Before I get started, I'd like to say how much I love reading this message board. I've been following the GS500 wiki and Board since before I ever purchased the bike, and there is a lot of great knowledge to be plucked between the two. So above all, thank you for having such a community that allows for even a novice motorcyclist to pick up on things relatively easily.
So without further ado, here's what I've got on my mind.
I just installed my new Vance and Hines Supersport onto my 2000 GS500E. There were a few peculiarities I noticed as I did this:
-For the center mounting bracket, the instructions are very vague. It states to have the 90' lip towards the center of the bike - this can be interpreted in several ways, and without a picture of reference or a more specific description, I had no idea which direction to mount this bracket. Not only that, but the right-side center-stand bolt cannot be freed from it's washer and lock washer. They are too tight of a fit around the bolt (even with antiseize). I eventually chose not to use the bracket at all. Did anyone else have this problem when mounting their V&H? The center bracket doesn't even look like its necessary to the integrity of the system.
-For the dual header pipe where it mounts into the engine exhaust ports, the stock hardware (which the V&H instructions stated to use) seem relatively short when mounted on the V&H. Also, my GS didn't seem to have any gaskets between the stock header and the exhaust ports. I went to my local shop and picked up two metallic O-ring gaskets and stuck them between the V&H headers and the exhaust ports, just to be on the safe side. They were maybe 1/8" thick, so the stock hardware once again seemed relatively short for the job. The stock hardware worked, but they didn't thread as much as I'd like. I may head to an Ace hardware and pick up some longer bolts.
I also put antiseize on all bolts I encountered and put some around the end of the header pipe that inserts into the mid pipe.
Its all mounted on now, and sounds great. However, as stated I have 1 spare part left over (the center bracket), and encountered many oddities as stated above.
Am I the only one to experience these issues?
I'll post pics when I get back to the house.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP1526a.jpg)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP1528a.jpg)
Thanks, that helps out. What's point of the bracket then? Doesn't seem to support anything. Or am I just blind?
It is the stopper for the center stand. The stock muffler had a bracket with a rubber bumper built onto it. When you took it off, you lost the thing that keeps the center stand from going up too high.
Based on your question, I bet lots of people do not install it - and then complain the center stand goes too high and rubs the chain :cookoo:
Aha! Makes perfect sense now. The instructions that come with the V&H don't state the purpose of the bracket at all. Had they stated its to block the center stand, I would have figured it out by that statement alone. Geez. Thanks a lot for that one guys. I'll install it when I get back. Good thing I'm changing my chain this weekend, I probably ground it the past hour that I rode it.
Any insight on the header pipe installation with the stock hardware? Did anyone use gaskets like I did?
I would guess that the old gaskets are still on the head. They are perfectly round, and get black with carbon so you don't realize they were there. That would explain why the bolts seem to be short, as well.
Anti-seize on the header bolts: check!
Gaskets: Check and mandatory - always. Your old gaskets may be smashed in there and don't look like gaskets. If you take it off, you might look to see if there are now 2 gaskets smashed in each exhaust port. Header bolts are hardened steel. Soft Chinese bolts at a hardware store are not recommended. They are metric. Check the old bolts you took out. Maybe they're longer.
I had no issues when I installed the V&H on Junior. The friend helping pointed out the old gaskets in there that needed to be removed with a pick. At first I didn't see them. Be careful not to scratch the flat surface in the header.
New gaskets ALWAYS when futzing around with the headers. They're cheap. Keep a couple pair around - always.
I'll take off the exhaust at the header pipe and take pictures when I get back.
EDIT:
Here's the shots of the headers. Per the advice given, I took a look inside the exhaust ports and scraped away at one side. Surely enough, I did see the old gasket finally, just covered in crud.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/jhshelton45/GS500E/P1000255.jpg)
Here's a comparison of the left exhaust port with the old gasket still caked inside...
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/jhshelton45/GS500E/P1000259.jpg)
...and here's the right side with the old gasket scraped and pried free (carefully of course).
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/jhshelton45/GS500E/P1000258.jpg)
Here's the gaskets. New (left) and old (right).
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/jhshelton45/GS500E/P1000260.jpg)
Thanks again to everyone who helped out. I'll be around more often when I can and hope to contribute to the community. Hopefully this little venture will help out anyone else who finds themselves having a similar issue. :thumb:
Ack, forgot to post the final results.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/jhshelton45/GS500E/P1000262.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/jhshelton45/GS500E/P1000261.jpg)
Cheers. :cheers:
Look's Good and probably sounds better...! :cheers:
Night and day difference. Sounds like a twin should now.