ST to G/S?

[FatAl]

I've owned an R80ST for a few years. I,ve given it a full mechanical overhaul over the last 2 years, and rather than just giving it a cosmetic face lift later this year I was wondering how viable it would be to convert it to G/s spec.
Has anyone on this board done a similar conversion? I need to now what parts would be interchangable with other models, eg; front forks etc;
All comments appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Frank Warner]

Basically you need to change
the front forks
headlight and instruments
Handel bars
rear shock.. this may have a different mounting point on the rear swing arm?
Sump - the G/S has 2 litres, I think the ST has 4...

You can get away with doing less, but you won't have a true G/S then. If you do the suspension then you'd best do the sump.. I know someone who did not and put a hole in it.. very messy.

 

[Frank Warner]

There is more detail on

http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_mono.html#R80ST

If you want to convert it cosmetically .. well the ST looks fine!

If your after an off road bike then the suspension and sump are what is needed. And that would be the minimum. Sumps may be hard to find. Suspensions .. if you look at the /5 front ends you can see where they came form. But they are spindly affairs .. most people would opt for something more ridgid .. say off a later model GS ...

 

[judge]

Come on Para your public awaits...

 

[Neverendingstory]

I own a R80ST wich has been modified to match the G/S specs. Front has been upgraded with the newer GS fork/wheel/brake. Back shock has been replaced with a Hagon (still don't know if I'm satisfied). You need a GS stand too in order to cope with the higher ground clearance. After that I got rid of - or replaced all the (imo) unneccesairy stuff like panniers, headlight, tacho and rev counter. I also mounted Acerbis plastics that add to better looks, but if you like the G/S as it is, those changes are of course not neccesairy.

Rik

 

[Neverendingstory]

I presumed that the question was: 'how can I change my ST to G/S specs?' A HPN specs G/S is of course worth the money, but goes well beyond the sense af adventure (and the budget) of most of us. Apart from the height, the raised front fender and the worse head light of the G/S, both types are like twin sisters. So if you can do without the kick starter and the steel foot rests (I forgot those two) and want to stick to your better instruments (forgot those too) all you need is a rear shock and a front fender. But please get rid of the front end! A GS front end will get you another bike. I tried the original fork with WP springs but still had to do without proper brakes and stiffness. The GS fork, wheel and disk are probably the best investment. If you succeed in throwing away as much parts as possible while keeping the bike legal, you have a light, eager and obeying machine both on and off road.

Rik

 

[FatAl]

thanks for the replies lads. I've been giving this matter some thought over the past few days, and doing some costings. I've decided to keep ST as standard, and treat it to a new paint job.
As far as getting a g/s I'm not too sure. I wanted a bike suitable for gentle green laning and thought a g/s would be OK. However my Harley has gone tits up again, so it looks like I'll sell it after it's been repaired, and perhaps then buy an 1150gs. I might even sell my old BSA C11g and then I might have enough for a GS 1200. I just hope either of these two will prove to be as comfy and as full of character as the HD.

I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure!!

Thanks again -----FATAL.

 

[Frank Warner]

I forgot the wheel and brakes thing.. if your buying the forks I think you'll find the added costs of buy a complete front end not that much more.. and everything will fit.

fatal - good decision. The ST is a fine bike, will probably do everything the HD does .. except pose. Guy here has a R100Mystic with the PD 32l tank .. and a really nice candy apply red paint job. That bike can pose with the best of 'em, has a nice long range, and takes to mild dirt roads .. The ST should handle dirt roads .. just not as fast as a G/S.

As for buying one of those oilheads .. well if you’re ok with the weight of the pigs...

 

[Rob Farmer]

I thought the ST was as rare has rocking horse poo?? why don't you sell the ST and buy a GS? or am I missing something (I usually do).