Hello All,

After not owning a bike for over a year, I finally acquired a '97 GS500E last week.  My first bike 6 years ago was a 1986GS450L (yes, the super cool cruiser model) so I have come home to the Suzuki twins and it feels great to be back.  The bike is in fair condition.  Low miles with a fair amount of surface corrosion from sitting on the islands of Hawaii for awhile now.  It made it here to CA recently when a military guy brought it back after getting out of the service.  I was a little skeptical after the first ride as I've never owned a sporty bike before and was unaccustomed to the riding position, but by the end of the week it felt completely natural and I was hooked.

So far I've just been dealing with little issues like new cables, fuel filter, fork seals, etc.  Upon removing the front wheel I discovered that it was missing one of the spacers (yikes!).  There's the spacer inside the bottom of the fork (right side), but from the parts fiche it looks like there is supposed to be another.  There's a round washer/dust seal piece, but no second spacer.  Any thoughts?

Also, I've jumped through the CA emissions hoops for registration but the guy that inspected it said it needs a "Safety Label".  The dealership I went to had no idea what label he's referring to.  On the DMV form its under the category US Federal Certification Status and he wrote it in as a "safety label".  Not sure if you can tell in the pics but I've got the tire sticker, the "read the owners manual" sticker, and the emissions sticker. I've noticed that next to the tire label there is the back of what appears to be a label that was ripped off.  Sweet!  Does anyone know what sticker is supposed to be in that spot?  Or, what the safety label looks like? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.  I'd like to get this thing registered and riding soon!





Happy riding,
Scott
Orange County, CA

First, see the FAQ on posting pictures. Your photos do not show up.

Second, I'd go back to the DMV and ask what the "safety sticker" is supposed to say. There are a few stickers: Tire pressure (rear swing arm), one to read your owners manual (tank I think), unleaded fuel I think, and maybe another one or two depending on the model.

Any of the stickers are cheap from a dealer - like $3 each or so. So when you know what that sticker is supposed to say, we can tell you the part number. Another option is go to a Suzuki dealer. Ask for EVERY sticker that goes on a GS500E that you do not have. Stick them on. License it and ask the DMV which ones you do not need. While it may be a waste of a few dollars, it is probably the fastest way to "git 'er done".

PS: By what you do say, it appears you have all the stickers that came on a GS500E. Looking on swing arms, I see one sticker with a square WARNING part that says check tire pressure, blah blah. And the other part has the tire pressures.

OK - found it...

Started here from a google search: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/omve/label.htm

And I believe this is it. I have no idea how you can get one. It has the VIN number and other stuff on it and states it complies with all Federal safety requirements at time of manufacture.

adidasguy,

Thanks for the help.  I tried reposting the pics, hopefully they are visible now?  All my labels (with the exception of the VIN stamped on the neck) are on the topside of the rear fender.  That pic you posted of the label on the bottom of the swingarm sure sounds like what the DMV described.  And you're right...I don't know how the hell I'm going to get one of those with the VIN stamped on and everything.  Fortunately, Suzuki's North America headquarters is about 4 miles from my house.  Perhaps they will be feeling generous.

Thanks,
Scott

(Your pics show up now.)

The photo I posted is of a bare frame, not the swing arm (A bike I'm assembling from scratch). That label is on the left, front frame. It is next to the steering column. Opposite it on the right side, stamped into the round part of the steering stem is the VIN number.

Since the sticker is applied at time of manufacture, I don't know what you can do, but try. Could it be painted over by a previous owner?

I notice a feeling of German in your ID and see some German on one of your stickers. Is this an imported bike?
(PS: Never mind - noticed all my bikes have English and German on the sticker on the fender. Maybe because the GS500 is very popular in Germany?)

I know in Washington State, older bikes do not need any inspection unless it has a salvage or missing title. If already titled and licensed, just take in the paperwork. I've licensed 4 GS500's in the past year. 2 were WA bikes. 1 from Minnesota and one from Florida. As long as I had a clean title and bill of sale, that's all I needed and walked out in 10 minutes with the license plate.

I used to live in Hollywood. I remember buying 2 bikes from friends and didn't need inspection - just title transfer paperwork. That's why I wonder if your bike was not licensed before and might be imported. Imported bikes probably would not have that sticker.

PS: Here is a GS500 in Berlin. Note it does not have the black label next to the steering column just below the front of the tank:


Here is a USA or Canadian bike and note that black sticker:

I think it's pretty obvious that

#1. the original owner tore off the frame sticker
and that

#2 the reason he tore it off, is because he substituted a replacement frame, for the original VIN frame.

To the original poster: you cant (legally?) get a new sticker for the frame; the whole point is that the sticker uniquely identifies the ORIGINAL frame that was part of the originally manufactured bike, with that VIN number.
The VIN number's whole purpose is to validate that all the labeled parts are indeed part of the Vehicle being IDentified

So, looks like you are stuck with registering it as a "salvage" title. If possible, you might yell and scream at the previous owner to give you back some of your money for trying to pass off this bike as original.
FYI, I believe attempting to sell a bike in that condition, as original, is a crime, so as such, you could use that on him as leverage.

Remember the VIN number is also stamped on the steering column on the right side. because of that, you couldn't substitute a frame without changing the VIN number.

Now it could be that the frame was a salvage frame, and when salvaged, the salvager was required to turn in the registration and when doing that, the sticker was removed. I know Ohio bike breakers must surrender the title. frames only get a bill of sale - no title. however, I have not heard that the tag must be removed from the frame. No point as a VIN search would show salvage on the bike.

It could be painted over. Possible a previous owner removed it and stuck it on another frame where the VIN on the steering column was obliterated.

really hard to tell. Might be worth paying $25 or so for a complete title search based on the VIN on the frame (VIN on the paperwork if it is different).

We still need the OP to get back here and tell us more. Was it titled and licensed in California? Was it salvaged? Was it licensed somewhere else? Did it have expired tags? Was it ever stolen or sold at auction? 

Something went on with this bike. as said, I remember buying bikes when in California in the 80's. Only had to take in paperwork. There was no inspection. Needing the inspection makes me wonder the story of this bike and why an inspection is required. 

At least I think we can agree on what the safety sticker is! 

PS: Looking at photos from Ohio breakers (such as Pinwall) they do show photos with the sticker. The frame I got from afterbooster is missing the sticker, but title is OK so no problem getting Washington plates. probably a previous owner took it off thinking it was ugly. I don't know why it is required for an older bike, since the VIN number would show when made, where and the make & model, and that it complied with all safety laws when manufactured. Maybe California is being a dickhead OR there are problems with the VIN number and the inspector was being polite rather than causing more grief for a salvaged or stolen vehicle? Do a VIN search!

I think it's a non-USA market bike.  PO was military... Who knows where that bike has been!

So, swhomrighausen, what's the scoop!

Hey Guys,

Sorry to hold you all in such suspense.  Here's where things are at now:  After those very helpful photos from adidasguy (thank you!)  I went and took another look at the bike.  On the right side (not the left as shown in the photos) I found what looks like the ground down remnants of two rivets which seemed to be spaced appropriately for holding one of those metal tags with the vin and the statement about conforming to applicable federal safety standards.  Sweet!  I don't think it was anything shady because the VIN is still unaltered on the neck.  Rather, I think some previous owner just did a backyard paint job on it and thought the tag looked tacky.

Obviously there was no chance of getting another one of those made, but I figured it would be worth a call to Suzuki.  Sure enough, this is a fairly regular problem.  The representative I spoke with said they have a pretty good method for dealing with the DMV - 2 days later I had a very official Suzuki letterhead document stating that my bike (including the VIN) indeed conformed to all applicable federal regulations (emissions and safety).  I've yet to return to the good folks at the Auto Club DMV, but, fingers crossed, it should all work out. 

Phil, I don't think the situation is as bad as you suggest.  The bike was titled and registered (not a salvage) in Hawaii with the VIN on it.  Now it's in CA and I've already jumped through the minimum 7500 mile for out of state bikes hoop and the titling process is well underway.  After this Suzuki safety document is submitted, it should be good to go with a clear CA title.

Right now I'm waiting on parts to rebuild the front caliper and replace the spacer that was missing from the front axle (yikes!) and then I'll see what happens at the DMV.  I anticipated all this to be a bit of hassle which was negotiated into the price, so it's not that big of a deal.  So far, I'm still feeling pretty good about $850 for a low mileage GS with a nice motor.

Thanks for all the input,
Scott

Scott and all other USA people...

In Australia the Plate (not a sticker) with the Manufacture Date and VIN is on the right side Not the left. Check your frames to see if small holes are there. This is why I questioned a previous poster who showed no right side Plate.

Scott, do keep us updated. While nowhere here has an issues like this YET, they might in the future and your progress could help others down the track.

Michael

Quote from: Phil B on January 19, 2012, 03:54:34 PM
I think it's pretty obvious that


#2 the reason he tore it off, is because he substituted a replacement frame, for the original VIN frame.

Why would it be assumed that the sticker was torn off to replace the frame? I could definitely see it being a possibility, but knowing how people are I feel like chances are good that he just didn't like the sticker and decided to rip it off. People do a lot of silly things for cosmetic reasons.

Mine was missing the rivetted plate on the right and missing the black sticker on the left, no stickers on the swing arm...

You can see where the sticker was & the rivet holes on the other side...these are pics from a week before I registered and insured the bike...I had ridden it around the back yard a few times...



(What a great little bike, I do miss the "Little Guy")

one of the PO must have removed every sticker...probably the guy I bought it from, since the rest of the owners were middle aged women...anyway, the guy I sold my GS to last June didn't have any issues either...he still owns it and his wifey-to-be is starting to ride, and he has bought a Triumph Daytona 600...

I'm hoping to get a ride in with him this year...

Later.

The US safety sticker is a sticker - stuck on. I'm not sure what the rivets are for. None of my bikes have anything there. Inly difference is my 2009 has no rivers and the safety sticker is on the right side - probably makes it easier to compare VIN on the sticker and on the steering column.
One bike has an additional emissions sticker on the steering column.
I have not seen any tags that use the rivets.

Well I'm happy to finally report back with some good news.  On Monday, the CHP officer in charge of VIN verification signed off on my bike.  I promptly returned to the DMV where the girl reluctantly put the paperwork through (I think she was having a bad day).  I've now got plates and registration in hand and a title on the way. 

The officer looked at the frame and engine VINs for 2 seconds, then told me to wait.  A somewhat anxious 10 minutes followed, but sure enough this bike's history is clean.  If only I could say the same for the carbs.

The very nice letter written by Suzuki did virtually nothing to help the process along, but I think I'll frame it for posterity anyway.

So.... you're saying the guy that said you needed the "safety sticker" was just giving you a load of crap? You didn't need that? So the letter from Suzuki was pointless?
Or did the new guy just look at the letter for a couple seconds and said "fine" and finished up your inspection with no mention of the safety sticker?

Whether the safety label thing was crap depends on how you look at it.  Not surprisingly, they didn't have any actual concern for my safety.  Rather, those safety labels have a VIN# on them and what they were after was a second VIN in addition to the one stamped on the neck.  So the safety part of the label was unimportant.  The letter was also pointless.  It might have been useful if I was missing the EPA emissions sticker, but I already had that.

The CHP officer didn't care about any of it.  After writing down the VIN from the neck, he disappeared back to the office.  I'm assuming he just ran that number through their database to verify it wasn't stolen and then signed off on the paperwork.  With that form signed off, the VIN nonsense was done and it didn't matter that it only had 1 VIN.  I got my title in the mail a couple days ago and life is good! 

God these are fun bikes.  I enjoyed my GS450L as a first bike years ago, but Suzuki really took it to the next level with these 500s.  I think my cousin said it best this weekend after riding it - "You think...and it turns"