Hello all. Well mark me down and going down.

[leo]

I went down right before Thanksgiving and I was fairly okay, but I had a huge bruise on my hip and it took about 3 weeks before I would walk normally. Then Christmas came and then CES and I haven't had a chance to do anything with my bike.

Now I'm itching to get back on the road and I need some help in diagnosing my bike.

Pics are located here. http://www.omslaw.net/gs500/accident/pics.html

I fell on the right side. The bike tries to start, but just turns. I believe I'm leak free, except for the accident there was some thin liquid on the floor, but I couldn't tell what it was.

Somebody told me I needed an ignition cover which makes sense, but when I went to the dealer they said that side was the clutch. Which totally confused me, I thought the clutch was on the left side. So I know I will need a blinker on the right side. The front brake handle is bent, but otherwise is okay. I can't tell is the front forks are straight or not.

So can you tell me what I need to order to fix this? I'm not at all worried about cosmetics. I just want to get back on the road again.

Also what's the difficulty rating for a do it yourself job? I worry about those wires coming out and going somewhere up in the bike. I couldn't see where it ended and if it would be hard to do on my own.

Thanks guys.

Crash details for those that want to know.

Well I was following 4 other bikers and I was putting along at about 45 or so. I was in the back of the pack and there was a seperation between us. Enough that they went through a yellow light and I decided to hang back. I could have made it, but I didn't feel like gunning it. But I was close enough that I needed to get on the brakes kinda hard, but nothing that outrageous. So I get on the brakes and bamn, the front tucks and throws me down on my right side and we go sliding for a bit. I got up and picked up the bike and moved it to a parking lot.

I went back to the street to figure out what happened, and my best guess is that right where I was braking, the pavement was bumpy and there was also a manhole cover. So maybe my front end was bouncing up and down right when I got on the brakes which happened to be right over the man hole cover. It was a night so maybe there was a little dew on the cover. 

As for the gear, I have a Vemar helmet which did it's job. I had on those short leather Alpinestar gloves which still look damn good except for a little knuckle scraping. I'm a little disappointed in the jacket (pics above). It's a Fieldsheer perforated leather jacket but there is big hole on the shoulder. I just don't know whether to toss the jacket or use one of my other ones. My friend says he would never use a jacket that came apart like that and he does more crash experience than I do.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Ok, looks like you need the whole alternator cover. You sheared the bolts off, so you need to replace the whole thing, which sucks, but there's one on ebay right now.

Obviously a turn signal. As for just turning, has the bike been sitting since Thanksgiving, untouched? If so, you probably need to pull and clean the carbs, as the gas in the tank will have gone bad since then. You'll want to pull the tank off, drain it completely, then pull and clean the carbs, (might rebuild em while you're in there, although your bike looks like an '04, so it might not need a rebuild yet..). Also, odds are like 99.99999% that your battery has died in that time, if you haven't kept it on a trickle charger. Take it to an autozone and ask them to charge it, they'll do it for free. After the battery is back in, put in fresh gas, put the petcock on "PRI", wait a few seconds, then try to start it. Should start right up.

Edited to add:

The link to the cover is here It's hideous.. but functional.

Chances are 99% that your forks are fine, I wouldn't worry about those until later, after you get the bike running and can test ride it. As for the jacket, holes happen, that's why we wear jackets. My jacket has a slightly smaller hole after hitting a guardrail at 60mph and sliding/rolling. I'm still gonna wear it for around town, but I have leathers for mountain riding/track days.

[3imo]

NGFL ---  those pics are not of the "alternator cover".   

---> http://www.omslaw.net/gs500/accident/PB230022.JPG   
This is the ignition signal generator and pick up points, or whats left of it. 

You sheared off your Signal Generator assembly. That is why your bike won't start. it doesn't know when to spark.

I went through the same thing. here ---> http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/eimoytiana/01%20GS500E/DSCF0012.jpg
This is a simple repair, don't be scared to do it yourself. GSTWINS will help you.

Here is my thread on it --->http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=24409.0

Looks like the bolt was sheared off into your crankshaft. mine was too.  Mine came out super easy.  just try to turn it out.

Start Identifying what parts you need and get them on order.
here is a microfiche for an 04'  I am not sure what year your bike is.
MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT MICROFICHE FOR YOUR YEAR.---> http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/showschematic~dept_id~1254689.asp

[Destro]

Gas should be fine as well.

[3imo]

yeah.  Drain your carb floats now, until you are ready to start the bike.

hopefully you won't need to take apart your carbs from the gas gumming.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

NGFL ---  those pics are not of the "alternator cover".   

Bahahahahahaha... you're right.. that's what I get for staying up till 2:30 and trying to make an intelligent post (I actually fell asleep about 8 o'clock this morning).

Gas should be fine as well.

Everything I've ever read here, and in other places says gas begins to go bad in about 30 days. At about that point, it can begin to gum up the holes in the jets. This has been sitting for going on 3 months now... what makes you say that?

[brett]

That's a bummer to hear about your crash. At least the gear did its job. Tucking the front and walking away with a bruise ain't a bad deal.

I would highly suggest you get the forks checked out. Not necessarily because they are bent, but because you might think they are bent. After crashing I thought my forks were messed up because it felt funny when I tried to turn left. In reality, the forks were fine and my confidence was messed up trying to turn left. (I had lowsided in a lefthander.) Get the forks checked just so you won't be thinking about them.

I went through the same thing. here ---> http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/eimoytiana/01%20GS500E/DSCF0012.jpg
This is a simple repair, don't be scared to do it yourself. GSTWINS will help you.

Watch out, that picture is a bit misleading. That's taken from an older GS, but they changed it when it went to the F. Back then there were two nodes on the signal generator, but for the F there is only one. It appears yours may be ok, so you might get by with just replacing the cylinder that rotates in the center of that plate.

[pantablo]

awe, leo...that sucks. glad you're better now. leather wears through a hole when there's hard armor in them. soft armor is better in that regard and probably protects you the same.

[gsJack]

Watch out, that picture is a bit misleading. That's taken from an older GS, but they changed it when it went to the F. Back then there were two nodes on the signal generator, but for the F there is only one. It appears yours may be ok, so you might get by with just replacing the cylinder that rotates in the center of that plate.

Glad I read this, I was not aware that GS500F went to a single coil to generate spark signal.  Made a quick check and F models still have same crankshaft as my 02 so it's still a 180* crank. 

My old Honda twins with a 360* crank only had one signal generator coil and one ignition coil and fired both cylinders at once.  One was on top of power stroke and the other at top of intake stroke at scavanger position so it worked OK that way.

Gotta think this new setup through more I guess.   



Looks like he needs a rotor 4 and bolt 5 to get it running but 2 of the bolts for the little round cover are broke off and the third broke the threaded lug off inside the big cover.  Gonna be a bit tough to fix it all up I'd think.

[leo]

Cool thanks guys for the help. I had gone to bike bandit, but I never looked in the signal generator section. I had no idea what that was.

[leo]

Looks like he needs a rotor 4 and bolt 5 to get it running but 2 of the bolts for the little round cover are broke off and the third broke the threaded lug off inside the big cover.  Gonna be a bit tough to fix it all up I'd think.

What do you mean? That cover plate? That means I would have to buy the whole thing instead and that can be trouble I'm guessing. I mean I'll be seeing inside the engine at that point. Right.

[Destro]

Gas should be fine as well.

Everything I've ever read here, and in other places says gas begins to go bad in about 30 days. At about that point, it can begin to gum up the holes in the jets. This has been sitting for going on 3 months now... what makes you say that?

I know in Hotlanta, bikes may only sit a few weeks, but in the cold states bikes have to be parked for a bit for that thing called winter.   
Gas should be hardy enough to last a few months.  I let my lawnmower sit for months with gas in it and it fires up first time each spring.  And many here would say that the GS is a lawnmower with less wheels. 

The point is gas should be pretty far down the list of priorities.  I would sort out the eletrical problem first.

[3imo]

What do you mean? That cover plate? That means I would have to buy the whole thing instead and that can be trouble I'm guessing. I mean I'll be seeing inside the engine at that point. Right.

yes and no.

Let me start with no.  
You can get those screws out and just replace the screws and the little round cover.  You will need to buy the rotor and the bolt.  I would also take a close look at your pick-up point. (That black plastic square with the wires) you may need to replace that as well.

Now with yes.
If you decide to replace the entire crankcase cover because you can't live with a scratched or damaged one, then yes, you will see the inside of the engine. Otherwise there is no need to replace the entire crankcase cover. Just get those three little screws out and replace them and the little round cover.

easy as pie.

[gsJack]

Two screws should hold the little round cover on.  Shouldn't need to replace the big cover if you can get the two broken screws out.

[3imo]

The point is gas should be pretty far down the list of priorities.  I would sort out the eletrical problem first.

+1

I have gone 6 months with the GS parked and the fuel drained out of the carbs.  To get her running I just turned the petcock to on and cranked her up. Honest to god, she didn't even hesitate, besides the time it took for the fuel to reach the bowls.

My go-kart was parked for over a year with no additives in the gas, and she started right up, no problem. I did not notice a difference in performance when new fuel was added.

[3imo]

I went through the same thing. here ---> http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/eimoytiana/01%20GS500E/DSCF0012.jpg
This is a simple repair, don't be scared to do it yourself. GSTWINS will help you.

Watch out, that picture is a bit misleading. That's taken from an older GS, but they changed it when it went to the F. Back then there were two nodes on the signal generator, but for the F there is only one. It appears yours may be ok, so you might get by with just replacing the cylinder that rotates in the center of that plate.

I did not know the year of his bike, I guess it was an 04' but that is why I added :

Start Identifying what parts you need and get them on order.
here is a microfiche for an 04'  I am not sure what year your bike is.
MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT MICROFICHE FOR YOUR YEAR.---> http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/showschematic~dept_id~1254689.asp

[leo]

Sorry I should have first said it was an 04.

Whew, I'll look into being able to fix that cover. 

Let me know, but I'm going to need this right? I'm only guessing, but an 03 should fit and 04.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/IGNITION-TIMING-MODULE-SUZUKI-GS500-2003_W0QQitemZ250074657744QQihZ015QQcategoryZ35594QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[3imo]

Funny   Both Bikebandit and ronayers do not have micrfiches for an 03' model GS500.

The pic off Ebay looks like it will work with yours, but.....what can I say?  take the risk.  I think it will work.

-------------------

On a side note. The 02' has two pick up points but the 04' does not. Did Zuki stop making the GS500 in 03' ?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

There was no '03 GS in the US. It was the year between the transition from naked to faired. I dunno bout in Europe though.

[brett]

They changed from the old style signal generator between '02 and '04, so I dunno for sure which one a non-US '03 would use. However, the rotor in the picture does appear to be the correct one (compare it to part #4 in the fiche pic that gsjack posted). You might want to ask the seller what country the bike is from so you can doublecheck that it will work.