Got my M1 license, found a 1994 GS500 about a month ago. It had a fresh paint job and looked great for $1800. Bought it from a superbike custom paint/service place. They told me it needed a new battery, and put one on order for $30. I had a hard time reaching him, and when I did it was still on order a week later. $90 and a new battery later, i was ready to ride. I had a trainer friend go out with me only to find after about an hour of riding, it seemed as if the throttle was sticking 4-5k rpms. This scared the hell out of me, and I figured I should take it in to a real service place. MISTAKE!!!
Took it to the local suzuki service/dealer, and said I'm new to motorcycles, give me a full inspection. I should have told him to just bend me over. It needed, new front brake pads, a leak in the cam shaft, a front foks leaked, tune up, a couple other things, and included a full tune up... $858. Well so much for a good deal, but the throttle would be fixed, which was really important, and hell, I need brakes, I'm new!!
8 days later, got the bike back... oh yeah, these motorcycle service places aren't like your local lexus dealership... they take their sweet time. 20 minutes after picking up the bike.... rpm's at 4-5k but my hand is not turning that throttle. I take the bike back immediately, the guy says.... well we can't be liable for missing something, so i can't tell you how much more it's going to cost you, we'll have to take apart your carb. So, I get the call, someone rejetted it! what the F@# does that mean!! I now know, cause he explained it was running lto lean. So it's been another 1 1/2 weeks, and hopefully I 'll get it back by this upcoming tuesday. They said it would be ANOTHER $165 but they'll try to work something out. They also said the reason my bike sounds very throaty, was because someone drilled holes in the exhaust (I'm sure my neighbors love that).
Question for all you pros... will this fix my throttle issue? How much did I overpay??? Anyone think I'll get my money out of the thing if I sell it in a year and move to a newer bike?
I just keep telling myself it's a "learning experience"
:x
Don't ever tell them you are new. Infact don't ever take you bike to the stealership. If you live in an area big enough to have a stealership you should also have an independant MC shop. Usually they cost less and IMHO they do better work. Research your area and give yourself more options.
The GS500 isn't just a good bike for learning to ride - it's also a good bike for learning to wrench. Clymer and a toolkit and some time to figure things out are your friends. I'd take it from them and do some forum searching and some reading.
The naked bike does lend itself to an easy view of the parts. Since I took it in, I did buy the "Motorcycle Owner's Manual" written by Hugo wilson, and I also got the PDF of the clymer manual. I have educated myself on the bike; however, I'm not the best with mechanical maintenance. I think I took about 3 semesters of autoshop in high school, and I don't even change my own oil. Since I turned my bike over to these vultures, I have had people tell me they have a great indpendent mechanic, or they'd be happy to wrench on it with me. Funny how people offer their help after you tell them you have already took the plunge. I wish I hadn't paid the $858 prior to finding out the original problem wasn't fixed. Don't get me wrong, i think this bike has a great look, I will hold onto it for a while. I want to become a more accomplished rider till I try my hand at a cruiser style bike. I think you're right, part of being a rider involves wrenching!!
I'm just doing everything in reverse order!!! :?
I started out rockily, too. It's all hit and miss. But we can't regret the decisions we've already made; just learn from them and move forward. :)
take the bike back and make them fix it. with 865 bucks and 200 on top of that you could have bought a good gs in great condition. They didn't fix what they were supposed to.
I don't see how jetting it would cause a high idle problem? Anyone?
Jetting it is when you add certain parts to the carbs to have "better" gas flow and have the bike run smoother.
If this was a car dealership, i would have raised all hell. This guy gave me a line, that they are not legally responsible for not catching the actual problem, and that all service they charged for was performed. I conferred with a couple veteran riders and they concurred I didn't have much of a stance to make them change their minds. What was worse, I already paid the $860 prior to figuring out they didn't fix the problem.
By the way, i can't stand this throaty sound the exhaust sound from the engine. obviously, I don't want to dump a lot of money into a new exhaust. Any of you experts have suggestions on an aftermarket that can be installed that isn't so expensive. I know people drill holes to be heard by cars around them, but it's driving my wife nuts, since I start it up in the front courtyard of our house.
All advice is very much appreciated especially after the financial butt ramming I have incurred.
PM sent.
Removing carbs is expensive - but the expense is ALL labor. You're best off correcting the jetting yourself. There are a lot of good posts with writeups and pics to help you through, and if you hit a snag, post pics and ask.
Unless you get an unmodified stock exhaust, any aftermarket cans will be louder than it sounds like you want. Go to Ebay or to the For Sale forum on this sight to find an exhaust. You probably won't be able to get a can only since it's not a slip on. You'll most likely be looking at whole new (used) system. It won't be too expensive...as long as you don't have the dealership do it. :guns: stealerships
Oh, and swapping the exhaust is fairly easy.
Didn't you take the bike to the shop for the high-RPM problem? Personally, I would raise bloody hell if they tried to charge me more, and I would also, no matter what happens, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Sorry your first experience has been with a stealership, and I hope it gets better for you from here out. :dunno:
And welcome! :mrgreen:
pandy
I'm already stuck with the dealership fixing my jetting issue. They are putting back the standard jets I think they said 1.2 or 122 was the standard... something like that. I can guarantee I will NEVER go back to the stealership vultures again. All I have to say is... :nanda: them!!!
Dude.. I would go there first thing on Monday (tomorrow if they are open).. if your bike is still put together.. get it the hell out of there! REMEMBER! You are paying them!!! Dont let them rape you like that.. tell them how its gonna be! They are just gonna keep ripping you.. I had the same deal.. paid the dealer a ton of $$$ and they NEVER fixed the problem.. Like everyone says you are better off buying your buds some beer and wrenchin your self. If they took so long the last time to get your bike back.. GO GET IT BACK NOW! They cant charge you if they didnt do anyting. I would also consider contacting the local magistrate and try and get some of the $ you spent back. Charging $1000. to fix a 1800 bike? thats just wrong. They cant tell you that Uhh.. well we didnt see the prob so we didnt fix it!?!? Even if you dodnt tell them about it. Dont they test ride !?!? Do they not have safety insp. in CA? Did they give your old parts back? in most states thats a law! Screw those guys!
Sory to ramble.. I HATE DEALERS!!!
With the guys/girls on this board, you will never have to take your GS to the dealer for anything! Other than maybe to piss in their mail slot :thumb:
:( Sounds like the previous owner screwed up the bike royally. Unfortunately, the GStwin.com demographic (noob) encourages these type of hack jobs and this time you got left holding the bag. :oops:
Of course, if you do want to perform your own fenderectomy, instructions are on the site. :)
As I said before, I already paid the :nana: bastards!!! So I don't have the upper hand on getting my money back. The bike is still waiting the rebuild of the carb with the stock jets (which took 3 days for them to get). I will wait to get my bike back to contact the Better business bereau in regards to their bullshit. Bottom line, I should have known better, everything else is a feeble attempt to restore my pride. I just want my f@#$#in bike back to go ride!!! All I have is my 125cc scooter and it hurts!!
Someone have a drink for me!!
:cheers:
you know man. that's so f%&ked up it's not even funny. I'd be in there kicking bikes over and rattle canning thier windows.
as far as the exhaust goes, you may get by with taking it to a welder/fab shop and having the drilled holes welded shut, they may have to make a plate to block them off but shouldn't cost to much
I think that, without knowing the circumstances behind the bike's problems, this is a pretty general (and unfair) statement to make!
pandy
Quote from: GisserUnfortunately, the GStwin.com demographic (noob) encourages these type of hack jobs
well, at this point, i would have to walk back in the door, holding this recipt and talk with the manager (In a very calm voice and mannor) If nothing goes your way then take a moment and collect yourself calmly and ask someone buying a new bike ( while the salesperson was trying to set the hook) and ask thier opinion of the service departments actions, charges, and still not fixing the original problem which made the bike unsafe to begin with?
If nothing works at that point. find a denny's, fast food joint, or what ever, make sure you have money to sip coffee and eat doughnuts or some other cheap food with a buddy for a whole day or two (prefably Busy days for the dealership) and strap a big sign to your bike or car saying "(Insert Name) will take advantage of new owners BEWARE" OR "(Insert Name) wrenchs the bikes but you really get serviced ASK ME HOW"
being as your not on thier property they cant tell you to leave, aslong as your eating and being civil you can spend all day in the resturant and they cant toss you out. take a camera with you should "SOMEONE" wish to rip the sign down.
For some reason, I get the feeling that Blueknyt is actually one of those mysterious Army psy-op guys...
In fact, I like where this is going... Maybe some members can get together with maxwellf in Sherman Oaks, CA, and turn this into something that will cause those theives some serious headaches. Who knows, hitting them in the wallet can't hurt. Neither can posting the name of the place all over the 'net, along with the gory details, though you should wait until AFTER you get your bike back, discretion being the better part of valor, and all...
I'd ride up there just to piss them off, but somebody better be buying my coffee at the dennys
Quote from: davipuI'd ride up there just to piss them off, but somebody better be buying my coffee at the dennys
I have a friend in Ventura County; I'll pass the word about this, and he just might be willing to join you. He's REALLY obnoxious; I think it was his "Army Sensitivity Training" that did it...
No, wait... On second thought, he's just an @$$hole. Right man for the job, and all that...
This thing the bike did seems like what happened with my bike when new, I didn't know there was an idle screw, and after warming up, I mean when the bike was hot, the RPMs would go high and I thought it was the carbs, then read the owners manual and knew it was a very simple fix. So, was the idle screw already checked??? I didn't read nobody talk about it so, just to cover the basics.
Flaming bags of poo usually do the trick
Quote from: GisserOf course, if you do want to perform your own fenderectomy, instructions are on the site. :)
there's more here than that...
rejetting how to's:
http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/http://electrovw.tripod.com/id17.htmlmaxwellf, did you pay by credit card? if so, dispute the charges. check? stop payment on it. you brought it in for a specific problem, and sure, they charged you for other work they did (fair enough) but they need to fix the problem, at their cost.
cut your losses and get your bike out of there.
pablo-
I heard that Pablo is buying the coffee....
I, also bought from a dealership. 99 gs w/ 12000 for 2600 + tx/lic. I had not rode for 11 years and the only thing I noticed about the bike was the front forks leaking. Asked them to fix that. N/P. asked if the bike needed anything else and of course they say it was fine.
First trip to my buddies house and they say my tires need replacement NOW! Took back to dealer, but they said remember that signature I put down on a peice of paper with the words 'SOLD AS IS' on top? Anyway, they said they would make me a good deal on tires, RIGHT! This dealer is in Visalia, CA. Sander's motorcycles. It is pretty obvious they are only interested in how much money they make, not rider safety. I will never buy from them again.
I ended up taking to local bike shop here in town. Dinuba Cycles. He had a better deal on tires. He could not believe that sold me the bike in the condition that it was. I also needed brake pads as one of the rear ones was gone! No wonder it was sqeaking!
Noticed my chain had to much slack so I decided to tighten it. After I did, the indicator notches are completely off the scale. So now chain and sprockets are needed!
I know now that I have severely overpaid for this bike. This is what happens when you haven't rode for 11 years and can't wait to get another bike. Take note that back in 87, I bought a new bike from Sanders. Now, in my glee to get another, I trusted the dealer. BIG MISTAKE!!!.
The upside is I have a gs 500. It looks brand new and I am not letting go of it any time soon.
You know if the dealership puts the stock jets back in it's not going to cure the problem, at least I don't think. The stock jets are usually leaner than a rejet so maybe it's sucking air at the carb boots. Or it could be as simple as resetting the idle adjustment screw like someone mentioned. Or too tight exhaust valves. A lot of people on this board have had this same problem so you've got plenty of experience backing you. Check with Srinath about it too.
Yea you better get with davipu, he's have it sorted out in 20 mins ... yea if he suggests you to "tard" the bike give him another beer ...
Anyway ... rpm 4K is easy, turn idle screw ... should be free ... if it ides at 4K when hot, and barely starts and wants to run when cold ... as in 2 mins of choke and then ... then I'd say it may need an air screw adjustment ... get this ... that also should be free ...
Holes in the stock exhaust ... no big deal, its a sewing machine wihtout the holes and a vacuum cleaned when they drill them ... BFD ... We lose the hole can and swap in whatever we have laying about with a fist sized hole in it ... that can be loud ... Do not fix your exhaust.
Better figure out davipu's favorite beer, cos that SOB will ride to you for beer, fix it and ride back ... heck He'd do it if he lived in NC ... he's in SD ...
Also hook up with the rest on the So Cal guys ... pantablo - wannabe GS'er, The_good_guy - now awol in Sac for school, chimivee - excellent mechanic, but now at large, lots more ... You bought a bike to belong to the elite group of bikers and for the life style (bleeeeh) didn't ya ... part of that life style is beer and food ... so roll it out and your problems will vanish ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Okay, I'm sure your bike needed a tune up, oil change, spark plugs, brakes etc... If you are learning to ride these things will make it easier. However the problem with the throttle has nothing to do with carbs. I just bought my 04 brand new and it does the same thing. There is a throttle stop screw located right above the oil reservoir. If you are on the right hand side of the bike then you can reach your hand in just above where the oil cap is and there is a small screw that you can turn. On my bike, turning it clockwise raises the idle and turning it counter-clockwise lowers the idle.
The purpose of this wonderful screw is that it keeps the throttle partially open so that the engine is getting gas at idle. However, as it is called the throttle lock screw, it also keeps the throttle from closing all the way. When I got my bike it did the same thing as you are describing. It really made shifting gears a pain in the butt, and made me feel like the workst motrocyclist in history. However, once I let out the screw a little bit then the throttle worked fine.
The only side affect of this is that my bike is a little tuff to start. Pulling in the Choke all the way helps, but sometimes it doesn't start unless you give it a little throttle too.
As an aside, I also experienced the same problem you are describing if the choke is on when riding. When you first start going the engine is cold so the extra gas doesn't cause a problem. Once the engine warms up, it's getting to much juice since the choke is on, and that causes the RPM's to stay up too high.
Try warming up your bike for 10 minutes of easy riding in 1st/2nd gear. Then pull over (and make sure you have good gloves on) adjust the screw. Start the bike, in 1st gear. Roll on the throttle till the RPM's go up around 6K. Leave it there for a few seconds. Now roll off the throttle and see if the RPM's come down. If they do not then turn the screw some more. Play around with it until the RPM's drop down immediately and don't stick anywhere. If that doesn't work for you, then you will have to try something else, but that's exactly what was happening to me when I first got my bike.
I got the bike back from the :nana: ing bastards at the Suzuki honda place of north hollywood <-- yes, thats the evil place. They charged me another $165 for the rebuild of the carb.
I will say to their credit, the bike runs great, much smoother, and without the throttle sticking. I'm thrilled to have it back, and I'll just chalk it up to a learning experience with taking a bike into a dealer.
Thanks to everyone who posted tips!! :cheers:
Really sorry to hear of your woes with the bike. I know you took it in the ass pretty hard but if there is any silver lining, your bike is running great and in time youll laern to wrench on it yourself and you will enjoy it more when you do, "Do it yourself" Chock this up to a learning experiance and always feel free to ask for help on here, all of us are willing to share with you what knowledge and experiances with you. Your not the first to be reamed and you wont be the last, but you are in a good place here for learning the do's and do not's of your GS.
Mike
another newbie here :) I was struggling with getting my bike in shape for a while, but the more I work on it the more I get a feeling I am no mechanic. I started thinking of taking it to some sort of dealership or a shop and just stumbled upon this thread. I am in downtown los angeles and I need to get my bike running. I am no Bill Gates, just an international student, and I'd really appreciate if somebody would give me some pointers to good places to take my bike to, or better yet if somebody would agree, even if not help me fix it, at least to come see the bike and tell me just how much is there to be done. Would appreciate any help and... this site and all of you guys ROCK! :thumb: I learned soo much from people here already!
Peace
Sorry to hear that man...I had a somewhat similar experience with my ninja 250.
You should share the name of that dealership so that none of us ever set foot over there... :guns:
As a word of encouragement...I will say that I am the least handy person you will ever meet and I have managed to do a lot of wrenching on my GS. It's a very easy bike to fix up....and cheap too...parts cost nothing.
To give you an idea..I was quoted 175 to replace clutch cable...bought the cable for 15bucks and replaced in 30minutes. High performance brake pads are about 30bucks...you get the ideal.
Don't let those bandits deter you from riding...
Good luck
where did you find a pdf version of the clymer manual?
Sorry to hear about that. I've heard nothing but bad things about Honda of Hollywood. Like many others said, the GS is great for learning how to wrench. If you still need a mechanic, there are some good independent shops in LA. I went to Moto Tecnica (http://www.mototecnica.net/) a couple times, and they did good work.
Well I'm glad you learned your lesson. I was lucky and learned that the dealer was a big scam back when I was 16. 8 years later and a nice collection of tools in my garage, and I'll never take any vehicle to the dealer again. BMW tried to charge me $500 for an oil change and lube job one time. They got cussed out with as much tact as I could muster.
Side note, took a truck of mine to a mech once to get a problem diagnosed. Came back the next day and found him drunk as a skunk saying he'd replaced the heads and I owed him $1,200. I went home, got my spare key, waited till it was dark and boosted my truck off his lot. He called me the next day and I told him I did it and get bent. I specificly told him not to fix anything when I dropped it off. So the moral of the story is don't trust anybody.
You guys DO realize that this thread is over a year old, right?
Blame the guy who brought it back from the dead, not me. I'm just a lemming!
I got all excited when I saw Roastergal posting again .. then I noticed the date :cry: