I am new here but not to bikes.  I have spent a few days reading over posts but I have a few questions that I couldn't find clear answers to.

1.  I need new grips, what size should I get?  Are my bars a standard size or do I have to get grips for the GS500e specifically? 

2.  I want a 15 tooth front sprocket, where is the best place to order one?

3.  My seat is slippy, I want to recover it, anyone have a link to a vid or a how to on how to do this?  I am thinking about shaving the foam a little farther back so I sit farther back to give me a bit more room as well.

4.  How do I aim my headlight?  It is pointing too far up.

Thanks.

1.  Any grips you like that fit a 7/8" bar.

2.  Bikebandit.com has been nothing but great to me order new chain and sprockets from them not to long ago

3.  Check the wiki, it has stuff about the seat

4.  The headlight can be aimed by using the small screw on the left side of the headlight at the bottom

x2 on Bike Bandit.  Had my sprocket in hand in less than 3 days.

Is there a screw to adjust the vertical angle of the headlight? I've only ever noticed the horizontal adjust, but never paid that much attention. I always just pulled the light out of the bucket, loosened up the bolts and little and reangled it, an adjustment screw would be much easier though. There's also a bolt on the back of the bucket to hold the adjustment.

Cool.  

I just order a 14 tooth front sprocket from Bike Bandit.  I also order a bunch of other stuff (grips, clutch lever, oil filters, etc).  I have never dealt with BB but I have bought from Newenough, Motorcycle Superstore and a few others.  

Here is a little history about me and the bike I just bought.  I am 34 and have been riding street since I was 19.  I rode some dirt when I was 14-16 (Honda 80cc)

I have owned a 1981 Yamaha Maxim 650, 2007 Kawasaki KLR, 1994 Suzuki GS500, 2008 Suzuki V-strom 650 and now I own my old 1994 GS500 again.

I sold my V-Strom because I needed money but I still wanted a bike.  I owned the 1994 GS500 two years ago when I also owned my KLR.  I sold it to my brother and he sold it to his neighbor.  I just bought it back from his neighbor for $900.  I paid $1500 for it two years ago and put $500 into it right off the bat with a new chain, and carb work.  My brother put some new tires and shocks on it and a few other things. 

Quote from: speedsix on July 31, 2009, 11:38:54 AM
Cool.  

I just order a 14 WHY? tooth front sprocket from Bike Bandit.  I also order a bunch of other stuff (grips, clutch lever, oil filters, etc).  I have never dealt with BB but I have bought from Newenough, Motorcycle Superstore and a few others.  

Here is a little history about me and the bike I just bought.  I am 34 and have been riding street since I was 19.  I rode some dirt when I was 14-16 (Honda 80cc)

I have owned a 1981 Yamaha Maxim 650, 2007 Kawasaki KLR, 1994 Suzuki GS500, 2008 Suzuki V-strom 650 and now I own my old 1994 GS500 again.

I sold my V-Strom because I needed money but I still wanted a bike.  I owned the 1994 GS500 two years ago when I also owned my KLR.  I sold it to my brother and he sold it to his neighbor.  I just bought it back from his neighbor for $900.  I paid $1500 for it two years ago and put $500 into it right off the bat with a new chain, and carb work.  My brother put some new tires and shocks on it and a few other things. 

Under the right triangle headlight ear there is a 10mm head bolt, Do not undo it fully, but crack it 1/2 turn and the headlight should turn down or up ... then cinch it back down.
Cool.
Buddha.

Thanks for the tip on adjusting the headlight. 

Someone asked why I wanted a 14 tooth sprocket on the GS500.   Well, I read the thread about them and I think it would be a good mod.  I really only use my bike for around town since there is no fairing at all.  I am not going to be taking long road trips on it so I thought a little more pep in the city would be just the ticket. 

If I don't like it, I can put the 16 tooth back on and there is no damage done.  Who knows, maybe it will be great.

long highway trips spent above 80 get pretty buzzy after awhile with the 14 tooth

Seat recovering - No vid, but there have been a few discussions that linked to pictures - you can also DAGS and likely find the same pictures.  http://rides.webshots.com/album/226893080oOEpHg I suppose you could do a you-tube search and probably find a vid - I'm not going to bother poking into that wasteland.

You can get black "non-slip" 4-way stretch vinyl (one of All-Sport's products) if you want it - I don't find a need for it and wanted non-black anyway, but new certainly is less slidey than old and sun-baked. About $18/yd form the cheaper places, $30+ a yard from the overpriced ones, shipping will also vary widely - shop carefully.

You will run into a hard physical limit trying to move your butt back, unless you also move it up. The seat latch forms the "step" between rider and pillon area. There is very little foam over that specific area. You'll cut back and meet the seat pan or the latch hardware. Look under the seat and you should see what I mean.

Too late now, but it never hurts to check with a local dealer - mine had a new sprocket for the same price as Bike Bandit, and tax was a lot less than shipping - plus they had it the day I wanted it, not several days later.