Newbie GS500F question

[vegasda9]

Hi guys/gals! I'm new to the board and have a question about my GS500F. I just picked it up this weekend, had it delivered and when i got it home, the handlebars are angled too far down for me (blinker switch also hits the tank when bars are locked). I need to rotate the handlebars forward a little, but the bolts are covered with some kind of chrome (might be plastic) covers. I need to find out how to take these darn things off to access the (4) bolts holding the handlebar. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Also, does anyone know of a good aftermarket exhaust for the 500F? Thanks again!

[frankieG]

i would get the dealer to do it for you, safer that way

[vegasda9]

I'd love to, but the dealer is VERY far away....any other ideas for the do it yourselfer?

[frankieG]

post a pic so we can see what you are talkin about...then we can try to help.  we as in the people who use the board

[MarkusN]

You might want to check this out. If Kerry can't handle them...

[Stephen072774]

I just used a very small screwdriver to pry them out.  They popped out easy enough, and went back in without problems.

[chinox22x]

I just used a very small screwdriver to pry them out.  They popped out easy enough, and went back in without problems.

yup...make sure u don't scratch them, they are kinda soft.  I did the same thing this weekend when I installed my Progressive springs.  The bike feels a lot smoother.  

[MikeB]

Hi, new to the board but have been riding since 1967. I have a new GS500F also and just made the adjustment your talking about.

I used a pair of tweezers to lift out the plastic caps, the caps have a small stud that fits into the allen head bolt that holds the clamp. I think the allen wrench is a 8 or 9 mm.  When looking at the caps they appear to lift from the side which concerned me about scratching the powder coating on the clamp.  Just be carefull with the tweezers under the top edge of the plastic cap and it will ease out.

Good luck.

[vegasda9]

Does anyone have a pic of what the cap looks like? I'm sorry, but for some reason this SIMPLE concept escapes me...*sigh*...such a noob i guess!

[chinox22x]

Does anyone have a pic of what the cap looks like? I'm sorry, but for some reason this SIMPLE concept escapes me...*sigh*...such a noob i guess!

All they are covers for the tope of the bolt.  Take a needle pin, squeeze it between the little space and they should pop right off.  Its really easy.

[Kerry]

Does anyone have a pic of what the cap looks like?

Here is a pic I just took.  It makes the little caps look larger than life, but it should give you an idea:


EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

[vegasda9]

Thank you soo much! Got it fixed now!  

[bluedevil]

Welcome to the forum vegas.  I also ride a BLUE(the best color! ) 2004 GS500F.  You'l have lots of fun on it.  It rides pretty smooth, it handles well but watch out for the gears getting stuck on you every now and then.  Also, neutral is sometimes hard to find, but with practice you'll get the tricks to it.

[vegasda9]

Thanks! I love the bike! I'm finding that shifting can sometimes be interesting. Have you had your 600mi service done yet? I'm still only @ 100miles so i have some more to go to get it broken in. Does anyone have an idea of how much I should be charged for the 600 mi service and what the dealer does to the bike?

[Edsel]

Newbie here! Just bought a 04 GS500F(blue). Havent been on it yet because there was a problem when i picked it up. As the dealer warms up the engine, the engine started knocking. Like an engine using low octane. This bike is brand new - anybody with the same problem or is this the first time anybody have heard of this? Been waiting for a fews days now but Suzuki haven not replied back to the dealer. Any solutions? is the bike worth the wait for a new rider?

[vegasda9]

Edsel - My bike does the same thing...after reading numerous posts about the noise, it's very common and i called my dealer and they stated the same thing. I just picked up my bike on the 20th (Father's Day) and have been loving every minute of riding. I'm still breaking the bike in (only have about 90 miles on it so far) but it's a blast! I can't wait to see how the bike rides above 5k rpm...so, for a beginning rider, it's DEFINATELY worth it!

BTW: if you haven't already, take the MSF course. You'll find it VERY educational and FUN. Besides, if you drop the bike, it's not your's and you learn how to pick it back up.

[briandtw]

Thanks! I love the bike! I'm finding that shifting can sometimes be interesting. Have you had your 600mi service done yet? I'm still only @ 100miles so i have some more to go to get it broken in. Does anyone have an idea of how much I should be charged for the 600 mi service and what the dealer does to the bike?

Just got mine done yesterday in fact.  Dealer charged me $75 out the door, but that didn't include checking the valves.  It covered an oil change, checking and tightening cables and the chain, checking fluid levels, brakes, lubing the chain, etc. (I had a squeaking in my rear brake).  From here on out I'm going to change the oil and clean and lube the chain myself.

[fettcols]

I have about 450 miles on the new 500f... and the rear brake is giving a nasty squeal after the first couple stops... What did your dealer do to correct this?

[briandtw]

I have about 450 miles on the new 500f... and the rear brake is giving a nasty squeal after the first couple stops... What did your dealer do to correct this?

Sorry, wish I knew...but it actually just came back today, so I'm going to have to call them and find out what the deal is.  Mine seems to do it after it warms up as opposed to the first couple of times.  If I get any useful information from the dealer, I'll be sure to post it here.

[higgimonster]

I have about 450 miles on the new 500f... and the rear brake is giving a nasty squeal after the first couple stops... What did your dealer do to correct this?

Mine did/does the same.  The dealer told me to use some brake cleaner and whipe it off.  That was about it.  I bet after a little while the pads will be broken in and put off less of the dust.