When Jim Knopf handed the keys of his less than awe-inspiring GS500 to German builder Michael Brandtner he had only one specification for the job: "Do anything you want, just make it orange and use that fat 360 tire sitting in the corner of the shop."
With that rather vague instruction, Brandtner started stripping the petite GS down to its tighty-whities for what was to become a major wardrobe change.
The stock swingarm had a serious task to host a 360 tire, so off it went and was replaced by one of Brandtner's own creations. He used the popular German chopper wheel provider Rick's to source the wheels, and once the chassis was rolling he discovered that an upgrade to a pair of Suzuki RGV 250 forks would look and work better, so on they went.
Trick billet rearsets add class. | 
That's a 24k gold cover. |
See what German beer will do? | |
German streetfighter builders can get carried away somtimes, and obviously Brandtner didn't hold much back. From the Honda VFR750 rear brake set-up to the custom subframe and exhaust, it's German ingenuity at its best. Though the GS is not going to ripple any pavement with its 50 horses, it can still look like it means business.
The Buyer's Box
1995 Suzuki GS500
Front end: Suzuki RGV 250 forks, Rick's rotor, Rick's "Freestyle" wheel
Rear end: BCB swingarm, Honda VFR750 wheel and rotors, Suzuki GSX-R1000 shock, Rick's "Freestyle" 360 wheel
Motor: BCB exhaust, K&N filters
Paint: BCB
Polish/chrome: BCB
Bodywork: BCB
Accessories: Custom case cover with 24-carat gold, BCB bars, footpegs
Other: Megatec seat, Motogadget gauges
Owner: Jim Knopf
Builder: Michael Brandtner
www.brandys-custom-bikes.de