Damn Previous Owners

[vegetabilly]

Would anyone have an idea where to find stock 1998 gs nuts and bolts.  The used gs I just got runs great, couldn't be more happy with my first bike.  But the idiot that owned it before me decided after taking it apart to lose a large part of the bolts.  The two worst ones because of the high rpm rattles are the front fender (only held on by two of the four to hold it) and the gas tank.  One of the bolts with the rubber washer? was lost and the idiot didn't even try to replace it.  I really though the engine was ready to blow with how bad the rattle got with higher rpms.  Thanks Guys

[gregvhen]

my gas tank doesnt have bolts with rubber washers.   unless you actually mean the rubber peices that the side plastics snap into. but the gas tank bolts on my bke are normal bolts. you could find em at any hardware store. just find some that dont have threads from the head to about 1/4 inch down.  maybe 2 inch total lengh. couldnt tell you diameter but if you have any bolts at home that will thread into it then just bring one with you to the hardware store and match the threads.

[DoD#i]

The metric section at the hardware store - if no metric section, find a better hardware store.

Aside from the tried and true "remove one of the bolts you have and match it" method, there is also this handy list - add to it if there's something not on it that you figure out.

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Restoration.BoltSizes

Depending if you mean the actual fender (5mm x 18mm) or the fork brace (6x1mm X 12mm) those are both listed.

Bike bandit or any Suzuki dealer can get you the rubber bits, though they are somewhat expensive for what they are - but truly good generic substitutes are hard to come by. They also sell bolts, but for too much money unless the bolts are "special".

[jeremy_nash]

there are rubber isolators that hold the tank to the rear-mounted bracket

[tt_four]

Loose parts can make a bike sound like it's going to self destruct. My last bike had a little flyscreen around the speedo, and I eventually just took it off because when I'd hit certain RPMs it was all I could hear.

There's definitely rubber washers under the tank. If you find a good source for them let me know because I need to replace one of mine, it's a little crushed after 17 years. I"m sure if you had to you could just get a bunch of rubber washers and just stack them. The one goes through the hole, you might be able to substitute that part with a little bit of rubber hose.

[DoD#i]

There's definitely rubber washers under the tank. If you find a good source for them let me know because I need to replace one of mine, it's a little crushed after 17 years.

The rear isolation rubber that goes around the bolts are $1.25 and $1.58 each (15 & 16) at bike bandit - you need two of each.

$4.44 and $3.55 for the other rubber bits. (11 & 12) Those are more easily substituted with something generic. If bikebandit gives you the heebie-jeebies, your local dealer likely can get the same parts at a similar price - especially once you figure shipping, if this is all you are buying.

[The Buddha]

Scooters made in the last few years have a lot of grommets that are very very close to those. The advantage is that those are not 2 piece, they are 1 piece. You oil it up and shove it on that hole and you put the T washer in, and after that it sorta never has to come out. I suggest you make a trek down to the local yard for it.
Also Cars have those parts, just not sure where and what cars cos the car yard is a mad house ... I ahve got a few and cannot tell what it is from for the life of me.
Cool.
Buddha.

[tt_four]

I may take my washers to pepboys and see what they have on the shelf. As of now I just stuck 1 metal washer between the tank and the rubber washer so it's tight, but obviously less functional. I do need some of #12! Those little rubber blocks, althought I was just going to try to find some random rubber to stick in there. Not sure what yet. I'm willing to bet that finding a cube of rubber is going to be way harder than it should be.

One question though. #4, that rubber strip around the tank... Do the newer tanks have those? I just got a new tank that replaced my old style like in that picture, and it doesn't have one. It also didn't have the rubber blocks either, so I'm not sure if it's missing it, or they originally didn't come with it. Other newer tanks I've seen didn't have it either, and mine does have a short one right around the very front of the tank, so I'm assuming it doesn't need it.

[BaltimoreGS]

If #11 in that diagram is missing your will get a bad rattle.

-Jessie

[DoD#i]

#4 was discontinued on newer bikes - I don't know exactly when. This is the 1990 diagram, because I ride a 1990. I assume if you seek out a newer diagram it might not have #4 anymore (or perhaps, as you say, it's shorter and just around the front - I've really only got experience with one GS, and it's a 1990)

The #12 blocks do seem like they should be able to fudged from something else - dense weatherstripping, perhaps. #11 does tend to go missing, and several people have replaced it with a cut section of rubber hose. I have got a replacement one, and am not putting it on until I find my tube of 3M weatherstrip adhesive.

[vegetabilly]

Luckily I do have #11 it is number 16 and 15 I am missing. Just so I could ride i cut off one of the cheap rubber parts that hold smallers socket sets together and after about 40 miles it is still holding strong.  And it is the fork brace bolts that are actually missing.  Appreciate it a lot you guys, this site is the best thing to happen to new gs owners since buying their gs.

[tt_four]

Appreciate it a lot you guys, this site is the best thing to happen to new gs owners since buying their gs.

I tend to think that buying a GS is the next best thing to happen to new GS owners after finding us.

[PachmanP]

Appreciate it a lot you guys, this site is the best thing to happen to new gs owners since buying their gs.

I tend to think that buying a GS is the next best thing to happen to new GS owners after finding us.

I wouldn't be super hasty about cursing the po too.  Bolts just rattle loose.  Locktite is your friend (BLUE).

As for getting bolts, I've gotten just about all of my replacement bolts from
my local Ace hardware( lowes/homedespot tend to have lame bolt selections)