First time for everything...

[GandalfPotter]

...as in changing my clutch for the first time... as in posting on here for the first time. Yea. I'm one of those situations. Ent-e-ways,  I am going to begin this process in the morning.  As of right now, I have the plates and springs.  I'm thinking I should get a gasket as well. Aside from tools, the gasket and a helpful YouTube video that introduced me to this site... Any suggestions? Or links? 

And why do I have to answer questions I don't know the answer to, to ask a question?

[Iarn]

Welcome to the forum!   

The questions thing is a spam-bot deterrent. Once you hang around here and post a few more times it will go away.

As for help with your clutch and gasket situation. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=70018.0 post may or may not help you.

If you're careful not to tear it, you may be able to use the gasket again. Inspect it and make sure it doesn't have any holes/tears/weak spots. If it's hard as a rock due to age you may want to replace it. (I'd recommend ordering some gasket remover from Amazon.com or wherever if that's the case. Trust me.)

There are one or two good Youtube vids that should help you out with this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgg2UN3gC4 This one helped me the most.

You really only need a good set of sockets to do most of this job, unless you want to measure everything for records, then maybe some vernier calipers.

Hope that helps, good luck!

[Big Rich]

You can't have too many gaskets.....

Chanel are you'll need to scrape / scrap the gasket, and need a new one anyways. As far as the clutch / springs goes, OEM is the best way to go. Soak the plates in oil overnight  (motorcycle oil btw), and you'll be golden. Aftermarket springs are unnecessary unless you have a monster of a GS, but will just cause hand fatigue on a stock bike so no worries. And if you mix & max with the springs, go every other between oem and aftermarket.

[GandalfPotter]

Thanks guys. That is actually the same YouTube video that has given me the balls to do this and it also directed me to this site.  I initially thought I'm a loser beginner with a baby bike, but after landing here, my self-esteem has changed.  And my plates are currently soaking.   

[Iarn]

Every rider was new at some point, don't sweat it; however, I have to say you chose a great first bike. It'll last you a long time if you want it to. I may be a bit bias, though.   

[ShowBizWolf]

+1 !!

Welcome to the site 

Pics of the bike ?  We love pics 

[DesertFox]

Every rider was new at some point, don't sweat it; however, I have to say you chose a great first bike. It'll last you a long time if you want it to. I may be a bit bias, though.   

^^ Truth!!  My '97 GS500e is my first bike and, entering my 4th riding season with it, still absolutely love it.  It's been great to learn to ride on as well as work on.  Welcome and good luck with the clutch job!

[GandalfPotter]

Grrrrrr...  Not to be a complainer, but between this bike and these verifications I am going crazy. I broke a bolt while putting my clutch springs back in. Thank God I was able to get a new one. Acutally two. Just in case. While at the shop I got the bolts from the mechanic suggested that I remove my exhaust pipe and oil pan so I can clean the oil pan from any broken clutch plate pieces. Which is going fine.... but I don't know what bolts to remove.  Can someone point me in the right direction? While my exhaust is off I am going to paint it. Ive actually written this response 3 times and I have failed three times at it posting. So this time I have copy/paste in case the verification doesn't clear. My picture files are too big right now, but I will post soon. I promise... until then, oil pan removal help please. 

[Big Rich]

Those verification messages go away after your 5th post - so a couple more and you won't have to deal with them any more.

Removing the oil pan? Make sure you have a new gasket (do you have an E or an F? The gasket is different) handy since the old one will rip apart when you take the pan off. I can't remember how many bolts are on the pan, but they will need an 8mm socket and surround the pan's edges. Any 10mm bolt heads you'll see under there.... hold the engine halves together, so don't touch them.