(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/Ultranothing/IMG_3671.jpg)
My 1997 GS500. I bought it in 2009 for $1800. It only had 1,863 miles on it.
About a dollar per mile :)
It wasn't running when I picked it up. It would idle, but would stall when I gave it gas. It was determined that the problem was gummed up carburetors.
I tried cleaning the carbs myself. First with a fuel additive which did nothing, and finally by taking her apart and trying to clean them myself, manually.
Of course, having no mechanical knowledge, I was going purely by the repair manual. I was up until about 4 AM putting the bike back together, after struggling through every step of the process over about a fifteen hour period. I almost fell asleep on the garage floor, and was covered in dirt and grease.
Tried turning it over -
nothing. It wouldn't even idle anymore. Apparently, whatever I'd done only made it worse.
I nearly went mad...I mean, I was dirty, exhausted, and completely defeated...
So I crawled back inside the house and passed out. When I woke up the next afternoon, I decided to go back and give it another shot.
Well, things had apparently gone from bad to worse through the night. When I'd disassembled the bike, I took the tank off and removed the tank filter and shut-off valve. I then set the tank aside on a nice, soft, clean towel to prevent any damage to the pristine original paint-job.
Unfortunately, I'd set the tank on said towel upside-down, thinking that gas would leak out of the hole where the in-tank filter once was. This turned out to be a very, very bad idea.
When I went to put the tank back on the bike, I lifted it up and noticed a thousand little pieces of midnight blue sparkle paint chips still attached to the towel.
The fuel had seeped out of the filler cap during the night, soaked through the towel, and completely stripped all of the paint off the top of the tank.
Apparently it's water-tight, but not fuel-tight. Needless to say, I almost cried.
So I decided to strip the rest of the paint off the tank and give it a new paint job. Not having any experience in that field either, I decided to find a place that would sand-blast the paint off the tank, and then I could primer and paint it myself.
I looked all over the area until I found a little company not too far from me that specialized in resurfacing aircraft engine parts. I brought the tank to them and they just barely fit it in the sandblaster. When they started blasting it, it hardly even touched the finish.
It seems that whatever media they used at their shop wasn't abrasive enough to remove paint.
Cool.
So, as we were leaving we noticed what appeared to be an auto-body shop across the street. We went in and talked to the guy - showed him my tank. He explained that the majority of what they did was chrome-plating, and not painting.
A chrome-plated gas-tank on my Suzuki GS? That would be pretty cool! But he said it would cost about $700, and so I naturally declined.
What he did do was give me the business card of a bike shop in a faraway town that specialized in paint and decals.
I called him up later that day and he quoted me a price of $375 to strip and repaint the tank. Having been so frustrated with all that had happened already, I agreed and brought him the tank the next day.
He seemed like a decent enough guy - a typical "Harley" looking dude who moonlighted as a professional security guard. Said he'd have the tank ready in a few weeks because he was on his way to Arizona to deliver some million dollar antique car back to New England and they required a team of armed guards to make the trip. I pay him up front and part ways.
Three months passes. I don't hear a word from this guy. I try calling. I try texting. Finally, I try appealing to his pride. I tell him it's been three months and I'd put my trust in him and I really feel let down.
He finally responds and tells me he's been in Arizona for a month, spending time with his dying father and was
so sorry he hadn't gotten back to me.
He said the tank was all ready for me, but because he was obviously in another state, he would have his co-worker arrange for me to pick it up.
Another two weeks go by, and I don't hear from him. Finally, he answers his phone. We talk briefly and he tells me he's still in Arizona and, again, he's so sorry it's taking so long - but his father is really sick, and
his bike shop is no longer in business, and that my tank is in storage along with the rest of his stuff.
I said to him, "Why is my tank in storage? Why didn't you just contact me and tell me to come get it?"
He got really irate with me and hung up the phone.
Well by this point I'm obviously very suspicious. I look up his phone number and find out that the number I've been calling him on for the past month is a
land-line. Well how could he be in Arizona if he's answering his Connecticut land-line phone?
Now I'm steamed:
11:14 PM me: Josh Brown here - Suzuki Gas Tank. Not sure if you are receiving my texts to 860-XXX-XXXX (listed as a landline). Have you made arrangements for me to pick up my tank?
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11:33 PM +1860XXXXXXX: RE:Be back on the 23rd sis cant locate key to storage unit
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11:41 PMRE:That phone is not in service c u when i get back
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11:55 PM me: Your sister can't find the storage key? How is that possible? I assume you would know where the key is, to a storage facility which contains a shop full of tens of thousands of dollars worth of stuff?
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11:57 PM me: I've been incredibly patient, but this started getting ridiculous about a month ago. Please call the storage facility and see if you can arrange for them to allow me access. Your seemingly careless, nonchalant attitude towards our transaction is making me very, very nervous.
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11:59 PM me: Nothing personal, dude, but I've been out $400 and a gas tank for months, without really any word. I think you can appreciate that.
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1860XXXXXXX: 01/02:RE: Dude im with my dad at hospitol in az, dont have time for your crap rite now use a fuel bottle instead of the fuckin tank!
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12:03 AM RE:U get the tank when i get back your not gonna ride in the snow i dont need to steal the shaZam!
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12:07 AM me: Wow. That's not the response I expect from someone representing a business I paid for services. Whatever, tho. My problem is that It's been like, four months. I don't know you. You have a lot of my money. You tell me you moved the shop - you tell me you closed the shop. You're going to be back on the 14th, the 22nd, the 23rd. I call your CT landline phone and you tell me you're in AZ.
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12:08 AM me:Whatever, man. Just call me when you get back. Goodbye!
12:12 AM me:P.S., if you lost my number a 5th time, it's 860-XXX-XXXX (home), or 860-XXX-XXXX (cell)
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01/03:RE:Shop is no longer drive by smart ass! Land line phone use to be that number and should of been disconnected long time ago! Did not expect to fuckin be out here this long so what do u want me to tell ya other than i c u when i get back! And u could have that 70 moneygram back i never cashed it!
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me: It's cool, man! No bad blood, no hard feelings. Let's just get this transaction over with!
He did meet me a week later in town. Drove an hour a way to basically deliver my tank. Refunded my last payment back, and gave me the can with the paint that was left over.
It came out beautifully, except for the fact that he didn't put the decals on that I'd given him, saying they weren't the type that could be clear-coated. I knew that was a lie because I'd bought them from a professional decal shop that listed them as the proper style.
And then I look at the paint can. The label indicated the date of mixing as being only
FOUR DAYS prior.
Whatever, though. I've got the tank, this guy is out of my life, I'm going to stick these shiny silver decals on my beautiful new tank that I'd gone through absolute hell for and start riding this puppy!
Then summer came. I brought the bike to a local shop and paid about $300 for a carburetor rebuild. Of course, they failed to put fuel filters on the line, so when I got it home to start it up, whatever was in the tank that caused the blockage initially flowed right back into the carbs and made the whole operation pointless.
My dad and I installed filters and put some Chevron techron into the tank with some high-octane fuel and blew all of the crud out of the carbs, and it started running perfectly.
So now I've got my bike, all of my camping gear, and I'm ready for adventure!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/Ultranothing/IMG_3670.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/Ultranothing/IMG_3673.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/Ultranothing/IMG_3672.jpg)
She's a beauty! Running perfectly, and looking great!
I got new Pirelli tires and a D.I.D. X-ring chain installed (another $200) and got my permit.
About a month later, I stop off at the gas station to fill up. I put down the kickstand and get off the bike.
THUDDDDDDD!Fell right over. The tank landed up against one of those barrier poles that protect the tank from oncoming cars...and this was the result:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v675/Ultranothing/IMG_3710.jpg)
Parked it in neutral and it rolled right off the kickstand.
And after ALL I went through...after all the crap...you know, when it happened, I actually laughed. the bike was just laying there on the ground in front of the pump, and my only reaction was to just smile and nod.
I just sealed a deal with adidasguy here on the forums, and my punishment for being such a nOob is that now I get a canary yellow motorcycle:
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/Assorted/IMGP1278.jpg)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/Assorted/IMGP1279.jpg)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0971a.jpg)
If you see me on the street, please don't throw stuff at me :)
I'll update the pics once I get everything on and poppin' :D
Fascinating story! Glad to help you out (and inflict a little yellow punishment) :thumb:
Man - read the story again - you been through so much crapola I really feel for you. Just pay the balance we agreed on and I'll gladly eat whatever extra it costs to ship.
You NEED a good experience. And maybe a beer :cheers:
When the time comes, pass a favor on to another member. :icon_lol:
The things we go through to do the things we love, eh? I'm still without a bike after about a month now after my engine blew, and I picked up a lemon engine from ebay. I feel like I've been duped a little bit, but in my case, the knowledge I've gained through the forum here, the Clymer manual, and a couple friends, has more than paid for itself by giving me the confidence to do things on my own. I can take out an engine in a GS in about 30 minutes, since I've had to do it 3 times now. I feel like there's some good karma in the mix for you, buy a lottery ticket.
you send me that beautiful headlight and connectors and ill send you all the front fairings, mounts, turn signals, windshield, headlamp, and whatever.
Not the best shape, but it is fixable, and I would love to have your headlight.
The only headlight pictured on this thread is the one from the bike that my new tank and plastics are coming off of...
And I think he needs that to see at night :)
Glad to see I'm not the only one who made the same mistake with a gas tank. :icon_mrgreen:
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/crispyfive/Moto/SSPX0148.jpg)
Here's to smoother trails down the road!
Great read! I mean not the experience in itself with the frustration, but still a good story. This forum is great.
Wow... I feel for ya bro! Good read and glad you are up and running :thumb:
Glad all arrived OK. The black fender goes well, though the yellow one is on its way (sorry I left it out of the box).
And what did we learn from this?
ALWAYS park your bike IN GEAR (no, that doesn't mean put jacket and helmet on bike - gear as in 1st or 2nd :icon_lol: )
I made that mistake once but caught Suzi in time and the crash sliders prevented any fairing damage. So been there - done that - but not that bad :oops:
Glad the tank & stuff went to a good home :icon_mrgreen:
The mud flap can be added to later years. Just get one and drill 2 holes.
I recall OEM price is about $14 and is available - not unique to just the GS500.
There are after market ones for around $20. Often referred to as a "fender extender". Fairly easy to find one - after market or OEM.
I did it to Suzi. They help keep crap off the front fairing, engine and rider.
MAN! You've been through H3LL with that GS! I can't wait to see how this turns out; good luck finding a new painter for your tank and fender. I STILL like that Ducati yellow, but to each his own... Your GS will look GREAT when it is finished; please keep this thread updated as you go along.
You've had TERRIBLE luck with that GS so far, though I expect all of that is about to change... so swing for the fences and let us know if you need help / advice getting it back on the road.
I've always loved the old Kenny Roberts bike and the colour scheme they used. Changing the Yamaha to Suzuki on the tank shouldn't be a drama :dunno_black:
IMO this would look sweet on your tank.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff62/icecreamhands/yamahaLarge.jpg)
This is one of the most epically funny (at the OP's expense) and bitter-sweet moto new ownership tales that I read in a long time! Great write up, and great can-do spirit! :thumb: