I recently got my 1990 gs500e on a partial trade for my old cx500c.  There is a picture in the link below it has some cool mods.   I am sold; I love this bike. 

A few issues I need help with:

1) Speedometer: does the 1990 gs500e have a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio on the speedometer?   Where should I look for a compatible speedometer?  I already have the speedo cable coming in the mail.

2)Front wheel rim: small ding in it.  What years are compatible?  I have heard that 89-2008 all use the same front wheel, though I dont know if I believe that.  What are some wheels I could use?

3) Shift into neutral: I have ALOT of trouble shifting into neutral.  Admittedly, I am a VERY green rider, but I NEVER had this broblem on my cx500.  About half the time, it refuses to go into neutral unless I fiddle with it a while.  Are the gears sticking? Is there a quick fix?


http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r602/keg0001/imagejpeg952.jpg

1) To my knowledge, all metric bikes use 2240:60 ratio speedos. Are you looking for a stock replacement or aftermarket?

2) The only difference in wheels are the colors. But wait for somebody else to confirm this........

3) Could be just your clutch cable needs adjusted, or your oil needs changed with a quality motorcycle oil. And before anybody argues this, let's just be on the safe side and use a "motorcycle" specific oil. I'm not trying to open that can of worms.

Quote from: Big Rich on March 20, 2012, 06:24:01 PM
1) To my knowledge, all metric bikes use 2240:60 ratio speedos.

112:3?

It's referred to as 2240 rpm at 60 mph or something. I don't understand it either..........

But there are only three ratios (that I'm aware of) for speedos: one to one, two to one, and 2240:60.

One front wheel. All years.

Thank you guys so much, hugely helpful.  Are we sure on the front wheel 100 bucks is a big investment on a college budget.

I would be amazed if there were any differences thru the years.......

$100? You may want to post a "WTB" on here - I bet there's a couple front wheels hanging around.

Yes, I'm sure about the GS front wheel. Unchanged since the beginning.

Bike is troublesome to get into neutral at a stop... easier if you do it while rolling to a stop (~5 MPH).

Someone will be along shortly to tell you why you should always be in 1st with clutch in when stopped at a light...

1st gear engaged, clutch open and eyes in the rearview -- it's saved my a$$ twice now from boneheaded cage lemmings with cell phones glued to their noggins. 

Thank you all for the replies you all seem to know more than the so called experts haha.  (Hence this is a forum...)

All GS speedo's compatible.
Tach: 1989-2002 same mechanical. 2004 went to electronic tach
All wheels same. I swap them all over the various years.
Specify the color you want unless you're going to paint it. Stock colors were:
1989-1996 - white
1997-2000 gray (my favorite!)
2001-2002 - silver
2004+ black

Front rotors are gold or black. I forget what year they went from gold to black.
Front calipers - all are compatible though they changed 3 times. 1989-1996. 1997-2000 or 2002 then newer ones. Buy newer ones from a bike breaker rather than rebuilding old ones. $14.95 plus postage for nearly new ones. Same for rotors: buy used nearly new OEM ones with 1000 miles or so. $25 or so.

Quote from: Big Rich on March 20, 2012, 07:55:31 PM
It's referred to as 2240 rpm at 60 mph or something. I don't understand it either..........

But there are only three ratios (that I'm aware of) for speedos: one to one, two to one, and 2240:60.

Rich, any suggestions on sites where we could find some cool mech gauges?

Www.dimecitycycles.com is one of my favorites. Real helpful group of guys.

I'm sure I'll think of some more later........

Kyle:

As has been suggested.... change the oil for a quality motorcycle specific oil. That is where your smooth or not so smooth gear changes come from.

Also, with trying to get it in  to neutral... are you doing this while stopped after riding, or before starting when everything is cold?

If the later, while standing next to the bike and foot applying some slight upward pressure in the gear selecter, give the bike a small jerk back. Should pop right in.

Michael

Mister: its kind of both probably just needs better oil like they are saying.
Adidas guy: I need a black front wheel.  My bike is 1990 but it has black wheel rims.  I also need a mech speedo for a 1990, dont necessarily need the tach.

Got speedo. Tach if you need it. Wheel is on 2006 parts bike (only a parts bike due to 2 state title mess, not because it was wrecked). Hadn't planned on finishing stripping it down for a couple weeks. If weather is warm, I can try to get to it sooner.

Updates!

Here is where I am at my friends.

I got a stock 1990 speedo cable coming in the mail.  I also got a mech speedo off of a 1995 gs500 coming.  Need to find a way to mount it because its just the gauge.

The blinker relay and signals came in the mail.  They are really small led signals that appear all black until lit.  I am having trouble wiring them in.  The previous owner did a number on the wiring harness.  I dont know what I did but I cant get a reading on any of the blinker inputs.  Oh and the headlight went out ha ha.  Ill figure it out...

Update:

Now I have the following in my possesion: blinker leds, blinker relay
and the following in the mail: front wheel (off of a 2005), speedo cable (from a 95) and a speedometer.

I just gotta get the blinkers working, figure out a way to mount the speedo (it is just a bare gauge).

The last things I need: I have to make or buy a side mount for the plate (it is too far behind the wheel per a local black&white that stopped me), I have to find a rear hugger that will fit about half the tire (the gs500 just has the seat over the wheel and a small mud guard, no hugger).