How many birds can I kill with one stone?

[Villager]

Inspired by my recent work on the bike and determination to keep my GS500E for the foreseeable future, I've arranged with my brother (who, crucially, knows more about engines than I do) to spend a weekend cleaning and upgrading the engine. I'd like to improve both the longevity and the performance of the bike as much as reasonably possible. I'd also like to use it as a way of learning more about bikes and how to work on them. I've decided to add a lunchbox, exhaust and rejet, but I was wondering what else I can do at the same time to improve the bike and save taking it apart again.

I've read lots here about cleaning carbs, adjusting valves etc, but only have a tenuous grasp of what these things would involve and the potential benefit. So my question is this: if I'm rejetting, what else is there that's useful to do and is easier to do at the same time rather than separately? If you could describe the benefit of what you suggest, I can browse the site for more detailed info on how to do it.

[GSnoober]

Lots of good information here:

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Main/Upgrades

Read through those articles to help you decide what you'd like to improve; ask questions if you need specific advice. One thing that will save you aggravation later is to replace the carb screws with Allen-head screws; simple changes like that can make life easier in the long run. If you're going to change the exhaust headers, remember to use anti-sieze compound on the threads when you tighten the header bolts. You should get plenty of ideas from the Wiki...

[frankieG]

i am a proponent of synthetic oil and frequent oil changes

[manofthefield]

I'd say going through as much of the regular maintenance as possible would be the best way to get to know you bike.

Clean/rejet carbs
Check/adjust valves
change oil
adjust chain
replace fork seals and oil
bleed brakes, maybe upgrade to stainless lines
check/replace brake pads

This definatly doesn't all need to be done at once.  And this list isn't comprehensive, just what I came up with off the top of my head (see here for more complete info). Address what is most pressing first or what you have time for and then you can keep learning a liittle bit as you go

Mods are a decent way to learn too.  So is crashing and rebuilding, but I dont recommend this one.

[Jay_wolf]

Once i swop the rear one off my bike .. Coz the 2001 i bought came with HEL stainless lines ., i got my goodritch rear silver one to match my katana front one , *sold my front single silvermine * , i have a set of Blue HEl Lines ins Perfect Condition if ur interested?

[Villager]

Once i swop the rear one off my bike .. Coz the 2001 i bought came with HEL stainless lines ., i got my goodritch rear silver one to match my katana front one , *sold my front single silvermine * , i have a set of Blue HEl Lines ins Perfect Condition if ur interested?

I'll have a look, see what condition mine's in. How much you want for it?

Frankie: what's the advantage of synthetic oil? And whatt ype would I want?

[Jay_wolf]

Not alot , there in perfect working order , i still have the reciept . its a set ,. front and back HEL lines

[frankieG]

viscosity...synthetic oil can take more punishment and will better protect your engine.  but it does not change the fact you need to check your oil before you ride and regular oil changes

[spc]

I think Frankie meant, the advantage of a synthetic is it tends to have a higher resistance to breakdown.  While you most definitely want something stable at higher temps in an air cooled engine, I wouldn't say that synthetic is necessary but rather a matter of personal preference.  I talked to a gentleman tonight that ran a '73 BMW 750 on conventional oil from purchase new until last year traversing 300k miles on the bike in the process.