch Apparently not all GSA ahd teh low ratio anyway?

 

[Wrinkly]

Hi Baz,
Think very carefully about changing to a bench seat if you carry a pillion,they are very uncomfotable for most pillions.
Don't listen to all that "just ride it" back chat,it's good to tinker.

Steve

 

[Stewart H]

Another free tip that has made my bike more comfortable is to put the front seat on the high setting at the front and low at the rear, it took me a while to discover that one

Stewart

 

[motobiker]

No decals on my bike.. a year on from respraying and I quite like it this way. Seems to me it's quite obvious the bike is a GS... so why shout about it?

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

No decals on my bike.. a year on from respraying and I quite like it this way. Seems to me it's quite obvious the bike is a GS... so why shout about it?

Shouting

The decals are an integral part of the GS design. Not shouting though You prefer not to have decals.


Humvee stop encouraging people to "shout"

 

[ovenpaa]

Yup thats how it starts, a sticker here, a stainless doodad there, before you know it theres a touratech catalogue in the loo and you are nonchalantly trying to intercept the postman before the missus sees what he is carrying

Famous quotes from my wife include (As she placed a small jiffy bag on the table next to me) "Another 150 quid?"

 

[motobiker]

Integral?

They peel off.. just a bit of plastic film. If they were integral then they'ld be under the lacquer.

The original decals on the 1100 were at least 'subtle'.. not so the GSA graphics which really do SHOUT... and indeed 'SCREAM' if you go for the extra snazzy reflective type.

no.. less is definitely more. The entire bike is one massive statement without the graphics.

Mine does say its a GS.. on the radcover.

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Integral?

They peel off.. just a bit of plastic film. If they were integral then they'ld be under the lacquer.

The original decals on the 1100 were at least 'subtle'.. not so the GSA graphics which really do SHOUT... and indeed 'SCREAM' if you go for the extra snazzy reflective type.

no.. less is definitely more. The entire bike is one massive statement without the graphics.

Mine does say its a GS.. on the radcover.

In your opinion

 

[sproggy]

Mine does say its a GS.. on the radcover.

In your opinion

Do we have any reason to doubt what's written on his rad cover?

 

[elevensies]

Baz, in all honesty, it is good to tinker, dont take to heart what folk think or say, you will end up with the bike you wanted by way of making it your own

 

[plrb]

Famous quotes from my wife include (As she placed a small jiffy bag on the table next to me) "Another 150 quid?"

From my wife at dinner party ~~ "it is strange how motorbikes always come fitted with the noisy exhaust and you have to collect the quiet one after" ~ oops 2 x Ducati with Termi's and now 2 x GSA's with Remus!
or is that Remi ?
not best pleased when found out truth, or as i prefer half truth