I have a small toolkit that fits under my seat. But when I do maintenance, I usually borrow my bf's tools, which I think is starting to annoy him... lol. For maintenance purposes, what do you have in your toolkit? I've found having the right tools has a direct affect on how much frustration is experienced while working on this bike. For example, I adjusted my clutch the other day, and I didn't have a wrench that fit in that into that recessed space where the nut is around a screw. I'm was thinking of buying the correct tools for that... and why not some other tools while I'm at it.

You cant do squat with that under seat tool kit. Most jap  wrenchers have a whole rolling 5-6ft monstrosity of a tool chect filled with nearly all metric tools. You may not need to go that far, but you're certainly looking @ atleast a 100 piece metric set with wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers etc ... and dont forget the ever famous 3 sided football bat (AKA BFH - Big flucking hammer)
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: Erika on June 18, 2013, 05:23:13 AM
I have a small toolkit that fits under my seat. But when I do maintenance, I usually borrow my bf's tools, which I think is starting to annoy him...

Sounds like the problem isn't the tool kit but the BF   
If my wife wants to borrow my tools to do a project herself, instead of making me do it I'm ecstatic!

A good basic start would be socket sets: deep well and standard, 1/2" and 1/4" drive (metric of course), with a slew of ratchets, extensions, conversions, and a breaker bar.
Also a set of metric spanners.  You'll want to be sure to get the larger sizes as well for axle nuts and such (same thing with the sockets).
A wide variety of screw drivers.
Slip-joint pliers
Needle nose pliers
Vise grips, needle nose vise grips
Snap ring tool
Wire snips
Funnel, oil catch pan
Allen wrench set, preferably one that attaches to a ratchet
Chain press/breaker
Cable lubber
Variety of C-clamps/quick clamps
Fork oil tool
brake bleeder kit
digital/dial caliper
extendable magnet wand
pick set
If your going to trouble shoot electronics: multimeter, wire, soldering equipment, etc
Impact driver
Shop stool
Punch set/hammer
Rubber mallet
Dead blow hammer

Of course you aren't going to go get all of that right now.  A good tool collection takes years to collect.  Always keep an eye out for sales.  Don't buy cheap tools though, they break or aren't sized quite right.  Of course you don't need a high end extendable magnet, but a cheap 17mm socket might only be 16.87mm, and won't fit over any 17mm nuts.
A lot of my tools were purchased when they were needed.  For example, I didn't get an oil fork tool until the first time I changed my fork oil.  The price of the oil and the tool was still much cheaper then taking it to a shop for the work.  But, since I didn't need new fork seals I haven't purchased a seal tool yet, I'll get one when I need to.

As far as wrenches and sockets go, I have a basic metric set that stretches from 8mm to 19mm.  That's handled just about everything pretty well, except I also needed a 22mm for the rear axle nut.  A good set of metric allen keys has also been very helpful, but I'm not great on what the sizes of those are.  It seems to be a basic ~9 key combo kit.  Throw in a couple of pliers, a hammer and some screw drivers and I've been able to handle basic to moderate tasks.

I expanded from the factory tool kit. Of course I have the stock wrenches for the axle nuts, spark plug wrench, and the screwdriver. I added a set of Allen wrenched, a set of "midget" combination wrenches from 4mm to 14mm, zip ties, electrical tape, fuses, clean rags (along with some individually packages wet wipes), and a cell phone charger. That's the stuff that is on the bike at all times.

For longer trips (more than an hour from home), I bring the following as well: tire irons, small CO2 pump, inner tubes (older bike than the GS500), quart of oil, a ratchet strap, small flashlight, air gauge, and spare cables.

It's a tough question, simply because it comes down to what you will be working on. I have a habit of going to Lowes once a month and getting something, anything to expand my collection (I really like the Kobalt brand). I like to build things and do so for a living, so I have a pretty decent size rolling cabinet. However, if you are just buying for this bike in particular...you could do pretty much everything with a 3/8 metric socket kit, a set of metric box wrenches, vise grips and a few screw drivers.

Almost every socket from 8-20mm
Socket extentions (3set - i use 3/8ths socket drive)
Adjustable spanner (from like goes up to 25mm..
Every spanner from 6-20mm (double up on some like the 10mm, it likes to go walkies)
Multi-bit screwdriver
Flat head and cross head screwdrivers (Large and small of each)
Allen keys of all sizes
A bicycle "dog-bone" style multi-spanner
magnet-on-an-extendable-stick
spare fuses and connectors
A small bag of spare bolts, nuts and washers
About a meter of wire
Pliers - larger pair with wire cutters, and smaller "needle-nose" ones
Zip-ties - about 50 of the damn things, tied in groups of sizes (A colour-coded set)
Small reel of heavy duty string, some old shoelaces and a few HDD magnets
Precision (Really effin small) screwdriver set
Soldering iron, solder & some heatshrink
Bottle/cork opener
Snap-off-blade Knife
WD40
Electrical tape x 3 colours
MULTIMETER - seriously, its paid for itself so many times over
Hammer
And probably some more stuff i forgot, that has got me through all the maintenance ive had to do so far, i am looking to buy a few more bits though..

Of course, below is the only stuff i have on the bike:
standard toolkit
multi-bit screwdriver
multitool
spare fuse and spark plugs
lighter

Matches, cigarettes, condom, flashlight.

It's good to keep a condom in case you run into Codajastal while broken down on the side of the road.

Quote from: john on June 18, 2013, 02:11:45 PM
Matches, cigarettes, condom, flashlight.

It's good to keep a condom in case you run into Codajastal while broken down on the side of the road.

This worked for a while, but like I said... he started getting annoyed.

Don't get me wrong, though.. he's very generous with sharing knowledge and helping me out with most projects. However, I think it may be time to get my own stuff at least the basics. Some things on this bike are weird, too. Like working around the frame in some tight spots... or the odd nut for the oil drain. Not to mention shims.

Quote from: Erika on June 18, 2013, 09:32:04 PM

Quote from: john on June 18, 2013, 02:11:45 PM
Matches, cigarettes, condom, flashlight.

It's good to keep a condom in case you run into Codajastal while broken down on the side of the road.

This worked for a while, but like I said... he started getting annoyed.

... wait... what?!?!?!   

Quote from: Janx101 on June 18, 2013, 10:09:01 PM

Quote from: Erika on June 18, 2013, 09:32:04 PM

Quote from: john on June 18, 2013, 02:11:45 PM
Matches, cigarettes, condom, flashlight.

It's good to keep a condom in case you run into Codajastal while broken down on the side of the road.

This worked for a while, but like I said... he started getting annoyed.

... wait... what?!?!?!   

Yea this one is a lost cause ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: Slack on June 18, 2013, 06:43:25 AM

Quote from: Erika on June 18, 2013, 05:23:13 AM
I have a small toolkit that fits under my seat. But when I do maintenance, I usually borrow my bf's tools, which I think is starting to annoy him...

Sounds like the problem isn't the tool kit but the BF   
If my wife wants to borrow my tools to do a project herself, instead of making me do it I'm ecstatic!

A good basic start would be socket sets: deep well and standard, 1/2" and 1/4" drive (metric of course), with a slew of ratchets, extensions, conversions, and a breaker bar.
Also a set of metric spanners.  You'll want to be sure to get the larger sizes as well for axle nuts and such (same thing with the sockets).
A wide variety of screw drivers.
Slip-joint pliers
Needle nose pliers
Vise grips, needle nose vise grips
Snap ring tool
Wire snips
Funnel, oil catch pan
Allen wrench set, preferably one that attaches to a ratchet
Chain press/breaker
Cable lubber
Variety of C-clamps/quick clamps
Fork oil tool
brake bleeder kit
digital/dial caliper
extendable magnet wand
pick set
If your going to trouble shoot electronics: multimeter, wire, soldering equipment, etc
Impact driver
Shop stool
Punch set/hammer
Rubber mallet
Dead blow hammer

Of course you aren't going to go get all of that right now.  A good tool collection takes years to collect.  Always keep an eye out for sales.  Don't buy cheap tools though, they break or aren't sized quite right.  Of course you don't need a high end extendable magnet, but a cheap 17mm socket might only be 16.87mm, and won't fit over any 17mm nuts.
A lot of my tools were purchased when they were needed.  For example, I didn't get an oil fork tool until the first time I changed my fork oil.  The price of the oil and the tool was still much cheaper then taking it to a shop for the work.  But, since I didn't need new fork seals I haven't purchased a seal tool yet, I'll get one when I need to.

You didnt slack with that list! Nice list..but daunting to those just starting out for sure. piece it together as you need it to those looking to make a similar kit.

Quote from: Snake2715 on June 19, 2013, 07:18:04 PM
You didnt slack with that list! Nice list..but daunting to those just starting out for sure. piece it together as you need it to those looking to make a similar kit.

Not nearly all of my tools, but most everything I've used while working on my bike.  I did leave out a few specialty tools that I've used on the bike but most people wouldn't be doing projects that would require them, like drill press, dremmel, tap and die set, angle grinder, welding equipment, etc.

I like it almost another secret bike cave.

I started with cars so I dont have your list, but I get by. I can borrow and rent as well, if needed. Ots great when a harbor freight is local as well, so many cheap tools that are perfect for the one time use.

I wouldn't go that far.  Part of what makes the bike cave so special (Besides Addy's overflowing wealth of knowledge spanning all model years  ) isn't the tools, it's the stock pile of parts that fills it.  Enough parts to build complete bikes from the ground up.  But, I would be happy to have any local GSers hanging out in the 'ol garage.

I have more specialty tools for 4 wheel vehicles then I do 2 wheel.  If your coming from auto work there aren't that many motorcycle specific tools you need to get.

Quote from: Snake2715 on June 19, 2013, 07:36:07 PM
I like it almost another secret bike cave.

I started with cars so I dont have your list, but I get by. I can borrow and rent as well, if needed. Ots great when a harbor freight is local as well, so many cheap tools that are perfect for the one time use.

A Harbor Freight just opened in Brooklyn near the F train. I could tell the bikers on the subway because they plaster their noses against the window or jump up and down while looking down at the new harbor freight when we go over the bridge.

Don't forget the 1/4" and 3/8" torque wrenches! Need them to do engine work.