First Time Buyer - Asking about repairs

[Pizzamama]

Hey Folks,

Just bought myself a cougar of a gs500.
I've gone to take it into the mechanics to get Roadworthy and have had a stroke reading this estimate.

Can any of you help me in regard to what I should do my self (Semi Mechanically Literate) or pay them to do.
For context one of my friends rode the bike to the shop and he said it was fine, bar the slightly high idle around 3200-3400RPM's

Any help would be appreciated

Quote & Items (Price = AUD)
$410    Steering head bearings
$500    Front disc + brake pads
$200    Handlebars
$330    Chain and sprockets
$20       High beam light
$340    Carby clean
$TBD    Manifolds
$TBD    Tappet cover gasket
$400-470 Minor Service

Total $2300

Thanks folks
 

[Jhonesy]

Do the carb clean yourself. A rebuild kit isn't that expensive (cost me 20€ last year) and it's a fun thing to do. Just have to be careful not to strip any bolts or jets (ask me how I know that).
Front disc and pads are also completely fine to do your self, not that hard. Not sure what you mean with the rest (is the high beam an electrical issue or just changing the bulb?) and I haven't done anything to my chain and sprocket.
Good thing to do, check out tutorial videos. If you find decent ones that give you good step by step and you can find good quality parts for cheap, have at it. Working on the bike is half the fun of owning one.

[HPP8140]

Can definitely do Front disc + brake pads and high beam light

[herennow]

Does Oz have the same dodgy system as the UK? Where the garage (who mants to make the most money out of you) also gets to "roadworthy" the bike? Its crazy. Here in Switzerland the government office does it, so no interest in "getting extra business out of ya!"

Maybe try another shop first... but id...


$410    Steering head bearings - first check you need them , they might just need adjusting...
$500    Front disc + brake pads - Easy to do , and pattern parts are easily available
$200    Handlebars   - Why,, was it in an accident??? Handlebars bent?
$330    Chain and sprockets - Easy to do. Our low power bikes are perfect with a clip master link.
$20       High beam light - easy both the light and the little witness bulb.
$340    Carby clean - Not hard but must be carefull.
$TBD    Manifolds - worst case two orings need replacing (and a fair bit of dismantling, but easy if the carbs are out
$TBD    Tappet cover gasket, you should check tappets so buy the gasket and be done with it. Changing tappets is a little tricky, need a small tool to not bodge it removign the shims, and then to get the right shims...
$400-470 Minor Service   (oil change, tapets, bleed braked and change plugs)


Tell us about how the bike runs. how many KM , If it runs well then make it roadworthy, if it runs realy badly. lets try to get it running before spending money on the chassis and the other stuff.

Several of us have done all of those jobs and can guide you.

I would be wary of a shop doing that much work. they are bound to mess something up..... and if you do them your self you will be abel to repair it for evermore.

[herennow]

I can send you the manuals, PM me.

[moe_tunes]

I always use a mobile roadworthy bloke. They don't do mechanical work so aren't looking for extra income from you.
If turning the idle adjusting knob doesn't lower the revs you probably have a vacuum leak or ....
https://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php/topic,41199.0.html

[Pizzamama]

Does Oz have the same dodgy system as the UK? Where the garage (who mants to make the most money out of you) also gets to "roadworthy" the bike? Its crazy. Here in Switzerland the government office does it, so no interest in "getting extra business out of ya!"

Maybe try another shop first... but id...


$410    Steering head bearings - first check you need them , they might just need adjusting...
$500    Front disc + brake pads - Easy to do , and pattern parts are easily available
$200    Handlebars   - Why,, was it in an accident??? Handlebars bent?
$330    Chain and sprockets - Easy to do. Our low power bikes are perfect with a clip master link.
$20       High beam light - easy both the light and the little witness bulb.
$340    Carby clean - Not hard but must be carefull.
$TBD    Manifolds - worst case two orings need replacing (and a fair bit of dismantling, but easy if the carbs are out
$TBD    Tappet cover gasket, you should check tappets so buy the gasket and be done with it. Changing tappets is a little tricky, need a small tool to not bodge it removign the shims, and then to get the right shims...
$400-470 Minor Service   (oil change, tapets, bleed braked and change plugs)


Tell us about how the bike runs. how many KM , If it runs well then make it roadworthy, if it runs realy badly. lets try to get it running before spending money on the chassis and the other stuff.

Several of us have done all of those jobs and can guide you.

I would be wary of a shop doing that much work. they are bound to mess something up..... and if you do them your self you will be abel to repair it for evermore.

Yea we do have the classic Roady blokes here, I was thinking the same, as it seems worn but $2k is a bit of a pisstake imo

[Pizzamama]

Thank you guys for all your comments, it gives me some security on the situation as I was so excited to get this thing on the road

Here's some specs about the bike

1994 GS500E
ODO: 55,000KM

As mentioned, it runs well... a little rich but besides that it seems perfectly fine, it definitely has some leaking oil, but from some basic research seems like it's valve cover gasket.

Handlebars need replacing as they have been overtightened and have lots of play in them (Up & Down)
Chain is a little loosey but from that no other issue I've noticed
High beam I believe is just the bulb

Do you need a rather expanded toolbox to work on these?
One of the main reasons I've bought the GS was it's simplicity. I liked the idea that i could not only learn to ride, but maintain my bike as well.

Thanks Folks,

[Jhonesy]

No special tools required.

Only thing that could be useful is a set of Japanese screwdrivers so you don't strip any bolts (specially on the carbs, again, ask me how I know that). You can identify which screws need these screwdrivers by a little dot on their heads, like in the picture. A normal screwdriver will do the job but you need to be way more careful and apply more downward force, depending on how tight they are.