Hello guys,
So, I've been researching the GS500 for about a year and half and I finally mustered up the courage and the cash to buy one of them. I've ridden dirt bikes for a while and I took the MSF course last summer, got my license, yadda yadda.
My pickup has just been costing me a little too much money with the recent ga$$$$$ price$ so I decided to take the dive and get one of these babies. Unfortunately, being on the "student" budget since I'm currently in graduate school, I got a 1989 with 17k miles for high $700s. (whether that is good or not I have no idea, but it's too late now anyways)
Now that I have the bike here, I'm paying more attention to the somewhat crapola condition it is in (dammit impulse buying) and that I need to put some work into it.
Therefore, I've compiled a list of parts that I think are beyond fixing the rust and etc.
If I describe stuff wrong, please help me out since I'm really new to this game. Also, if anyone can give me some heads up on whether or not I can fix some of the stuff I ask for, pleaseeeeee let me know :D
OK sorry for the long intro, it seemed almost necessary. Here goes!
I need:
-*TOP PRIORITY* a whole new meter assembly (mine is beat up, rusted, cracked in the back--it works but it looks like the previous owner removed the trip odometer and the housing should be filed under G for garbage and it just plain makes me feel like I'm riding something totally unsafe when the meter is beat to h-e-double hockey sticks)
-top fork bolts and their rubber caps (caps are missing, fork bolts are 80% rust)
-89' top clamp for the front steering header column (not necessary if I can just repaint it or something, any tips?)
-possibly a seat if the price is right (my seat in the back locks in, but there is kind of a space between the seat and the body about 1/2" or so and it looks funky)
-front fender mudflap
-a rear plastic fender unit (PO cut the rear mudflap..)
-also all the writing on all the switches everywhere are all rubbed off (any suggestions?)
-float bowl gasket
If I think of anything else, I'll add it to this post. I've been reading various posts and I know there are some awesome hoarders around here teehee :icon_mrgreen:
I'm new to this forum so be gentle guys. :cheers:
Welcome to the jungle. :)
The upper clamps can be easily taken off the bike and repainted with simple tools.
The fork bolts should fine as far as serving their purpose... what you are seeing as rust is probably just surface rust and shouldn't affect anything. If it bothers you too much, hit it with some steel wool and it should polish back up or atleast break up the rust enough to use some Rustoleum paint to keep it from rusting more.
Unless your float bowl gasket is completely disintegrated, just dab some chemical resistant gasket maker on there being careful not to get any INSIDE the carb and it'll keep you riding.
I've sent you a personal message about some of the parts you need.
Welcome! Even if the gasket maker doesn't seal the carb, you still don't really want a used gasket. You'd do best just to replace them as they tend to crush down a bit after they're used.
I 2nd painting the top clamp, I did it to mine.
$700 some is a good deal! I just sold my 91 with 17k for way more than that, althought it was in great shape and ready to go. You can still get yours set up just as well though with some research and work.
When you say 'fork bolts' are you referring to these bolts with the chrome caps on them??
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5562504847_12f2942c27_z.jpg)
I have everything in that picture for sale in another thread if that's what you need. You can also just go to a good hardware store and pick up some stainless steel bolts and be good to go. When stuff like that rusts I usually just try to get it with steel wool or a wire brush and then put some grease all over it with my finger, it'll usually hold off the rust for a while.
Do you have a picture of what your seat is doing? Does it have this metal piece still sticking up from the back of the seat?
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/1997SuzukiGS500E-001.jpg/300px-1997SuzukiGS500E-001.jpg)
If not the previous owner probably just removed it, which leaves a gap at the back of your seat. It might not actually be a problem with your seat but we won't know until we see it. If that happens to be the issue, this is the piece you need to get....
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5563081002_17dcc6cc2c_z.jpg)
I still have passenger grab handles accessible until the weekend if you need that. Have an extra complete fender but want to swap it this weekend as it is cleaner than the one on Trey (Trey's is uncut, just not as clean looking).
Bolts: I run all mine through the Eastwood vibratory cleaner. Gets rid of rust and makes them all look like new then sort and store them until I need one.
Missing any reflectors?
Wouldn't worry about writing on the switches. Always wears off and you should remember what they are anyway. Switches are the same on all bikes (nearly all).
Update a list of what you still need as this is my last weekend pretty much for parts as I'm storing everything to remodel the garage.
@tt_four Thanks for the heads up, I'll just paint mine black then Rustoleum FTW. Since it's an 89, it has stock clip-ons so they are a bit different.
I took a picture of the top clamp and ill link my flickr below. They are the more lateral/outside bolts holding the forks in (you can see they are rusted inside). I still need the rubber caps that are supposed to go on top of them though if anyone has those.
Also, I removed the plastics to do some investigating so I couldn't take a picture of the space. However, for now, I doctored your pic and circled the space I mentioned. I do have the metal handlebar there, there's just a space in between that and the seat if you look at it from the back (really just cosmetic). I think it looks like that may occur in the picture there too
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motodmd/5575471196/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/motodmd/5575471196/)
@tbolt thanks for the tips :)
@adidasguy here's the updated list and for reflectors, I am only missing those that attach directly to the front forks, also I pm'ed you a question
-*TOP PRIORITY* a whole new meter assembly or any of the housing/instrument panels (mine is beat up, rusted, cracked in the back--it works but it looks like the previous owner removed the trip odometer and the housing should be filed under G for garbage and it just plain makes me feel like I'm riding something totally unsafe when the meter is beat to h-e-double hockey sticks)
-89 clip on fork bolt rubber caps
-front fender mudflap (attaches to the fender unit)
(I'm gonna pass on the rear fender unit, I'll just polish up the cut one and save some moolah 8) )
Also, are there any precautions to take when removing the fork bolts to clean them? And is there a way to clean the left and right switch housing units because they are scuffed up and beat up as can be seen in my flickr album. Or does anyone have a cheap set that I can just replace mine with?
EDIT: Can any meter assemblies work with the 89 (are the connectors the same)?
Hmm.... I can't think of any substitues for those rubber caps other than buying replacements at the dealership, unless you get lucky on ebay. If it was my bike I could just go to home depot and see if I could find any round pieces or rubber, or find some rubber and cut it in a circle and just rubber cement it on there. If you ever want to rebuild the forks you can pull them off and glue them back on when you're done, but there's a good chance you'll never need in there.
I have this one, completely forgot about it until you mentioned it. Mine is slightly faded too but the words are still in good shape. In all honestly though you'll remember where everything is after about 3 rides so I would just put some pieces of masking tap on, write everything with a sharpie, and then peel them off once you remember which is which. The only one that's really worth remembering when you're riding is the hi/lo switch because you may have to switch the light, although if it's that dark you won't see the words anyway. It's good to remember which is the horn and which is the starter, but all you really need to remember is that all the controls you use when you're riding are on the left side. You never need to use the right side after the bike is running. The turn signal is a given because it's the only one that goes left and right.
(http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/mmps/010_082839af24ae8d18_1/2.jpg?partExt=.jpg&&&outquality=90&ext=.jpg&limitsize=615,500)
Keep an eye on fleabay for gauges. This one just ended for a good price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180642480811&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Things always show up from the various bike breakers. Remember the tach is different on older models (mechanical .vs. electronic).
Front mudflaps are available but don't pay more that retail since it is available from your local dealer:
MUD FLAP, FRONT FENDER 53311-01D01 $21.68
Generic after-market ones are also available for $20 or less.
solid guys. i'll keep the ebay radar online
what's generally a good price for them?
:cheers:
Prices can be anywhere. Watch to learn what things are generally worth. Check list prices, too.
I've seen those mud flaps being sold for $25 or more - higher than retail! Same for lots of other parts. Often bike breakers don't know the retail price. If "Make offer" - then make an offer. Don't pay more than retail for used parts. Figure in shipping. Even with tax, your local dealer could be cheaper because no shipping costs. (And some dealers give 10% or more discount for Suzuki Owners Club members)
By the way, seems lots of people and instrument holders are missing the blue plastic lens. Anyone ever figure out why? Just the blue one?
Well from your pics you dont have a grab bar so that would explain the seat gap. Also may need to tighten up the fender cover bars. As for the rest.
I've got the choke highbeam turn sig Switch that is in great condition with all the lettering, the little mud flap should be in my garage, grab handle, and yellow reflectors. I'll send you the whole shebang for $60 shipped.