My 03 GZ

[gzrat]

Here is my 03 GZ. First bike and lovin it so far!

First phase with whitewalls, open pipe exhaust, side mount license plate and brake light, struts and modified rear fender.
http://s3.postimage.org/mJYfr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqmJYfr)
http://s1.postimage.org/UaE59.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxUaE59)
http://s2.postimage.org/LhmnS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TsLhmnS)
Purchased cafe racer style handlebars, ditched the struts for springs to improve ride and ditched the rear fender
http://s2.postimage.org/LhtSi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=TsLhtSi)
Went back to stock exhaust after shimming the carb and adding a open air filter. Re-did the seat as well
http://s3.postimage.org/mKB9J.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqmKB9J)
11 dollars and 2 hours later I had a new seat to replaced the old beat up stuff. Added another layer of padding as well
http://s4.postimage.org/6YX80.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV6YX80)
Next task is a new custom fender! Bullet style Cadillac tail lights will be used off the end of the old fender bars as turn signals.
http://s3.postimage.org/mKXC0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqmKXC0)

It may not be everyone's cup of tea but my lover for bobbers and old rat rods took over on this project. Thanks for looking

[Easy Rider]

Here is my 03 GZ. First bike and lovin it so far!

Went back to stock exhaust ......

Good for you.

You may not like the absence of a front fender if you ever:

Get caught in the rain, especially if you are on a dirt road
Or....
Run over any fresh road oil or freshly painted stripes.

Having that stuff on your boots is one thing.......having it on your FACE is quite another !!

:shocked:

[gzrat]

Your right it sucks! haha. When im out longer I tie a bandanna above the front tire on the forks to catch most of the crap that flies up. Modified front fender is in the works as well. Old exhaust came on the bike when purchase and after switching to the stock one, I'm able to hear again!

[Water Warrior 2]

Looks like you are having fun just trying out different mods. Some one will surely want to know where you found WW tires for a GZ. Sets off the bike very nicely.

[kedebrav00]

Yes, that someone is me. Where did you get those white wall tires. i am currently getting parts to modify my GZ250 and I've been looking all over the place.

[cayuse]

Whitewalls!!!
Lovin' it! :rawk:

Are you using the original seat substrate? Good job.
Fashioned your own fender? Respect.

[mole2]

I love the whitewalls. Where did you get them?


:)

[gzrat]

whitewalls actually came on the bike when purchased from original owner so no idea where he may have gotten them. sorry guys

[cayuse]

Any chance you can ask the original owner? :)

[alantf]

ditched the struts for springs to improve ride

Which struts are those? Anything that improves the ride sounds good to me. :2tup:

[burkbuilds]

Cool mods, nice looking bike. Just out of curiosity, could you tell us the manufacturer and specs on the whitewall tires that are on the bike?

[blaine]

Cool mods, nice looking bike. Just out of curiosity, could you tell us the manufacturer and specs on the whitewall tires that are on the bike?



please-please-please.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/happy/1.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[gzrat]

I will let everyone know asap. I know for a fact the rear tire is a Venom. And it had Showa rear struts originally but I put the springs on for now. Harley Sporster rear lowering struts should be here soon then comes the springer seat

[kedebrav00]

Your one of the reasons I love this site. Please post as much info as you can about your bike. Like I said I'm transforming my bike so any info would help. Those white walls would make my bobber GZ look crazy cool

[Easy Rider]

ditched the struts for springs to improve ride

Which struts are those? Anything that improves the ride sounds good to me. :2tup:

Don't get excited.
I think his starting point was struts ONLY and no springs.
Almost anything you do would improve on THAT situation. :biggrin:
It is one small step away from a hard tail.

[kraznos]

.

[gzrat]

Looks cool, kind of like a hardknock kikker. Pull the rear pegs off, nobody's gonna sit on that fender anyway.

I actually make use of them from time to time to kick my legs back. Was a joke to mock my buddies on sport bikes :biggrin:

[matt_giz]

Love the bike, especially those whitewalls! I've been looking for a bloody ages for some, someone must know where to get them???

What does an open air filter do? I really like the sound of my bike when I remove the air filter but there's no way I'd ride it without it. Can't be could for the carb. I presume it bypass's the airbox and filter entirely and goes straight out does it?

Also - Is there a side mounting kit available for the reg plate and tail light to fit the GZ? I've noticed 2 or 3 bikes of yours on here with them, and the look fantastic.
any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[blaine]

An open air filter sounds the same as taking filter out".CAUTION" If you use a open filter be prepared to re jet your carb as bike will run very lean and over heat.A good aftermarket filter is the HIFLO-FILTRO-HFA-3503.It can be bought for around $20.00. :2tup: :)A open filter allows much more air into the engine thats why you hear more noise and need to rejet.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/signs-and-flags/1.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[matt_giz]

I've never rejetted a carb before, can understand why this would have to be done. Is this something you've done before? Any pointers?

Thanks for the air filter info, it's exactly what I need (provided of course I can rejet the carb). Can do most things on my bike so pretty confident at this stage.

[blaine]

I've never rejetted a carb before, can understand why this would have to be done. Is this something you've done before? Any pointers?

Thanks for the air filter info, it's exactly what I need (provided of course I can rejet the carb). Can do most things on my bike so pretty confident at this stage.
Do a search under"performance mods" & "How to's".There are step by step instructions and pics on re jetting carbs.Pretty straight forward,just take your time.Much simpler if you take the carb off the bike.Good luck. :2tup: :roll:

[matt_giz]

Brilliant. Thanks blaine will do.

[gzrat]

Recent update. Installed rigid Harley struts that lowered the rear 2-3 inches. Repositioned bars for leaned forward riding position.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v635/dat_playboy_aaron/gzrat.jpg

And Matt, the side license plate bracket is nothing more than a L bracket that was cut up and bolted to the factory axle bolt.

[burkbuilds]

Wow, that looks awesome! That is the "baddest" looking GZ I have ever seen, great job. :2tup:

[ArizonaKev]

Wow! That is one TRICK looking GZ - great job! I don't know that it would be the most comfy ride, with the hardtail and no fenders, but something tells me that wasn't the most important thing in building it either.

It looks totally awesome dude - great work! :rawk:

AZ Kev

[emory70]

i like what you have going here. i especially like the way your pics show the progress of your bike. i just got my gz and am looking at things to change/modify. looks like you have a few fans here, which MAY balance out the folks that hate anything but a stock bike with storage and comfort mods.

[joeladams20]

I love the seat and tires the most on your bike! Despite the drastic change from stock, this looks like a really comfortable ride with a unique personality.