Hi. I just bought a 93 GS500E and am having lots of trouble with it. First off it was in pretty bad shape cosmetically, but also has mechanical problems. I am going to list the problems and questions and if anyone can help that would be greatly appreciated
1. I need to replace the air filter (It still had the stock one on it and it has 16,000 miles on it) I read that K&N has two options for replacing the filter, but which one is better. It doesn't seem like a good idea to me to take out the air box for the lunchbox filter, but it is cheaper.
2. The bike has a SuperTrapp exhaust on it (http://www.supertrapp.com/product_sections/cat.asp?CatID=38 This is the exhuast that i have)and i think this is causing the air fuel mixture to be a great deal lean on the gas side. Would this be fixed with the air filter or am I going to need to jet the carbs to fix this.
3. The choke cable also was missing when i bought the bike and i have been using a zip tie to get the bike started, but when i let the choke out, even after holding it for minutes the bike will still die. Is this most likely because of the lengthy warm up time for the bike. I have ridden it with the choke out just to get it warmed up and then let it back in and it doesn't die, so im assuming this is the problem.
4. The fork seals are also broken, so im thinking while im taking them apart and fixing that, i might as well put better springs on the front. I did the calculations and it seems that I need .8 springs, but what brand would be best. People have posted about progressive springs, sonic, and sport tech and there is a little out there about some hagon ones. Just looking for some insight.
I know this is asking a lot but any help at all would be appreciated
Quote from: GuyLeDouche on August 29, 2006, 12:59:49 PM
1. I need to replace the air filter (It still had the stock one on it and it has 16,000 miles on it) I read that K&N has two options for replacing the filter, but which one is better. It doesn't seem like a good idea to me to take out the air box for the lunchbox filter, but it is cheaper.
Welcome to the forum! I've also got a 93 :thumb:, and it was in rough shape when I got it too (and pink!), but these bikes are easily fixed up and theres alot of great resources here.
I've got a K&N lunchbox on mine, it frees up the air flow alot which will increase the bikes power, but to optimize the bikes potential you will have to rejet the carbs.
Quote from: GuyLeDouche on August 29, 2006, 12:59:49 PM
2. The bike has a SuperTrapp exhaust on it (http://www.supertrapp.com/product_sections/cat.asp?CatID=38 This is the exhuast that i have)and i think this is causing the air fuel mixture to be a great deal lean on the gas side. Would this be fixed with the air filter or am I going to need to jet the carbs to fix this.
If you put the lunch box on with that exhaust it will make it even more lean, but I highly recommend rejetting anyway. Stock these bikes were lean to begin with and any mods having to do with the fuel/air mixture will need a reject
Quote from: GuyLeDouche on August 29, 2006, 12:59:49 PM
3. The choke cable also was missing when i bought the bike and i have been using a zip tie to get the bike started, but when i let the choke out, even after holding it for minutes the bike will still die. Is this most likely because of the lengthy warm up time for the bike. I have ridden it with the choke out just to get it warmed up and then let it back in and it doesn't die, so im assuming this is the problem.
Putting in size 40 pilot jets will fix this and speed up your warm up time dramatically, choke cables are cheap btw, check out www.bikebandit.com or with your local dealer for a cable
Quote from: GuyLeDouche on August 29, 2006, 12:59:49 PM
4. The fork seals are also broken, so im thinking while im taking them apart and fixing that, i might as well put better springs on the front. I did the calculations and it seems that I need .8 springs, but what brand would be best. People have posted about progressive springs, sonic, and sport tech and there is a little out there about some hagon ones. Just looking for some insight.
I know this is asking a lot but any help at all would be appreciated
The fork seals are generally pretty easy to fix, I believe the how to section on the main page www.gstwin.com (http://www.gstwin.com) has a how to on replacing the seals, otherwise check the FAQ section. I just put spacers in my forks because I'm well...tiny so I can't offer much insight when it comes to that.
As for as asking questions...keep doing it, thats what we're here for!
If you want the extra oomph, get a lunchbox and rejet. Otherwise, get a drop-in and rejet.
GuyLeDouche :laugh: I love that show! Don't Get Eliminated!
Some people swear by RaceTech springs... Some swear by progressives (I know I like mine)... There's another straight-rate spring out there too... No matter what, upgrading the springs is worth it.
Pastrami answered the rest. :thumb:
I replaced my air filter with a Uni filter which was about $25 and is foam so you can re use it by cleaning and re oiling it. If you don't want to get rid of the airbox I would recomend going that route as it's cheaper than the K&N and works just as well. Supposedly the "lunchbox" style K&N will give you some more flow but then you have to get rid of the aiirbox. Whatever you do with the airfilter, once you get a clean filter in there it will make the bike run even leaner, so you should definately re-jet. I have the stock headers with a free flowing muffler and the uni filter and, I run a 140 main jet with the needle shimmed up with a tiny washer (#4 I think) and it runs pretty well, I think I need to jet a larger pilot jet too (40 I think), and turned the idle screw out 2.5 to 3 turns. Everyone has different opinions on jetting so get a few different sizes and figure out what works best on your bike. Using the jets that I mentioned should at least keep you from burning up the engine (I think most will agree) and should be a decent starting point. Jetting will also reduce the ammount of time that you need the choke on but of course you should fix that too.
My forks are soft and leaky as well, there is a how to on this site about how to install spacers which is cheap but obviously not as good as better springs.
Good luck
Welcome! :cheers: :thumb:
Welcome!
Regarding the springs: What kind of riding do you plan on doing? Because, if you're doing some serious sport riding, you'll want the Racetechs; if you ride in the rain I'd suggest the Progressives.
Hope this helps.