Newbie Motorcycle owner Hell

[maxwellf]

Got my M1 license, found a 1994 GS500 about a month ago. It had a fresh paint job and looked great for $1800. Bought it from a superbike custom paint/service place.  They told me it needed a new battery, and put one on order for $30.  I had a hard time reaching him, and when I did it was still on order a week later.  $90 and a new battery later, i was ready to ride.  I had a trainer friend go out with me only to find after about an hour of riding, it seemed as if the throttle was sticking 4-5k rpms.  This scared the hell out of me, and I figured I should take it in to a real service place.  MISTAKE!!!

Took it to the local suzuki service/dealer, and said I'm new to motorcycles, give me a full inspection.  I should have told him to just bend me over.  It needed, new front brake pads, a leak in the cam shaft, a front foks leaked, tune up, a couple other things, and included a full tune up... $858.  Well so much for a good deal, but the throttle would be fixed, which was really important, and hell, I need brakes, I'm new!!  

8 days later, got the bike back... oh yeah, these motorcycle service places aren't like your local lexus dealership... they take their sweet time.  20 minutes after picking up the bike.... rpm's at 4-5k but my hand is not turning that throttle.  I take the bike back immediately, the guy says.... well we can't be liable for missing something, so i can't tell you how much more it's going to cost you, we'll have to take apart your carb.  So, I get the call, someone rejetted it! what the F@# does that mean!!  I now know, cause he explained it was running lto lean. So it's been another 1 1/2 weeks, and hopefully I 'll get it back by this upcoming tuesday.  They said it would be ANOTHER $165 but they'll try to work something out.  They also said the reason my bike sounds very throaty, was because someone drilled holes in the exhaust (I'm sure my neighbors love that).  

Question for all you pros... will this fix my throttle issue?  How much did I overpay???  Anyone think I'll get my money out of the thing if I sell it in a year and move to a newer bike?  

I just keep telling myself it's a "learning experience"  

:x

[ajgs500]

Don't ever tell them you are new.  Infact don't ever take you bike to the stealership.  If you live in an area big enough to have a stealership you should also have an independant MC shop.  Usually they cost less and IMHO they do better work.  Research your area and give yourself more options.

[Roadstergal]

The GS500 isn't just a good bike for learning to ride - it's also a good bike for learning to wrench.  Clymer and a toolkit and some time to figure things out are your friends.  I'd take it from them and do some forum searching and some reading.

[maxwellf]

The naked bike does lend itself to an easy view of the parts. Since I took it in, I did buy the "Motorcycle Owner's Manual" written by Hugo wilson, and I also got the PDF of the clymer manual.  I have educated myself on the bike; however, I'm not the best with mechanical maintenance. I think I took about 3 semesters of autoshop in high school, and I don't even change my own oil.  Since I turned my bike over to these vultures, I have had people tell me they have a great indpendent mechanic, or they'd be happy to wrench on it with me. Funny how people offer their help after you tell them you have already took the plunge.   I wish I hadn't paid the $858 prior to finding out the original problem wasn't fixed.    Don't get me wrong, i think this bike has a great look, I will hold onto it for a while.  I want to become a more accomplished rider till I try my hand at a cruiser style bike.  I think you're right, part of being a rider involves wrenching!!

I'm just doing everything in reverse order!!!  

[Roadstergal]

I started out rockily, too.  It's all hit and miss.  But we can't regret the decisions we've already made; just learn from them and move forward.

[banner]

take the bike back and make them fix it. with 865 bucks and 200 on top of that you could have bought a good gs in great condition. They didn't fix what they were supposed to.

I don't see how jetting it would cause a high idle problem? Anyone?

Jetting it is when you add certain parts to the carbs to have "better" gas flow and have the bike run smoother.

[maxwellf]

If this was a car dealership, i would have raised all hell.  This guy gave me a line, that they are  not legally responsible for not catching the actual problem, and that all service they charged for was performed. I conferred with a couple veteran riders and they concurred I didn't have much of a stance to make them change their minds.  What was worse, I already paid the $860 prior to figuring out they didn't fix the problem.  

By the way, i can't stand this throaty sound the exhaust sound from the engine. obviously, I don't want to dump a lot of money into a new exhaust.  Any of you experts have suggestions on an aftermarket that can be installed that isn't so expensive. I know people drill holes to be heard by cars around them, but it's driving my wife nuts, since I start it up in the front courtyard of our house.

All advice is very much appreciated especially after the financial butt ramming I have incurred.

[Roadstergal]

PM sent.

Removing carbs is expensive - but the expense is ALL labor.  You're best off correcting the jetting yourself.  There are a lot of good posts with writeups and pics to help you through, and if you hit a snag, post pics and ask.

[oramac]

Unless you get an unmodified stock exhaust, any aftermarket cans will be louder than it sounds like you want.  Go to Ebay or to the For Sale forum on this sight to find an exhaust.  You probably won't be able to get a can only since it's not a slip on.  You'll most likely be looking at whole new (used) system.  It won't be too expensive...as long as you don't have the dealership do it.   :guns:  stealerships

Oh, and swapping the exhaust is fairly easy.

[pandy]

Didn't you take the bike to the shop for the high-RPM problem? Personally, I would raise bloody hell if they tried to charge me more, and I would also, no matter what happens, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

Sorry your first experience has been with a stealership, and I hope it gets better for you from here out.  :dunno:

And welcome! :mrgreen:

pandy

[maxwellf]

I'm already stuck with the dealership fixing my jetting issue. They are putting back the standard jets I think they said 1.2 or 122 was the standard... something like that.  I can guarantee I will NEVER go back to the stealership vultures again.  All I have to say is...   :nanda:   them!!!

[scottpA_GS]

Dude.. I would go there first thing on Monday (tomorrow if they are open).. if your bike is still put together.. get it the hell out of there! REMEMBER! You are paying them!!! Dont let them rape you like that.. tell them how its gonna be! They are just gonna keep ripping you.. I had the same deal.. paid the dealer a ton of $$$ and they NEVER fixed the problem.. Like everyone says you are better off buying your buds some beer and wrenchin your self. If they took so long the last time to get your bike back.. GO GET IT BACK NOW! They cant charge you if they didnt do anyting. I would also consider contacting the local magistrate and try and get some of the $ you spent back. Charging $1000. to fix a 1800 bike? thats just wrong. They cant tell you that Uhh.. well we didnt see the prob so we didnt fix it!?!? Even if you dodnt tell them about it. Dont they test ride !?!? Do they not have safety insp. in CA? Did they give your old parts back? in most states thats a law! Screw those guys!

Sory to ramble.. I HATE DEALERS!!!

With the guys/girls on this board, you will never have to take your GS to the dealer for anything! Other than maybe to piss in their mail slot  

[Gisser]

  Sounds like the previous owner screwed up the bike royally.  Unfortunately, the GStwin.com demographic (noob) encourages these type of hack jobs and this time you got left holding the bag.

Of course, if you do want to perform your own fenderectomy, instructions are on the site.  

[maxwellf]

As I said before, I already paid the   :nana:    bastards!!!  So I don't have the upper hand on getting my money back.  The bike is still waiting the rebuild of the carb with the stock jets (which took 3 days for them to get).  I will wait to get my bike back to contact the Better business bereau in regards to their bullshit.  Bottom line, I should have known better, everything else is a feeble attempt to restore my pride.  I just want my f@#$#in bike back to go ride!!!  All I have is my 125cc scooter and it hurts!!

Someone have a drink for me!!

 

[davipu]

you know man. that's so f%&ked up it's not even funny.  I'd be in there kicking bikes over and rattle canning thier windows.

[ktrim]

as far as the exhaust goes,  you may get by with taking it to a welder/fab shop and having the drilled holes welded shut,  they may have to make a plate to block them off but shouldn't cost to much

[pandy]

I think that, without knowing the circumstances behind the bike's problems, this is a pretty general (and unfair) statement to make!

pandy

Unfortunately, the GStwin.com demographic (noob) encourages these type of hack jobs

[Blueknyt]

well, at this point, i would have to walk back in the door, holding this recipt and talk with the manager (In a very calm voice and mannor) If nothing goes your way then take a moment and collect yourself calmly and ask someone buying a new bike ( while the salesperson was trying to set the hook) and ask thier opinion of the service departments actions, charges, and still not fixing the original problem which made the bike unsafe to begin with?

If nothing works at that point. find a denny's, fast food joint, or what ever, make sure you have money to sip coffee and eat doughnuts or some other cheap food with a buddy for a whole day or two (prefably Busy days for the dealership) and strap a big sign to your bike or car saying "(Insert Name) will take advantage of new owners BEWARE"  OR "(Insert Name) wrenchs the bikes but you really get serviced ASK ME HOW"

being as your not on thier property they cant tell you to leave, aslong as your eating and being civil you can spend all day in the resturant and they cant toss you out.  take a camera with you should "SOMEONE" wish to rip the sign down.

[Hugh Jardon]

For some reason, I get the feeling that Blueknyt is actually one of those mysterious Army psy-op guys...

In fact, I like where this is going... Maybe some members can get together with maxwellf in Sherman Oaks, CA, and turn this into something that will cause those theives some serious headaches. Who knows, hitting them in the wallet can't hurt. Neither can posting the name of the place all over the 'net, along with the gory details, though you should wait until AFTER you get your bike back, discretion being the better part of valor, and all...

[davipu]

I'd ride up there just to piss them off, but somebody better be buying my coffee at the dennys