Greetings from New Jersey

[NJMike]

Hi. Name is Mike, I'm 21 and I bought my first bike, a '92 Gs 500e in April. Been lurking in the shadows reading this and that and let me tell you something, this site is priceless. I check it everyday for tips and ideas to use on my bike. Not looking to break the sound barrier, but to restore the bike and just enjoy the road. I've road dirtbikes and quads since i was like 13 and just wanted to try the asphault. I like to try and do my own maitenence and work to learn how things work and to have the self-satisfaction of doing it myself.
This is my bike:





^This is the most annoying thing on the bike. Overall i think it's in pretty good shape. Replaced the two camshaft gaskets because they were leaking.
How would you guys go about fixing it? I read somewhere about cutting a fist size hole in the bottom and then banging it out. Is this something i could mig weld back on? Thinking the better paint job would be done with a compressor. Any Advice?
Thanks,
Mike

[Deros514]

Welcome!

You could use a mig welder, it's pretty thin stuff though. Best results would be with a tig if you know someone with one or can get a hook up. I know some people cut out the bottom of the tank to fix dents, I've seen other people just use a more bondo. You can achieve pretty good results with spray paint. It's a simple process you just have to follow the steps to the letter and not rush things. Oh and making sure everything is absolutely clean has a make bigger effect on the finish than using a spray gun or can.

[nhanxsolo]

where in NJ?  Im in Philadelphia if you're near and wanna ride sometime!

[gregvhen]

very clean bike for a 92. already has the vance and hines.  id check the air fuel ratio if i were you. incase the previous owner just slapped that exhaust on there and nothing else.

[NJMike]

Thanks to everyone who replied. As for the air/fuel ratio i've been thinking about rejetting the bike, but im not sure how to tell what size jets are in it as of now. The guy i bought it off of told me he messed with them before turning them way up and such. Since owning the bike i've noticed some things that make me question this guys qualifications to be messing around with as much as a bicycle. Going by the pictures can anyone tell me if my exhaust is just a slip on or the full monty? He said when he installed it, that it was a tight fit, but im not 100% and am assuming(you know what they say when you assume) that their is a difference of jets for a full v&h and just a slip on exhaust.
As of now the bike pops when off the throttle.
Thanks,
-Mike-

[nhanxsolo]

Looks like a slip on to me... the popping is supposed to be there.

[Paulcet]

Looks like a "full" V&H.  Slight difference.  Like one washer maybe.