I think I'll start this thread to ask a whole bunch of questions. I've only had the bike for about a month now and some things are kind of bugging me.

Chirpy at the high end/under power.
The engine sounds a bit chirpy. Is this normal, or do I need to do something with either the timing chain or piston rings?

Knocky gear changes
Is this normal? It's kind of loud I suppose.

Rear brake squeal
The rear brake started to squeal a bit under heavy braking a couple of weeks ago during a heatwave. The air temp was in the 40C range. Did I glaze the rear pads?

My toaster calls me names
Should I tell someone or just punch him in the heating element? I don't want to get rid of him, he's usually a pretty cool guy.

Sounds like you have a GS500? Correct?

You're getting some of the quirks of the GS500.

The rear caliper can be cleaned with brake cleaner and put some brake grease in there.

I'd suggest an oil change with good oil. That will quiet down the motor but there always is some noise.

It helps to know what year you have and how many miles. Any other info on the condition and history is very helpful.

And like we always say:


We LOVE pictures!

Quote from: RedMark on February 21, 2014, 11:54:50 PM
I think I'll start this thread to ask a whole bunch of questions. I've only had the bike for about a month now and some things are kind of bugging me.

Chirpy at the high end/under power.
The engine sounds a bit chirpy. Is this normal, or do I need to do something with either the timing chain or piston rings?

Knocky gear changes
Is this normal? It's kind of loud I suppose.

Rear brake squeal
The rear brake started to squeal a bit under heavy braking a couple of weeks ago during a heatwave. The air temp was in the 40C range. Did I glaze the rear pads?

My toaster calls me names
Should I tell someone or just punch him in the heating element? I don't want to get rid of him, he's usually a pretty cool guy.

Gear changes should have a firm and noticeable "clink" or "clunk" depending on how you interpret sounds. It shouldn't grind or have any resistance and the internal spring should return it to position fairly quickly. All this of course is while the bike is moving and you are properly clutching.

The rear brake squeals and the most success anyone has had here is to realign the rear wheel. This would suggest that there is a possible design flaw where the rear brake caliper bracket is very picky about how well it aligns with the rotor. The problem, of course, is the rotor is attached to the wheel, which is aligned using the tensioner marks on the rear axle, whereas the caliper bracket is pretty much fixed into position.

With the toaster just talk to him but if he asks to take a bath with you don't listen to him..it's always a bad Idea to bathe with a toaster.

It's an 02 with 18K on the clock. I've been running 15W/50 oil in it because my dad said it was cheaper and better suited to Australian conditions because the weather is hotter. He's got a Harley and he does the same thing, but I think his bike probably has less quirks so it's not such a big deal.

I think I figured out what that chirping sound related to the engine was. I got home and I noticed that the sound wasn't coming from the front of the bike, so I pressed on the tank and the sound instantly stopped. Take the pressure off the tank and the sound comes back. So now I have to go investigating where the sound is coming from because it's so damn loud I can barely hear my engine properly.

Sounds like your tank is missing one or all of the three foam/rubber cushions that isolate it from the frame vibrations. The two rear cushions get knocked off easily when the tank is removed for maintenance tasks.

What he says.

#7: At front of tank, mounted to the frame. Easy to lose when pulling tank off. Newer ones bolt on. Older ones slip on. If missing it, buy the newer model.
#10: Two of these. One on each side. Easy to knock off and lose. Same for all years of GS500. Can make one from rubber or foam or buy OEM one.
#13,14,15: Tank bracket and seat bracket bumpers. If missing, back end of tank can rattle. Same part for all years.

Be sure tank bracket is bolted to the frame (bolt #12)


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Not my problem, but thank you Adidasguy for the most insightful explanation to this guys problem.