My GZ

[Mercutio57]

Here she is, "La Poderosita.' The only mods are the engine guard, the chrome trim on the gas tank, and the removal of the various logo stickers. And yes, that is snow on the ground!

[Water Warrior 2]

Looking good. Hmm, sunshine and clear roads. Get riding.

[burkbuilds]

Your bike looks great, what year is it?

[Mercutio57]

She's an '09. Just had the 3000 mile service.
http://s4.postimage.org/1IoXuS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1IoXuS)

[jofa41]

I like the engine guard you have on your bike. Was it a fairly straight-forward process to install it?

[alantf]

I like the engine guard you have on your bike. Was it a fairly straight-forward process to install it?

Installing a guard on a gz takes, literally, 5 minutes. Remove the horn bracket, remove the bottom one of the two bolts that go through the down frame, put the guard in place, use the longer bolt provided to fix the bottom of the guard to the down frame, refit the top of the guard to the hornbolt on the frame, then refit the horn to the guard. Tools needed - 2 spanners & an Allen key. :2tup:

[Mercutio57]

The only thing I would add to the previous post is that I found that the lower bolt they supplied was about 1/4 too short, so I had to run to the hardware store to get another. But yes, the MC Enterprises guard goes on very easily, and appears to be very well-made. I think it looks good as well. With the logos removed I have had a lot of people ask me what the bike is, and they are generally surprised to find out that it's only a 250. The absence of logos, together with the crashbar, gives it a certain retro look that seems to catch the eye, at least where I am.

[alantf]

With the logos removed I have had a lot of people ask me what the bike is,

Couldn't easily do that with the European version. They have BIG, 3 dimensional, hard plastic,"Marauder" logos on the tank (with stick on "Suzuki" logos on the side panels). :smoke:

[Sarris]

All the emblems in all versions are two faced taped in place.

Buy some bumper sticker remover and soak behind the emblem and let it sit for an hour or so and repeat.

They will damn near fall of on their own.

If not, gently pull off and remove the remaining adhesive with the BSR. Wax and you're done.

The Suzi decals just peel off.

:2tup:

[mrlmd1]

What's that pile of white stuff in the background behind your bike? I seem to remember that stuff when I lived up in NJ, like 4' deep in 2005. I'm glad I don't have to look at it and fight with it anymore.

[Water Warrior 2]

I like the big Marauder emblems on the tank. They tend to make the tank stand out a little more.

[Mercutio57]

The stickers peeled off fairly easily, and I removed the tank logos with dental floss-- slipped it under one corner, then pulled it back. A little scrubbing with Orange Clean to remove the glue residue, and we were good to go.

[el cheapo]

I really like the clean look of your bike! :2tup: Where did you get the chrome trim for the tank?

[el cheapo]

And by the way, the engine guard looks like it comes close to the rear brake and shifter. Any problems shifting or braking? Thanks!

[Mercutio57]

I got the chrome trim from eBay. As for braking and shifting, I've had no problems. If I press very hard on the brake while parked the pedal will just barely touch the guard, but the way I've got the cable adjusted the brake is fully locked long before that point. In other words, no real problem. Neither have I had any problems shifting-- no interference at all. This, by the way, is with Justin Original workboots, size 9.

[Krazy Kraut]

Here is my RIDE!
http://s1.postimage.org/y7ONA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxy7ONA)
Nice bike! Anybody living in Wichita, KS? Maybe we could get together and show off our beauties!!!!

[Mercutio57]

I'd love to, but unfortunately I'm about half a continent away!

[patrick_777]

That engine guard makes it look bigger than it is. Nice job on the install and decal removal. I really like the chrome trim on the tank, but you might think about carrying it over to the front or back fender too.

[Mercutio57]

That was the original plan, but I had a hard time working it around the curves on the fenders. I may try it again.

[patrick_777]

Is it plastic or metal? Maybe heating it up, either way, would make it more flexible.

[Mercutio57]

It's plastic, and comes in a coil. The trick is to get it to curve in the direction you want it to, as opposed to the direction it wants to go. I'm sure there's some sort of trick to it, but I lost patience. And, in the end, I decided that I like the way she looks now, without too much chrome.

[burkbuilds]

If you decide to try again with the plastic coil trim, a hair dryer will help that plastic be more pliable, and probably won't be hot enough to be concerned about damaging it like a heat gun might.

[alantf]

a hair dryer will help that plastic be more pliable

The main problem with this is sneaking it out of the bathroom & into the garage without HER finding out! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Mercutio57]

Now we're on to a new project. Removing the tank logo left that nice black area that was just begging for some new and personalized artwork, which is now in progress. I'll post a picture as soon as it's done.