First bike, let me know what you think

[luffy]

Hey guy, just wanted to post up the GS I acquired yesterday. Its a 1994 GS500E, with about 3200 miles and it cost me $1600 canadian. Tires are new bridgestone battlax BT-45 and there isn't rust, corrosion or damage to be found anywhere on it. It was -32 cel. when I checked it out yesterday and it fired right up after a little help from a battery charger. So far the only faults that I've found is that its missing a left hand bar end. One question I had, how much play is to be expected in the handlebar "base", (indicated as part #2) on the attached link. When moving the bike around, it looks as though this plate is able to rock back and forth a few mm. Given all the snow and ice around here, it'll still be a few months till I get to properly ride it, already have helmet and jacket on the way though.

http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/35/Year/1994/ModelID/6446/Model/GS500E/GroupID/268592/Group/HANDLEBAR_1990-1996





One of the reasons why I went with the Suzuki was the amount of information and support available on this forum,

Thanks,

Adam

[PachmanP]

Welcome.

As for the plate, I don't think it is supposed to move at all.  Should be bolted fairly securely to the plate below (upper triple??).  You might want to pull the handle bars off and see if the screws need a little tightening.

[tt_four]

Bike looks great. That's a nice color. I don't think it's an original paint job, but it does look nice. I've been wondering the same about that part #2. I've had clipons for a while, and recently bought some dirtbike bars and put that top clamp back on, and it was moving a little. Wasn't sure if it always did or not. There's rubber mounts between the top two plates, so it's never going to be as solid as metal to metal, but if you pull off the bars you can just tighten it all down with a 14mm wrench and a 6mm(or 8, can't remember) hex key.

Congratulations on the new bike! Have fun staring at it for months until it's warm enough to ride it!

[gsJack]

Yes the plate holding the handlebars will move a bit.  There are rubber bushings 13 but you can tighten the bolts under the bars down tight.  Spacer 14 will set proper squeeze on the rubber like the shoulder bolts do in setting the proper squeeze on the valve cover gasket.  Those rubber bushings 13 should last the life of the bike.  Just lean on the bars and you'll see them move a bit.  It's part of the handlebar vibration control, helps reduce bar vibes as do the bar end weights.

http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/35/Year/1994/ModelID/6446/Model/GS500E/GroupID/268612/Group/STEERING_STEM

[tt_four]

someday when I'm in a dealership I'll sit on a new GS and give the bars a wiggle to see how mine compare. I think in the main time I'm going to stick with the clipons anyway.

[mister]

someday when I'm in a dealership I'll sit on a new GS and give the bars a wiggle to see how mine compare. I think in the main time I'm going to stick with the clipons anyway.

My bike was bought new from the dealer. And there is no Wobble or Movement of the handlebars. Left right or front back.

Michael

[luffy]

Good catch with the colour, it was orginally purple, but thankfully the owner repainted it to metallic blue. I think this bike was destined for me as I've got a Mazda 3 in the exact same shade, I think it was meant to be.

I'll try popping the bars off and snugging them up to see if it helps, the play isn't major, but would like to know if I could reduce it.

Adam

Also, for those of you with the thread-in, welded thread type handlebars, how much luck have you had with aftermarket bar ends bolting in?