GS500 sat for a few years - worth restoring ?

[alze]

Hi All,

New to the forum here - I've owned a GS500 for several years. I used to use it as a town commuter bike, having had a GSX1300R, which was a bit overkill for the small ride into work (would take me longer to suit up then it would to ride...). The GS500 exhaust's broke and I orderd a replacement thinking I could swap it out myself, but I could never get the old exhaust off the engine. With the rise in motorcyclist deaths in the area, I just didnt feel compelled to fix the bike up, and then now working from home, I dont need the bike as a commuter.

I recently moved/pushed the bike, and felt sad at the sorry state it was in, so am thinking at least getting it back to a running state and something i can go out for a ride on during the weekends, as it seems a waste of a otherwise good bike.

What do people think would it be expensive to fix it up to a running state a bike that had been sat around for a few years, is there any specific on a GS500 that can go truly wrong that makes fixing it up wrong ?
Suggestions on what I should check thru would be great and I will update the thread/posting what ever happens !
Thanks again,
Al.ze

[Joolstacho]

I'd check the fuel tank for leaks for a start.
I'd fit a new Camchain tensioner. You need to be enthusiastic about a resto project, otherwise it'll become millstone around your neck.
Does it turn over with compression? Can you get all gears?

[alze]

I'd check the fuel tank for leaks for a start.
I'd fit a new Camchain tensioner. You need to be enthusiastic about a resto project, otherwise it'll become millstone around your neck.
Does it turn over with compression? Can you get all gears?

Hi Joolstacho.

Had a visual on the fuel tank, that looks good, some external rust, but no visible leaks. I worked thru the gears and got into netural no problem, and connected a battery I had about (not correct spec, but enough that will prove that the electrics/lights are ok). Gave it a turn over and was compression in the engine, not enough Ampage to fully crank and the fuel is probably 2-3 years old. Have ordered a new battery (YB10L-A2) which should arrive tomorrow or Saturday, will put half a litre of fresh fuel in it and see if it cranks over with the new battery fitted.

Thanks again, will let you know how things go !

Al.ze

[Bluesmudge]

The bike is probably fine, it just needs the fuel system sorted and a new battery.

Battery is easy, just order a new one.

The fuel system will be more work. Do you have E10 (10% ethanol) gas in your area? If thats what was in the bike when it was parked it is more likely to have gummed stuff up and drawn water into the tank.

Empty the tank and take a good look inside with a flashlight. If there is no obvious rust, then all it needs is to be refilled with fresh fuel.
Next the carbs. If they were emptied before storage, it might need nothing. If they weren't emptied before storage, it will probably need a full carb rebuild. The easiest way is just to get a full rebuild kit with the jets, needle vale, o-rings, and gasket. It may not need everything but its nice to have it all on hand rather than ordering parts one at a time.

Depending on how much sun exposure the bike got, it may need new fuel lines, vacuum line, and intake boots/o-rings. All the rubber parts harden and crack over time and can cause vacuum leaks. Sitting outside in the sun/ozone drastically increases the speed that all happens.

Once the bike is running, for safety you will probably want new tires if they are more than 8 years past the build date on the sidewall and to flush the brake lines with all new fluid.

[alze]

Well put a new battery in it, cranks ok, so thought I'd pop to my local bike repair shop and get an honest opinon on it, they reckon its a bit of a money pit, so I'm going to spares/repair it this time out and look for another GS500.