Hey, Just picked up my first real bike, a 1989 gs500. Seemed like a good deal at the time and heard alot of good things about the bike, so I'm excited. So far I need to replace the tank which is currently rust rotted and leaking a little. Going to change out filters and some fuel lines, opened up the carbs and from first look they seemed good, but I'll probably end up pulling them and cleaning them out because of all the rust from the old tank. Other than that just going to get her running well and riding first, then I'll start tinkering. Probably need new tires soon too. Very excited about this bike, and glad this forum is here to help. Thinking about a new slip on exhaust and ignition advancer. Suggestions for those would be real welcome, or any other common mods I could do.

sorry about the fuzzy pic, camera phone is all i have. I also have the side plastics but pulled them  off before picture.



Let me know what you think, what I should know about the bike, etc... And if you've got one of the same year, i'd love to see it!
thanks,
Liam.

Welcome to the forum. 

Welcome Liam, that should make for a nice bike     Here's a pic of my '89.  The tank and plastics are off a later year.

-Jessie

nice stripes jessie, ive never seen your bike. are those painted or stickers?

Welcome! To start with I'd just get a new tank, pull and clean the carbs(half the work is done when you have the tank off already), and either replace the stock, or clean the aftermarket air filter that's in it. I'd get it running well and spend some time on it before you start upgrading things like the exhaust. If you replace the exhaust you'll need a new air filter and jets in the carb, and if it would be running weird after you'd never know if it was because of the stuff you put on, or jut the bike in general. One thing at a time will be easier. You'll also want to change the oil and put in a new filter.

There's a couple options for exhausts, http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Main.Upgrades I have a Vance&Hines on mine, and it's way too loud for my taste, but it was on the bike when I bought it, so it's stayed. There are plenty of options though.

Quote from: gregvhen on December 21, 2009, 10:27:37 PM
nice stripes jessie, ive never seen your bike. are those painted or stickers?

Thanks.  Those are stickers under the clear coat.  I believe that is a factory paint/sticker scheme from the early 90's.

-Jessie

Jessie,

That is a nice pic. The amount of light, background, contrast of the bike and its colors. Nice 

Michael

Quote from: mister on December 22, 2009, 01:26:35 PM
Jessie,

That is a nice pic. The amount of light, background, contrast of the bike and its colors. Nice 

Michael

Thanks, all those years of photography classes paid off    

-Jessie

sweet! thanks for the welcomes. A little update on the rebuild: pulled the carbs to clean them and realized one of the choke fuel lines was snapped off on both ends. Got a new set of carbs at the salvage place for cheap, pieced together a clean carb rack and installed. got the Bike running and it sounded good! Waiting for the new tank to come and clean it before i put back the rest of the bike. Also grabbed some mini front signals to replace the old big ones. Next on the list is to get her running well(synch carbs), replace brake pads and the rear rotor. Then I'll replace the rear tire and if things go well she'll  be ready for the road.