Please look over the following outline of articles and subjects that I thought would be useful to most GS owners. Add, subtract, edit, or taunt - I'll take all the advice I can get. This outline is NOT complete and needs your help. And if you'd like to help with actually writing any of these articles, I'll soon be posting the actual site info once it's all up and running.
Also, sorry for the weird formatting - copy/paste doesn't like me.
1) General
i) Fuel Type
ii) Expected Range
iii) Top Speed
iv) more FAQ-type questions
2) Specs
i) Colors
(a) Color codes
1. Starwalt's stuff
(b) Tape sets
(c) Examples for each year/color
ii) Year-to-year model changes
iii) Technical details
(a) Fuel
3) Maintenance
i) Books (Clymer, Haynes)
(a) Link to Amazon to support GSTwins.com
ii) Parts
(a) OEM
(b) Aftermarket
(c) Compatibility with other bikes
iii) Regular schedule
iv) Routine
(a) Lube chain
(b) Valve check
1. Link to kit on forum
2. Link to Kerry's video on Google
(c) Change oil
(d) Adjust idle
(e) Adjust clutch
(f) Adjust chain tension
(g) Brake pads
(h) Tire pressure/condition
(i) Air filter
1. Link to upgrading
(j) Battery
1. Compatible replacements
(k) Spark plugs
(l) Headlight aim
(m) Check float height
(n) Sync carbs
1. Easy sync tool
(o) Drive chain guide
(p) Change brake fluid
(q) Change hoses
1. Hose routing diagram
v) Not so routine
(a) Rebuild carbs
(b) Remove CA emissions equipment
vi) Winterizing
4) Upgrades
i) Appearance
(a) Fenderectomy
(b) Mirrors
(c) Fairings
(d) Windshields
(e) Paint
(f) Powdercoating
(g) Gauges
1. LED Lighting
(h) Cowl covers
(i) Pegs
(j) Tail light
(k) Hugger
(l) Wheels
(m) Headlights
ii) Comfort and Convenience
(a) Power Outlet
(b) Clock
(c) Gauges
(d) Seat
(e) Heated grips
iii) Performance
(a) Air filter
1. Uni
2. K&N drop-in
3. K&N lunchbox, pods
(b) Exhaust
1. V&H
2. Yosh
3. Jardine
4. Cobra
5. SV
(c) Rejetting
1. Why?
2. Matrix
(d) Sprocket
(e) Brake lines
(f) Ignition Advance
1. V&H
2. DIY
3. Bob Broussard
(g) Front Springs
1. Progressive
2. Racetech
3. Sonic
4. Best suppliers
(h) Handlebars
1. Clip-ons from '89
2. Suburban Machinery
(i) Petcock
1. Pingle
2. Inline fuel filter
(j) Tires
1. Best for given condition
2. Prices
(k) Rear shock
iv) Safety
(a) Crash bars
(b) Frame sliders
5) Restoration
i) Repaint exhaust
ii) Repaint tank/plastics
iii) De-rust tank
iv) Tape sets and decals
(a) Removing old decals
v) Powdercoat frame
vi) Replace gaskets
vii) Interchangeable parts
viii) Broken bolts
6) Troubleshooting
i) Bike won't start
ii) Fuel Starvation
iii) Squealing brakes
iv) Indicators
v) Oil leak
vi) Noises
7) GS500 Community
i) Forum
ii) GSTwin.com
iii) Links to other sites
Hi there,
What about a section for "Stupid Owner Tricks?"
:)
Yours,
Todd
i'd change the front suspension bit not to be specific to progressive springs as some people are adding racetech springs now.
Done and done... well not quite. Stupid owner tricks? What did you have in mind? If you'd like to write it... :)
I have a few top level categories to add.
- Community
- General Information
- Beginner Rider Appeal
- FAQ
under appearance.. some additional items
- Wheels
- Gauges
- Headlight
Do you mean for FAQ to include all the information in the outline? Or have a separate section for just questions and answers?
Also, as far as Community and General Info and Rider Appeal, do you see this as a document to attract potential GS500 owners and new riders? I was thinking of it more as a resource for current owners, who know about the forum and the bike. What do you think?
mabee a section with a list of compatible or nearly compatible parts
Quote from: mike_mike on July 06, 2006, 11:28:29 AM
i'd change the front suspension bit not to be specific to progressive springs as some people are adding racetech springs now.
Dont forget the sonic springs :thumb:
Quote from: sanjay on July 06, 2006, 03:40:45 PM
Do you mean for FAQ to include all the information in the outline? Or have a separate section for just questions and answers?
Also, as far as Community and General Info and Rider Appeal, do you see this as a document to attract potential GS500 owners and new riders? I was thinking of it more as a resource for current owners, who know about the forum and the bike. What do you think?
faq - just for general questions that are often asked here... stuff like "how far will my GS go on a tank of gas?" "I crashed my GS, where do i find used parts?" "How fast will the GS go?" "What kind of fuel does the GS take?" etc.
community/general info blurbs are worth adding. We're talking about updating the wikipedia SG500 page or using the wikipedia engine to make our own wiki 'like' resource for gstwins?
Think of it as a GS500-specific wikipedia. The FAQ but more expansive. Containing writeups, articles, general information, all consolidated from Pablo, Kerry, Mike, Starwalt, the GSTwin how-tos, the FAQ section of the forum, and the random write-ups scattered throughout the forum, as well as from other sites. Also, there will be part numbers and suppliers for commonly ordered items, paint codes, etc.
The wikipedia article will remain as is, simply informing people about the GS500 - what it is, a little bit of info. The proposed site is completely separate and will only contain GS-specific articles.
this is a damn good idea. I wish I would have thought of it.
IS gstwins gonna host it?
Not at the moment. I'm hosting it on my student webspace for free. After that expires or if bandwidth limitations occur first, we'll move it to a more permanent home.
is there any particular reason not to just update the wikipedia GS500 entry?
All of our information is centered around one item, so you're not going to have that many individual pages to branch out onto, unless you're looking to re-invent the wheel :)
Yeah, but there actually is a LOT of information to sort through. The wikipedia article is meant to tell the general public about the GS500, not describe available fairings or how to perform maintenance to an owner.
The wiki format is simply a way to allow group writing and maintenance, which in the long run will allow new members to update the collective body of GS500 knowledge and expertise.
I was going to ask about the Wikipedia entry as well. Go look at the EX500 entry and it pretty much tells you the names of the guys who built them. And what they had for lunch. Theres a lot of information on the GS as well. But its not nearly as exhaustive as the EX's entry. And the GS one needs updated pictures.
True, but how much of that article is targeted towards current owners? I agree that the GS500 article could use more info, but the wikipedia article and GS500 wiki site serve two different purposes.
Any other comments? I can't believe that only 6 people had ANYTHING to say about this. :o
Actually shouldn't the WIkipedia entry be about the history of the bike anyway? More then a sales tool? There is a mention of how the engine came from the GS450. But nothing specific.
Just ideas
this project still alive and well?
Yup, working on it. I'm still sorting out site security, etc. because the website uses scripts and you can upload files. Can't be too careful :o
This is awesome...thanks to those who are working on this! :kiss3: :cheers: :bowdown: :thumb:
Quote from: sanjay on July 08, 2006, 12:54:07 PM
Yup, working on it. I'm still sorting out site security, etc. because the website uses scripts and you can upload files. Can't be too careful :o
why don't we just use wikipedia.org?
Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, so all it would have is an article on the GS500. This is different - more like the FAQ, where there are articles on different mods, maintenance issues, troubleshooting issues, etc.
if u need hosting for wiki, pm me n i'll help out :) the company i work for is hosting wiki hence i get free hosting lol
Quote from: sanjay on July 07, 2006, 03:42:06 AM
Not at the moment. I'm hosting it on my student webspace for free. After that expires or if bandwidth limitations occur first, we'll move it to a more permanent home.
hey sanjay, mind if we can take a look at the beta version? one thing i m concerned about is the security issue that everyone can edit the articles, but i guess we can restrict that. anyway, lets see what u got so far :)
ps: i was playing around with tikiwiki earlier and it seems pretty nice
The security I'm worried about is not people editing the articles, because that's exactly what I want. There's protection against article vandalism. I'm more worried about someone hacking into my server, since I'm still learning about Unix.
I'll make the site public very soon - work has been keeping me busy for the last few days.
Someone hacking into your server? Hmmm.....It's not that hard, if you want I can make you an account on my webserver. Of course I'd limit you to only read/write of your wiki folder. You wouldn't see anything else. My server has almost all the unix librariers you could want ana obviously has php and mysql. Lemme know
No it's ok, but thanks for the offer. The issue with a wiki is people can upload attachments for the articles they write. Normally it's restricted to just images and videos, but I'm a little worried about uploading malicious scripts to gain access to the server. I'm really close to having everything running safely, so I'll just stick with the setup I've got right now. :thumb:
this still going?
keep this up. great work. beta version available?
I'm in India right now! :thumb: But... on dialup! :cry: I'm so addicted to a broadband connection, it's not even funny. It takes a good 120 seconds or more to load a single forum page.
Anyway, I should have a fast connection next week when I visit family in Bangalore. I'll put the finishing touches on the site, and then it should be ready for release! I would have released it earlier, but I'd rather be ready to fix something if there should be any problems, and 56k just doesn't cut it.
lol so far it looks nice :) i'll send u a few mods that we use at our work wiki portal whenever ur off that 56k :)