I found the forum about 3 weeks ago.  I was in the market for a new cycle & was looking for either a SV or GS.  Well, I found an 89 GS500 on Craigslist for $1000, so I jumped on it!  I purchased it from a lady who was giving up riding.  The bike has 14,000 miles on it & brand new tires.  Since I found the site, I immediately went into the bike, doing regular maintenance.  Changed the oil, new plugs, then I took after the carb jetting.  As I pull out the airbox, I find a K&N already installed.  Get the carbs out & someone has already put cap screws in, stainless even.  I purchased some jets & washers in anticipation of re-jetting.  Well, the thing had already been re-jetted to the specs on the WIKI site.  Nice!  I did have to add the washers under the needle.  Cleaned it all up, not that there was anything dirty, put it back & went for a ride.  Very nice!

The bike does not have the 89 clip ons, but I don't care, I'm 42 & don't want to lean over so much to ride anyway.  I need a new clutch cable & a turn signal switch.  Mine sticks.  Minor issues for a $1000 bike!

As for me, I've been into cars since I was 15.  I still have the 66 Mustang GT fastback I bought in 1984.  Rebuilt, ground up, with an EFI 5.0, 5 speed, and 8.8" rear.  Engine is modified & runs nicely.  I am finishing up a 32 Ford Sedan altered on a funny car style chassis.  This one is 850 HP & designed to run in the 8's.  Shop is set up nicely, I do most of my own work.

This is my second bike, well actually my 3rd if you count the scooter I had 20 years ago, my first was a Yamaha TW200, I am transferring it to my wife to learn on, while I expand my skills on the GS500.

This is a great site, I've learned a bunch about my new bike already & hope to learn more!

Once I get some pics & such, I'll offer up the jets I purchased & hopefully, I can score a choke cable & turn signal switch.  Not sure yet if I need the whole pod, or if the switch comes out.  The bike was lowered, so I need to correct that flaw.  It is a bit low for me, but I'll deal with it until I can score a stock shock link.

That's about it!  I'm having a great mother's day working in the garage!

John.

cars and bikes just go together. throw in some beer and boobs..........     

 Welcome to the forum   You found a great community of people here   And a great bike.

sorry, did i forget to say welcome? yes, welcome.....congrats....     

Thanks guys!  Beer & boobs sound great...  No beer while riding though, I'll wait until the end of the day...

I screwed up today though.  My wife took the MSF a couple of weeks ago, hasn't taken her written yet, but we rode around the block a few times together, we're in the country.  At first, she took out my TW200, I hopped on the GS...  Well, after we got home, she asked to try the GS.  Damned if she didn't come home & say it rode better, smoother, shifted better, more power, better brakes.  I think I screwed myself out of my new bike...

"No, honey, you need to ride the TDub for 6 months before I let you ride this again..."   

your turn signal switch sticks? it's real easy to fix. you seemed mechanically inclined to you can disassemble the piece pretty easily and give it a good scrub down with a light sand down and use a little dielectric grease on the roller/switch. you can also spray a bit of wd-40 and switch it back and fourth quickly a couple times... works perfectly

its just a bunch of grim/a bit of corrotion/spiderwebs from it's age