new rider, new bike, couple questions

[12thmonkey]

Hey everybody. This is my ceremonious first post. Like others, i have lurked in the cyber shadows for several weeks now as i decided to get a GS, and was looking for one. Well, i finally found one and made it mine. It's a 96 with about 16k miles on it. It's in good shape, and has been a blast so far. It's my first bike...and yes i've taken the MSF safety course and am fully parking lot certified.

i have a couple questions:

1. Is there some sort of maintenance routine that you guys recommend when buying a used GS? i didn't get any maintenance records with the bike, and kinda want to just do some good peace-of-mind kinda stuff. i am confident in my mechanical skills...but am a total noob when it comes to motorcycles. i'm more used to working on cars. So, i'm excited to learn the ins and outs of this two wheel marvel.

2. Any thoughts on an aftermarket horn? Currently, i have this RIDICULOUS monstrosity of a horn sticking off the side of my bike. It is big and ugly. And to add insult to injury...it doesn't even work. So, currently, i feel unsafe...and extremely uncool. Both being undesirable.

Thanks so much for the input!

[pandy]

Welcome to de-lurking in the nuthouse, and congrats on the FABULOUS bike! 

Did the previous owner give you any idea of what the service has been recently? Did they change oil recently/regularly, ride it regularly, service it themselves or take it to a mechanic?

As for the horn, mine still says, "meeep, meeep." I can't help you there! 

[pantablo]

definitely start with an oil/filer change. be careful not to overtighten the 3 nuts for the filter cover (at front lower of motor), these snap with much less force than you'd think. check my site for other valuable info, including what to do if you do snap them (it happens often enough)...

congrats and welcome. 

[3imo]

Buy this book!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0892878339/gstwincom/104-8801956-5033538

THis link also supports www.gstwins.com

If your gonna be the wrench turner this book is a must.  It lists the maintenance schedule.
And is really clear and well written.

BTW from personal experience, I suggest keeping your own maint. records
Just to keep yourself on track.
 
THis site is a big help.


Congrats and good luck. 

[dbNnc]

OEM GS500 horn for sale:

http://tinyurl.com/bdest

[scratch]

Welcome!

http://www.gstwin.com/maintenance_info.htm

[Egaeus]

OEM GS500 horn for sale:

http://tinyurl.com/bdest

I'll sell you my horn for that, assuming that the ones that I bought fit (will find out tomorrow), and I will ship USPS so it'll probably be cheaper.  I have plenty of bubble wrap, since the tank I just bought had just about a small roll around it.

[12thmonkey]

Thanks for the welcomes and the input. i'm definitely gonna change the oil and the filter in the next couple days. The plugs also look like they are due for a replacing.

i just did my first bit of "wrenching" on the bike today. i noticed yesterday that my clutch cable was super frayed at the lever. It was 4:30, and the closest dealer closed at 5. i pulled in at 4:50, and they actually had a cable in stock. So, it got replaced today. Pretty fun stuff. There was about a half a pound of road crap in the case that the cable feeds into. Shedding all that excess weight makes the bike so much faster!  It at least makes me feel better knowing that my clutch cable won't leave this noob stranded.

[niteshade]

I also enjoyed this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789416158/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/104-0042025-1645569?n=283155

neat partly because most of the examples are of a bright blue '95 GS.  Clean, well written, technical enough but not totally out there like the raw Clymer manual.

[pandy]

Shedding all that excess weight makes the bike so much faster!  It at least makes me feel better knowing that my clutch cable won't leave this noob stranded.

You should feel the horsepower surge when you get those GSTwin stickers slapped on that bike!