Hi folks,

I just bought a 2003 GS500 as my first bike and I must say, it's a very sweet machine!

I've already put on around 300km in 4 days and the odo reads close to 4k. I want to be able to inspect the bike myself so I was wondering ...

I removed the seat and tried to inspect the battery "liquid level" ... but I had no luck.  I can barely see sort of liquid, it's all white! I want to remove the battery to inspect it properly -- I see the two battery terminals .. but I'm a little scared of just pulling them out as supposedly they can generate a lot of current. I see a terminal covered with red plastic and a "naked terminal" with a screw on it. How do I remove the battery? Do I just unscrew the terminal and pull the red cover off the other? Again, I'm a newbie and a little scared of getting shocked (happens to me too many times). On that note, what is a good service manual to buy? Everything out there seems to be 19xx-2002 GS500. Does it make sense to just buy one of these manuals as most of the stuff will probably apply to the 2003 model anyway?

Please excuse me for I know all this sounds really fundamental but I haven't worked with bikes/cars before.

Thanks,
Thakur

The red cover just covers the bolt for the positive side of battery. Take the negative side bolt off then the postive and just pull out the battery.
I don't really think there is much risk of electric shock anyway.

There is no shock hazard from a 12 V battery.  Electrical safety standards generally require labels and/or protection for circuits above 48 V.

The high current capability of a starter battery does require healthy respect.  If you happen to short between the positive terminal and the ground (or grounded bike frame) things can get pretty exciting.  The recommended procedure is to remove the negative terminal cable first, thus getting rid of the possibility of shorting your wrench to the frame when removing the positive terminal second.  You reverse the procedure when installing a battery, cable positive terminal first then negative terminal.  This procedure holds for all negative ground vehicles, which is to say virtually all modern cars and bikes.

Quote from: thakurOn that note, what is a good service manual to buy? Everything out there seems to be 19xx-2002 GS500. Does it make sense to just buy one of these manuals as most of the stuff will probably apply to the 2003 model anyway?

The 03 was not made in the US, hence the reason that they stop at 02. 89-00 basically the same. Body work change in 01-02(03). No major changes until 04, engine electrics and full fairings.

Quote from: thakur... I want to be able to inspect the bike myself so I was wondering ...On that note, what is a good service manual to buy?

Buy the latest Haynes for the GS500. I think it is the best buy for the rider-would-be-home-mechanic. Besides, the color pictures and diagrams, the Haynes manual provides a great section on techniques used in home repair.

You won't get shocked by the 12 VDC battery, but you can do some serious damage to your wiring or chassis if you accidently contact the + (red) lead to the chassis. BE CAREFUL, but not afraid.

Quote from: starwaltBuy the latest Haynes for the GS500. I think it is the best buy for the rider-would-be-home-mechanic.

Ahhh.  A kindred voice crying in the wilderness....  

Let the truth be known...Doug just likes it for the color pictures.  

thakur, if all this talk of electric shock makes you nervous, try checking the battery fluid after dark.

I'm serious!  Shining a flashlight through the plastic battery body (from the back or the side) can help you see the fluid level a lot easier.