Hey all,
Have an '04 GS500F. Fired it up this spring, needed to prime to get it to go after a long winter. I did an oil change before the winter.
The bike has 13k clicks on it, and doesn't go through any long distance riding. Was wondering if there is anything I should check or look out for?
Clarification: this is 13000km, 8000mi.
Well i always like to change the oil before the new season so it hasnt been sitting. Im sure your good though, im just picky about that stuff. Have done a valve check yet? Spark plugs? Fuel filter? Tires? All your lights work?
Quote from: Twism86 on May 03, 2011, 08:19:52 AM
Well i always like to change the oil before the new season so it hasnt been sitting. Im sure your good though, im just picky about that stuff. Have done a valve check yet? Spark plugs? Fuel filter? Tires? All your lights work?
I haven't done a valve check yet, don't have the tools.
Spark plug, I don't know what the process is, from what I can tell I have to take the fairings off and unplug it and check that it's not corroding?
Fuel filter, haven't checked, I have to get in the motor to do this correct? lack of tools.
Front tire has plenty of life, the back tire probably has about 1/8 of an inch before it reaches the bump.
All lights are working fine.
The spark plugs can be reached with the fairing on, although with them off it is much much easier. You need to pull off the wires and unscrew the spark plug. Check on the terminals to make sure everything looks ok and not corroded and check that the white insulator is white or golden brown. Check the gap and adjust if needed. Put some anti-seize on the threads and put them back in.
This may not be necessary, although if you are winterizing it you should take out the spark plugs and spray in some fogging oil or pour in a spoonful of motor oil as the manual says before you put it away. If you put in motor oil you need to crank the engine over a time or two with no spark plugs to spread it through the cylinder. fogging oil gets everywhere by itself. That will keep the cylinder walls from rusting and makes a good time to inspect and gap the plugs. When you get the bike out the extra oil will burn off when you start it and you probably don't need to mess with the plugs at all when you get it out.
Quote from: kman on May 03, 2011, 09:00:59 AM
The spark plugs can be reached with the fairing on, although with them off it is much much easier. You need to pull off the wires and unscrew the spark plug. Check on the terminals to make sure everything looks ok and not corroded and check that the white insulator is white or golden brown. Check the gap and adjust if needed. Put some anti-seize on the threads and put them back in.
This may not be necessary, although if you are winterizing it you should take out the spark plugs and spray in some fogging oil or pour in a spoonful of motor oil as the manual says before you put it away. If you put in motor oil you need to crank the engine over a time or two with no spark plugs to spread it through the cylinder. fogging oil gets everywhere by itself. That will keep the cylinder walls from rusting and makes a good time to inspect and gap the plugs. When you get the bike out the extra oil will burn off when you start it and you probably don't need to mess with the plugs at all when you get it out.
Can the sparks really go this early into the bike?
Early? You mean after 7 years? They can go bad in a matter or hours actually if your bike isnt running good. Check them at least once a year. If they are still original or a few years old get new iridium ones anyway.
Also check your chain, clean, correct tension. Brake fluid? Does it look clean?
As for not having the tools, Just go buy them and keep your GS running tip top :D