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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: G.Rossman on May 29, 2016, 01:03:39 PM

Title: New to me 2005
Post by: G.Rossman on May 29, 2016, 01:03:39 PM
What are the must do maintenance items?  Chain looks rough so I'm going with a new chain.  Negative battery cable looks rough too on the end so I'm planning to run a new one to make it right, can't find the other end off hand any tips? I have a manual on order.  I took the front and side fairings off to get a better view of everything.  Oil clutch or brake fluids? 

Good chain recommendations?   Anyone make a nicer chain guard?

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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: smokestack on May 29, 2016, 02:53:44 PM
The Haynes manual has a good section on maintenance intervals. I couldn't find the engine ground connection either so please share if you do. Haynes recommends changing the brake fluid every 2 years iirc. There's no separate clutch fluid, just the engine oil. Make sure the oil you put in is safe for wet clutches. Check valve clearances while you have the tank off (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J19aNdXV08).
Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: Watcher on May 29, 2016, 09:13:19 PM
New chain may coincide with a need for new sprockets.  Be sure to inspect the sprocket teeth for wear.  If they are scooped like saw blade teeth or pointy on the tips it warrants replacing, and these should be done at the same time as the new chain.
Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: G.Rossman on May 30, 2016, 09:54:24 AM
Thanks for both replies.  Both put on the to do list.

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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: G.Rossman on May 31, 2016, 01:19:18 PM
Where are you guys buying the Suzuki tool for changing the shims?  I've seen some similar on Amazon but kind of wanted the Suzuki hoping it was better quality. What shim kit do you all have?

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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: smokestack on May 31, 2016, 02:08:38 PM
I used the one on Amazon, it worked fine: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UKIN8Q/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464728830&sr=sr-1&keywords=suzuki+valve+tool

Individual replacement shims are available at Jetsrus or BikeBandit (29.5mm size)
Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: G.Rossman on May 31, 2016, 04:00:18 PM
Ordered the tool, need the gauges and shims.  Not really wanting to wait to get shims, once I open the cover I'd rather not have it open long.  May stop by an auto parts store tomorrow and see what they have.

Hoping the manual gets here soon.  Oil and filter going same time and I'll check on plugs. 
The air filter box may never go back in lol, for 43 bucks can't really say no to the k&n setup.

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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: Nathcarr91 on May 31, 2016, 04:26:48 PM
As kinda mentioned above definetly change the sprockets if your doing chain, because personally I think it should be done as a set rather than individual I used a renthal chain on mind and a supersproc sprockets was brilliant set up. Valve clearances to check because there bad for slackening off. Oil and filter, plugs, I would do the brake fluid I do my every year out of habit because I always used my bikes as a daily but done mine in the winter months. New pads in, and if I'm being honest I wouldn't bother with the k&n lunchbox filter just because of the whole rejetting just keep the air box in and use a k&n replacement filter for the air box, if your at the stage of the air box being off may aswell pop the carbs off and clean the bowls out , but that's just me i would do all of this as piece of mind and then just check it all at its regular intervals if that makes sense maybe overkill but least you would know it's all been done 😊


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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: smokestack on May 31, 2016, 04:47:47 PM
You won't know which shims you'll need (if any) until you check the clearances but a local mechanic or dealership might have one to give you.
Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: Slack on May 31, 2016, 07:00:46 PM
Do the fork oil too.
It's probably 11 years old!
Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: G.Rossman on May 31, 2016, 07:33:06 PM
Anyone running a "superbrace"?  It's a new brace for the forks, ran across it online.  Curious if anyone has tried one.

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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: Janx101 on June 01, 2016, 05:01:00 AM
Shiny new thick fork braces (some with the Suzuki S stamped in there) are available from a few members on this forum!
Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: G.Rossman on June 02, 2016, 07:50:36 AM
Looks like the user brace needs a few more people to get a batch made.  I'm not sure if it would even make a difference. 

I called about having a shop check my valve shim clearances and they wanted 250 just in labor to check them.  So I'm doing them myself for sure. 

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Title: Re: New to me 2005
Post by: ShowBizWolf on June 02, 2016, 01:08:31 PM
That superbrace looks neat!!! Idk if it would do better than the ones sold here or not... maybe...!!

There are two people on this forum (that I know of) selling the custom GS fork brace. Last I saw, reload's thread was gathering interest for a new batch...

I got mine from Chuck81 a while back because I was too impatient to wait lol... here's the link to his thread if you wanted to check it out:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=70056.0

I love the brace I got and I remember seeing other people comment and say they do make a difference  :cool: