Newbie here with some questions (Now with PICTURES of Dominator Headlights)

Archangel1183 · July 24, 2009, 10:58:08 PM

UPDATE: PICS on POST #13

What's up guys and gals. My name is Ish. I just sold my headache of a scooter a few days ago and I've been looking for a GS500. From what I've read on different articles and forums, GS500's are good starter bikes and not too difficult to maintain.

I found a 1990 GS500 for about $1300. Not sure about the color or paint, but I'm planning on painting it flat black with a dual headlight mod. I sent the person an email and this is the response I got. What do you guys think of the price and mods?

I have a 1990 GS500, just over 17k miles, runs very well, less than a thousand miles on front and rear Bridgestone Battleax tires. Recently tuned (full service with valve adjustment and calibrated carburetors) and rejetted for a Vance and Hines exhaust system and K&N air filter(also have stock exhaust if V&H is too loud); maintenance has been performed by Pro Speed in Lakewood, CA. New fuel chicken and upgraded headlight (much brighter!), new Progressive springs in forks; Rusticote done to gas tank; registration paid through May 2010. I do not have pictures right now but can by tomorrow. Any questions, drop me a line.

Alphamazing · July 24, 2009, 11:46:22 PM

Sounds good. Price might be a touch too high for such a high mileage bike, even if it is clean. Ask him about how often the valve checks were done during ownership. Sure it had a recent service, but if he didn't do valve checks every 4000 miles, the GS engine may not be happy if something was out of whack.

Archangel1183 · July 25, 2009, 01:25:08 AM

Is that really a lot of miles? I've read of some having from about 40K to even 72K. Also, I've read about people not doing the valve adjustment for like 20K miles.

I'll ask him anyway. Thanks for the input.

Alphamazing · July 25, 2009, 09:25:48 AM

Quote from: Archangel1183 on July 25, 2009, 01:25:08 AM
Is that really a lot of miles? I've read of some having from about 40K to even 72K. Also, I've read about people not doing the valve adjustment for like 20K miles.

I'll ask him anyway. Thanks for the input.

17k can be high if it isn't well maintained. And it's not about doing the valve adjustment for 20k miles, it's doing the valve CHECK. If he was checking the valves every 4k miles, that means he was properly maintaining it.

Archangel1183 · July 25, 2009, 09:42:29 AM

Ahhh, I see. Thanks

Archangel1183 · July 25, 2009, 08:46:57 PM

I spoke with the owner today and he said that he's owned the bike for 4 years and that he checked the valves every year before riding season. He said that they were slightly tight this year so he had them adjusted. He also said that he was flexible on the price, $1300 OBO.

I'm gonna check it out tomorrow. I'll update this after I see it.

Thanks again, Ish

Archangel1183 · August 06, 2009, 10:38:26 PM

Just wanted to update this with some pictures of my bike. It used to be red, I painted it flat black, and finally repainted it metallic gray with black frame. It's just spray paint and I did it in a rush, so it's not the best paint job that I've done, but I do like the color scheme.

Dominator headlights are on the way.

O.C.D. · August 07, 2009, 08:53:00 AM

Hell, I think it looks great!!!

PaviSays · August 07, 2009, 09:26:47 AM

Yeah man, that's definitely one sharp looking bike.

Archangel1183 · August 07, 2009, 02:59:53 PM

Thanks guys.

redhenracing2 · August 07, 2009, 03:05:58 PM

Do you like the metallic gray better than the Flat Black? I just painted mine FB like a few weeks ago and its kinda getting old. And that's not a bad paint job to be done with spray paint

Archangel1183 · August 07, 2009, 03:25:13 PM

The metallic gray is a lot better than the flat black. It looks cool on some newer bikes, but our bikes have the older look to them. In my opinion, flat black just makes them look older and neglected.

Archangel1183 · August 08, 2009, 05:41:52 PM

I received my Dominator headlights today. I have to find a better way to hide all the wires. Don't mind the spray paint over-spray.

XealotX · August 08, 2009, 06:21:22 PM

Would it be possible to reduce the length of the wires? Looks like you have enough wiring there to wrap around the bike twice.

qwertydude · August 08, 2009, 06:32:31 PM

1600 in LA is reasonable over here a running bike is $1000. Even a 50cc moped goes for $750-1000

PaviSays · August 08, 2009, 07:52:14 PM

Now that looks badass. I'm not really a big fan on the dominator headlights, but that looks so sweet on your bike. Awesome work, man.

tt_four · August 09, 2009, 06:21:03 AM

I love the headlights, I've always loved small dual lights. How is the brightness compared to stock? You could shorten the wires. I don't know if some will just let you hid them under the tank. If you really feel like going at it you can cut and solder them as short as you want.

Ooh, and I'd consider $13000 a good deal for a bike in good shape.

scottpA_GS · August 09, 2009, 09:08:00 AM

I had no problems hiding the wires behind my dual buells. You couldnt see them at all.

Now... Trim those turn signals down!

Archangel1183 · August 09, 2009, 10:23:52 AM

Thanks guys. I'm getting ready to head to Vegas tomorrow. I'm gonna work on the wiring next Friday when I come back. I actually picked up the bike for $1000. The last owner had just spent about $1200 on different work and he gave me receipts.

I'm not sure about the lighting yet. I haven't had a chance to drive with these lights at night.

speedsix · August 09, 2009, 02:23:56 PM

I like the paint and the headlights. The mirrors look out of place now. Get some bar end mirrors and some flush mount turn signals and you will be my hero!

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Newbie here with some questions (Now with PICTURES of Dominator Headlights)