Hello all,

I bought an '04 GS500 yesterday with 600 miles on it (660 today  ).  It's my first bike.

After riding around yesterday, I noticed the chain was VERY loose.  I read the manual and a few "chain adjustment" posts on this forum and went out to adjust the chain.  The left 'backing plate' (is that what it's called?) on the swing arm is bent.    The plate on the right is fine.  I guess the previous owner or a shop bent it when adjusting the chain.  Will I need to replace this plate?  I was able to adjust the chain for more tension.  I also noticed a rattling sound that existed with the loose chain is now gone.

Where can I get a new plate?  How much is it going to cost?

Thanks!

Check the 2004 listings on the Parts Catalogs page.  (Look under REAR WHEEL.)

For example, MrCycles has the part for $1.32, but then you need to add shipping (both cost and TIME).

If you have a nearby dealer, go to the parts counter and order the part.  If they're like my local shop, you will need to prepay and leave your name and number.  When the part comes in (usually within a week, with their regular shipment) they give you a call, and you pick it up.  No shipping charges!

PS - Always price a part (and even write down the Suzuki part number) BEFORE you go to the dealer.  That way you can walk back out if the price is too high.

don't worry about it, it's fine.  what happens is when the axle isn't tourked properly the chain pulls against the 12 mm nuts and bends those plates, you need to have it taken it and re tourked, then slap the service guys around for trying to kill you..  (seriously)  the adjuster plates are just for holdign the tention of the chain and aligining the tire, not for stressed members.  if it really bothers you, go replace it because if you don't have confedence in your machine you won't have confedence in your riding abilitys, which will cause you to crash.  and hey, it's like a $5 part. 

After searching I found a few posts where people just hammered the plates flat again.  Is that unsafe?

I'm not sure if it was a shop that did this or the previous owner.  The bike only has 600 miles on it... so it may have never been serviced.

The axel nut was surprising loose (definitely not the 50 ft/lbs that is recommended).  So I guess it's like you said...

I'll probably have an allignment done because I don't know how mis-alligned the rear wheel is now.

dont sweat it; it's no big deal. the same thing happened to me.
I just took the left plate off and hammered it flat. then, to keep it from happening again I hammered in the outside of the swingarm (only slightly); then took my wratchet and stuck it through the rim, only to use as an extension, and hammered in the other side slightly as well. this should work, I have had no problems since.

You need to check also the threads on the adjusters havent been stretched or stripped. If they have distorted the plates they have been subject to a lot of force and may well have been damaged at the same time. Take the nut off and then the plate, you should be able to run the nut along the full lenght of the thread smoothly and without it becoming tight.

Quote from: sledge on June 05, 2006, 05:09:05 AM
You need to check also the threads on the adjusters havent been stretched or stripped. If they have distorted the plates they have been subject to a lot of force and may well have been damaged at the same time. Take the nut off and then the plate, you should be able to run the nut along the full lenght of the thread smoothly and without it becoming tight.

if I leave the axel nut torqued and remove the adjustment nut and backing plate... will the rear wheel stay alligned? 

I am going to attempt to take that backing plate off tonight and press/hammer it flat.

If the axle nut is tight its ok to remove the nuts and plates, but dont ride the bike without them them fitted.