New to the forum/New to Bikes

[sahaider]

Hey guys, I just purchased a 1996 GS500E at a great price. It is my first bike. The bug bit when my buddy picked me up on his dual sport, and I said I have to get me one of these. We scoured craigslist and looked at Hondas, Kawasakis, Suzukis, etc. I was waiting for a GS500 at my budget and then it popped up.

Funny story about picking it up:
The guy lived an hour and a half away from me. I picked up my friend who has been working on bikes for 10+ years and we drove out there to see it. Everything looked great. I handed him the cash and got the title from him. We were off. Out of the neighborhood, the bike was going up a hill and it just puttered out and died. We pulled over to the side of the road. One of the spark plugs was dead. It was running on one cylinder. The guy came and picked us up and we went to buy new spark plugs. Put em in and ran the bike around the neighborhood and everything was just great. Second time -- out of the neighborhood, up the hill, bike died. Pulled over. It just couldn't get up that hill. I called the owner and he returned the money and that was that. I leave. Drop my friend off and I'm on my way home.  Guy calls. "There was no gas in the tank!" he yells.

We go back and pick it up. Bike runs like a dream. I'll never forget to gas up the bike now.

I'm taking the motorcycle safety course on my birthday next week, and I am so excited to be part of this community and this forum. I look forward to learning from everybody here.

[sahaider]

Also: the only thing that is really wrong with it (apart from some scuffs here and there) is a missing choke cable. It has some bootleg pin to pull. Any idea where to get a replacement?





That one is me, but the bike is not on. I'm just posing. That's why I've got no helmet or gear on.

[SS Adrenaline]

Awesome, welcome here.  Looks to be in good shape.  Always wear your gear when your not posing for photos and keep the shiny side up.
cheers

[adidasguy]

Also: the only thing that is really wrong with it (apart from some scuffs here and there) is a missing choke cable. It has some bootleg pin to pull. Any idea where to get a replacement?

This board has a few "parts whores". Through them and others you can get most any part you need or they'll tell you where to get it.
A choke cable is a pretty cheap item. Ordering one from a parts place would cost maybe more in postage. That's often the case for small stuff.

The parts whores here often sell stuff for postage and a buck or two - depending on the part - and ship right away.

Important to have your location in your profile. There may be someone near you. If you're out of the USA, that makes it a different story for the parts whores.

Post a WTB (want to buy) in the for sale section. Include where you are - city and state - and you'll get a cable in no time. We all take paypal. Cash or check is good, too. Until you build up a  trade history, most will wait for cash/check to arrive. Paypal is instant.

Enjoy! Welcome to the nut house.

[sahaider]

Post a WTB (want to buy) in the for sale section. Include where you are - city and state - and you'll get a cable in no time. We all take paypal. Cash or check is good, too. Until you build up a  trade history, most will wait for cash/check to arrive. Paypal is instant.

Done and done. Thanks for the helpful advice and the welcome!