I got another GS500 

No pics yet, but its a 1997, black with a silver frame and engine, its in good shape, and it cost me $1300.

Man, what a ride from Milwaukee WI to the Southside of Chicago!  Forecast turned to crap before I headed out, temperature went from mid 60s to high 40s and rain, rain, RAIN!  Stormed all the way there, drizzled during the test ride, and stormed all the way home.  All 2 hours and 110 miles of the ride home...
I was soaked through, frozen, and exhausted when I got home.  It was officially worse than the first GS500 I bought where I had to drive it an hour and a half in the high 20s in February.  At least then I could see where I was going!

At the same time I guess rain is sort of my good luck charm.  I bought my Jeep Cherokee in the rain, loved that truck!  I bought my Golf in nice weather, I hate it.  I bought my first two bikes in nice weather and the first was bubba'd and the second I ended up disliking.  My first GS500 I bought in the rain and rode home in freezing temperatures.  I ended up loving it and although it revealed some engine issues it was a solid bike.
The one I just bought seems like a winner, and I bought it in the rain...

Ok, it needs some TLC, but mechanically it's better than my last GS500.  19k miles on it, engine revs all the way to the red line which is something my last GS500 wouldn't do, clutch is good, brakes are good, electrical is good, the filter studs are unmolested, it has new rubber, a new battery, it's clean, and it's smooth!

Faults are as follows:
Cluster isn't water tight.  Needs new seals?
Cluster needs new bulbs.
Mirrors are junk.  They are in good shape physically, but they don't stay put.  I don't think I can tighten the ball joints, so I'll have to just replace them.
Side-stand spring is weak.
That's about it for things that need fixing.  The rest is just touch ups.

Could use a rejet, as could all GS500s.
Rear indicators are some weird aftermarket ones.  They work but I want new ones.
Could use a touch of paint here and there.  Some minor scratches and a nick or two.  Was planning on painting the whole bike at some point anyway so that's fine.

Pics up ASAP.  Might not be until Tuesday, though.

Did you get it last night? I'm in Sheboygan and today was my first full rain experience. After this morning, I've been looking up some rain gear!

Yes, last night!  It was awful!  I don't know what the hell I was thinking 

COOL I am very excited for you!!! 

As promised!

As it sat the night it came home (pit stop at my friend Matt's house).



Next to him and his Yamaha FZ-07 (Amazing bike!  So want!)



The maiden voyage, so to speak (after getting the tags and insurance), to Denny's!



And my first daytime photo after I rode it to work today.




Found out the back cluster cover is actually cracked, that's why it's not water tight.  Don't know how I missed that on purchase day...  Shouldn't be hard to find another intact cover to swap out with, though.
Could use a re-spring on the front forks.  My last GS500 would bottom out on occasion but it seems like this one does it more frequently.  Seals seem fine, just can't handle my fat ass, I suppose.
Runs wonderful, revs high and gets up to speed.  No trouble on the highway.  Dug out my set of jets, I'll toss in the 40 pilots whenever I get a chance.  Not sure what size large jets I have but I might toss those in as well.
Stock exhaust actually sounds decent.  I might leave it alone and just clean and paint the headers...
And I found out the side-stand cutoff switch doesn't function, but I'm really good about my side-stand anyway so it's no biggie.

She's solid, just needs some lovin'.  Should have it tip top minus the paint in a few weeks.


And yes, that is a little Yoshi sitting on the bar clamps!  A friend of mine gave me that and not knowing what to do with it I put it on the dash of my car.  It's only fitting he gets put on the bike, now.