GS500 in a minivan?

PneumaticPanther · October 31, 2004, 09:10:28 PM

I hear the shocks on the GS500 are pretty easily compressed. How much extra clearance be had by compressing the shocks? The interior of the van isn't a problem, but it's the opening I'm worried about (I think it would still fit without compressing the shocks, but it would be nice to have some extra certainty).

Mk1inCali · October 31, 2004, 09:15:13 PM

Hey PPanther, I live in Visalia, east of you on the 99 about 2.5 hrs or so. If you can't get something figured out, I'd ride my GS out to SLO to meet up with you, park it, ride up with you to pick up your new bike, and ride your GS back to SLO, then ride my GS back to my place.

If you are interested, PM me, or email me at:

anthony_gross AT hotmail DOT CoM.

You can click on my Pictures page to see what my '00 looks like.

PneumaticPanther · October 31, 2004, 09:24:40 PM

Quote from: Mk1inCaliHey PPanther, I live in Visalia, east of you on the 99 about 2.5 hrs or so. If you can't get something figured out, I'd ride my GS out to SLO to meet up with you, park it, ride up with you to pick up your new bike, and ride your GS back to SLO, then ride my GS back to my place.

Thats really nice of you, and I would definantly take you up on it, but I only have my permit (it takes about 10 days to get your paperwork after passing the BRC) and as such I can't ride on highways. Aside from that, I don't know if I'm really ready to take on Bay Area traffic. I'm from up that way and I'm terrified doing it in a car.

Mk1inCali · October 31, 2004, 09:38:55 PM

Ahh, I meant that I'd ride YOUR new bike back with you driving your car back.

EDub · October 31, 2004, 10:21:27 PM

y not just take the forks off, im sure it will fit then.

PneumaticPanther · October 31, 2004, 11:13:14 PM

In all honesty I would consider that if it would make the bike fit, but since I've never done that with any motorcycle I really don't know how difficult it would be (I'd assume the wiring harness prevents you from really seperating the two. I'd prefer to not have to do that, as I think compressing angling it in/ compressing the forks/ letting air out of the tire if necessary is going to give me the 1 inch of clearance I need to get it through the opening in the back of the van. Is it difficult to remove the forks?

Kerry · October 31, 2004, 11:27:16 PM

Quote from: PneumaticPantherIs it difficult to remove the forks?

That depends on what you consider "difficult".

I started to write up a list of steps, but if you remove the forks how are you going to manhandle the bike into the van?

Perhaps it would be enough to loosen the triple clamps and slide the forks UP as far as they will go? I'm sure it's not much, but even an inch would help.

Mk1inCali · October 31, 2004, 11:30:19 PM

It's not that bad, plus if you had them off you could check the lube on your front wheel bearings, steering head bearings, and all that...BUT, you could also just pull your handle bars out of their clamps, loosen the triple clamps up, and slide the fork legs up with wheel still attached until you had the clearance you needed to roll the bike up the ramp into the van. Let me know if you want help with anything, it costs me 7-8 bucks to get to SLO from Visalia on the Gisser, and I've been wanting to go to the coast anyway (Mainly for the Splash Cafe, downtown Pismo.)

Let me know-

PneumaticPanther · November 01, 2004, 12:35:14 AM

I'll draw a diagram because what I'm talking about is a bit hard to explain otherwise but basically there's plenty of clearance inside the van. The problem comes in the entry path which is staggared (see below).

As long as the front wheel goes over the hump without anything hitting the top, I think it's going to be fine. The extra space I would need is only some manuvering room to make sure that doesn't happen

Kerry · November 01, 2004, 10:57:17 AM

Hmmm. Could you maybe

Dom · November 01, 2004, 11:36:13 AM

You might be able to lay a piece of plywood over the threshold that is as wide as the opening, then lay the bike on it's side on some blankets over the plywood(to protect your paint and whatnot), slide it in, then stand it up once it's inside....worth a try :dunno:

Pam G · November 01, 2004, 06:34:28 PM

Quote from: DomYou might be able to lay a piece of plywood over the threshold that is as wide as the opening, then lay the bike on it's side on some blankets over the plywood(to protect your paint and whatnot), slide it in, then stand it up once it's inside....worth a try :dunno:

Then you will have to deal with possibly fuel spills & oil getting into places of the motor where you might not want oil to get. If one lays the bike down, when it is put upright do not start it up for a while until the oil drains back down into the pan.

Dom · November 01, 2004, 08:20:57 PM

If you're worried about laying the bike down and getting the motor all sticky icky, you can bring a 12mm open ended box wrench for the tank bolts, a 21 mm socket with at least a 3" extension for the oil plug, a flathead screwdriver for the petcock valve on the tank, a pair of pliers for the hose clamps, and an old bleach bottle for the oil, maybe some rags for spillage, and a stopwatch, because if you time yourself you'll be done in under ten minutes. And if you're really paranoid about spills, you can throw a foot long piece of 1/4" o.d. aquarium tube on the carburetor float bowl drain the remaining gas from the carbs into a Mason jar or whatever.

You should probably change the oil and oil filter as soon as you get the bike anyway.

PneumaticPanther · November 03, 2004, 01:34:01 AM

Well, I answered the question this evening. Yes. Absolutely. As in I took the mirrors off and I was perfectly fine, several inches of clearance in the entrance. Now I feel dumb for even starting this thread, but thanks to all of you who gave me advice. Another quick question, though. Is it normal for the tank and plastic bodywork to have a little bit of play in it? I had already bought the bike before I noticed this, but I took a look up under the front of the tank and noticed that it's held to the frame by a tab-like joint. I assume there must be some other, hidden fasteners elsewhere. Can anyone tell me what the normal amount of movement I should be getting here is?

Kerry · November 03, 2004, 09:36:09 AM

Quote from: PneumaticPantherIs it normal for the tank and plastic bodywork to have a little bit of play in it?

Sure, I guess so.

Quote from: PneumaticPantherI took a look up under the front of the tank and noticed that it's held to the frame by a tab-like joint. I assume there must be some other, hidden fasteners elsewhere.

Nope, no hidden fasteners. Besides the "tab" in the front (I call it a "C channel") the only other fasteners are the mounting bolts at the rear of the tank.

However, there are a few "spacers". A long, thin rubber bumper is pushed on around the bottom perimeter of the tank. Two cube-shaped rubber pieces are glued to the underside of the tank on either side, towards the rear. They rest on top of the frame.

Hope this helps. :dunno:

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GS500 in a minivan?