New Bike - New Rider

[OPTheory]

Hey Guys,

Glad I could be here!  What a great source for information on this bike!  After searching around for a good deal I found a 1989 GS500E for $500.  It needs work - but at $500 I'm not complaining So I'm a brand new, young-blooded rider that just completed the MSF courses.  I've heard good things about the GS500 being good for beginners so hopefully that's the case.  Here's the bike in her spray painted glory (hoping to repaint it or powdercoat it):


It used to be that beautiful glossy black color.  The owner sold it to one of his friends but he never paid up for it so after a month he comes back to repossess the bike and guess what?  His 'friend' had taken off the gas tank, the fender, etc. and spray painted it silver...

He actually did an OK job for the fact that it's spraypainted.  It looks like something from Mad Max

I asked the owner what needs to be done on the bike and he basically told me these things:

-The carbs could use a rebuild
-The fuel lines need to be replaced
-A new petcock valve
-Obviously some body work

Other than that, there's a new seat, new brakes, new rotors and a few other things.  The bike just looks like it's in really old condition so I'm hoping to restore it.  Being a first time rider, I have no gear to wear when riding.  Do any of you have any recommendations for helmets and jackets?  I don't even know where to start.  And where can I find new fuel lines?

Also, if any of you have any experience restoring these bikes, any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks!  I'm excited to have this bike and I hope it doesn't kill me.

[Jay_wolf]

Bargin! , thats  a good Price , i got a 1996 ,and it was a perfect runner, already rejetted etc, but ive been restoring alot of the body , just takes alot of cleaning , and parts, but for 500 bucks u couldnt go wrong 

[OPTheory]

Yeah there were actually 9 or so other people on the way to look at the bike.  The buyer said "first person with the cash gets the bike."  Between MSF sessions (the motorcycle safety classes in the states)  for a one hour lunch break, we ran over as quickly as we could with 500 in hand.  We just barely beat the competition and now look what I have!

[tripleb]

I am also new to riding and I suggest that you get a good helmet first and foremost.  I got a Suomy Vandal and I love it.  I also bought a jacket on clearance at bikebandit.com and I like it as well.

I've done a lot of work on my bike as well (it's a '90) with the help of this board and a Haynes manual.  I suggest you get one of the service manuals like a Haynes or Clymers which will help you a lot.  I have a Haynes and find it very easy to understand and it has lots of pics.  I think there's a link on the home page where you can get one for only $20 and help out the site as well.

Welcome to the site and use the search feature liberally.

[frankieG]

yahoo 4 u and welcome

[groff22]

Helmet, Jacket, and Gloves should come first. NewEnough.com is great.

http://newenough.com/browse/closeouts/small_medium_jacket_blowout_sale

More stuff on sale here: http://newenough.com/browse/closeouts/

Cheers,
J

[OPTheory]

Thanks for the welcome and suggestions guys!  I went with a white LBZ saferider leather jacket - really good deal I found at ridegear.com.  I also got the Z1R Strike helmet.  Gloves are something I already have so I'm good in that department.

Thanks guys.

[Jay_wolf]

Gear is always more Important 

[OPTheory]

Ok guys, got a question about the tank petcock valve...

The tank petcock has two outlet tubes, one is longer than the other.  We were trying to put 5/16" hose on the longer one and it actually came off!  We can put it back on - but is this normal?  Do you think I should just fork out $75 for a new petcock valve or perhaps JB weld it back into it's hole?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[warpzone]

Hey OP, how long were you searching for before you found that crazy deal? I'm in the market now, and I thought the 94 w/ 5k miles that I'm going to check out today was pretty sweet, but daaaaamn.

On one hand, I want to rider now now now, so I'm afraid if I pass this one up I won't get to ride until after winter (north NJ), but I also think I could do better. Were you patient for a while or did that deal just happen to fall in your lap?

[groff22]

I don't know about jbwelding it back in, since I've never done it.

PatrickInNC is selling various petcocks in this post for cheep cheep: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=37842.0


Cheers,
J

[kilmer]

nice find...sounds similar to what i paid for my bike with similar condition...good luck on the rebuild...most of the stuff isn't that hard and there is tons of information here to help you through the process...looks like you are missing mirrors 

[spc]

excellent deal!!!   Congrats on the bike. 
Can't stress enough,  GEAR GEAR GEAR!!!!  newenough is a great resource for gear, also the closeouts section of denniskirk.com regularly has a great selection.
Remember, 'Chicks dig scars not skin grafts'

[OPTheory]

Hey OP, how long were you searching for before you found that crazy deal? I'm in the market now, and I thought the 94 w/ 5k miles that I'm going to check out today was pretty sweet, but daaaaamn.

On one hand, I want to rider now now now, so I'm afraid if I pass this one up I won't get to ride until after winter (north NJ), but I also think I could do better. Were you patient for a while or did that deal just happen to fall in your lap?

Honestly, I was looking for a good month and a half before it came along.  In Utah there's a couple of exclusive online classifieds sites that a lot of people use.  But USE CRAIGSLIST!  Check the listings every day when you got a minute and I guarantee you'll find something.  Apparently winter is actually the best time buy a bike because demand is so low at that time and people are just looking to clear up some space in their garages. 

Thanks for the suggestions guys!  I got a tour master textile jacket from newenough.com - i'll be ordering from them again; their customer service is second to none and they ship crazy fast.  I also got a Bell Apex helmet.

-Mike