Well me and my dad installed my springs and pads this weekend. He did most of the work ofcourse.

Things I've (he) noticed:

-Howcome in order to get the fender off you need to unscrew it from the fork clamp? This was a big PITA with the fairing in the way.

-Anyone notice how the torque on most of the bolts are stated at 10-15lb range. Like torque anywhere from 20-35 lbs. What's with that?

-Also I know it's kind of the economy cheap bike but it seems like they've done a lot of things really cheap and didnt put much thought into it.

-My dad also said the forks are like vintage 1960s. They don't even have a drain plug on the bottom.

-I have an 04 and I have the 89-03 clymer. It says there aren't springs in the front caliper but mine had springs. Is this normal for 04's.

-What's with those stock springs??!!??! The spacers are almost as big as the springs. hehe. My dad laughed at that.

-They really don't oil up and lube much of anything on these bikes. The normal fork oil was so dark and dirty and my bike is still new. My dad already took apart the rear end and lubed everything up and we lubed up the whole front end. Everything is going to be so smooth. We torqued everything to specs too. He didn't trust them doing that properly.

Also is it ok for the new front pads to be scraping slightly? My dad says its normal and will go away with the break in of the pads. I'm a little scared about this one though. I trust him because he definately knows what he's doing.

I havn't ridden it yet to try out the brakes or see how it feels with the suspension because of bad weather but hopefully tuesday the rain will clear up. I'll let you guys in on how it goes.

Well I'm lucky to have a dad that knows what hes doing mechanically on bikes. I would be lost doing this myself. He raced dirtbikes his whole life and had to do all the work himself. He says the forks on the GS are just like the forks form his 1970s Suzuki dirtbikes. Thanks Dad!!

he's right though.  Think about it... the GS started in 89.... your 04 isn't that much different.... electrical and carb differences.. that's it.

i.e. your bike was built from the 'parts bin' at suzuki in 1989.  so yeah... lots of 70's and 80's tech in there....  doesn't make it a bad bike though..  just dated.  I really don't let stuff like that bother me...  It makes me smile when I ride it, and that's what is important

Quote from: cheesyelectrical and carb differences.. that's it.

Dont forget the oil cooler, which I think doesn't really do anything.

I havn't overheated yet on the hottest summer days so I guess it's doing something.

When people rag on 70's technology it reminds me of the old Warren Miller ski movies from way back when.  The guys were doing tricks and aerials at least as impressive as what kids are doing today on half pipes.  Just goes to show that the latest in technology isn't going to help you a damn bit if you don't have any talent.  I worked in a ski shop in Park City, UT and we'd get these high rollers that come in and want the best of the best just because it costs the most then you see them on the mountain rocking the snow plow.  

Yeah, nothing wrong with '70's technology.  For instance, the GS450 came with drain screws on its fork legs, full length fork springs, dual exhausts, and it didn't come with a stupid circlip to retain the front sprocket.  At 5000.00 it's not particularly cheap and the pennies they save on cost cutting can't possibly be worth the stain on their reputation as a manufacturer of quality motor vehicles.  The GS500 is a better bike than its '70's counterpart but not by much.  

What a great dad.

You're a lucky kid. My dad spent most of my youth away drinking. Give yours a pat on the back for me.  

i love lamp.
:lol:
-ash