So I went for it. Got tired of cracking plastics, took the things off last night. Took today off, pulled the front fairing cage (it was bent, go figure). Took the gauges off, snipped off the old headlight (it was held in by zip ties once I got the plastics off... again, go figure) relocated the oil cooler, spliced in some turn signals (dude who had it before me took them all off), wired up a new set of dual-driving light headlamps, pulled the tank and airbox to relocate the wiring harness and fuse box, polished the frame, and I've got to say, I really enjoyed the process.
Here's where it started when I bought it on May 24.
And here it is now... after a few hours of work and a little elbow grease...
A few of the new additions and relocations are temporarily attached right now with zip ties. Had to make a trip to the hardware store for some strap aluminum to make mounts out of. That will most likely come tomorrow. I though this would be a much larger undertaking than it was, as I took off the first of the plastics I was preparing myself to be off the road for at least 4-5 days. Not that I'm 100% done, but at least she's ridable again!
I got a quick ride in this afternoon after everything was firmed up and bolted back together. I've gotta say, it's a much better ride! Feels much more nimble, and the lack of plastics really ups the "open air" feeling of the ride. I may add a front fender at some point, but for now I've got to first figure out what I'm going to use for gauges.