Hi, got first bike today....'93 GS500 PIC HEAVY!

[commuterdude]

It seems to run really well.  Has 8500 miles.   Needs a carb synch from what the previous owner told me,  and the chain needs to be lubed and tightened.  That's about all I know at this point, except I need to get some help getting it out of my Dakota.





                                                                             

[scottpA_GS]

Welcome to the site! 

Nice looking GS 

In the future, dont tie it down so hard. You dont want to compress the forks that much as it can/will blow out your fork seals 

[commuterdude]

LOL! I went to ease up the tension and it fell over in my truck bed.   Got a new scratch for the collection but no apparent harm done.     

[beRto]

Congats on the new bike and welcome to the forum!

edit: thanks for posting all those pics...

The chain looks a little rusty. I'd use some Kerosene and a brush to see how it cleans up, but you may be looking at a new one.

Before you decide the chain is still useable, make sure you give it a close inspection to make sure none of the o-rings are missing.

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
Congrats on the bike.
I must say, though, that chain is more than a "bit rusty."
That chain needs to be replaced NOW to be safe and work well.
The bike was kept outside a lot, hence the rotted out passenger left side footpeg rubber.
I'd be looking over everything and replacing rusty fasteners, cables, rotted rubber (the tires don't look too great either in terms of rot) before I ride it much.
Once those things are done, you'll be in better shape.
Best wishes,
Todd

[commuterdude]

Those passenger pegs are from a 4 wheeler.  They were WAY used up before being put on the bike.  The bike has been dropped, but not too badly.  It definitely needs some tlc before riding.   Some good things are: oil is nice and fresh, air cleaner element looks new,  all the electronics work,  bike has the tool kit, no rust in tank.   I'm sure I will find some more maintenence items.   It starts right up and idles nicely.  A good "work in progress" bike.   I live out in the country and there are more deer than cars, so riding during the day is pretty nice.

This site has been a great help so far, thank you and keep it up!

Just got some insurance from progressive.  need some tags, a new chain, some gloves, and I'll be ready to ride a little.

[ohgood]

Welcome and congrats on the 'new' bike. This is your first ? Coooooool !

My 98's chain looked the same when I bought it,  the rear tire had a nail in it (no lie!), the brake pads were shot/burnt, and the oil was 1/2 a quart low... and i was dumb enough to ride it 300 miles home !

Things I'd do:

clean the chain with WD-40 (whatever) and oil with 10w40
clean the cogs, check for 'shark toothed' effect
clean the tires, check for dry rotting (they look done anyway, need replacing)
clean out the brakes, make sure the pistons are working right and the pads aren't cracked
change the oil, oil filter (you can't trust there is one in there )
bleed fresh brake fluid into the front and back, make sure it's pretty and clear
check the battery acid overflow line, make sure it's routed right
chuck the old air filter
drain the carb bowls, see if there is any rust in the fuel tank
replace the fuel lines
maybe replace the brake lines (see how they look)
check all the lights are working n stuff

checking your oil:
bike is warmed up, on the center stand or with you supporting it upright on level ground. unscrew the dipstick and wipe it off, replace it WITHOUT screwing it back in, THEN check. in the hashes is good. overfilled means it will be HARD to shift into/out of 1st gear.



welcome to the gstwins forum. some of the coolest folks share information and help here. hope you can enjoy your ride for a nice long time. those tires really look like hell, don't want ya slipping off the road

looks like you found a nice bike, hasn't been molested by any idiots yet. do i see graying hair in the first picture's reflection ? lol, we look for everything here keep us posted with your progress and problems.

me: 98 gs, 24,000 miles, simply fun, living in tampa, moving to b'ham in a few weeks. can't wait for the hills !

[GeeP]

Yep, Ohgood's list pretty well covers it.

I'm pretty sure those are the stock tires.  If so, definately get rid of those 15 year old stock Excedra rim protectors.  Talk about slippery hard eraser rubber!  People complained about those things when they were new.   

That chain will probably last you about 20 miles.  Well, maybe 19 miles.   

Enjoy the new ride.   

[commuterdude]

Thanks again for all the info.   In addition to all mentioned so far, I'll need to have the carbs gone over, the bike idles fine but only at full choke, a twist of throttle it bogs out at 4000 rpm.
I'll need to think of this bike as a project first, way before riding it.

Front tire is a Cheng Shin, rear is a Dunlop. 
Speedo light is out.
Left side fork seal is getting crappy.

Yep I'm gray headed at 41 yrs old.

Thanks again as always for all the help.

I think the bike is solid, just needs some serious reviving.

[bucks1605]

Bike looks good. Welcome to the site.

I don't think I've ever seen a peg dry rot like that. 

[ohgood]

Thanks again for all the info.   In addition to all mentioned so far, I'll need to have the carbs gone over, the bike idles fine but only at full choke, a twist of throttle it bogs out at 4000 rpm.
I'll need to think of this bike as a project first, way before riding it.

Front tire is a Cheng Shin, rear is a Dunlop. 
Speedo light is out.
Left side fork seal is getting crappy.

Yep I'm gray headed at 41 yrs old.

Thanks again as always for all the help.

I think the bike is solid, just needs some serious reviving.

cool, you've got the right mindset for a bike that sat for so long. i know the itch to just get on and blast is there

ya, those tires will be like riding frozen wooden bridges with roller skates on stilts.

the carbs aren't that bad to work on (although I make it really dramatic when stuff goes bad!) and a good cleaning will likely take care of things. lots of help here like i said.

[KasbeKZ]

so how much was it? that's exactly the kind of bike i'm looking for

[commuterdude]

well I had to give $1400.00 for it.  For some reason these GS's and EX500 ninja's are like gold around here.   I actually would not have gotten the bike if the first person to go look at it had not written a bad check to the owner.  He called me back and said to come check it out.   As it was he got some nasty e-mails from a guy who was next in line behind me.   I figure $500.00 will get it on the road safely.   Not in a hurry, gonna savor the build.

[ohgood]

well I had to give $1400.00 for it.  For some reason these GS's and EX500 ninja's are like gold around here.   I actually would not have gotten the bike if the first person to go look at it had not written a bad check to the owner.  He called me back and said to come check it out.   As it was he got some nasty e-mails from a guy who was next in line behind me.   I figure $500.00 will get it on the road safely.   Not in a hurry, gonna savor the build.

People are weird, childish sometimes. PFffft.

Ya, I gave $1800 for my 98 with 3,000 miles on it... Put $300 worth of tires on it, and started enjoying it. I paid too much, but it's been a great ride so far. I'm on my 3rd set of BT-45's now.

[Archer]

I payed $1,800 for my 2001, and after seafoaming the carbs i've still not gotten the bike to stop popping out of the exhaust.  Im gonna take it over to my uncle soon and he can probably tell right away whats wrong with it.

[commuterdude]

Arghh I dropped it in my garage putting it up on the centerstand.   Nice new ding in the tank   Did get the oil changed and unhooked the carb except for the speedo and choke cables.

[bucks1605]

Arghh I dropped it in my garage putting it up on the centerstand.   Nice new ding in the tank   Did get the oil changed and unhooked the carb except for the speedo and choke cables.

Ouch! Usually I just drop wrenches and other tools on my tank. 

[905mike]

congrats on the new ride.
that chain can certainly use a little luv!

[905mike]

well I had to give $1400.00 for it.  For some reason these GS's and EX500 ninja's are like gold around here.   I actually would not have gotten the bike if the first person to go look at it had not written a bad check to the owner.  He called me back and said to come check it out.   As it was he got some nasty e-mails from a guy who was next in line behind me.   I figure $500.00 will get it on the road safely.   Not in a hurry, gonna savor the build.

People are weird, childish sometimes. PFffft.

Ya, I gave $1800 for my 98 with 3,000 miles on it... Put $300 worth of tires on it, and started enjoying it. I paid too much, but it's been a great ride so far. I'm on my 3rd set of BT-45's now.

picked up my '99 500E for $1,800 recently with 9,000miles on her ...
included: integrated rear signals, new battery, new brake pads front and back, new brake fluids, new oil/filter, new air filter, new chain, new stock exhaust installed (plus v&h exhaust as 'extra')....
talk about completely 'ready-to-ride'!! ....

.
.
i coulda bought a '98 for $1,400 but it woulda NEEDED new battery, new brake pads front & back, new brake fluids, etc....

[DLW]

Damn....I wish my '92 looked that clean when I got it.  I paid $1200 for it last year with 11k on the speedo.  Needed some serious work.  I've already done some simple cosmetic work to it. And according to the original owner and some spots remaining it was originally red just like yours....now its rattle can blue, by the PO.  I'm gonna go back to all red on the plastics and all black lower.

http://picasaweb.google.com/DouglasLWarren/GS500E

DLW