Hey guys I'm dave. noob rider here just started and bought my orange and black 98 gs last sunday.
The front part of the front fender is slightly faded though. I just want to spray it over with black, so what type of paint should i get? Do i have to sand it and all that stuff? I just want a quick cheap fix on that.

Also, This bike was in storage for four years. The guy I bought it from told me he flushed out the old gas and everything and put new oil in. I know that I should rejet the carbs soon but is it important enough that I shouldn't take the bike on the road without doing so first? I don't really trust myself to do that just yet though so I would have to pay 200 bucks at my local shop. Worth it? What else should I do to this bike?

Really appreciate any feedback, and I hope you guys are prepared to give me a ton of help and advice this summer 

P.S.
Also, I sort of caught the mod bug with my passat and I'm pretty sure it's going to carry over to my bike. I'm definitely waiting a while, but what are the best starting mods? As far as physical mods I wanted to get a black belly pan. Not the racing ones but the aftermarket ones you can see them on ebay or some bikes in this forum. Also I wanted to get the dominator headlights but I cannot find them. Can anyone find a link for those? Thanks guys.

djk,

I'll leave the carb comments to those who know better. But personally, I don't think you automatically Need to rejet. A good clean might be all that's needed.

For the rest... forget what the PO told you about them changing the oil. Change it again, yourself - or pay a shop (whatever) - so you know for 100% sure it was done and fresh oil is in it.

Change the
- oil
- oil filter
- put in new spark plugs
- check air filter & replace if necessary
- check the chain and sprockets (post a photo even if you're unsure if they need changing)
- check the tires for rot - cracks. The manufacture date is stamped on the side. Usually in a rounded-rectangle shape after the DOT stamp. Prior to 2000 it was 3 numbers, now they are four. Mine says PAF 3308. Which means the tire was made in the 33rd week of 2008.

There's also head bearings to check and other nuts and bolts and lubing cables and the like, but the above list will get you started.

Michael

OH! PS... post a pic of your bike. 

welcome to the forum.  as far as things you should do before taking it out on the road.  

oil/filter change
check plugs and most likely replace them
air filter
check/lube chain
check tires sitting for four yrs they could be rough or they might get you a few 1000 miles before needing to be replaced depending on       your riding style.
if its running ok i would run it and do some reading the carbs on the gs are some of the most simple carbs to work on and i wouldnt pay to have them cleaned especially 200 bucks
I would flush the brakes front and rear before any major amount of riding.  Just do it like your bleeding them and just add new fluid to it until its nice and clean or you can drain it all and wipe it out and start fresh.  both the front and rear bleeders and levers are within reach so you can do it by yourself.

As far as painting your front fender... Red scotch brite pad us that to sand the old paint until its all very dull.  then i use krylon fusion paint it sprays nice and looks good when your done.  

there is alot of usefull info here and in the wiki pages on mods and maintenance for the gs if you have questions just search first then ask if you dont find what your looking for.  Oh and before anyone else comments PICS or you actually dont own a gs...lol

Thanks a lot for the input guys. I checked the oil and it seems to be in good shape. I plan on putting a K&N air filter in there soon as well. Everything seems to be fine really except the tail light seems sort of loose. It doesn't rattle or anything but i can flex it. I took off the seat and fairings and tried to tighten it but even when I tightened the screws it never got more secure.  

To do list:
Lube chain
Clean Carbs / possibly rejet
Change Oil / Filter
Change Air filter
Fenderectomy
check spark plugs? going to need some help with all this stuff.



Taken a day or two ago


And believe me I DON'T and WON'T actually ride in this gear. This was just when we first got the bike off the truck and I wanted to make sure it was running and stuff so I rode to the end of the driveway.





Can anyone post me a link to the dominator headlights? or does anybody want to sell theirs to me? I've been looking everywhere and can't find them.




thanks.

the tail light is held on by a thin metal bracket. it will flex if you put pressure on it but it wont go anywhere unless you really really tug. it's not something to worry about.
and as for the dominators, just keep looking online for dual headlights. there are plenty i've seen just by googling it.

here's ebay. i guess it changes if youre not in the US but i wouldnt imagine it being any more difficult.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370394953639&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=5c4fd11c1250a02653345bf4ff9d1f72&rvr_id=&ua=WXS%3F&itemid=370394953639

Quote from: pandymai on June 15, 2010, 09:49:48 AM
the tail light is held on by a thin metal bracket. it will flex if you put pressure on it but it wont go anywhere unless you really really tug. it's not something to worry about.
and as for the dominators, just keep looking online for dual headlights. there are plenty i've seen just by googling it.

here's ebay. i guess it changes if youre not in the US but i wouldnt imagine it being any more difficult.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370394953639&crlp=1_263602_263622&ff4=263602_263622&viewitem=&guid=5c4fd11c1250a02653345bf4ff9d1f72&rvr_id=&ua=WXS%3F&itemid=370394953639

Thanks! It sucks I can't really ride until my MSF safety course.... july 12. I can't wait. Gives me time to get the bike in good safe condition though.

I have a 2006 gs500 where can i get them and what do i need to put them on?

Dominator twin headlights fit on the stock OEM 7" headlight bracket. If you have a fared GS you will need to by a bracket. Other than that it is plug and play.

Just some advice from a fellow noob(been riding less than a year), I got my bike last june, my suggestion would be to get new front springs and a new rear shock before you do any other mods, that will make the biggest difference in terms of improvements to the bike. I have the k&n lunchbox and rejet and its improvement was nothing in comparison to the springs.

Change the 2 most neglected fluids on motorcycles everywhere:

Brake fluid
Fork oil

Yes, those should be changed/flushed every other year.

Don't bother to rejet unless you change the exhaust from stock to something else.  If the bike runs, just change fluids and lube moving parts as mentioned in posts above.  If the bike doesn't run well, then think about opening and cleaning out the carbs.  It is not difficult. there are plenty of instructions and help available on this site and the wiki too.

good luck with the MSF.  Please do ride with gear (and fasten that chin strap!)

Enjoy!

Try some rubbing compound on the faded fender. Maybe paint just is oxidized. RC could make it look like new!