Show us something that you MADE for your GS

[Desert Skies]

I'm all about being "thrifty" when it comes to add ons. I took an aluminum block, drilled a 1" hole in it and cut it in two to make some saddles for my fog lights to bolt onto my engine guards.

[LaurelPerryOnLand]

Originally Posted by Desert Skies

I'm all about being "thrifty" when it comes to add ons. I took an aluminum block, drilled a 1" hole in it and cut it in two to make some saddles for my fog lights to bolt onto my engine guards.

Noticed that you're saving on the "soap", as well!

[Desert Skies]

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

Noticed that you're saving on the "soap", as well!

Dood, it's not a Harley.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by ElMartillo

Nice job, I like the DIY stuff that looks factory. I'd suggest a little rubber stick-on bumper or two at the potential contact point(s) at the top to prevent vibration noise should the wind push it backwards.

Also, did it have a noticeable effect on the wind entering under the bottom edge of the windshield? More buffeting?

Cheers!

Thanks!
The wind holds it firmly to the glass. It doesn't vibrate, but probably a good idea to add a bumper to pevent scratching protector.

I kept the edge opaque to minimize the reflection. It is not bad, but I might add a bit of paint along the edge to reduce it more.

Jim

[VietHorse]

Start browsing this thread to do something for my newly bought GS...
You guys' mods are amazing! Thanks.

[ElMartillo]

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

Martillo...do have any 'patterns' that you used?

Yes. First I made a cardboard mock-up. From that I made 3 plywood patterns of the 6 panels (3 patterns as it's symmetrical). Routered the aluminum to the pattern using a straight-cut router bit with an end bearing on my router table. De-burred, put the bends in the two bottom panels, cut the hinges, drilled for rivets (countersunk and pressed flat both sides)...et voila!

[UnclebudinTX]

Originally Posted by TheRoss

Nice.

Was the outside of that socket not round?

I never get rid of old tools. I may upgrade tools, but I always keep the old ones. You never know when some Southern Engineering will be called for.

A broke wrench is just a wrench waiting to be repurposed.. I have a drawer full of broke wrenches, never knpw when you will need to bend one to fit .

[VietHorse]

Anyone did (or knowing someone else) make your own upper crashbar for your 1200GS?
I am looking for some ideas, dimensions and advices.
Thanks.

[JimVonBaden]

Made a light bar:



Unfortunately I ran out of bedliner paint, so I used plastidip. Not pretty underneith, but it looks good on the outside, and works well!




Jim

[GS Addict]

Originally Posted by kimokk

Where do you get an M14 coupling nut at? I went to my local Ace hardware and they only had SAE style and not the larger version. Also, the large spark plug socket made by Husky does not allow for the reverse socket drive trick since it has a circular hole on the inside not the standard 3/8 inch square socket fitting..

Any industrial fastener place that stocks metric carries them.
I just went to my local one.
It's interesting that McMaster Carr doesn't carry that size but went looking I found that the M12 coupling nut is 22mm across as well see link http://www.mcmaster.com/#metric-coupling-nuts/=l0t8h9

[Dennisb40]

Purchased some moose mitts and modified them with my sewing machine. Hands are nice and toasty to matter the temp.

I use Nylon cloth and lined it with a tough denim called duck cloth.

[ElMartillo]

Not long after purchasing my Y2K 1150GS just about 3 years ago, I was enjoying one of my first dirt rides on the bike. After several attempts to "get air", some of which were moderately successful, I just happened to look in my right side mirror and noticed one of my poorly-loaded system cases rolling around in the dirt behind me.

Luckily I had a number of bungee cords with me, and after recovering the case I was able to reattach it well enough to gingerly ride home.



Upon inspection, I found the front "hanger" on the right side case was broken, nearly clean off. After finding out how much it would cost to replace the case ($$$), I decided a fix was in order. I had some stainless angle iron on hand, and my TIG machine with nothing better to do...

This is what a good "hangar" looks like:



This is the broken one, with my new stainless steel hangar:



As you can see, fits well. I trimmed the plastic so the hang height is darn close to correct:



Inside the case:




Stronger than the original, I'm sure. I also realized the rail on the same side was broken so I simply replaced that with a used unit, but I will soon post photos of my new stainless rails I'm currently working on.

I hope this idea helps some folks!

Cheers!

[STUFF2C]

[LaurelPerryOnLand]

Originally Posted by ElMartillo

Upon inspection, I found the front "hanger" on the right side case was broken, nearly clean off. After finding out how much it would cost to replace the case ($$$), I decided a fix was in order. I had some stainless angle iron on hand, and my TIG machine with nothing better to do...

Cheers!

There's a SERIOUS market for something like these for VARIO cases!

The replacement case bottom cost $114 and $142 (left and right) IIRC.

See "Case Bottom Replacement" Step 1 in my pictorial for an example of the same kind of broken TAB on the VARIOs.

It seems like it's always this tab...shown in the picture.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=848307

OK...you sit around...make up a few "TAB REPAIR KITS" and pocket a few thousand dollars which can then be used to farkle!

Just sayin'.

[ElMartillo]

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

There's a SERIOUS market for something like these for VARIO cases!

The replacement case bottom cost $114 and $142 (left and right) IIRC.

See "Case Bottom Replacement" Step 1 in my pictorial for an example of the same kind of broken TAB on the VARIOs.

It seems like it's always this tab...shown in the picture.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=848307

OK...you sit around...make up a few "TAB REPAIR KITS" and pocket a few thousand dollars which can then be used to farkle!

Just sayin'.

Well, I like making money as much as the next guy, I enjoy fabrication and problem-solving. I could price it reasonably I'm sure.

You have a broken one you could send me? Ideally I'd need the piece(s) that broke off, ultimately ideally the bike for fitment, but we could get around that if necessary.

Cheers!