Sal's GS500 Thread

[Sal_the_man]

That amount of metal in the oil is a VERY bad thing. . .

Indeed it is

[iamhiding]

oh thats rough! any further forward with it?

[The Buddha]

Gold colored is crank bearing material.
I cant tell exactly but is all that sediment also gold colored metal ?

I have put that quantity X 3 of aluminum on a savage when its cam chain was loose. But aluminum, not bronze.

Cool.
Buddha.

[lucas]

Any updates?  When you getting back on the road?

I mean, it should take like an afternoon to swap in a new engine at this point.  We want more travel logs.

[Sal_the_man]

Will see if I can write an update this week

[Sal_the_man]

Are you familiar with the seven stages of grief? Well let's walk through them together:

1. Shock and Denial - Unbelievable Sal. UNBELIEVABLE. I can't believe you've blown your motor IN JUST A MONTH! This is number two, What is wrong with you man??

2. Pain and Guilt - Why couldn't you just check the oil?? You lazy imbecile it was just a matter of checking the dipstick YOU DIPSTICK!!

3. Anger and Bargaining - For once in my life can you stop BREAKING STUFF!? Seriously! The I30, the MR2, and now the motorbike! You...you...Barbarian!

4. Depression - Well looks like you're out of a ride once again. Don't know whether I want to keep it now. All the work, money, time that will go into buying another motor. Not sure if I have the patience to deal with this nonsense once more...

5. The Upward Turn - Come on Sal the man! It's just a motor. You've been through too many obstacles to ditch this project. It's just a matter of finding a motor and swapping it in. Well, if you can swap it in.

6. Reconstuction - Let's stumble through craigslist, forums, ebay these next few weeks. It's a cheap bike and you'll find the one motor.

7. Hope - Be patient. It'll work out mang.

NSFL, The gory pictures. The crankshaft bearings were toast no doubt about it:












And so the search began at the start of September. Not surprisingly there were an abundant amount of motors for sale on Ebay and Craigslist. But most were overpriced or had shady histories behind them. It was a frustrating time and one that shaked my faith in resurrecting the old boy. Episodes of depression would inundate me as a motorcyclist would pass me by on the commutes. Or when I'd see a family of motorcycles coalescing in their designated parking lots. The feeling of active brotherhood was out of grasp when I'd explain "I have a GS500 at home but it needs a new motor." A statement that would slice the spirit every time it was sorrowfully shared.

However, one day there was an ebay listing for a 92 GS500 motor with 7707 miles on it. It looked beaten up cosmetically but the seller, revered with high approval ratings, swore to its solid mechanical condition. Its price of $300 was met with my offer of $220. I was not expecting him to accept my lowball offer but to my astonishment he did! Oh what? He'll take $220? Holy smokes I have a motor!! FRICKIN' A dude! 



Its home was a four hour pilgrimage away from my city. And that distance qualified for a shipping price I did not want to pay for. So being a man on a mission, I saddled up in the Benz strapped with $220 and some change for tolls. And away we went to explore the western wilderness.

My destination seemed to be a place that offered more to sell than just used GS500 motors, if you know what I mean. The sights only lowered my expectations of what I was purchasing. But the ratings proved to be true and the seller was an upright gent. The GS motor greeted me inside his shed of parts and my eyes glowed with this diamond of a deal. Money was exchanged, hands were met, and the powerplant was whisked away in a less-than-elegant fashion. A new chapter was going to be written.

[Sal_the_man]

Swap, swap, engine swap time! For two weeks the motor hid behind the GS and fueled the fantasy of riding the steed again. And on that one fateful Saturday, my friends Dave and Max came over to help, the service manual was consulted like the bible on a sunday, and 6 hours of labor ensued. The bike was under the knife. Here are some pictures my friend took of the job.

Swapping sockets for each task




Kudos to Mr. Haynes for his clear and concise instructions




Dave and I at work




Losing hair




Finally removed the motor! Such a satisfying feeling.




Getting desperate. Out with the old, in with the new.




Astounded by how difficult it was to get a motor IN than OUT




Glamour photo




Once we installed the motor David and Max had to left to their commitments and the job became a one-man party. The rents came home to a garage colored by motorcycle guts which prompted their disapproval and exclamations of "karma for buying a bike." But who was doing all the work? Who was spending the time and effort in resuscitating this being? With every turn of the socket wrench my moral was raised. Every tightened bolt strengthened my confidence in fighting the odds. Proving the once bleak circumstances wrong.

And so at the sixth hour of that last Saturday of October the bike was assembled. Harnesses were scanned for solid connections, hoses were glanced over, and the GS was primed to start. And when the ignition button was nervously pressed...the GS awoke from its two-month coma with an enthusiastic roar. The bellow of the unfiltered carbs declared its presence in the neighborhood once again.

[Daeouse]

Hooray! 

[Sal_the_man]

To finish the swap, a JT 15-tooth front sprocket (OEM is 16-tooth) and bar end mirrors were ordered as upgrades. The sprocket made the GS more enthusiastic with a shorter final drive. And the bar-end mirrors removed the stock mirrors from the field of view, making the bike feel more taut.

Winter weather strolled in by November with temperatures being a chilly 30-40 degrees. Some people throw in the towel declaring the end of the season. But my youth defied the cold and bundled up for the rides that followed. A decision that catalyzed my bond with the GS and love for riding.

Photo heavy below

College Park Tuning's Annual Catoctin Cruise - Plan on hosting for riders this summer




Max taking the GS for a stroll.




Pit stop




Looking cooltastic for the camera




Friday stroll through Germantown and Poolesville. Love exploring




Approval while being a millenial




Maximillion being a straight up G




Serene




Selfie




Thursday in College Park




Bikes and Grass




Convinced me to go off-road, then Max became stuck in the mud. Lifted it out and became filthy dirty. Thanks bruh




Earning his stripes




Every mile on the bike further kindles my affinity for riding. And slowly I drift away from automotive scene. The eyes absorb the countryside beauty, the heart beats to the tempo of combustion, and friendships mold into a brotherhood. Rides become stories to chat about with company. And they lead to discussion for trips to Toronto, Pikes Peak, and beyond.

The GS will most certainly see Summit Point and cross state lines. Oh, and that 12K redline will be visited regularly.

As if it isn't already...

[iamhiding]

yaaaaaassssss! glad he survived the heart transplant. swapped an engine into a frame abut two weeks ago, i was laughing at the pic of the bike on its side, glad i did mines bare frame and on the ground, would've been a nightmare twisting it into place otherwise. its not an easy task so kudos dude. not looking forward to repeating the process with a freshly powder coated frame and painted engine...

a note on dealing with sellers on eBay, eBay/paypal take a 13% cut so to offer a seller 13% less outside of eBay gives them the same profit and cuts you a nice little bit off the top, when paying online anyway. the only downside is that if the seller is cool with going down that road then you don't have eBay/paypal to fall back on should the seller prove to be untrustworthy for one reason or another, I've had many a bargain that way though

shame to see the sw20 go in your first post as well

[Sal_the_man]

Disclaimer: This is a write-up of a cruise I did on New Years Eve.

Part I. Decisions, decisions...

After exhausting gnasher ammo in Gears of War 3 and failing to make podium in Forza 4 (thanks SR20DET), I explored the internet for local riding roads in the DMV area. Winter break released the shackles of academia but there was a physical yearning to see beyond a digital Nurburgring.

Stumbled upon Motorcycle Roads | Motorcycle Roads and Rides | MotorcycleRoads.com that Tuesday night and fancied a route from Leesburg to Antietam National Park. Stamped Thursday, New Years Eve, as the ride date.

Command+Shift+3 gents




Pacenotes were scribbled and the event was set. Initially this was going to be a solo mission, but decided it was a great opportunity to make new friends. So a Facebook post was made, Miro shot me a PM, and a man-date was set for 1030 hours. It was going to be a good time, no homo.

_________________________________

Part II. Rise and shine, the A/F is fine (meh, lean).

Winter weather didn't stop me from putting 3000 miles under the GS's three months of running. But it did school me on bundling up. Here's what works for me.

Head: Balaclava, Helmet
Hands: "Head" liner, Fieldsheer Summer gloves
Torso: Under Armor, T-shirt, Perforated Leather Jacket, Nursing home windbreaker
Legs: Thermal, leather pants, Burton snowboard socks
Shoes: Boots




An attractive male




Le pacenotes



Dried mangos and drinks were thrown into the backpack and away the GS whisked its masked rider.

Upon arrival at the Giant in Leesburg, I spotted a Royal Enfield and its owner anticipating something in the parking lot. Hands were shook, greetings were exchanged, and our purpose broke the ice that would otherwise exist.

Miro and I briefly talked about our backgrounds. Our familiarity with the area. The GS, Enfield, and our history on two wheels.

The Suzuki was red, the sky was blue, the Royal was green, and so were our wallets too. The 500s fired up and the expedition began.

Rally Point




Perspectives matter




Green machine, an identical rhyme

[Sal_the_man]

Part III. Vivacious views, vulgar vrooms, tea.

I perceive that when people hear the word "motorcycle" they naturally assume the need for speed and its rudimentary associations. But the 45-mile trek gifted us with riding's core fundamental. The wind slithering through zippers, feeling the physics of hairpins, and being inundated with nature in the nude. It was about living in the moment and absorbing the beauty that surrounds you. Only miles from your couch. And the two of you thundering down, owning, this journey. Your masculinity is not questioned.

Below are some photos of the roads we traveled in VA, WV, and MD. But we didn't take pics of every moment YA FREE LOADERS!


One from the GoPro




(Miro) Crossing the Shenandoah River




(Miro) Traffic lights




(Miro) Outskirts of the park




Extremely useful tank bag




My hand slipped, I swear




Once we reached sharpsburg, I decided that a break was needed to snack and chit chat. Although we were content with Costco's finest bananas and trail mix, Miro fancied some tea to which I concurred. Low and behold we find a Persian tea shop Shahanzadeh's in this small country town. Figures.

Miro's Russian fireball and my white chocolate mousse tea were excellent. But moreso, it was a time to befriend each other arm. Discussing about bikes, ethnic customs while chewing mangos and cashews. A unique moment.

Here we were. A Czech, a Pakistani, sitting in a Persian restaurant, served by a Puerto Rican, while next to significant land in america's civil war. Syntax nightmare yes I know, but a testament to what "Freedom" morphed to become.


(Miro) the tea room




Tea




Miro unpictured and I take a picture




Back into the groove:

(Miro) Back on the road:




(Miro) Antietam

[Sal_the_man]

Part IV. Sightseeing Antietam

Antietam. A pivotal battle in America's civil war theatre. The last piece of land over 22,000 would set foot on. The sights were awe-inspiring and the hills were characterized by luscious curves. But it was an ironic quality to the amount of lives that perished in the bloody conflict. Our destination left us with a deep respect for those who perished.

The visitor center guides were amicable and enthusiastic to discuss its significance. Even better, they provided us a self drive around tour which we did on our bikes. An awesome way to engage history.

Parked




Miro reading information




The Enfield owner walking towards the monument




Information




Other personnel




List of KIA




Various cannons used in the battle




Tower overlook




Dedicated to officer KIA




"Bloody Lane"




Motorcycles. Favorite picture of the trip




Miroslav the suave. Another rhyme.




Alas, reader, the trip arrived at its conclusion. I had a date with an electrician at 3:00PM so 2:00PM marked both of our departures. Manshakes were exchanged once again, plans for the Wednesday meets were discussed, and the GS belched at 9K RPM to pedestrians. (Psh, what a show off)

______________________




Motorcycles. They convince you to share 45 miles with another rider. Forge friendships. Interact with the world around you. Move, excite, live. And that's exactly what we did New Years Eve. Live an ordinary thursday seeing the tri-state beauty and sharing it with a splendid gentlemen. 'Til next time.

[Daeouse]

Marvelous pictures, looks like the bike is doing wonderfully!

I love the Enfield, its such a beautiful bike!

[Sal_the_man]

Update.

Time to move up the ranks!

[ShowBizWolf]

Very nice!!! I love the color 

[Sal_the_man]

Very nice!!! I love the color 

Thanks! Unfortunately this marks the end of my run with the GS. It's been fun but can only handle one lady at a time!