Hi everyone! I registered here a few weeks ago after lurking for a few months. I'm a new rider, I received my permit in April and I have my MSF course scheduled for next week. I got into riding due to my younger bothers who have been riding for six or eight years now. They both upgraded their bikes last year and it gave me a good opportunity to learn on their old bikes. One of them was into cruisers; I rode his old Honda Shadow a few times and didn't really care for the seating position. The other is into standards and I found that his bike felt so much more comfortable and natural that I just sort of inherited it from him.
It is an '86 Suzuki GS550ES. The great thing about it, besides the ergonomics, is that it is a lot of fun to ride it. The bad is that it is old enough that every time I fix something on it, something else is breaking. Which brings me to my reason for posting today. I'm looking for some advice! I really like the riding position of the GS550 and the GS500 seems like a natural "modern" choice should I decide to look at buying a newer bike. I'm torn though, because the GS550 seems like it is pretty rare these days and it is nice to have something that is a little bit unique. So, do you guys think it would be more worthwhile to:
- Sell the '550 and buy a '500 to replace it
- Fix the '550 and just ride that
- Buy a '500 to ride and keep the '550 to fix up when (and if) I have time
I guess I should probably mention that besides having something fun to ride my primary plan is to use whatever bike I get to commute to work in nice weather (about 15-20 miles each way). I've gathered from some of the other threads that some of you are easily bribed with pictures, so if there is interest I can throw up a few of the '550. ;)
As a side note: I just wanted to say that after reading through so many posts here, I can honestly say that you all have one of the most helpful and positive communities I have ever run across during my treks across the interwebs! I just hope that someday I can learn enough to give a little back to the community. :)
IMO I would keep the 550 to tinker with and buy a 500 to commute with. The 550 was/is such a great bike it would be a shame to give it the boot. :thumb:
Oh and welcome to the forum.
What Coda said, if you can afford it.
Sometimes you just want to ride instead of turn a wrench. But it's nice to have an old bike in good shape.
+1 on what was already said. Having a bike to wrench on when not riding is my biggest hobby. Depends if you can afford picking up a 500 while fixing the project and whether you WANT (have time?) to do that.
Another thing though, eventually you'll fix all of what's wrong on the 550 and be set for awhile. Annoying, but you'll get it if you don't give up on it.
Yeah, I'm leaning towards that choice too, but time, money and my own repair skill are going to be tough to work around. After reading some of the threads in the project forum, I know I don't have anywhere near the talent of some of you guys. I can read a parts diagram well enough and I do have a repair manual for the '550 so maybe I'll at least put some more work into it while I'm looking for a rider. It seems like there are a ton more crusiers for sale in my area than standards, so it's looking like I'll either be waiting a while or I'll have to pick up one that needs work - which puts me back in the same boat I'm in now. >:(
I've read that the GS500 is the continuation of the GS450 line, but would things like the carburetors be similar enough for you guys to maybe provide me with some assistance on the '550? I'm pretty sure I have carb issues and starter problems at the minimum. I'm also pretty sure that the oil line on the left side (the one on the back of the engine that I think drains back into the pan) seems to be leaking. While taking off the tank last night I noticed an inline fuel filter as well, which from what I've read here isn't a standard part or a good thing for your fuel delivery.
Quote from: grom on July 14, 2012, 09:08:12 AM
Yeah, I'm leaning towards that choice too, but time, money and my own repair skill are going to be tough to work around. After reading some of the threads in the project forum, I know I don't have anywhere near the talent of some of you guys. I can read a parts diagram well enough and I do have a repair manual for the '550 so maybe I'll at least put some more work into it while I'm looking for a rider. It seems like there are a ton more crusiers for sale in my area than standards, so it's looking like I'll either be waiting a while or I'll have to pick up one that needs work - which puts me back in the same boat I'm in now. >:(
I've read that the GS500 is the continuation of the GS450 line, but would things like the carburetors be similar enough for you guys to maybe provide me with some assistance on the '550? I'm pretty sure I have carb issues and starter problems at the minimum. I'm also pretty sure that the oil line on the left side (the one on the back of the engine that I think drains back into the pan) seems to be leaking. While taking off the tank last night I noticed an inline fuel filter as well, which from what I've read here isn't a standard part or a good thing for your fuel delivery.
what kind of inline is it? screen mesh or paper? screen mesh is OK where as paper reduces the flow (because gravity can only do so much) and is meant for EFI engines.
I actually decided to tear it down a little bit today as I was working on the lawnmower anyway. I'm trying to get my old digital camera charged so I can take some pics without worrying about getting my good camera all filthy and greasy.
It's something like this:
(http://www.webstorehouse.com/photobucket/thumpertalk/FuelFilter.jpg)
But the most interesting thing about it was that it appeared to be epoxied into the fuel line along with having a clamp on it that looked like it was way over tightened. It won't be going back on the bike either way as the end of it snapped off while I was trying to remove the line. My brother won't fess up, so it may have been the owner before him that did it. I'll post some more details with pictures if i have time after the camera is charged.
Maybe I should start a thread in the project sub-forum instead though?
All fuel filters reduce flow to an extent. Some (paper) more than others. Good call NOT to put it back.
Oh yeah.... keep the 550 as a project and ride the 500 :thumb:
BTW, Suzuki suggest replacing ALL fuel and brake lines at six years of age. Not cause they may need it but to make sure they are in good condition for optimum riding. Your call on whether you do this or not.
Michael
just make sure you DO get it done BEFORE the gas starts eating away at it end you get rubber chunks in your'e carbs!!!
i never did this on a bike, but once with a go-ped that had been sitting.
Well I finally took a few pictures, and apparently wrote a novel to go with it :icon_rolleyes:. By the time I had the camera ready I had already taken off the tank to get to the oil lines and decided to take the plastics off because I remembered the tach wasn't working either. So here it is:
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174444.jpg)
Here's the old fuel line with the filter that was on it (I replaced the full run from the tank to the carbs with new hose). You can see what looks like glue and how tight the clamp was on it.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174719.jpg)
I tried to take a picture of the inside of the line so you could see how restricted the diameter was, but the camera kept wanting to focus on my fingers instead.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174704.jpg)
So with that removed and the new fuel line in place I moved on to the oil line that I think is leaking. I had picked up a replacement set on ebay last month (before getting frustrated with this bike in general), but I hadn't even unwrapped them yet. I took off the right side line, but the left line has a clamp on it that I don't think I can get to without removing the carbs because the bracket the idle adjuster hangs on blocks it. Fantastic. So I decide to come back to that later because I'm really reluctant to take the carbs off, and just unwrap the new lines to compare them. Uh-oh...
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174756.jpg)
Apparently I bought oil cooler lines and not engine lines... well I guess I have a spare set now if they ever go bad. :icon_rolleyes:
Well moving on, I know from previous experience with this bike that it has some starter issues. I tore off the starter to check it out. Something tells me that these brushes aren't in spec. I can't believe they were even touching at all...
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174606.jpg)
No parts to fix this right now though, I'll have to come back to it.
I noticed something interesting while I was taking off the front fairing to get to the gauge cluster. Custom wiring harness! Sweet!
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174825.jpg)
All I know about the tachometer is that it was working when my brother got the bike. He said that he had to push start the bike a couple of times because the starter was intermittent (I think we can see why) and that one time he was pushing he heard a "pop" and the tach went dead. I thought it might be a blown fuse, but they all look OK in the fuse box. I pull off the cluster and crack it open to see if it has a fuse inside.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s374/grom12/2012-07-14174929.jpg)
More custom wiring! Awesome!
I'm starting to get a headache at this point wondering what I'm getting myself into, so it's time for a break to get some dinner and hit up ebay to order a starter rebuild kit and the correct oil lines this time. Hopefully I'll have the parts next week, and can make some time to get them put on. Having kids with your spouse working makes it really tough. It took me the better part of this morning writing this up between chasing them around. >:(
I'll try to post some more updates as I go if anyone is interested. As far as finding another bike to ride in the meantime: I found a 2001 GS500 with 16k miles for sale relatively close to me, I'm going to set up a time to check it out this week if I can make time after work.
@iclrag and mister: I did replace the line from the tank to the carb, is there another fuel line I should be worried about anywhere? I'm definitely taking the brake lines under consideration, but I'd like to worry about that after I get the engine running. I took a look at the brake lines and they seem to be OK. I thought the front line was leaking at first until I realized that the oil on the outside of it was dripping down from the right fork tube, so apparently I have another issue there. :icon_sad: