GS500F mods

[dnikop]

Hi everyone,
I bought my GS500F about a month ago and I'm very happy with, but I'm already considering doing some mods to it and was wondering if you guys could give me some tips and pointers. I'm thinking about:

-Suspension
-Exhaust pipe
-Any engine mods? Better performance?
-Tires/wheels (larger tire in front)
-etc.

Any ideas and tips? All tips are welcome

best regards
Dion

[Lukewarm Wilson]

quick run down bit short for time.
1 progressive fork springs and sv650 or rgv rear shock
2 yoshi, vance & hines if you can find them. good luck
3 carb jet kit and air filter
4 dont really bother but maybe a bandit 400 rear wheel must admit im still thinking about it
thats really about it anymore then that will probably be overkill but theres nothing wrong with that
have fun  

[dnikop]

Thanks!!  

/Dion

[djbroli]

i found an exhaust for the 500f
i am looking for a jet kit to match, anyone know one that will work?

http://www.newportcycleparts.com/categories/exhaust/akrapovic/slip-app.htm

[pantablo]

djbroli-you are DA MAN!

Acropovic lists a SLIP ON for the gs500 (if it goes on the gs500F it'll fit the gs500 naked)...WOW.

Up until now only Vance & Hines made a full system and Cobra made a slip on...Thats cool.

on to your list...
1)progressive springs are MANDATORY. the stock springs look like Bic pen springs. World of difference and the best $60 you will ever spend on the bike. Check my site for a really simple how-to for installation. You can do it in under an hour.

2) not many choices for exhaust NEW (until your find-can someone confirm that one?) but you can find, if you're persistent, a used Yoshimura full system, or a Hindle, Laser, or a few others that are not manufactured any more. this can wait if the gs500f is your first bike.

3) assuming your first bike dont do anything to the engine. Later you'll want to at least rejet the carbs to get rid of the lean condition (which causes the engine to idle high when warm and to take a long time to warm up when first started).

you might also, with the exhaust, add a less restrictive air filter (requires different rejetting of carbs). An air filter that does away with the stock airbox, likethe K&N pods is what you'd want. The induction noise is GOOD.

4) your bike has some good rubber stock, unlike EVERY other previous year. Most here have upgraded to what you have. Dont change tire sizes based on what you think it should LOOK like (does my tire look small?). It will affect handling. Stick with stock front and you can go a little bigger in back...but dont do anything until you wear them out.

Otherwise, I'd done a few ( ) mods to my bike when I had it and I compiled lots of info on my website. Check it out for some ideas. All of what applies to the 2nd generation gs500 (01-03) and most of what applies to 1st (89-00) applies to yours.

Good luck and enjoy the bike.

[pantablo]

also the rear shock. dont do the sv650/rgv shock as its a bit of work. if you find after riding it a bit that you need a better rear shock look to buy a used Katana 600 shock (2000+ models), not 750! These are a direct bolt on replacement (20 minutes if you know what you're doing) and make a huge difference. You can get them for about $50 or so. Sometimes less.

Dont do the rear until you sort out the front though!

[Lukewarm Wilson]

also the rear shock. dont do the sv650/rgv shock as its a bit of work.

I thought thr RGV was a straight swap?  :dunno: please confirm

[Turkina]

Ummm... did you get in touch with Newport Cycle Parts?  A couple of us think they dropped off the planet a couple months ago

Here's an appearance mod for the GS500F... new seat and tank covers for the blue and yellow bikes... or have one custom made for other colors.
Second look seats