Howdy, all.

New member here.. I'm from Hampshire, England, currently in Lincolnshire.

I bought me a '98 GS500 a few months ago, atlhough for various reasons I've used it little since then. Now that I want to, I'm finding that it's not running great. It will often cut out unless the choke is on, even after a long run, and the rev gauge will vary quite a lot even when idling. Is this normal? Is there an easy fix? I'm a novice mechanically but will have a crack at the basics.

Also, I'm replacing the tank and respraying: 1, is there anything particular I need to do when connecting the new tank, to make sure it runs right? 2, I'm thinking of going for plain black paint, but would like to consider more imaginative colour schemes. Are there any good galleries of such images?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Ahhh ... 'ampshire.  Where 'urricanes 'ardly hever 'appen!   

Welcome! 

Quote from: Villager on February 11, 2008, 12:51:02 PMI bought me a '98 GS500 a few months ago, atlhough for various reasons I've used it little since then. Now that I want to, I'm finding that it's not running great.

Is this a change?  (Did it run better when you first got it?)  If the answer is "Yes", and nothing has changed except that the bike has sat motionless for some months ... my guess would be that the old fuel has started turning to "varnish" and is beginning to gum up the works.

The first thing to try (after replacing the old fuel with new) is a fuel additive that will help to clean out the carburetors and lines.  If that doesn't help, you may need to do a bit of manual carburetor cleaning.

I'll let others address the tank painting questions....

Aha, you know these parts, then?

The bike ran a *bit* better when I first got it, but the same symptom was there to a slightly lesser degree perhaps.

What kind of fuel additive are we talking about? Something like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_170703_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_58758_crumb__parentcategoryrn_58758 ?

I'll give that a go and see what happens. Manual cleaning sounds like rather more of an ordeal...

welcome to the board...how about some pictures of your new bike my friend and congrats on getting a gs

Quote from: Villager on February 11, 2008, 01:10:45 PMAha, you know these parts, then?

Only by reputation, thanks to Rex and Audrey.    Although ... I must have flown over on the approach to Gatwick, en route to Dover in Fall '06.

Quote from: Villager on February 11, 2008, 01:10:45 PMWhat kind of fuel additive are we talking about? Something like this:  [link]?

Yep, that's the stuff.  Not always effective, but inexpensive enough that it's worth a try.  We can always go down the "other" road later.  The instructions on the bottle for this kind of additive usually say to pour the entire contents in, no matter what size fuel tank you have.  THEN you read that it can treat up to 20 gallons (or some such).  Hmmm.

It's up to you, but I would probably use no more than half a bottle at a time.  I would think that replacing a significant percentage of your fuel with additive could result in other symptoms. 

Hey dude, Another brit!

Theres a few of us going now ,

Im sure ull wanna mod the hell outta it when u look at some of the GS's on here!

This is the bike as it is. There is a sizeable dent in the fuel tank, which is the prompt for me to respray. I also fancy a colour change. Hopefully I will more than recoup the respray costs if I resell. I got the bike from my instructor when I took my test. £600, 17k on the clock.





Dent:



There is a heavily rusted patch at the rear (don't know what it's called). I think it still has structural integrity, but do I need to worry if it deteriorates further? What are the holes for?

The holes (two of them, at least) are for the passenger grab handle, that is missing on your bike.

my friend you need to replace or reinforce that before you ride it too much.  it is part of the frame structure.  bike frames are meant to bend a bit and that could snap.  i don't honestly know what would happen.  i doubt if it were anything catastrophic but i would not be knee dragging or anthing other than quick trips. 

Doh! Wish I hadn't asked now. What do you suggest - a rod welded across? Surely replacement would mean replacing the whole frame - there doesn't seem to be a detachable section back there?

Maybe I should invest in another one for spares.....

just get a little plate under there or something like that.  just don't take passenders or ride hard and hopefully all is well

Technically, that grab bar plate is part of the subframe, which serves to support the plastics, the riders, and sundry stuff like the battery, electrics, airbox, rear brake fluid reservoir, etc.  Here's a look at Krusse's (modified) subframe, to give you an idea:



If we didn't have to sit on the bike, or have someplace to hang sundry articles, the subframe would be superfluous. 

But I agree about not getting too crazy, especially with a passenger. 

I could have sworn that someone around here welded in a replacement for that plate.  Hmmmm.

Hrm. I don't go crazy (I save that for the when I'm strapped into a big metal box - the car) but I do occasionally like to take a passenger (wife) so I'll have to get that sorted. My dad used to be a welder so that shouldn't be a problem. Except that he lives 200 miles away...

When I've welded that tight I'll respray the frame too. I'm planning on using primer + paint + petrol resistant lacquer. Do I need to use a separate anti-rust layer or will my planned trifecta suffice?

Welcome to the board! I hope you get the issues with the bike sorted out. I'm sure that your welder-dad will be of great help now and in the future! 

nice gs man 

I'm hoping it will be soon!

Would it be worthwhile taking step-by-step pictures for a how-to-repaint, or is that likely to be beneath even most novices' needs?

I cleaned up the rust and it seems that the structural rode is indeed sound; it's just the grabrail plate that is attached that is rotten. I'll still get it welded next time I visit my parents, but I'll not lose sleep over it:

step by step would be cool.  I like the red though

I like the red too but I don't know if I would have had the motivation to do a whole respray just to return to the original colour. It feels like quite a nice way to personalise the bike. My choice of colour, decals etc.

Quote from: Villager on February 15, 2008, 05:42:31 PM
I like the red too but I don't know if I would have had the motivation to do a whole respray just to return to the original colour. It feels like quite a nice way to personalise the bike. My choice of colour, decals etc.

true ,   what color do u have in mind?