Jesus, I cant believe it.  I just bought a 04 GS500F over the winter.  Took the Honda course and have driven it 5 times.  Decided to get a couple of spots on the edge of the fairing touched up, since I'm so anal about things looking nice.  Four and a half weeks later, I get the call Friday it is done.  Went yesterday and, well, my whole front end (ie, fairing, everything up front around the light, etc) is off yellow, not the same color yellow, it is actually a bit orange.  Does it match the bike?  No.  I also need to mention that he cut my side decal on the fairing on both sides so its kind of curved, not sure what he was thinking there. 

He agrees that it does not match and is very understanding about the situation.  I have options he has offered.
1) repaint the thing and hope it matches
2) discount my bill ($400)

the last option was what I suggested
3) I mentioned that he paint my tank and rear part at the end of the season for free to match the front

Does anyone know a code, source for paint, or color of the 04 yellow GS500F?  Also, sources for GS500F factory or factory lookalike decals? 

I have been beating myself up about this for a day now.  Trust me, I'm upset about this. 

on www.colorrite.com they say the code is Y9H

Thanks!  That is awesome!  Is it possible they have aftermarket factory look alike decals out there?  I think he said factory cost $400 per side?  Sounded high, but thought I'd ask. 

Would you (if you were me) have him repaint the front or just go with the remaining paint and do the rest of the bike?  It is just off, I know I am harsh, but it is leaning toward orange, although if you look at it from 10ft you cant see it.  Standing right there it is obvious.

Hrmm... got any pics of the bike, as it is now? That might help in a decision.

http://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=736

From here you should be able to get both sides, stikers and  fairing for around $400, or just the stickers for $100.

Holy crap thanks for the link.  Figures, I could have touched it up and it would have cost about $20.  I will snap a photo today and try to post.  I believe I am going to order the new painted parts and go from there.  As for the painter, I'm going to see what he'll settle for.....

Alright, I snapped photos at different distances.  Can someone tell me how to upload or post pictures? 

BTW, I spoke wtih the painter again this am and he agreed it did not match and said he would repaint to make it right.  I really appreciated that and it made me feel pretty good.  I'm ordering the new decals tonite from that link that you posted...you'll see what I'm talking about when I post the pictures. 

I should add I rode it today and does a GS500F normally run wierd in 35 degree weather?  It kind of bogged at the beginning and I'm not sure if it is normal to run a bike with the choke. 

Also have a serious question about the clutch function.  I can downshift by just tapping the lever down, clutch does not have to be engaged at all.  Clutch has to be engaged to shift up, but again, a tap or pressure on top will downshift it.  Is this normal?  It seems kind of dangerous....I can do that all the way down to 1st gear. 

Thanks again....This board is great! 

How much did you pay for this bike? I don't want to get you any more pissed off, but it sounds like there are a few problems you need to look at. I hope you got a good deal on it.

http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc046382qi.jpg



http://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc046396nw.jpg



http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc046406hb.jpg

Try those.  I posted the jpg link and also the other from imageshack I just uploaded......you can click on the pictures that actually show on this forum and it will make them bigger, the last one the decal mod is very visible, but I just ordered new decals today.

I paid $2800 for the bike w 1100ish miles on it.  The only problems I have right now (being repainted, so that is being taken care of) is the downshifting thing (which is not normal, right? 

I also have a problem with the front fender being not exactly straight, the handlebars being off center when I'm driving straight.  I might snap a photo of that, but I'm not sure what that is.....it doesnt look like the bars are bent, so how could they be "off" like a bicycle that has the handlebars off a bit?  Suggestions?

Looks fine to me, it has a 2-tone yellow look.  Leave it alone and go ride!  You're getting wrapped around the axle about something totally insignificant.  Get your money back though.   

Bars not straight:  Either you're not sitting straight on the bike, the handlebars are bent from a drop, or the forks aren't in line.  Check the fork brace to see that it's tight and everything is in alignment, that's the usual culprit.  Also check the bar ends for abrasion.  That's a sure sign it's been dropped.

Being able to shift down without touching the clutch is normal.  Just part of how a motorcycle transmission works.  With a little practice you will be able to shift up too.  Not that I suggest it.

Re:  Bogging when cold.  You probably aren't allowing it to warm up long enough.  Plus, it will bog with the choke all the way out.

Quote from: middlem2 on March 28, 2006, 08:30:00 AM
I paid $2800 for the bike w 1100ish miles on it.  The only problems I have right now (being repainted, so that is being taken care of) is the downshifting thing (which is not normal, right? 

I also have a problem with the front fender being not exactly straight, the handlebars being off center when I'm driving straight.  I might snap a photo of that, but I'm not sure what that is.....it doesnt look like the bars are bent, so how could they be "off" like a bicycle that has the handlebars off a bit?  Suggestions?

One quick and easy way of making the front fender and handlebars crooked is wrecking the bike.

I don't know anything about this bike per se, but based on the price and certain characteristics I have to wonder if it has been down. $2800 for a 2004 with 1100 miles is low- really low. There are 99s going for more than that.

I dunno, just trying to help figure it out.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure that being able to so easily DOWNshift isn't normal. If you can match revs, you can do clutchless UPshifts. As far as I know, you want to avoid clutchless downshifting unless you're a really good rider.

Dave

Yeah, I dont like it one bit.  Found out by accident, just getting ready to downshift and my foot just barely touched it and down it went.  Goes all the way to 1st like that, and I know I dont want to hit first gear while moving! 

Is there any fix to straightening the bars w the wheel other than going to a dealer?  And does anyone have a ballpark on what a dealer would charge for an "allignment"?

I should add, the guy I bought it from said it had been down in gravel....hence the minor damage to the fairing, which really wasnt that bad, but still needed fixing. 

Man, I still have wonder how bad the damage REALLY was. Not that this guy's a liar, but he may not have totally disclosed the extent of the crash. Of your bars are crooked, the gear shifter is jacked, and the fairings are scraped up...that's a good indication it may have taken a serious spill on its left side. Was the damage to the fairings worse on that side (left if you're sitting on it and faced forward)?

I don't know man, I hope I'm just being paranoid. But like I said, the problems, along with the really low price, kinda give it away...

Dave

Yes, but it wasnt really that bad looking.  I'm not sure if the shifter is a replacement, but there is no damage to any other part of the bike, other than what the fairing showed.  I'm open to suggestions, is there such a thing as an "allignment" for the bars/steering column?  If it requires the clutch to be in for upshift, why wouldnt it be the same for downshift?  Obviously, I have this bike now and I planned on keeping it for the near future.  If that requires taking it to a dealership, well, I guess I can, unless there are any other suggestions....

Yes, I should have just bought that one from the dealership about 4 hours away.....2005 GS500F black/silver, new, 0 miles, $4000.

GeeP I missed your post earlier.  Thanks for the advice.  I will check the forks and fork brace out and let you guys know.  I'm not a mechanic, but in an attempt to save a little money I'll give it a look.

Update:

I took it to my local Suzuki dealers service dept and had it looked at today about 1/2 an hour ago.  Hey, its 45 degrees here, so its time to get it out more.

Service rep looked at it, said it may have slightly bent forks, only way to know is to take the front off and take a look at it.  May have to put forks on something to see if they're bent.  He didnt check brackets or whatnot, but he did stand in front of it, put the wheel between his legs and grabbed the bars and tugged on it, I think to see if he could move it?  Not sure what that was.  Anyway, diagnosis is that it is ok to ride if I dont mind it slightly being off (bars that is) otherwise, should be ok. 

I asked about the downshifting thing.  He said that was normal, if you are not on the gas, same with upshifting, as long as youre not on the gas.  If you dont get on the gas after doing either though, he said it is hard on the tranny.  Hmm, learned something there. 

So it sounds like my only small (or big) problem is the steering wheel (handlebars) being slightly off.  Man, I must look like a noobie to you guys.  Well, I am!  Now where to you put the windshield washer fluid on this thing?

There's a black cap down on the engine by your right foot for the washer fluid. It says something about "10W-40", which I think is how many cycles of washings that amount does. Fill that up and hit the road!

Yeah, you should be able to clutchless DOWNSHIFT as well as clutchless UPSHIFT (powershift) if you match revs. Kinda takes some practice to get it down right, but once you do, it makes shift times next to nothing. As for the washer fluid, I usually just fill mine (10W40 cap) with a mixture of muddy water and Windex!!! LMAO!

I know most of the guys wouldn't care, but that yellow not matching would really bug me.  I'd look at it as a chance to paint the whole bike a new cool.  Are you in love with yellow?  Maybe a red gs instead? or silver, or kawasaki green... ok maybe not that.

Why would you want to paint anything you will be driving at a higher rate of speed that normal a shade of "Write Me A Ticket Red"? The small size of motorcycles makes them appear to be traveling faster than cars/trucks, coupled with running lights is already a bad equation for instant spotting by the 5-0. Painting it "Write Me A Ticket Red" is just begging to be singled out, pulled over, and ticketed. Solid Silver with just red rear GS500E or GS500F decals would look orgasmic IMO!