I want to do some upgrades but I don't know where or how to start. My bike is a 97 with almost 20,000 miles. I am not the original owner and have had the bike for a year. I have done the basic oil and filter change, new air filter and installed new fuel lines ..... but that is it. I want to upgrade my fork springs, re-jet (those long morning warm-ups are a bummer) and put a new front sprocket and chain. I don't know when or if the carbs have been synched or valve adjustments, etc... The bike runs good according to me, but I don't have anything to compare this to. I am afraid if I start to mess with it the bike will begin to have problems.
Anyone know a good mechanic in southern AZ? I would love to learn, but sometimes the easy way out is to pay someone.
Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks.
Learning to turn your own wrenches will get you farther for your dollar and will give you a sense of acomplishment that opening your wallet to others just will NOT provide, The upgrades you are looking to do are well within the Novice home mechanic skills, if you know a nut is turned with a wrench and a screw is turned with a screw driver then you have half the battle. a book and this board will provide you with all the info you could want or need to complete most repairs including engine teardown. Many of us here have gone through most every section of the GS and can help, Srinaths seems to be the carb king, Kerry is fast with the electrics, Bob B and many others have built raceing engines as well as upgraded bits of framework,shocks/forks, and bodywork. I myself assembled a comeplete GS from parts, torn down 2 engines and rebuilt one.
Take one mod at a time, and plan everything out. make backup plans for those invisable speedbumps and have fun learning
I agree with Blueknyt. The best way to learn is to just do it. It's intimidating at first, but if you get hung up you can just post here for info. I've worked on bikes for a couple years and feel pretty comfortable with most jobs, but with the help of people on here I've tackled pretty much most of the major mods here. Here's all the stuff I've done.
Upgraded front springs
Upgraded rear shock.
rejjetted, got rid of airbox
put on v&h full system
had Bob B modify my advancer
put on new sprockets and chain (dropped to a 15t front on suggestions from people here)
replaced my oil pan (because I stripped it).
replaced valve shims after doing clearnaces etc.
Right now I'm bummed because I screwed up and snapped a stud when I was changing valve shims, so it's time for an ezout.
Here's what I've learned. Be patient, take your time. Don't torque too hard on small nuts and screws. Post here, and often. Ask questions when you get stuck. Ask questions even when you're sure what your'e doing is right. The people here are extremely knowledgable and will help you with anything, without being condescending .
An example. I needed to check clearances last week and didn't have all hte right tools, so Kerry sent me the calipers, shim tool and extra shims and provided me all kinds of advice. that's the kind of people on this board. We'll get you through most any mod.
jake
Ya, I agree. It seems daunting, but pick a procedure you want to start with. Read through the manual on how to do it. Make sure you have all of the needed tools. Then follow the instructions! If you hit a snag, ask here.
It's just like cooking - only you can't lick your fingers.
It's just like cooking - only you can't lick your fingers.[/quote]
yes you can, it just doesn't taste so good!
mmm.... 90 weight gear oil :drool:
Thanks. I did purchase the Clymer's manual through this sight. I guess I just have to try.
Thanks again for the encouragement.
A good set of tools will take you far... Spend a $100 bucks at sears and get one of those 150 piece sets. Most people who over torque are using too big a wrench or too big a ratchet. It's good to get a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive set. Also- if the manual recommends a special tool- do yourself a favor and either get it (buy, borrow, steal) or take it to the shop.
Then just tackle one project at a time- if you say the bike is running smooth than you've got time to learn and do it right.
well, tools will never really go to waste, but you mainly need to be concerned with Metric tools, labled mm instead of 1/2 or 9/16. some cross fit but still. an assortment of Metric Allen wrenches is always a plus with bikes. screw drivers. and wrenches.
There aren't too many things on the bike that you can screw up that someone on the board won't know how to get you back on track with. Just do it!
Maybe take it to MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute), where they may work on your bike for free (you do have to buy your parts and oil, elsewhere). They are learning mechanics...
Don't know where exactly it's located :dunno:
20,000 divided by 4000 = time to do a valve adjustment.