hi everyone need some help

[paui]

hey guys i just bought a '94 gs500 yesterday with 10,0xx miles on it for $1,100.  the tail and fender are purple and the tank is flat black (some of it is peeling off and it looks blue under there).  its got some rust on the frame, some bolts here and there, on part of the chain, and assorted other parts here and there.  my friend rode it home for me (oh yea i dont kno how to ride...i have msf aug 1-3 AARGH i gotta wait a month but my friend might teach me tomorrow) and he said the throttle gets stuck sometimes (doesnt snap back into place) and the clutch takes alot of effort to pull in. i think i might have a very small leak. i ran a piece of paper through the few drops i saw on the ground and it was dark brown so i was thinking engine oil? he said the lack of fairing makes it hard to ride with all the windblast.  i think i need new brake pads too.  and an oil change( if that was engine oil, it was pretty dirty)

just wondering if u guys can help me out any way possible bc i am totally totally new to riding. i do NOT know how to ride yet and this is the first bike ive ever seen up close. anything from common mods to maintenance tips to telling me how basic parts work (like choke and fuel petcock?) to where to get a good deal on parts and riding gear would help me a great deal. i finally made a user id to this site now that i have a gs500. ive always felt like i didnt belong but now i feel a little welcome.

btw my name is paul and im a 20 year-old male in queens, nyc.  im also korean. my family is poor, so i didnt tell my parents about the bike. they would rather have me pay their bills (which i do very often). how much is insurance for a 20yr old male in a big metro area with 2 moving violations in the past? would it be better to insure it with a company that goes strictly bc engine cc size or one that leans more toward type (standard, cruiser, sportbike, dirt, etc)? once again guys thank you i hope i am welcome in this community.

[WAP]

MSF course!

MSF course!!

MSF course!!!

Best thing you can do for yourself at this point in your motorcycling career.  

[paui]

dude i said i have it aug 1-3!
of course id wanna take it

[Von Vester]

Welcome Paul. Good choice for a first bike. To be safe you should get the clutch and the throttle fixed before any serious riding. I understand that money is tight so if you can't afford a cycle shop to look at them get a mechanically knowledgable freind. It may be as simple as needing to lubricate the cables (an often overlooked item of motorcycle maintenance) or it could be more serious requiring a cable replacement. I lubriicate the cables with LPS-3 but some of the other riders may know of a better lubricant.

Ride safe and enjoy your new bike.

[paui]

yea the owner said it just needs some lube on tha cable...he didnt say anything about the clutch tho...maybe my friend is just weak? whats that funny combination of letters and numbers you gave me? remember..i dont know ANYTHING about bikes or bike parts or bike maintenance parts. thanks alot of the feedback though.. i really appreciate it.

[JasonB]

Clutch cable can be lubed and should be to make sure it operates properly and doesnt snap. The LPS-3 is a Brand/Model of lube for cables, also need a cable lubing tool.

Joe Rocket makes nice gear at low prices check the web for prices then find local shops (Joerocket.com has a dealer directory) and compare. Also try out newenough.com they have good pricing on gear and in the closeout and sale section you can get some real deals.

Get used to the bike and clutch by riding around parking lots or small untraveled side streets.

All oil that hits the ground looks alot dirtier than whats in the engine because it goes thru all the dirt and grease on the engine. Check the oil level and color with the dipstick and that will tell you. I would change the oil anyway cause you can never trust the previous owners word. There is a great howto in the main site here with images and step by step instructions. Might also change the plugs and air filter while you are at it.

JCwhitney has windscreens for the GS (universal from National Cycle) for the best price I found and they work very well at keeping the wind off your chest and neck.

Might also want to get the Clymer manual via the site link here that has info about doing repairs and maintenance.

[pantablo]

Paui, Welcome!
You don't need a GS to partake of the random babblings here but now that you've got one Good for you!

Easy to learn on bike so good choice.

First-check the home page of this site for links to maintenance and other info...particularly the oil change how-to page. Very informative.

Second-You'll want to buy a Clymers Repair manual (about $20 though the link at top of this page-that helps support this site with a buck or two per order)

Third-make sure you have good protective gear. I'm sure you are gettign or have gotten a full face helmet. If not try www.helmetharbor.com for free shipping and good prices...but make sure you get fitted at a shop or you'll buy one that is too big. They should be firmly snug but without any pressure/pain points. Also check www.newenough.com for other gear, especially their closeout and odds & ends pages for gloves, boots, jackets and pants. I suggest at least getting good gloves, boots and a jacket (leather is better but on a budget textile is fine).

Fourth-Practice in a parking lot and start with the basics of getting the bike rolling from a start. There are some exercises I have a link to at work I'll try posting later.

Fifth-There are several NYC gstwin members, one of which might be able to help you out with specific info about insurance and the mechanical condition of the bike (Juggernaut, where are you?).

Sixth-Since you're on a budget you'll have to get used to the windblast-its not so bad but more comfortable with a fairing. Expect to pay $50+ for a fairing unless you luck out on ebay (rare but possible). I recently took my fairing off for a bit (needed to remove it to replace headlight bulb) and left it off. Kinda like the look completely naked but DO notice the difference on the freeway...but only time really.

Do check into the clutch and throttle issues. It could be as said before, a simple issue of lubrication (where would life be without lube?).

Check all insurance for quotes-you never know which will be cheaper. Will depend on company more than how they figure it (cc or type)

Congrats and enjoy.

[paui]

thanks guys...i already have a clymers manual for the bike....the owner gave me that but no owners manual or toolkit...anything useful in the owners manual? im guessing it has maintenance schedules in there..

[Arpee]

Welcome, Paul,
Check this site for maintenance schedules (ie, lubing chain, changing oil, adjusting valves, etc.).  This site should be your beginners Bible for starts.  There's more than a message board here (as the man says).

[vegbiker]

Hey welcome! I've only had my GS a few weeks, so I'm pretty new here too.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you should read "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles." I bought a copy in a used bookstore and it's the best! I don't know much about bikes either, and this book was a great step-by-step instruction to bikes, maintenance, riding, you name it.

Plus, the people on this board are totally knowledgeable - I've learned lots just by reading this forum.

I took the MSF course too - worth every penny! You'll enjoy it...

[vegbiker]

Oh, I almost forgot about insurance! Check http://www.dairylandinsurance.com/ for rates - I got an excellent price through them, but it depends on a lot of things - location being one (and I'm sure Queens is pricier than where I live, but then again, maybe not). I got 10% off for taking the MSF course too.

[Bob Broussard]

WELCOME!  
Sounds like your bike has been outside alot and not maintained properly. Just take your time and go over the bike from front to back. Clean everything and Lube all the cables and chain. Just get the basic needs, like chain lube, oil filter, oil (3 qts). A few metric tools (socket set and wrenches)
Nothing fancy, just functional.
The main thing at first is to make sure everything functions properly and is legal. You can work on appearence later.
With everything working correctly you can concentrate on riding.

[snapper]

The only odd thing that I had to go out and buy that would have been in the tool kit was a spanner wrench to adjust the rear shock.  It was all of 5 bucks I think!  I bought my helmet from helmetharbor and they were great.  I even convinced them to ship from their warehouse or where ever thay got their stock.  It made it so I got my helmet in 3 days as opposed to a long weeks wait!  So ask about that.   :lol:

Also- as everyone else is saying.... check the bike out, lube what needs lubing.. you may want to clean your carbs and add a fuel filter too.  A few folks here did some really good directions (with pictures no less) of getting the carbs off- cleaning-and putting back on.  You can take a look at the airfilter too.

The cleaning and lubing are cheap and will make a world of difference.  Speaking of which.. I need to lube my chain!     Better do it tonight!

Good luck!  Remember we are all here to help ya... so don't worry about rolling up your sleeves and diving right in.  I mean look at what Rashad accomplished!!!!  

Oh- BTW-- the fender- if its all there- needs to go.  

[ladybrid]

http://www.msf-usa.org/CourseReview/QuestionFrameset.htm

This has totally basic questions from the MSF course.  Kinda fun to practice.

Get insurance quotes from a number of places before you commit.  Ask local bikers where they got theirs.  You shouldn't be paying more than $3-400 a year, even as young as you are and all.  I got $315 from Geico, which covered myself *and* my best friend (to get him sort of "riding credit" so that he could get his gixxer insured without more hassel), both of us starting without lisences or MSF course.

Find a good open empty parking lot, and have your friend coach you.

I am brand new to riding too, and am glad I picked a bike that manages to be "respectable" to the motorcycle community and non-intimidating to the learner as well.

[pantablo]

There are some exercises I have a link to at work I'll try posting later.

http://www.dot.state.az.us/mvd/driver/motorcycle/mcmanual/pguide.htm

[Arpee]

man, are we a helpful bunch or what?...  

[paui]

thanks alot guys....im gonna try to paint the bike in the winter and get all the rust off...that UK guy did an amazing job getting his dirty blue gs to nice and silver...i think ill give it a shot too...what are some nice cheap and easy mods for the bike? the fender is longgggggg gone hehe

[pantablo]

what are some nice cheap and easy mods for the bike? the fender is longgggggg gone hehe

oh don't get me started...
check my site for some mods you might consider...

[yamahonkawazuki]

greetings and salutations , one thing also you'll want to do, is if you are not going to ride for a while, at least start it up and let run for a few minutes. again welcome