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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: dcoffey48 on September 16, 2007, 06:57:11 PM

Title: New member new bike
Post by: dcoffey48 on September 16, 2007, 06:57:11 PM
Hi all.


I was glad to find this forum.  Lots of good info here.

It's been about 15 years but I finally got another bike.  I picked up a 1990  GS500  and  I just love it.  My last bike was an '81 Honda XL185 purchased  new when I was about 17.   I rode it for years until it was totaled about 15 years ago.

The GS500 is just what I was looking for.  Light and easy to maneuver with plenty of power.   (I suppose "plenty of power" is relative but remember I came from a 185)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/dcoffey48/gs500/00001.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/dcoffey48/gs500/00003.jpg)

It's in good running condition right now (The picture was taken before the new tires were put on yesterday) so I will hold off on any  major mods until later.  (rejetting, airfilter, exhaust, etc.)


Dave.
Title: Re: New member new bike
Post by: scottpA_GS on September 16, 2007, 07:04:43 PM
 Awesome!

Welcome to the board  :thumb: Seems to be a busy weekend for new GS Owners  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: New member new bike
Post by: reminor on September 16, 2007, 07:29:24 PM
Shiny one! Congrats!!!

The rims are begging for red reflective tape from Tapeworks.com. I was amazed how much more clean and 'unified' my yellow bike looked after I put yellow reflective rim stripes on.

(http://i6.tinypic.com/4m2jk7t.jpg)
Title: Re: New member new bike
Post by: ymatt11 on September 16, 2007, 08:14:01 PM
how did you get them on so straight?  I got better as I went on but the fist side is BAD... I got enough left to redo it, but I think I might rip them off and do them again next summer... any tips?




Quote from: reminor on September 16, 2007, 07:29:24 PM
Shiny one! Congrats!!!

The rims are begging for red reflective tape from Tapeworks.com. I was amazed how much more clean and 'unified' my yellow bike looked after I put yellow reflective rim stripes on.


Title: Re: New member new bike
Post by: reminor on September 17, 2007, 12:36:31 PM
^^^^ No tricks really. Just a steady hand. :icon_razz:

I made sure the tape is warm enough (to be flexible) before proceeding (as they advise). So I put the tape out in the sun for about 30 minutes on a warm day. Then I staged the bike on the center stand and applied the stripe on the rear wheel, one side at a time. No tricks, do just as they tell you to do - stretch a little, apply, rotate the wheel 3-5 inches (`15cm), repeat. I kept the tape stretched a little all the time, incl. while rotating. Just a tad. And constantly eyed the process to make sure it looks good. If it goes wrong (I had it a couple of times) you'll see it. Stop and pull that little mishap out, reposition and press on.

I lifted my front wheel by putting a wooden block under the engine just enough to spin the wheel by hand.
I was surprised how well I did actually.

Try practicing with a roll of scotch tape or electrical tape if you feel uneasy. Do the whole side with a 99c roll of thin electrical tape. Cheap price for a good lesson. I think it's made of pretty similar material, so you'll get a feel how the Tapeworks stuff needs to be handled.. Practice makes perfect.

Good luck!  :thumb:
Title: Re: New member new bike
Post by: Jay_wolf on September 17, 2007, 01:03:46 PM
Thats a Really Good Idea. Ill Have to try that!  :thumb: