Ok ok ok...I finally found a website completely dedicated to the GS500...TYTYTYTYTYTYTY
Got a few problems with my bike. Just picked it up in May and now ride it daily, car motor blew...
Looking for some know how and what not...If you can help pin point the probs I would be forever grateful. Here we go
Oil leak, don't know where since it only happens when I am moving and it spreads. BTW, I lose about a quart every 2-3 weeks riding 40-50 miles a day. The bike did sit for a couple months over winter by the previous owner.
Front shocks need resealing or replacing, they are extremely soft....atleast to me they are. This is really my first bike but have been racing mountain bikes for over 10 years.
After riding for a few miles if I stop at a light it acts like it ran out of gas and sputers. This also happens on the hwy sometimes. It's kinda scary. If it was a car I would say clogged fuel filter or REALLY dirty carbs/airfilter.
No manuel
I have never worked on a bike before but I can tear apart almost any classic muscle car blind folded. So I trust myself to do the work with a little bit of help. To put it bluntly, I'm not a dumb f%$k :icon_mrgreen:
Also Scratch, I work at Palm on Mary/Maude. So I'm not far at all.
If anyone here also frequents BARF I bought the bike from Hunter earlier this year. From what I understand many of the GS riders know eachother in the Bay.
Any help would be appreciated, THX
The guy from the Otherside
welcome!
your questions all seem very familiar. I'm sure if you run a search, you will find a TON of answers.
THE FORKS: GS stock springs come extremely soft stock. You can upgrade to progressive sptings, or straight-rate springs sprung to your weight such as Race-Tech or Sonic springs. Also, while you're in there is's probably a good idea to chenge the fork oil seals and possibly the dust seals. Not a very difficult procedure. If you can get your hands on some air tools changing the seals will be much easier.
THE OIL LEAK: hmmm.... I'd do my best to try to pinpoint where it's coming from. Maybe ride the ride the bike around for a few minutes, bring it home and park it on some cardboard or something. It could be leaking from many places... try your best to at least narrow it down.
The sputtering sounds like some sort of fuel starvation.... I'd start by cleaning out the carbs & checking the air filter. I've heard the fuel filter is located somewhere in the tank.... not too familiar with fuel starvation, but it has been fixed many times over through this forum.
I HIGHLY suggest ordering a Haynes or Clymers manual for the GS500. Go to www.gstwins.com and there is a link to ordering one of them in a way that also supports the site. The little manual that comes with the bike is useless. U want Haynes or Clymers book
goodluck!
check your private messages ;)
Quote from: l3uddha on November 30, 2006, 12:50:25 PM
check your private messages ;)
Done and done :icon_mrgreen:
TY
Re oil: could just be burning oil. A number of GS owners say their bikes burn it; I'm not sure at what rate, but 1qt/500+mi seems possible. (My bike doesn't burn any oil for the record)
Re sputtering: It'll do that at idle when the bike is cold. If it still does it after 15-20 minutes of riding, make sure the idle is adjusted properly to 1200-1500rpms (1200 being the book spec, I like it a tad higher). Look for the big knob sticking out of the bottom of the carbs to adjust. The high speed stuttering could be running out of fuel (if so, switch to RES(erve) and fill up), or the commonly exhibited fuel starvarion (if so, switch to PRI(me) for a bandaid fix)
These are just the simplest (& most common) possible problems (in my mind) that seem like a good idea to check first.
Quote from: manofthefield on November 30, 2006, 02:18:05 PM
Re oil: could just be burning oil. A number of GS owners say their bikes burn it; I'm not sure at what rate, but 1qt/500+mi seems possible. (My bike doesn't burn any oil for the record)
Re sputtering: It'll do that at idle when the bike is cold. If it still does it after 15-20 minutes of riding, make sure the idle is adjusted properly to 1200-1500rpms (1200 being the book spec, I like it a tad higher). Look for the big knob sticking out of the bottom of the carbs to adjust. The high speed stuttering could be running out of fuel (if so, switch to RES(erve) and fill up), or the commonly exhibited fuel starvarion (if so, switch to PRI(me) for a bandaid fix)
These are just the simplest (& most common) possible problems (in my mind) that seem like a good idea to check first.
Oil is leaking...not on ground but I see it on the motor and my pants.
Sputtering is after full warm up, idle is 1200, full tank of gas, and the prime fix doesn't change it...I checked all that. Sometimes, more times than less, the idle with jump while sitting at a light to 3-3.5 k on its own. I choke it a bit to make it go down then it's fine...until the next light
is there oil all over the forks too? If you can pinpoint it somewhat maybe it'll lead us to one of the gaskets.
did you wipe the oil off the engine? if not, try wiping it off with some cleaner, go for a ride, and check to see where it is accumulating most. It could be one of a few gaskets.
can you post some pics?