Hey all,

I purchased a 2004 GS500f recently, and just passed the MSF a week ago.  I've been lurking on the site for a couple weeks, but needed to ask a question, so here's my intro as well.

I learned about T-CLOCs in my MSF, but they didn't really elaborate much on what exactly to look for.  I know what to look for when it comes to oil and tires, but when I'm looking at the chain what do I want to make sure of?  What type of condition would the chain be in that I would say "it would be a bad idea to ride like this"?

I was also trying to find a Haynes or Clymer's type of manual for the bike, but both publisher's only make a manual up to 2002, that I was able to find.  Does anyone know of a Haynes-esque manual for the 2004 GS500?

Thanks!
Joe

There's not a lot to check when looking at the chain, but you could inspect:

• Have you Oiled your Chain Lately?  If the chain looks dirty or dusty, it can probably use a bit of TLC with some Gear Oil or Chain Lube.
  
• Amount of Slack.  Should be about 3/4" (2 cm) up and down movement.  If it's well over 1" (2.5 cm) there's the risk of jumping a tooth in a bump or sharp engine braking.  Adjustment is a 15 minute job with the right tools.
  
• Shape of Teeth on Rear Sprocket.  If Shark-Fin'ed it's time to replace.
  

Not a lot to check, but still worth a look.

hey there, the only difference post 2001 is the carbs so a old haynes manual is fine
here is a downloadable suzuki manual
http://s2.gimehost.com/v/5184296/S_500_E_1989_1999_Repair_Manual.pdf.html
its one i put on the hosting site a while back, ill put a haynes one on there soon, but still havn't finished that one yet, that one will tell you most things you need to know
have fun on the gs

Chain slack should be between .8 and 1.2 inches when warm, as in after a ride (10minutes).  I found my chain to be as much as a half inch tighter when warm.

Quote from: hmmmnz on May 26, 2006, 08:23:11 AM
hey there, the only difference post 2001 is the carbs so a old haynes manual is fine
here is a downloadable suzuki manual
http://s2.gimehost.com/v/5184296/S_500_E_1989_1999_Repair_Manual.pdf.html
its one i put on the hosting site a while back, ill put a haynes one on there soon, but still havn't finished that one yet, that one will tell you most things you need to know
have fun on the gs

That DL link expired / reached max downloads. 

Good to always check your tire pressure too.

I bought the Clymer manual but found that there are more differences for a 2004F than people think.  I think it's the best you can do though, unless you buy the shop manual from Suzuki.

Quote from: scratch on May 26, 2006, 08:38:32 AM
Chain slack should be between .8 and 1.2 inches when warm, as in after a ride (10minutes).  I found my chain to be as much as a half inch tighter when warm.

This is something I've been wondering about, and after perusing lots of articles on GStwin I'm still a little clueless.  A lot of threads warn against the chain being too tight, but no one really addresses it being too loose.  Case in point: my chain had 1.2" slack measured while on the side stand, but it became super tight + noisy with someone with me on the bike.  I twiddled with the tension until there was juuuust a little slack at the point of maximum tightness.  When on the side stand it now has about 1.8" of slack, and is totally silent coasting with or without the extra passenger.  Is there a way to tell definitively if it's dangerously loose?

Thanks for the help all.  Guess I'll pick up the Clymer's then.  Oh, and I am definitely enjoying the bike