Suspect that the bike (2005) is lowered.

[TarzanBoy]

So, the seat height on the 2005 seems noticeably lower than the '89 that I used to have.   Looking at the bike from the side, the top of the tank is taller than the tail end of the bike.

This is why I suspect that the rear end is lower than normal.

When I eventually do tear into the bike and start inspecting stuff, what is the best way to tell whether it has been lowered or not?

How tall do the tail ends of your gs500s sit in relation to the top of the gas tank?

[DoD#i]

You do know that somewhere around 2000-2001 they added a couple of gallons to the top of the tank, don't you?

[The Buddha]

TB your 89's seat was shimmed and adjusted and fiddled ... I also think it had a kat shock under it. I know cos I fiddled with it to get it sorted out right, it came up higher AFAIK. the seat also fit tighter than anyhting I ever have seen, unless Jacob modded it after I did and set it different before selling to you.
Cool.
Buddha.

[b_long_1]

Mine is a stock '06 and as far as I can tell the tank is slightly higher the tail end.