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Just got my first motorcycle.

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twin-tip-hero
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 277

So I just picked up my 2008 Suzuki GS500F a few days ago.  It's my first bike and this thing kicks some ass.  From the second I got it home I could not resist to plaster the thing in NS stickers.  What do youguys think, did I over do the stickers a bit?  Some people say I did, but I think there are not too many, and they go with the bike nicely.

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Sep 8 2010 7:42PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Word to dude with the CBR. 

To spread a little more bike love, here's a pic of my scantily clad significant other.  The only thing that's not stock is the 2.5" lowered stance, the fender eliminator I made for it at my shop, and the Pirelli Diablo tires.  Other than that, she's already perfect.  Sure, I'd love a taylormade dumpout exhaust but then you get to have that drone on the highway that vibrates your brain, which I hate.   

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Sep 9 2010 10:45AM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
I am a fan of the short, or snubbed, or whatever you want to call it, exhaust. easiest way to do it in my experience, is to chop the 4-into-1 pipe where you want it to end, and run an internal baffle to create a bit of back pressure if power drop is experienced because the exhaust can't escape fast enough. I really dislike the whiney sounds that most cheap slip-ons make, it sounds like insects flying around. don't even get me started on super quiet stock exhausts. I've used my method on my own bike, an 82 gs650, and on my friends '00 sv650 and his 92 cb750. In my experience, it gives a much more guttural sound, and looks way better.

as far as safety goes, props to you for going 5 years on that cbr without getting hurt, but there is a reason that craigslist is cluttered with 1-10 year old sport bikes with less than a 1000 miles on them, and its because people buy them, either rack up a ton of speeding tickets, or drop the bike and never get on it again. I feel like sportbikes should be sold as track-only machines, as a majority of the people riding them aren't being safe at all.

to the OP again, ride safe, your bike is a great choice for a first bike, I'm just saying you can make it look way more badass, with minimal modification.
Sep 9 2010 10:56AM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
by the way that looks real clean. props
Sep 9 2010 10:58AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Thanks!  I like the clean look, hence the rear pegs being on it maybe 5 times since '07.  I'm a custom fabricator and I stretch crotch rocket swingarms so it was tempting to make something totally trick for it or wrap the whole frame in diamond plate, hand make some dope fenders etc. but it's too easy to get carried away and ruin a bike IMHO.  That and I never want to F with the handling but I'm glad you like it.   

Trying to find a pic of a fender I made for my brother's single side swingarm 955i Daytona he sold last year.  Basically a tapered spiderweb look made from hand-formed steel rod, with stainless mesh backing and powdercoated...  Man I wish I had more pics of the stuff I've done, this shit is useless without pics. 

Sep 9 2010 11:23AM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
Buy a sportster imo
Sep 9 2010 11:31AM
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P_Steezy
Posts: 323 - Karma: 11
do u have pics of what you've done? I've never seen it (that I've noticed, at least). where do you normally chop it at? I guess it's a personal preference on whether or not you mess with the exhaust, but in my opinion, it isn't really worth it with starter bikes unless you're doing it for to gain experience and what not. I rode my friend's Ninja 250 and it just disappointed me cuz it wasn't nearly as fun as a 600. if I were her I'd get rid of it as soon as she gets the basic riding skill set (shouldn't take more than 1000 miles really) and upgrade to a 600.

but yeah I see people riding like ass holes on sport bikes all the time and it's only a matter of time before their luck catches up with them. and I'm seeing more and more people riding sport bikes without a helmet, gloves, or any other protective wear. I usually only do that if I'm going on REALLY short (
Sep 9 2010 12:31PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

JESUS DUDE!!!  DO NOT CUT OFF YOUR EXHAUST AT THE HEADERS EITHER!  WTF!!!  Who the hell taught you to work on bikes???!?!??? 

Wait, people aren't being safe at all?  You mean like riding around with no blinkers or reflectors on a flat black bike, right?  Thought so.  Dude, you do quite a bit of externalizing.  Just sayin'...   

Sep 9 2010 1:25PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
I do agree with him on the blinkers thing. It's sooo much safer to use hand signals.

I don't know if it's just Harley's that do this, but on my Sportster, when you press the turn signal it only stays on for about 10 seconds then turns off again, then when you press it again once it turns on, it stays on until you remember to turn it off. I've forgotten it a few times because of that, and left my turn signal on for a mile or two. I just use hand signals now.
Sep 9 2010 1:28PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
nice, I'm currently working on making a gas tank, and hopefully this winter I can afford to buy a TIG welder and some other gear and start making frames.

this is my daily rider, the 82 gs650. its turning more and more into a rat bike every week. I've put close to 12 thousand miles on it since april. it could look cleaner but I can't be bothered to wash it and I left the brackets for rear footpegs on because my girlfriend occasionally needs rides so I put footpegs on as necessary
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I have a 69 ironhead sitting in boxes at home waiting to be turned into a classic 70s style chop, and I want to pick up some sort of two stroke to make into a scrambler styled bike for winter riding. Theres a sick bultaco on craigslist right now, and an rd400. I just need to find cash for one. Next summer I hope to have enough money set aside to pick up either an r6 or a daytona for tracking. I just need to get a second job in order to afford the 400 dollars a weekend tires will cost me.


Sep 9 2010 1:36PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I'd just like to point out that your stance on blinkers being less safe than hand signals is merely an opinion unless you can back it up with data, which you can't because it's NOT. 

Basically you're saying that because you can't seem to remember to turn off your signal, you just don't use it anymore?  That's cool.  See, I live in an area with a disproportionately large percentage of fucktards.  Most of them have no idea what you're signaling, but they all know a blinker.  That and I have integrated blinkers so I guess it would be a huge deal to take them out...  but I seriously don't get how you could say it's safer to hand signal.  Anytime you take a hand off the bars, it gets that much more unsafe because it increases your reaction time.  ESPECIALLY going into a turn.

Take it or leave it, but that's just my .02       

Sep 9 2010 1:37PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
exhaust as in the picture I just posted, straight pipes, used to extend past rear wheel, now its chopped to length right underneath the crankcase. with a hand machined baffle bolted on.
Sep 9 2010 1:40PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Wow, she's actually quite pretty!  Bonneville esque-even, I like it- not at all what I was picturing after your posts.  Have to say, I might even take back making fun of your exhaust mods.  Ok, maybe not  ;) but still, looks great.   

As a small word of advice, don't try to make your own frame.  It's a HUGE pain in the ass.  Just buy an unwelded kit, they're pretty cheap and all the hardest stuff is already done. 

Sep 9 2010 1:41PM
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*simba*
Posts: 9125 - Karma: 511
FUCK I forgot to post IMO



IMO
Sep 9 2010 1:42PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
I will take pictures of two of the bikes I've done for others this weekend when I see the guys for a three day trip. I've done one drop seat hardtail and several cafe style bullet seats, and machine a lot of random brackets and accessories to make parts fit that shouldnt. the one I just posted had its rear section chopped by the previous owner, but i fixed all of the welds recently, and am going to redo the whole rear end in the next few months as I have time and access to a welder.
Sep 9 2010 1:45PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
The issue with unwelded kits is they only make them for popular frames like harleys and xs650s. plus I'm moving in with a kid who is going to bicycle frame building school in january, so he will split cost of all equipment with me, and can help me learn to build jigs to make frames.
Sep 9 2010 1:47PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Are you in the NE?  I'm a fully certified x3 TIG welder with a full shop.  If you want a lesson or need some outside help, hit me up.     

Sep 9 2010 1:48PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Well I wish you the best of luck but if you're not planning on making a bunch of frames, making a jig is an astronomical amount of work.  Sick project though, be sure to keep us posted as things come along! 
Sep 9 2010 1:50PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
also, I went to a private museum this past sunday, and if you like rare bikes..

maserati
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ferrari
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he also had a 1933 Puch 250 in mint condition, several bianchis, countless ducatis, parellas, benellis, and other italian makes, at least 10 different marques of 50cc mopeds, an opel, a jawa, a pristine t120, a Triton, 74 Ducati Sport, two JAPs, 49 scout and 49 chief, an Opel, and other outrageously rare bikes. I guess he showed 3 different bikes at the last councours d'elegance.
Sep 9 2010 1:54PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
Denver.
Sep 9 2010 1:55PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I indeed have a boner, and I am totally jealous you got to smell all that sick iron. 
Sep 9 2010 2:03PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
cool tires, how are they? i've heard with those retro looking tires you gotta sacrifice some performance in the name of coolness.
Sep 9 2010 2:19PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
they are fucking awesome. When I bought the bike it had a set on there, and they performed so well that I bought another set when those wore out. plus they are dirt cheap. I got front and rear for 60 bucks on sale. they are super grippy in corners actually, I can get the footpegs scraping through switch backs at 35-40 mph and feel completely in control, and feel equally comfortable on twisty highways around 90mph. I'd recommend them. Bridgestone spitfire s11.
Sep 9 2010 2:34PM
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P_Steezy
Posts: 323 - Karma: 11
sick bike! I was looking at GSXRs for quite a while until a good deal on the CBR came up. mine is pretty much stock too, it just has the carbon fiber windscreen, fender eliminator, custom paint job, integrated turn signals, and it has been lowered 2". the only thing I've done is the integrated turn signals (which I would take any day over hand signals...). the owner before me got the other 3 things done and I'm not a HUGE fan of the paint job, and plastics aren't too expensive, but shipping them costs more than the plastics themselves. because of the undertail exhaust, the fender eliminator makes the license plate really hard to see, so I've got to fix that if I don't wanna get pulled over for it eventually.

here's a pic from the side so u can see what I'm talking about. IMO those pegs could definitely go.

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Sep 9 2010 4:05PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
try calling a few different dealers that sell honda. I know when I have to go to a dealership to get oem parts quick, they have new fairings and tails for sport bikes for sale, I'm assuming most bigger shops should sell stuff like that.
Sep 9 2010 4:13PM
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Oh_So_Hyphy
Posts: 870 - Karma: 15
dont have it yet but when i do get a bike i want this.

Yamaha R1
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Sep 9 2010 4:30PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
yeah I hear you on the undertail, it def makes things more difficult back there. The under-motor exhaust on the GSXRs in '06 was a huge draw for me, coupled with the slipper clutch, improved throttle linkage and that fantastic pinched-in frame of the previous 1000s... I just had to have this one. The color combo was only available on the 750s for that year too.

I love thinking about the numbers. 350 lbs, 150 hp, 15k redline, 6 gears. To get that kind of performance in a car costs house money.

You might want to try selling your painted plastics before you buy new ones. People pay good money for those and it helps you justify spending more than you anticipated (see below)


CF is about the only "bling" I'd put on my bike but that's just me.

Sep 9 2010 4:40PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
first time or have you ridden before?
Sep 9 2010 5:03PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
have fun crashing it all 5 of my friend that bought bikes have crashed them.
Sep 9 2010 5:08PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
if you like carbon, I have to snap a picture of my dad's friend's ride. 998r with a full carbon corse body, track-only outrageousness
Sep 9 2010 5:08PM
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Relish_man
Posts: 5386 - Karma: 551
well... if were here for bike claiming me and my dad recently got his old Suzuki Gamma 500, and i must say, there not much that can beat the feeling of kick-starting a race-tuned two-stroke, the sound is amazing too. next up in the restoration line is his old Ducati 750 that well be putting back on the road this year, thatll hopefully be my first bike
(not the exact same, my dads is red)
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Sep 9 2010 5:13PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
is that a sport or a super sport? its early 70s right? 72-74?
Sep 9 2010 5:36PM
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MAPLE_SYRUP
Posts: 1910 - Karma: 68
my first "road bike" ha ha
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crappy cell phone pics
Sep 9 2010 6:02PM
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twin-tip-hero
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 277
so i have had the bike for a little time now, and have put on over 1500 miles on it. I purchased some sick ass gloves, and a really nice jacket that I always have on whenever I ride. But as for as how fast I have gotten it up to, it's only a 500cc so not much.110 is the fastest, and I really don't plan on trying to beat that. It's a get me to wherever I'm going bike, not a race bike.
Oct 12 2010 8:34PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
just picked up an RD350!!!!! its disgusting looking, but when I'm finished with it, its going to shred so hard. gonna be turned into a track bike, completely stripped down, bump start only. should top at 80 or 90, making hot two stroke sex noises the whole way.
Oct 12 2010 8:43PM
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Crack.
Posts: 6020 - Karma: 84
lookin to get my bike soon. Parents paid for my car (prof pic) so I gotta be hustlin to pay for my own bike
Oct 12 2010 8:47PM
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