Hey, I'm brand new here. I'm also new to bikes and working on them. I'm just a little overwhelmed with what to do first with this thing, given my inexperience.

I have recently acquired a 96 GS500 'fixer upper' for really cheap.  It has several problems.  I'm just going to assume that it hasn't been taken care of at all, so I need to perform a full maintenance schedule on it.  Also, when the bike is started, it leaks gas from somewhere under the gas tank towards the front of the bike.  My friend said the floats/bowl were screwed up, or maybe it was a bad gasket somewhere in there.

Lastly, the rear caliper can clamp, but it doesn't release very well.  I was going to try and rebuild the caliper, but my friend said not to mess with brakes and to just buy a new one.  It doesn't look like finding parts for this thing is cheap or easy, though.  It also needs new pads.  I wasn't kidding around when I said this thing was a fixer upper.

Any thoughts on what to take care of first?  I have a Clymer's manual, so at least I'm not completely screwed.  I read the wiki and I think it's best to perform the 7500 mile maintenance listed there, or maybe a maintenance program from the manual if there's one in there.  I need help on what easier stuff to do first to get myself a little experienced with taking things apart and putting them back together without screwing it all up (zero mechanic experience).

Also, where do you guys like to get your parts?  I think the rear pad has been completely worn off and the metal piece has been biting into my rotor. Those are really expensive, almost as much as I paid for the bike. Anyone have any ideas?

Ok. First, leaking gas is probably leaking float bowls, like your friend said. Go to bikebandit.com or ronayers.com or partsnmore.com and get a carb rebuild kit. (Get 2, since you have 2 carbs). The carbs are an easy job, plenty of information available here. Basically, pull the tank off (2 bolts), take the airbox out (2 bolts), loosen the intake clamps (2 screws), and label/pull the 3 or 4 hoses there. (MAKE SURE TO LABEL THEM FIRST ) Carbs are easy, and we can walk you through it. I recommend getting a clymer's manual, it'll help a lot. Ok, at least a little bit.

2nd, the brake caliper/pads can be had for cheap on ebay. Pretty sure I saw one on there last night, I'll look again.

While you're tearing into the carbs, you might as well rejet for better performance. Do a search for "rejet + 96", you'll find all you need to know about that, and again, we can walk you through it.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the bike. Where you located? There might be someone on here who can help you in person.

Brake pads

Caliper

Although, to be honest, that caliper looks horrible, I'll keep my eyes out for a better one. You could also try posting in the wtb/wts forum.

There's even a couple sets of carbs on ebay, but they're overpriced, IMHO.

Caliper from an '05, including pads

I'd say take a look at THAT one. $10, no reserve.

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on January 28, 2007, 08:46:47 PM
Caliper from an '05, including pads

I'd say take a look at THAT one. $10, no reserve.

Hey thanks for finding that for me man. So you think I should buy that one and just replace the whole thing instead of trying to rebuild the caliper I have?

Depends on what the price gets up to.. But for $10... I think it'd be worth it just to get the new one and be done with it. I haven't checked, but I'm sure a caliper rebuild kit costs more than that, and when you factor in your own time.. well, I think it'd be quicker to swap the whole thing than to try to rebuild the old one. Just my $.02 though. Wait until tomorrow when the gurus chime in.