Hey guys, I just wanted to say hi! I finally got my 1st bike yesterday, a pretty black 2000 GS500. I'd been looking around for awhile (definitely spending too much time on craigslist), but it paid off in the end. Looks like this weekend is going to be spent doing a bunch of minor maintenance and small fixes, so I had a few questions:
1. There are a few very small rust spots on the frame... mostly near bolts and welds. There's also a tiny bit on the gas tank, where the paint was chipped. Is there an easy way to get rid of it? Is there anything I can do to prevent more of it from forming?
2. The bike has 7K miles on it, but is 7 years old. The chain has never been replaced, but has the right about of slack/deflection/whatever its called... about 1 inch. Should it be replaced?
Thanks guys, :thumb:
-J
PS. Here's a pic of her.
(http://files.matalka.com/files/gs500.right.side%20(web).jpg)
Congrats and welcome!
That's a perty machine you have there.
I'd hit the rust spots with wd-40 and then not worry about them. Or you could clean them a bit and then dab some near-matching Rustoleum paint on them.
The chain will probably be okay if it isn't rusted. If it makes a ssshhhhicka -- ssshhhhicka-- ssshhhhicka noise when you ride, (instead of ssssshhhhh) it's either not lubed or needs to be replaced. Lubing it and then listening will tell you the full story. If it still makes noise after, I'd replace it.
I notice that it's your first bike. Are you new to riding?
Luck,
H~
Thanks for the advice!
Yeah, this is my first motorcycle. I took the MSF class about a year ago, but I was in grad school and couldnt afford one. Now that Im working for The Man, I finally have money! I had a friend test drive it. I didnt ride her until last night, where I got her up to a scorching 25mph!
I think I'll spend most of this weekend working in the garage and riding in empty parking lots... 8)
-J
Welcome and congradulations!
Bike looks great! :thumb:
Use Nevr-Dul (brass polish; find it at lamp shops) on the rust spots, even on the tank, it will leech the rust and dirt out. Then hit it with the Rustoleum.
Practice, practice what the MSF teaches, it's great! :thumb:
Just clean the chain with kerosene, a soft bristle toothbrush, and dry it/clean with a sock over your hand, with the bike in neutral on the centerstand. And, lube it. Then lube it every 500 miles.
Check your tire pressures and oil level once a week (and chain slack).
Do you know when was the last time the fork oil was changed (it should be changed every 2 years; same with brake fluid)?
Welcome!!! :cheers: Very purdy bike! :thumb:
Enjoy your first days and weeks riding. They are the best.
-Anti 8)
f4
Let me rephrase that. For me they were the most scary/exilerating times. I was scared, and that made it a rush. As a more proficient rider it's still as fun as ever though.
Anyway, congrats. I hope your scared/ safe. :thumb:
-Anti 8)
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on March 17, 2007, 01:46:11 AM
That doesn't look like the stock muffler, so, eventually, you're probably going to want to check out the jetting, if you don't know what it is right now.
Without taking everything apart, is there any way to tell if I need to rejet the carbs? I replaced the 7K miles / 7 year old spark plugs this weekend, and although the were blackened, they looked otherwise pretty damn good for their age. That would seem to indicate that things are running pretty well. Am I mistaken?
Thanks,
-J
Most everyone will advise that the carbs should be rejetted, even if everything thing else is stock. The bike will run fairly lean from the factory to keep emissions down. Look at the carbs where the mixture screw is. If it has a brass plug over the screws, it probably hasn't been rejetted. If the screws are accessible, it probably has, and you're good to go.
Now take the MS.... err, never mind. :icon_mrgreen: