Ok I knew going in I had to do a carb clean.. I read the FAQS here and got to the carbs yesterday after washing the bike and doing other non bike tasks.
So I remove the tank (damn fuel line punctures upon removal) - Tygon order will be placed.
I look in the air filter and what do you know.. I guess from spring until now he had a guest storing food in the air filter...
(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af147/Snake2715/Orange%20Gs500/IMAG0997_zpse30a5aae.jpg)
I guess he never made it back to eat? Wonder why!
(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af147/Snake2715/Orange%20Gs500/IMAG1001_zpsa3da06d3.jpg)
At least the air box is really clean and the outside of the filter looks clean (cleaner than that pic shows).
Maybe he mistook the bikes orange color for cheese?
So at this point I think its safe to say I should buy a new filter. I will take everyone's opinions on this as filters are like $36 now for stock.. but I just think I would prefer the piece of mind knowing its new and clean.
This is ironically the second bike this year I have got into with a similar situation. The last one was an XR100 and had an entire nest in it.. I cleaned the carbs and found a nest in the air box.. It ran great after I got it back going.
I really think this bike will be great as its in excellent shape... this kind of stuff does bother me, but its all cleanable, figured I would share.
I read they liek to nest in mufflers too
You know what I better get out there and check that.. Seriously thanks.
If the nesting stuff comes out of the filter easily like in your picture, you may not need to buy a new filter. Just make sure everything's out, maybe hit it with some compressed/canned air to get all the bits out of the small places, and you could be good to go.
Looks like mouse poison and not a nest. A nest is usually fluffy stuff. I used to have to remove one from somewhere in the bike every year. My guess is a mouse or rat was using your filter to store away food for the winter.
Make sure you hit the filter with air from the outside so you do not embed more crap in the filter..
I am thinking I may buy new and then clean this as a backup, but after reading everyones comments maybe I would be ok..
I guess if its not damaged a good clean may be alright. I just found out the dealer the guy had the bike tuned up at 3 years ago put the carb bowls on the wrong side (backwards).. the drain screws are on the inside facing the other carb.. Wow.. So far no serious damage just some small things I am finding.
Speaking of dodgey mechanics...
Guy rides his 1000cc Ducati Monster 250km to have it serviced by Ducati seller. They sting him $1,400 for the service - plugs, air filter, oil, oil filter, etc. He rides it home and it is Still not right. So he called My mechanic. My guy tells him to NOT ride it and to send/ship it down to him. My guy opens it up and finds this...
(http://i.imgur.com/kFiWC.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/4WVmi.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/nQ98B.jpg?1)
Also notices... plugs are rusted and buggered, oil filter looks like it's been there for the last 5 years, and the oil is black and crappy. BUT, the brake fluid looks like it was changed. He sends fellow all images - those above plus the plugs, oil, you name it.
Duc owner presents his case to the dealer who blames the Apprentice, issues full 100% refund, gives fellow a $200 gift card to spend in the store and then says, "Plus, your next service will be totally free." Guy says to them, "And what makes you think I would EVER come back here again?"
Duc owner asks my mechanic to service the bike. He does and tells Duc owner, coils need replacing cause wires chewed through as well. Duc owner says not to worry about it. Comes to pick up the bike, gets 150km before coil gives out. Coils will cost $200 a pop - needs four, plus a couple hundred labor. Duc owners says "stuff it" and offers bike for sale As Is for $3k. So for $4k ($3k As Is plus $1k if you want mech to do the coils) new owner can have a bike that will either be good - or - has sustained engine damage due to lack of air filter and who knows what getting in and could then be up for Another $3k for an engine.
Any wonder I do my own servicing and only outsource work to someone I completely trust? That is disgraceful.
That's obscene... and to just blame the apprentice! Who's responsible for the apprentice then hey? Sheeesh...
And yep, I do all mine myself... heard too many horror stories like this to trust anyone these days... such a shame because I know there are good mechanics out there!
I can recommend a good bike mechanic, but only privately via PM. He takes pictures of his work as he goes if there is something untoward so if you have any queries he can show you what was wrong. You can supply your own parts or ask him to source, he also does tyres and suspension (very good at suspension setups). I just asked him to do the chain and sprockets (I supplied the chain) on the Bandit as I haven't tooled up for that yet (front sprocket is a biatch to remove). There were a couple of issues from the POs mechanic so he took photos showed me and just fixed them (no cost).
I mean seriously what is there to do on a motorbike other than oil and filter regularly. Check your bolts, lube various bits, maybe a sync (which you can do with all the assistance you find here and elsewhere), tension and lube the chain and change the plugs.
In life you need a good mechanic and a good plumber.
Each time I called them, I was in a world of hurt that's for sure.
I just watched an episode of American Restoration the other day where they tore apart an old dirt bike for some Nascar driver that the engine was seized up on. When tearing it down, they found a huge store of walnuts in the exhaust and in the top of the cylinder. They cleaned it up real nice and it turned over just fine! Apparently walnut shells don't compress well!
lol
This reminds me of a stock replacement muffler I bought off ebay for my buddies Bandit.
I pulled it out and was trying to figure out why it sounded like a maraca, turned it on it's end and peanuts fell out.
The more I shook it, the more fell out. I contacted the seller and they apologized profusely and said they didn't realize.
Issued a partial refund, and promised that if it smelled bad or anything they would refund the rest.
Shook out and blew out as much as I could with the air compressor. Still had more coming out when you would rev it after install. lol
But never smelled and ran great.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/GI_JO/Photo0276_001_zps5d69e9e5.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/GI_JO/Photo0277_zpsba01712f.jpg)
Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on January 04, 2013, 04:51:04 PM
lol
This reminds me of a stock replacement muffler I bought off ebay for my buddies Bandit.
I pulled it out and was trying to figure out why it sounded like a maraca, turned it on it's end and peanuts fell out.
The more I shook it, the more fell out. I contacted the seller and they apologized profusely and said they didn't realize.
Issued a partial refund, and promised that if it smelled bad or anything they would refund the rest.
Shook out and blew out as much as I could with the air compressor. Still had more coming out when you would rev it after install. lol
But never smelled and ran great.
I see a muffler, bubble wrap, and packaging peanuts....
Lol... You beat me to the punch on the packaging peanuts, ha ha.
- Bboy
Quote from: mister on December 23, 2012, 04:31:34 PM
Speaking of dodgey mechanics...
Guy rides his 1000cc Ducati Monster 250km to have it serviced by Ducati seller. They sting him $1,400 for the service - plugs, air filter, oil, oil filter, etc. He rides it home and it is Still not right. So he called My mechanic. My guy tells him to NOT ride it and to send/ship it down to him. My guy opens it up and finds this...
(http://i.imgur.com/kFiWC.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/4WVmi.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/nQ98B.jpg?1)
Also notices... plugs are rusted and buggered, oil filter looks like it's been there for the last 5 years, and the oil is black and crappy. BUT, the brake fluid looks like it was changed. He sends fellow all images - those above plus the plugs, oil, you name it.
Duc owner presents his case to the dealer who blames the Apprentice, issues full 100% refund, gives fellow a $200 gift card to spend in the store and then says, "Plus, your next service will be totally free." Guy says to them, "And what makes you think I would EVER come back here again?"
Duc owner asks my mechanic to service the bike. He does and tells Duc owner, coils need replacing cause wires chewed through as well. Duc owner says not to worry about it. Comes to pick up the bike, gets 150km before coil gives out. Coils will cost $200 a pop - needs four, plus a couple hundred labor. Duc owners says "stuff it" and offers bike for sale As Is for $3k. So for $4k ($3k As Is plus $1k if you want mech to do the coils) new owner can have a bike that will either be good - or - has sustained engine damage due to lack of air filter and who knows what getting in and could then be up for Another $3k for an engine.
the offer of next service free by the dealer might have been sincere. i wouldn't trust them again. spend the $200, add a $1 tip and tell em that's the last one.
blaming the apprentice - priceless. who's at fault when a wheel falls off a single sided swingarm ? yep