Well, I just bought my first manual bike today. It's a 1990 GS500 with 17K miles. It has a K&N air filter, Vance & Hines Exhaust, and  rejetted carbs.
The oil and valve adjustments were done recently. I learned how to drive in less than an hour.

I took it for about a 25 mile ride, and about 10 of those miles were on the freeway. This bike hauls ass compared to my last 250 scoot. Due to its power, It feels a lot safer on the freeways.

It's silver and red, but I'm planing on going with the "Streetfighter" look. I'm going to spray paint it semi gloss black or flat black, and I'm planning on installing Dominator headlights in the near future.

Should I go with Flat black or Semi Gloss black? I'll take some pics of it tomorrow.

I was driving on the street today and the bike turned off out of nowhere. I pulled over would start it, but it would turn back off, so I called the guy that sold it to me. He said that there's a lever with that says fuel and reserve. He told me to put it on reserve, and it started up fine. Are they all like this? Is there anyway to install a fuel gauge?

No way to install a fuel gauge without a headache. You'll soon learn to gauge how much gas you have based on the mileage on the tripometer. Practice switching that lever from "ON" to "RES" when you are parked while on the bike, that way you can do that maneuver at speed if you do hit reserve.

Quote from: Archangel1183 on July 26, 2009, 09:39:46 PM
Should I go with Flat black or Semi Gloss black

My personal opinion? Flat black>all. Best color ever invented. I have had mine in both guises, and dearly love it flat. For comparison---

Gloss, when I first got it back in January--


And flat, done last night because I was bored---


So it's just a matter of personal opinion. Everyone that has commented on the flat black either loves it or hates it.

Quote from: Alphamazing on July 26, 2009, 10:26:48 PM
No way to install a fuel gauge without a headache. You'll soon learn to gauge how much gas you have based on the mileage on the tripometer. Practice switching that lever from "ON" to "RES" when you are parked while on the bike, that way you can do that maneuver at speed if you do hit reserve.

Thanks Alpha, I'll keep an eye out on the tripometer.

Redhen, yeah you're right. Flat black is way better. How do you think it would look in flat black with a gun smoke gray frame?

My favorite GS500 color is teal, but that would only look good if it was original, or professionally painted. I don't know who's bike this is, but I found it on google. I love how it looks with the dark gray frame.

my digicam is out of batteries, otherwise id post a pic of my bike.. my frame is powdercoated black, and my engine is black, my fairing is black, and my tank is black, so I personally reccommend FLAT BLACK EVERYTHING.
it just feels evil

Quote from: Dr.Sparkie on July 26, 2009, 10:54:33 PM
FLAT BLACK EVERYTHING.
it just feels evil

+1  

I even redid my stator cover to match -- the dr. pepper logo had gotten all faded and junk so it got the purple monster logo.

Please oh Please tell me you didn't say  "I learned how to drive in less than an hour." Because I've never driven a bike! Please get thee to a MSF course before you kill youself!

Welcome to the board    What gear are you sporting?

Mary

Well first of all, welcome.  Second, my vote is flat black (I hate the up keep of things shiny).  Third, I know the transition from a scooter to a motorcycle seems easy but one hour seems a bit short to declare victory.  Just keep practicing and pushing your limits slowly and you will find that even after years of riding, you'll learn something new.  And just in case you forgot, the rear brake is operated by your right foot and the front brake is operated by your right hand.

-Porkchop

I assume he means that he learned to clutch/shift in an hour. If he had a bike before this one he probably had a good grasp on everything else already.

I also would say flat black. My bike was spray painted flat black, i've debated on painting it glossy black, but definitely not until I find it a new tank. The current one has about 5 dents in it, and a glossy finish would show those off too well.

Incase you haven't yet.... make sure switching the tank to "reserve" is always shortly followed by filling the tank, as you only get so many miles after that. People on here have talked about getting well over 200 miles on a tank, but I just make a habit of refilling every 100 miles, and then you never have to worry about it.

and congratulations on the new bike!

If you want my two cents, get the manual (or read it if you haven't), and take the MSF.  There's some good fundamental knowledge that can patch up holes even for someone who has been riding a bit, and has some good fundamentals it can lay for you.

If you don't want my two cents - fine, I'll give them to someone else.   

Thanks for the tips guys.

Toogoofy317, tt_four is right. I meant that I learned the basics of clutch/shift. I know I'm not an expert yet and need a lot of practice. I hardly ever go over 6-7K RPM.

I've been driving scoots for 2 years, so I already have some knowledge of driving a bike, but I do plan on taking the MSF course as soon as I save up enough cash.

I've decided to go with flat black, but the last owner used to jam a flat screw driver in the seat lock, and now I can't open it at all. I was quoted $55 to have it fixed. Anyone have a good working seat lock they're willing to sell?

I noticed that my chain is a bit loose, and it touches the center stand while I'm riding. How can I tighten the chain? Any tips or tricks?
I have the manual, I'm gonna look for it in a bit.

Thanks again, Ish

P.S. Does the clutch hand pain ever go away? My hand has been hurting all day today and yesterday.

if it has an aftermarket exhaust, check to see if the bracket that keeps the center stand from coming up to far is there.  if not, find a way to put one on it.  mine had the same problem when I started changing out exhausts, even though the chain had the proper amount of slack

Yay on the MSF! Think I'm gonna save up the $100 myself and take the advanced rider course too! The clutch hand does disappear with much riding! If you get a chlymer manual it will show you how. Maybe even on the wiki too!

Mary

Quote from: jeremy_nash on July 27, 2009, 04:09:27 PM
if it has an aftermarket exhaust, check to see if the bracket that keeps the center stand from coming up to far is there.  if not, find a way to put one on it.  mine had the same problem when I started changing out exhausts, even though the chain had the proper amount of slack

It's not there. My chain might still be a bit too loose, though. I'll find a way to make a center stand stop.

Thanks Jeremy.

Toogoofy, $100? It's $250 over here.

Yeah, the MSF is $200 here they provide the bike etc... With the advanced rider you use your bike and it is one day!

Mary

MSF is $375 here or $180 if you want to wait 2 years.

Chain is an easy fix, check your user manual.

375 for a MSF course?? I took mine in PA for free!

Quote from: Archangel1183 on July 27, 2009, 03:14:02 PM

P.S. Does the clutch hand pain ever go away? My hand has been hurting all day today and yesterday.

You are letting go of the clutch lever, right? Only grabbing it and pulling it in when you want to change gears, yeah?

The only time you should get anywhere near a sore hand from the clutch is in prolonged slow riding where you are feathering the friction zone - you do know what a friction zone is, don't you?

The benefits of a Course are that they will point out your bad habits.

Michael

Yes, I do let go of the clutch but I hold it in when I'm going down hill or whenever I can't find neutral at a stop light.