GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: LimaXray on June 28, 2006, 01:42:20 PM

Title: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: LimaXray on June 28, 2006, 01:42:20 PM
In the past week I've lost my trip odo knob, a mirror bolt, and a handle bar clamp bolt cover.   :mad:

I'm not going to blame anyone but myself for this because I haven't been tightening everything like a good boy.  My excuse is I'm still waiting on the freaking manual so I have no idea what the torque specs are, but its really just because I'm lazy... oh well, I've learned my freaking lesson

so anyway, what other parts fall off regularly?  is there anything I should keep an eye on so I don't have to dish out more cash for replacement parts?
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Phaedrus on June 28, 2006, 01:51:00 PM
I've never had anything fall off, but my left mirror sometimes vibrates itself loose so it looks buzzy. And I've had the clutch cable vibrate loose. And I've had my fairing bolts come loose enough so they would need to be screwed in about 2 turns each. Nothing has ever fallen off, yet!
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: jen_ on June 28, 2006, 01:55:44 PM
I also lost the odometer knob.  Random different bolts from the front fender, including the ones that hold the brake line guide in place.  Also, the speedo cable came out of the back of the speedometer twice before I found the loc-tite.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: rangerbrown on June 28, 2006, 02:02:36 PM
any one know were to get a trip metter nob? i can't belive i lost it.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: LimaXray on June 28, 2006, 02:07:39 PM
Quote from: jen_ on June 28, 2006, 01:55:44 PM
Also, the speedo cable came out of the back of the speedometer twice before I found the loc-tite.

LOL this also happened to me in the past week... Rich can attest to it!

Quote from: rangerbrown on June 28, 2006, 02:02:36 PM
any one know were to get a trip metter nob? i can't belive i lost it.

I ordered a new knob and screw from the dealer for $7.99 but haven't gotten it yet... when i do, that little Buddha Loves You is getting some red loc-tite
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Dorianfes on June 28, 2006, 02:12:31 PM
You guys been using lock-tite?  I've never had to tighten anything, but then again my bike is a 93 and i think just about every bolt on there is seized.  At least it feels like it everytime I need to take something off.   :icon_rolleyes:


edit:  Damn I shoulda read more of the posts before I posted about the lock-tite.  My bad.  Also try bikebandit.com.....they might have it   :dunno_white:
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: MisplacedTexan on June 28, 2006, 02:20:38 PM
I too have been victimized by a lost trip odometer knob. I ordered the knob and little bitty machine screw from bike bandit- they sent me the screw and told me that the knob was on backorder and not available from any of the Suzuki distributors in North America. That was like 3 months ago. I still have no knob...but hey, I have a useless machine screw!! It's unbelievable how annoying it is trying to remember if I filled up at 4123 or 4213. I'm gonna go daydream about bikes with real fuel gauges...good luck finding a replacement knob.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: pandy on June 28, 2006, 02:27:40 PM
Gear-shift lever (the one you use your left foot to shift with)...  :icon_rolleyes:
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: TadMC on June 28, 2006, 02:28:10 PM
How much is a torque wrench?
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: will123 on June 28, 2006, 03:24:31 PM
I lost my right side bar end and one of the screws that holds the rear fender in place. :2guns:
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Kerry on June 28, 2006, 03:37:52 PM
Quote from: TadMC on June 28, 2006, 02:28:10 PMHow much is a torque wrench?

Check Sears (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=Sears&keyword=torque+wrench).  Click on the "View all 150 results" link and try not to have a heart attack (from the prices) before you find the beam-type wrenches on Page 2.

HINT: Never pay retail!  Wait for a SALE (http://www.bbburma.net/Temp/100_1535_CraftsmanTorqueWrenches.jpg) if you can.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Kasumi on June 28, 2006, 03:48:35 PM
If your only doing silly jobs like tightening mirrors or rear brake pedals and fairing bolts or whatever i really wouldn't bother with a torque wrench. I think the only place i would use it on would be on highly stressed areas. Cylinder head (following correct locking pattern as well as torques (its most important)) Wheel torques, just the critical things. Torqueing up fairing bolts and foot pedals is crazy - just go by feel. Tight enough so the bolt won't vibrate off, not too tight so your stripping the threads.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: LimaXray on June 28, 2006, 04:40:56 PM
UPDATE: I stopped by the dealer today to order myself a front sprocket, and they had both the little screw and the knob in.  I think I ordered it last thursday, so it took less than a week to get it.

Yeah you can get a beam type torque wrench from sears for somewhere between 20 and 30 bucks.  In tool speak, that's cheap.  I agree with kasumi about what needs a torque wrench, but I'd also add any bolts that go into an expensive hunk of aluminum.  The main thing I'm worried about torquing to spec are the exhaust header bolts, because I think they are loose.  Other than that, it's just my excuse for not tightening everything else. 
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: TadMC on June 28, 2006, 04:45:04 PM
Quote from: Kasumi on June 28, 2006, 03:48:35 PM
If your only doing silly jobs like tightening mirrors or rear brake pedals and fairing bolts or whatever i really wouldn't bother with a torque wrench. I think the only place i would use it on would be on highly stressed areas. Cylinder head (following correct locking pattern as well as torques (its most important)) Wheel torques, just the critical things. Torqueing up fairing bolts and foot pedals is crazy - just go by feel. Tight enough so the bolt won't vibrate off, not too tight so your stripping the threads.

I know that JERK,  I was a diesel mechanic for 2 years,  I know what a freakin' tourque wrench is for.













BTW:  Just joking about the Jerk part, Ive just had a lousy day at work. It felt good to vent a little anger. :)
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Phaedrus on June 28, 2006, 04:53:16 PM
Just an FYI, watch those oil filter cover bolts (like Weazelnoze has a problem with last week). A lot of GS'ers break them off. Someday if I think of it, I am going to order a cojuple of extras to have on hand, because it is just a matter of time. So watch over torqueing them, too.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Chris2P on June 28, 2006, 05:10:38 PM
Email me and I will email you the PDF version of the Suzuki manual so you can have your torque specs.




Chris
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: annguyen1981 on June 28, 2006, 06:00:28 PM
I've never had anything except the wheel fall off my GS. :laugh:  Not really.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: LimaXray on June 28, 2006, 06:01:47 PM
Quote from: Chris2P on June 28, 2006, 05:10:38 PM
Email me and I will email you the PDF version of the Suzuki manual so you can have your torque specs.

it's been a good day for me, I finally got my manual in the mail too  :laugh:
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on June 28, 2006, 06:16:42 PM
F6
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: Alphamazing on June 28, 2006, 09:19:28 PM
I have lost:
1 handlebar mounting bolt cover
1 front fender bolt
1 exhaust hanger bolt
1 tool kit rubber band hook bracket bolt (it's near the tail light)
1 carb clamp screw
1 air/fuel mix screw
1 tripometer reset knob
1 SV650 rubber mirror cap
2 float bowl screws
2 header bolts
3 bar ends

There are probably more that I don't remember.
Title: Re: I love when parts fall off my bike
Post by: domas on June 28, 2006, 10:45:22 PM
I have lost my super 12 pound security chain, that i have attached to the back seat with net. Not very wise.