Hi Guys,
I have had my gs for about 1600kms. At about 500 I started getting a knocking which from what I have read seems to be a common problem with the gs500 in the last few years. Something to do with a shim washer and cam play.. ? .   I mentioned it at the 1000 service and the diagnosis was...  ' yeah,... its part of the character of the bike.... a friend of mine has ridden one of these for years with that noise.... "

The reason I bring it up is that some time ago I think someone posted a sound file of the offending noise. Which I would like to hear to see if it's the same noise.
If someone could point me in the right direction to find this file I would really appreciate it.

Alternatively I could record it for you guys to have a listen? First one to pick it gets a prize! 

Cheers
Jim

Is the knocking constant?  I have a 2004, and I only hear the knocking every once in a while.

I had the same problem on my 2004f. The mechanic told me the same thing after I got mine serviced for the first time too. A month after that though, it went away  - so I don't hear it anymore.

Well it started as a knocking, it's now more of a constant ticking when the bike is hot.
I got really frustrated and rode out of town to another Suzuki dealer today. They had a listen and think it's defiantly something... probably value seating/clearance. The Knocking noise that I thought it might have been, the mechanic explained was play in the cam that should have been fixed on bikes later than mid 2005.
So...  I think there's nothing left to do but complain a little harder to the dealer.

I don't understand why the dealer wouldn't want to try and fix the noise (and therefore get paid more) at the first service?

cheers
Jim

Once you don't hear the valves ticking you have to start worrying. It's normal to hear that, especially when hot.

It's a question of how much, though. Too much valve clearance will result in excessive valve ticking. That's not a common problem on a new bike, though.

Sounds like your valves might need adjusting.