GS Power !

[Kerry]

the original one isn't messed up it was just two wide.

Yeah, that's the thing.  The message board software stretches / squishes too-small or too-large or non-square images to fit the standard 100x100 pixel avatar space.  I resort to the "invisible space" trick and save as a GIF to fix the non-square problem.  For your current avatar, each of the three component images would need to be pre-shrunk and have the "space" added, and then be re-animated I guess.

I may have to reinstall PSP, it's not on my Programs list any more! 

BTW, can I get access to the "original originals"?  The one of the bike looks like it's already been "pixelated" to some degree.  We should be able to get it sharper than that.   

[CndnMax]

the original one isn't messed up it was just two wide.

Yeah, that's the thing.  The message board software stretches / squishes too-small or too-large or non-square images to fit the standard 100x100 pixel avatar space.  I resort to the "invisible space" trick and save as a GIF to fix the non-square problem.  For your current avatar, each of the three component images would need to be pre-shrunk and have the "space" added, and then be re-animated I guess.

I may have to reinstall PSP, it's not on my Programs list any more! 

BTW, can I get access to the "original originals"?  The one of the bike looks like it's already been "pixelated" to some degree.  We should be able to get it sharper than that.   

Yeah transparent pixels are pain with the animation software that comes with photoshop, if you don't do it right it converts it to white.
Lets go with these
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6761/lb05c1994b6f49988fdeb6flc8.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8348/img1493xq3.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3152/img1495jp4.jpg

[Kerry]

How's this for a first stab?

[Garethbourne]

clutch is fine dude, the bike pulls away fine, it just feels lame, allmost like its been restricted or something, and it cant rev out, guess i would need to ride another GS to see what the differance is.

[yamahonkawazuki]

stock all the way? or mods done?, ( im sorry, ive not read through teh entire thing,  , but at around 5-5500, you just puttin, tach up to around 8k or more, thats where the gs is happy, and runs WELL

[Garethbourne]

the motor sounds like its been overworked at 5500 - 6000 RPM let alone higher, do they sound that way as a norm ?

[Garethbourne]

as far as i am aware its all stock

[sledge]

WOW...... a 400N super(wet)dream. Have you still got it? Give me £50 and I will come and take it away for you 

[Garethbourne]

dude, you may laugh, but you try and get a good 400 dream for les than £250

[Garethbourne]

where you from dude, i'me in staffordshire moorlands

[ecpreston]

the motor sounds like its been overworked at 5500 - 6000 RPM let alone higher, do they sound that way as a norm ?

Give it up! It's just coming on the power then. Stay in it! And the audible valve float and drop in power is very easy to detect once you're close to redline, so you won't be overreving it.

[sledge]

I know how much they are worth. They are almost 30yrs old now and turning into a modern classic same as the 250N is. Give it a few more years and its value will start going up,  thats why I wanted yours for nothing 

[Kasumi]

where you from dude, i'me in staffordshire moorlands

I have the SOLUTION to your problem. And im not kidding! I've been thinking how could you have a bike that runs ok just doesn't go ok then it hit me.

You live in the UK am i right?

You have a 33bhp restrictor kit fitted to your bike! The GS isn't gutsy but with the 33bhp restrictor kit it is absolutly gutless, i test rode one when i was looking to buy my first big bike at 17 and it had the 33bhp restrictor kit already in and wouldn't go for pants and i weighed nothing back then.

This would explain why it feels like it has no power for no reason that you could notice... It may be that the bike sounds like its screaming for its life but your putting this in comparison to how high your revving it for the power your getting, you could be revving it to 10k but feeling like your getting no power.

I think i've solved it hehehe!


Ok.... how to identify a restrictor kit and remove it!.

A restrictor kit in the UK is fitted to bike to comply with the license laws that dictate if you are between the ages of 17-21 you must do a restricted access motorcycle license, meaning that you do the same test as you would for your direct access motorcycle license but you do it on a 125cc bike. When you pass your test you are restricted to a bike of 25kW of energy (33bhp) for 2 years and then you are free to ride whatever CC motorcycle you like. With the GS500 been a beginner bike many people buy them as their first bike and as most of the people who are brand new to motorcycling they usually are younger and have to do the restricted license (the older riders 21+ do direct access and usually buy something squidly like a gixxer 1000 for their first bike). The whole point of the restrictor kit is you very rarely get any bike which fully utilizes the 33bhp limit, 125cc are way too low bhp and 400's ,500's and 600's are usually too much. Many people buy the bike they want, a 500 or 600cc then restrict it to 33bhp.

Ok now what your looking for...

Unbolt and disconnect the tank to get it out of the way. Take the airbox off and out of the way so you can get to the carb assembly. Unbolt the whole carb assembly from the engine. Ok what your looking for is a set of washers that sit between the carbs and the engine. They will look slightly out of place, usually it will be 2 gaskets with a washer in the centre. The washer has a hole in the middle which dictates the amount of fuel/air mix which can get into the combustion chamber. The hole relates to the amount of fuel/air mix that is required to simulate the bike only having a 33bhp engine. All you have to do is take the washer's out and bolt the whole thing back together... make sure that you use the original gaskets to seal the carbs back on (you don't want leaks once you've taken the washers out). Now you have de-restricted GS500 With its factory engine power.

I imagine your looking to pull out 2 washers as its got twin carbs.

Now this is done at your own risk and i only listed this based on my mechanical knowledge and experience... it may be illegal for you to remove these washers if you currently ride with a restricted license. (denoted by >25kW in the restrictions section on the back of your plastic drivers license card). If you get into an accident or are caught speeding, the police MAY (i must stress MAY, not usually) request that you provide a dyno report to prove your bike is restricted. Now i havn't met anyone so far who has had a dyno report requested but i know i can happen. This may add a further penalty to your speeding or accident case and could invalidate your insurance as its a legal requirement.

However i will express my OWN opinion on this subject. Bikes go fast, restrictor or not you can break the speed limit and get into an accident. If you get into an accident then its your own risk whether the insurance decides to check your bike for legal requirements but i doubt they would bother with it, its not worth the effort as you could still have had the same accident with a restrictor. The police will probably not think or be bothered to try and get you to provide a dyno report (or proof of restriction certificate - you get one when a certified mechanic fits the restrictor kit) as you could quickly put the washers back in. They caught you for speeding thats all they are interested in. Since restrictor kits for 33bhp motorcycles are only ment to keep them to just under 100mph (they significantly reduce acceleration tho) the police would not think anything was unusual unless you were really pushing it like 130+ - but you would be in bigger shaZam! then anyway. Just my opinion as i have a restricted license for another year yet.

[Garethbourne]

Hi, I thought about the bike being restricted to 33 bhp, (not looked at it yet though) but the bike is an import from Poland, and as is of yet still unregistered in the uk          (just got the MOT and waiting for the DVLA), and also it as an after market can on (Future) going to have a look to see if The law requires the vehicle to be restricted, like they are in cal

[Kasumi]

Are you a UK resident with teh bike imported from poland?

If you live in the UK then the restrictor kit relates entirely to what your license dictates, Basically if your under 21 and hold a uk motorcycle license it should be restricted to 33bhp. If you are over 21 and CHOOSE to do a direct access test on a bike like a 500cc or similar then you don't need the restrictor.

The restrictor has nothing to do with emissions or any such thing it is purly a UK license requirement.

My guess is if the bike is from poland it may well have a restrictor kit fitted (some countries in the EU use identical motorcycle laws to how we do in the UK so it is likely that a restrictor is required for some license in poland)

EDIT: Ok you are from the UK ( judging by MoT and DVLA) sorry for my bad spotting of that. It isn't the bike that requires the restriction its YOU as a rider. If you hold a british license then like i have explained you may or may not need a restrictor. If you have moved here from Poland and imported the bike then you will need to speak to the DVLA and ask them if your polish license requires you to have a restrictor kit fitted.

If it doesn't then check for restriction and rip the washers out... if it does mean you need a restrictor kit then you need to check your bike has one. If it does have one you need a certificate to prove it - this may require you getting a mechanic to check that it is properly fitted and issue you a certificate which says you have one in. Alternativly they may say you need to buy a new one as there is no stamping on the washers to prove they provide the right level of restriction.

[Garethbourne]

 :laugh:lol   I am from the UK , it's the bike that's from Poland, and at the grand age of 42 yrs, , when I passed the only restriction, was a seat low enough to get my leg over, lol,
But I think your right it as to be restricted, so I will investigate, and let you know the result dude, and sorry for the misunderstanding over nationality

[sledge]

Never heard of Plod asking for a dyno-result but sometimes insurance companies request one to prove the bike is restricted.....I think most rozzers wouldnt know what one is! and how could you prove its for your bike. Usual way is to provide evidence of the fact the bike has a restricter kit fitted if its on the PNC as having over 33bhp stock, this is usually a certificate or document signed or stamped by the dealer who fitted it that includes registration and frame numbers. Plod know they are easy to remove and that a lot of learners do this which is why larger bikes with L plates are magnets for traffic cops. If you cant provide satisfactory proof of the bike being restricted they will nail you for driving without the correct license (Code LC20, 3-6 ponts) and no insurance (IC10 6-8points). Given you could get more than 12 points for the 2 offences combined you could be given a "Totter" and a 12 month ban.

The government came under pressure to do something to reduce the accident rates among learner bikers which is why we have such complicated laws. Some aspects have worked well but the issue of restricting to 33bhp is debateable, you can still hit 100mph with 33bhp but the Government wanted to be seen to be doing something constructive.

If as a learner restricted to 33bhp you are involved in a serious accident they may sieze your bike as evidence and instruct VOSA to examine it and determine not only if it was road legal (condition of tyres brakes etc) but also if it was actually restricted or not.

[ben2go]

Good free programs to use are infranview http://www.infranview.com (easy to use)

or the ultimate Photoshop Replacement (hard to use), The Gimp
http://www.gimp.org

I got Gimp but have a hard time with it.I'll try infranview.Thanks to all.

Kerry
I along with many others are glad to see that you are back on the forum.Thanks for the Valve adjustment video.That and Dgyver showing me,I learned to adjust my valves. 
Sorry to stray off topic. 

[Kasumi]

Yea good points.

Current Law on motorcycling in the UK...

You can ride a 50cc motorcycle (max speed 31mph) at 16 with a provisional license and CBT and L plates, at 17 you can then ride a 125cc (max power output of 11kW) under the same conditions without further testing again on L plates.

If you want to get rid of the L plates and carry a pillion you can do a category A1 light motorcycle license, you have to pass the test on a bike between 70cc and 125cc and capable of at least 60mph.

If you want to ride anything bigger than 125cc without L plates and be able to carry passengers and travel on motorways you need to do your direct access license (cat. A). Identical tests on different bikes... Under 21 you have to do the test on a 125cc machine if you pass you gain a full motorcycle license but with a 2 year 33bhp (25kW) power restriction. If you are over 21 you do the test on a bike of more than 35kW and this gives you a full license with no restriction.

There are a couple more rules but regard only what happens if you turn 21 during your restriction period - basically you have to do the direct access test for over 21 riders anyway.


Im totally against the restriction rule. It doesn't take into account that motorcycles vary, some weight less than others, some have performance modifications or anything like that which is my first point. The second is you can kill yourself going any speed on a motorcycle you can still do rediculous speeds on a restricted bike AND you still get there damn faster than a car even tho restrictors kill acceleration. I see no point in it. Who has more accidents young bikers or young car drivers, yes that would be young car drivers. Who does more damage in accidents young bikers or young car drivers, that would be young car drivers again. Insurance is rediculous whatever car you get when your a young driver here in the UK and there is no restriction placed on how fast they can go and theyre driving round in 2 tonnes of pure killing machine! Riding in this country is so penalised its untrue.

[CndnMax]

How's this for a first stab?

<---- Looks a lot better, thanks kerry