Just bought 98 GS

[Bo Duke]

Hello friends,
I am new to this board, as I recently acquired a Black 1998 GS 500 in excellent condition with 2000kms (Canada, = 1250 miles) for $3100 (Canadian, = 2200 U.S.).  Why don't you Americans just go Metric like the rest of the world?  Anyway, I rode it a couple of times now and really like it.  It's a fun bike, not good for passengers though.  I don't have any questions yet, just thought I would introduce myself.  I will be hanging around a bit.

Jeff

[vegbiker]

Welcome! I'm fairly new here too, but as a Canuck living in the US, I can sympathize with the conversions. I still don't know if 40 degrees farenheit is warm or cold - lol!

Anyway, welcome!

[pantablo]

welcome Jeff,
You'll find a bunch of knowledgable, friendly people here with lots of opinions and lots of helpful tips. Don't forget to visit the home page here for links to various tech/maintenance/mods info and also visit my site for a compilation of useful tidbits I found here (and in the long lost archives)-including some mods of my own.

Enjoy!

[Pkaaso]

Hey Jeff,

Congradulations on your new bike.  Great choice,   and welcome to the site.  I've only been here a few months, but I'm slowly trying to catch up with Pablo (The Post Whore).  

Is your bike bone stock?  If so, you've come to the right place for mods.  There are several that I've done already.  You can find some excellent info on Pablo's site, the mod page here and some of the other guys have cool web sites with thier mods also.

Welcome, welcome, welcome...  

[JeffD]

PABLO!?!?!  no mention of the fendorectomy?!?!?  hehe j/k     I like Jeff's.      

Howdy,  Yeah I hate the conversion thing too I mean I was taught all through High school the English system (feet etc)  and now in college its all Metric (because of S.I.)  but just to let you know 40 farenheit is cold.


32   f = 0 celcius      - freezing
212 f = 100 celcius   - boiling
98   f = 36.7 celcius - body temperature

[dmp221]

Maybe in Florida 40F is cold.  Where I live, and in Canada (Montreal is 2 hours North of me) it's a heat wave!!!  Anyway, welcome...you've found a great site for the GS and bikes in general. Great folks here.

[Bo Duke]

Thanks for the replys, and yes, my bike is stock, except for a fenderectomy I performed on the weekend.  Not much else about the bike I don't like, that's why I bought it.  Except for the soft forks, a knowledgable friend of mine has told me that fitting fork caps with an air nipple on each one and putting about 2 psi of pressure will fix it right up.  He's done this to several bikes with no detremental effects, anybody tried this?

[JeffD]

Probably more work than its worth.  Go buy some progressive springs ($75 U.S.) and just install those with 1.256cm  (1/2 inch) spacers and it will feel like a new bike.  

[96gs]

welcome.

im pretty new to. got my 96 red gs bout a month ago.its really a great bike. lots better than a harley. ride my dads friends 883. yea it scooted along but it has a real problem with vibration. good choice on th gs.  

[Bo Duke]

I will do the spacer thing if I have to, but I think fork caps with air nozzles would actually be less work.  I will try it if it is feasible.

[dmp221]

Hey Bo, most of the folks here do the progressive spring thing for the front forks (just ordered mine in fact) but the air-pressure idea is interesting.  If you give it a go, please take good notes and let us all know how you make out.  Good luck.  Oh, by the way, you may get some looks and snickers from some Harley types and big-bike riders in general...but you'll have the last laugh.  

[pantablo]

will the fork seals be alright holding air pressure? Interesting idea...if you do it please document it and I'll add it to my site.  The progressive springs are only $60US and can be installed in 20 minutes using my site's instructions. Will make the bike feel like a ncompletely different, better bike. I highly suggest it.

Not sure what kind of gains you'll get with the air pressure but anything is worth a try I suppose. Also, check my site's license relocation page for an additional level of fenderectomy...

[Kerry]

The progressive springs are only $60US ...

Just a "price check" reminder - Chaparral has the Progressives (part number 377-1128) for $46.99.

[Cris]

Welcome!