GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: crashcarlton on February 15, 2011, 09:39:31 AM

Title: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: crashcarlton on February 15, 2011, 09:39:31 AM
Hi, I have a 1991 GS500e Slingshot. I changed the rear brake pads and cleaned out the pistons. Put it all back together and found I had to adjust the brake pedal height. The brakes are either now on or off - i.e. I can't move the bike due to the brakes being clamped on or if I adjust the pedal slightly I can't press down enough to make the brakes apply.

I bled the brakes and there is plenty of fluid in the reservoir.

Any help would be greaty appreciated.

Thanks
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: tb0lt on February 15, 2011, 08:05:41 PM
Welcome to the group :)

What exactly is a "Slingshot" GS500?

I'll have to check my brakes and get back with possible scenarios why your bike is acting as you described. Somebody else might have a solution ready before that.
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: adidasguy on February 15, 2011, 11:58:56 PM
"Slingshot" is just a European marketing word. It has no meaning other than the word appears on the tail plastics (or doesn't).
Note the two different tails on Junior. Top one is plain.
Bottom one has "Slingshot" in the silver stripe because that set of tail plastics I bought from a dealer in Europe. I have the same tail without "Slingshot" which is a set bought in the USA.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/Two_Juniors-a.png)
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: aussie-gs on February 16, 2011, 03:00:22 AM
Can anyone tell me where you can get the single seat conversion piece from on the above bike?
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: adidasguy on February 16, 2011, 03:32:25 AM
Quote from: aussie-gs on February 16, 2011, 03:00:22 AM
Can anyone tell me where you can get the single seat conversion piece from on the above bike?

http://stores.ebay.com/bikeparts79/_i.html?_nkw=gs500&submit=Search&_sid=106826498

You can buy in the US but pay twice as much. They accept paypal. Junior's other seat and rear sets are from them. They come primed and you paint them.

Looks better painted:
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/red_black.png)

this is the other seat for $295:
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0893c.png)

They do take offers and you can save 10% to 20%
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: crashcarlton on February 16, 2011, 04:04:58 AM
I appreciate the 'Slingshot' is only a body/paint variation - I just included this as too much detail is better than not enough...

Thanks
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: BaltimoreGS on February 16, 2011, 04:31:03 AM
To further take this thread off topic, I remember the Bandit GSF400 being called a "slingshot" in the US.

-Jessie
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: sledge on February 16, 2011, 08:32:11 AM
Quote from: adidasguy on February 15, 2011, 11:58:56 PM
"Slingshot" is just a European marketing word. It has no meaning other than the word appears on the tail plastics (or doesn't).

Google "Mikuni Slingshot carbs"

Its the name given to the design of the Mikuni BST series carbs` used on on the GS5. Look at a verticaly sectioned drawing of the carb and you will see it reseambles a slingshot, hence the name. The carbs and suffix were used on many Suzuki models in the late 80s and 90s but the suffix was dropped from the GS5 after the first year or so it was on sale. The O/Ps`91 will be have been one of the last to use it.
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: adidasguy on February 16, 2011, 11:57:13 AM
Quote from: crashcarlton on February 16, 2011, 04:04:58 AM
I appreciate the 'Slingshot' is only a body/paint variation - I just included this as too much detail is better than not enough...

Thanks

Always more information is better.
GSX400 a "Slingshot"? Similar to a GSXR400? My personal trainer saw one and suggested I buy it until I told him I bought Trey. Then he said I needed to expand the garage. Too late on that one - contractor already doing it. Getting 4 more feet on the back of a double garage. Room for that GSXR400? Or just all the parts I collect.

(Fun to go off topic "once in a while", which happens to be a nice song from 1937.)
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: crashcarlton on February 16, 2011, 12:41:58 PM
Back to topic!!!
I've removed the pads - checked the pistons are working, re-bled the brakes (until it became a nice clear colour).
The same thing happens, if i adjust the pedal it's either all on or nowhere near enough on.
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: adidasguy on February 16, 2011, 03:10:50 PM
How are you adjusting the pedal? Are you moving it one notch up or down n its mounting or are you adjusting the ball linkage on the master cylinder that the brake pedal pushes on?
Title: Re: GS500E Rear Brake
Post by: crashcarlton on February 16, 2011, 03:43:30 PM
Thanks for the reply - and the welcome.
I am adjusting it on the rod below the master cylinder - following the manual on this one.
I have even tried turning this an 1/8 of a turn and it is still the same.

Thanks again