I just bought a GS500 a week or so ago and just noticed a clear hose hanging off the rear of the bike. I traced it and the other end of the hose wasn't connected to anything. It looks like (from a hose guide that doesn't have anything running through it) it's supposed to go up under the seat someplace, right around the battery. Anyone have any idea where it goes (or what I'm even talking about)? The bike runs fine (even w/o it connected). It kind of reminds me of a radiator overflow hose on a car (except this engine is air-cooled, so I don't know what it is).
-Paul
Its the Battery Vent tube
To be more-explicit, it usually connects to a nipple on the right side of the battery (the nipple faces downwards), then it threads through a hole in the battery box right next to it (about thes size of a pencil, then it goes down... I think it's supposed to point right at your exhaust pipe. It's part of a Suzuki plot to sell more replacement exhaust pipes :bs: . Point it anywhere you want: into a little reservoir bottle cable-tied to the frame, or more to the left so it doesn't drip on anything expensive. Or get a sealed battery at WalMart for half the price, and throw the tube out.
But if it's not connected to the battery, you've really got to do that, or you might have some corrosive fluids venting all over your shock, tire and and everything. :o
Thanks. When I bought the bike they told me they had just replaced the battery. It looks like it's a sealed one, so that's why the hose was hanging there.