I think that most of the brands are probably equal in quality but I use Nulon Lead Substitute Valve Saver which you can get from Bursons or Repco. The part number is LS500 for a 500ml bottle. The dose is 1ml/litre of fuel so .1%. It costs very little and I feel that it is cheap insurance. One bottle lasted me nearly two years. Nulon is 100% Aussie made and owned and I use several of their products in my workshop/business. They are top quality products. I carry two 20ml screw-top plastic bottles under the seat with additive ready for a fillup on the road. I can give you a couple of empty bottles when we meet if you like. I have a couple of spares. 
I agree that the GS is lots of fun in the tight stuff. I often have the back tyre sliding a little as I brake hard into a tight corner. It takes me back to my dirt bike days when I was MUCH younger and sometimes I manage to give myself a little "moment" to heighten the senses. Not enough to get into trouble, just enough to remind me that there ARE limits. Life is boring without something to remind you occassionally that you are alive, don't you think?  All done within the speed limit of course. I feel that you do not need to go fast to have fun. There are many ways to enjoy youself legally.   

Totally agree. Wouldn't want to speed up there ATM there were three s/c that I saw today. Got caught in the rain on the way home so had to give her a good tub. Rashy really looked after her. Hey I noticed in the pic of you guys up the spur that your bike seems to have a taller windscreen than mine. Is that just the photo angle?


My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr

No, just the angle, it is the original one but I have looked here and other places for a possible taller replacement. There are a couple of threads on the subject.

Interesting what you say about Shell for a couple of reasons....

Reason # 1: I too have found my bike performs poorly on Shell.

Reason # 2: The Shell servos around here have stopped selling E10.

Reason # 3: 7/11 fuel is supplied by Shell. They do have e10. Besides, their 91 performs poorly in my GS

Reason # 4: Shell has no refinery up here but they do have a Tank Farm. Their fuel is refined by Caltex according the the Shell specs and then piped into the Shell Tank Farm

Regarding Valve adjusting and fuel additives. My valves, while regularly checked, did not need adjusting for over 30,000kms and I do not use a lead replacement additive. However, as I like to think I have mechanical sympathy, I can see how the additive can treat your engine with extra kindness - even if the valve seats etc., have been hardened to be able to take the valve blow. I'm going to give it a go and see if my bike sounds different and/or performs different.

With regard to the E10 at Shell: I have been told that Shell have dropped it completely, in Victoria at least, the reason being low demand. In my opinion it is an evil product as I have seen so much damage caused by it. We have been lucky in Vic so far in that if it is coming through a nozzle, legally, it must be labelled as containing E10. Unfortunately there are some dodgy independants selling it as 91 Unleaded. The state govermnent is talking about dropping the labelling or mandating E10. Both of those are a big no-no for me. If I have to buy fuel at a strange outlet (for my cars or bikes) I always sniff the nozzle first. E10 has a very different smell to petrol, it is more like Turps. I have only ever run my bikes on 91 as they are both relatively low comp engines (the other is a Honda NT700V) and 91 is specified. I often ride with friends who have late model high performance engines that need Premium and we have had a few situations where Premium was not availabe in the small towns so they have had to put in some 91 and ride gently until the next Premium pump. Cost is also a factor with Premium usually 10 cents a litre more expensive here. It is great to have a 500km+ range from our bikes. I am usually the only one who does not buy fuel on a day's ride. Some of the others have to buy fuel twice during the day. I get quite smug sitting on the servo apron watching them fill up again and again at dirty little country stations. The Honda is much heavier and thirstier but still gives me 380-450km out of the 20L tank even when loaded up with camping gear.   
I use Caltex 75% of the time, Shell 20% of the time and whatever I can get urgently 5% of the time. I have not noticed any difference in performance of cars or bikes but have noticed a difference in economy. It is very hard to pin it to the fuel though as driving conditions vary so much. A strong headwind will take 50+km out of a tankfull. A run in the car to the airport on the freeway will add 100km to the tankfull as it is any easy cruise. 
Using the additive will not make your bike run any better or sound different. It is just like avoiding a high fat/high salt diet as a kid. Your arteries will not show the benefit until you are old, but when you get there you will be glad you did! It is an investment in the future. So if you are going to give it a try it will need to be over the L O N G term.
It is interesting that you say that 7/11 is supplied by Shell. I was under the impression (told by a 7/11 staffer when I asked the question years ago) that is came from Caltex. Perhaps that is just down here. It is also well known that fuel blends are different for climate variations. Vic and Qld have quite different fuels, even more so for diesel. I do have a couple of bottles of 104+ octane booster on the shelf. I might try it soon and see if it makes any difference. I could go on for hours but this is not the right thread. I have already threadjacked Matty's theme. Sorry Matty.     

Caltex and BP are where I fill most often, and I try to use 95 where possible, 98 if I can't get 95.

Japan was on unleaded from about 1981 from memory so anything made since then in Japan should have good valves and seats to work without lead additives 

As a mechanic, I agree with your comment about the hardened valves and seats. However, no valves and seats last forever, particularly on an air cooled, lean running, high revving engine. With a combination of extreme heat, very small valve clearances and high rev pounding a little cushioning can't hurt. I am very interested to see how my clearances stand up over time. Ask me in 5 years or so how it is going. 

Yeah fair call, although mine ain't running so lean no more 

Since the rebuild, I had to adjust one valve after the first run of 15 minutes, then again after the first 1000km's, but since then I haven't changed a single shim... not bad for a motor that had about over 98000km's on it when I tore it down 

As it turns out I didn't need to pull it apart in the end, the gear shift problem was all in the shifter linkages 

Oh, I ain't no mechanic, so please feel free to correct anything I say that smells a little like BS

Macka, as I wrote, Shell does NOT have a refinery. Their fuel is refined by Caltex according to Shell Specs. Shell contracts with 7/11. So.... 7/11 fuel Ultimatly comes from Caltex. Caltex truck carrying shell spec fuel.

Origin Gas comes from Caltex. BOC gas comes from BP. UP here they have a pipe line into each other's refinery so they share the crude. Also a direct line to Incitec Pivot for GAS which is used to make fertilizer and other stuff.

I plan keeping my GS500 for a lo-o-o-o-o-ong time. At least another 100,000kms. So I think the additive may be a good thing

Thanks for the update on the "cross branding". As with many products these days, you can not be really sure what the origin is. The fuel will be slightly reblended and relabled as are cars etc. Put a different bumper bar and grill on it and it is no longer Make A but Make B. As usual it is all about MONEY. 

Welcome Matty. What Macca has forgotten about bikes, I will never learn. Plus he's a true gentleman.
I saw a GS like yours parked outside the Eltham Community Health Centre on Tuesday night....Wasn't yours was it? I saw it and instantly thought of Rashy.
Anyway, welcome to the group.

Thanks hughesy, na wasn't me in eltham. The info that you guys and how freely you give it out are priceless. I've learnt so much. Thanks.
I've put a few kms on the bike in the last few weeks. Quite a bit in the rain . I'm still not 100% confident when it's wet. I've gotta get used to it cos I plan on riding to work right through winter.


My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr


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Quote from: Matty.V on April 24, 2013, 03:40:50 PM
Thanks hughesy, na wasn't me in eltham. The info that you guys and how freely you give it out are priceless. I've learnt so much. Thanks.
I've put a few kms on the bike in the last few weeks. Quite a bit in the rain . I'm still not 100% confident when it's wet. I've gotta get used to it cos I plan on riding to work right through winter.

It's good you are.... lacking confidence... in the rain. Makes you cautious on wet roads. Can never be too cautious on wet roads.

I ride in the rain happily (well, unhappily but you know). And am ever mindful of the reduced traction, any little slippery things that might be around while I happen to be leaning to take a band, and so on. I wouldn't say I lack confidence, more that I am respectful of the conditions and adjust my riding accordingly.

As you say Mister, be respectful of the conditions, whether they be rain, wind, traffic or any other () and you will save yourself a lot of grief and pain.   

We will get together soon for a ride Matty, my Suzi is a bit lonely under the covers as other than a short squirt a week or so ago she has had lots of rest during the past month or more and is itching to get out again for a decent run.

Cheers,
Macka

Hey Macka,

Can I add the lead replacement any old time or does it need to be before filling so it mixes better or...?

I usually add it at the end. Theoretically it should go in first but I think that there is enough sloshing around just getting it off the centre stand to mix it up. I don't think that it matters. 

Thanks Mister, I guess it's just time on the bike I need. I've started putting the valve saver in, before, (hope it doesn't matter Macka) so hopefully starting at low km's (2 tanks ago) it will reduce a bit of maintenance costs. In saying that yesterday was the first time I hit 9500 in a couple of gears I didn't realise my baby had so much "get up and go" in her! Had to back off pretty quick when I looked down. All within the law of course. lol. Would love to catch up soon Macka


My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr

I know you have already done it, but do read the owner's manual regarding rev limits and distances. Just to give thou an idea of mechanical sympathy.

Hi guys, thought I would say g'day and see what everyone's been up to? I've been riding to work everyday, even in this lovely Melbourne weather I'm gaining more experience every ride and loving my GS more an more everyday. I'm not as worried about riding in the wet now as I've been doing it everyday for the last three weeks. Experience is the key. I got caught in a hail storm on the way home the other night that was fun. Question for Macka and hughesy  where is the best place for me to take my bike for its 6k service? Im in kilsyth area. And with me buying rashys bike, do I still get the remainder of the warranty?


My baby's
'10 gs500f black
'95 gsxr750wr


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Matty.V
The warranty is transferable to the new owner. The bike can be serviced by yourself provided that you follow the schedule and use correct materials meaning oils and filter. Sometimes they can get "testy" if you try to make a claim and it has not been serviced by a dealer but it is just noise. If you can show that it has been serviced correctly they cannot refuse a warranty claim. Self service makes it difficult as you cannot provide a legal receipt as proof of service. I am a qualified mechanic with my own registered business (and ABN) and have always serviced my own new vehicles (bikes and cars) whilst under warranty. I have the parts needed for your service in stock now as per usual. There have been some warranty claims over the years without any problems from the dealer/manufacturer. My GS500 recently came out of warranty and I am now in the process of recalirating the speedo to eliminate the 10% error. I finished the recaibration last night. I just have to refit the speedo tomorrow. The recaliration is easy. Dismantling the speedo without doing any visible damage is the hard part. It took ages and would cost quite a lot if you had to pay someone to do it for you. The only part of the 6k service that has significant cost is the tappet check as it takes time to do it. If you were interested, I could do the service for you at a very reasonable rate and you could be assured that it is done properly by a fellow GS owner/enthusiast who is a qualified mechanic.  It would not affect your warranty cover and you will receive a "tax invoice" as proof of service. If you want to talk to me let me know here and I will send you a PM with my phone number. I would have to charge you as this is how I make my living every day but I would look after you. If you prefer to take it to a dealer during the warranty period, you could take it to Mick Hone Suzuki in Surrey Hills. There is always Peter Stevens or A1 where I bought my bike but I would not let either of them work on it. Just don't expect any favours from them. I have bought a bike from both of those dealers and once you hand over the money the service ends, full stop. If you want to get together for a talk over coffee any time soon let me know.

Macka