Hello everyone,

I'm new here and I recently bought a 1991 GS500 for a very cheap price mainly for commuting so I can protect my other bike. My other bike is a ZX9R that I've had a long time and I want to keep it in good condition.

The GS500 has what I'd consider to be some pretty awful bodges. Especially the rear frame being cut by a few inches, and the pillion peg hangers being cut off with a grinder.

There isn't really a way to fix the cut frame properly without welding/knowing how to weld (I hate doing this, but in the context of the bike it's what is appropriate), so I've bodge bolted a metal frame so I could put the original panels back on.

I got the bike for near enough nothing, and my original intention was a bike to use, abuse, not worry about it getting stolen or rotting it in winter, but also keeping it in decent mechanical condition. I admit I do quite like the thing though and suspect I'll probably end up using it more than my 9R.

I'll also slowly reverse some of the "modifications" over time once it has passed the inspection (hopefully in a few days).

It has an aftermarket rear shock and I was wondering if anyone knew what bike it could be from? I've attached a picture.

I've added additional pictures so you can see what I'm working with too (some of it is pretty shocking tbh).

The main things I've done so far are:

Replaced number plate (old one had random holes in it and a cut up reflector bolted to it).

Bolted a metal frame to the rear of the frame so I can fit original panels and make it at least look somewhat original (I'm embarassed by this though as it's a bodge until I can get a proper fix).

Sorted a wiring issue where the bike wasn't charging (due to corrosion to the starter relay it turned out (it was a good opportunity to check the reg/rec and alternator too and these were good).

fitted a fender extender

overhauled the brakes, binning the old pads, fitting braided lines, HH EBC pads etc.

sorting out some general maintenance like lubing cables etc.

Fitting front screen.

Bolting top box mount through the seat (again, another bodge that I'm not completely happy with).

There's other things I'd like to do to it, but will gradually get there over time.

It's great there's a lot of resources for this bike on here, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with the bike.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/pLfY0Fz

Welcome! Despite the shortcomings you describe, it's a good looking bike.

I don't know what the rear shock is, but looking at the pictures got me thinking. Is it possible the rear shock is longer than stock? It seems like that tail is really far up in the air. Also, unless I am simply wrong, an occurrence that will not set the world on its head, it looks like the subfender has been replaced by a flat sheet of "something" that's been painted silver? I know less about the older models as I've only owned the more recent ones, but I still feel like the subfender assemblies are similar. Without the curvature of the subfender, particularly underneath the seat release mount, I'm almost positive the rear wheel could bottom out on that silver piece. Perhaps if the rear shock has a longer e-t-e but the same stroke, that wouldn't be an issue. A significant difference in length would certainly impact your head angle and trail in the front though, possibly affecting the steering of the bike. Have you ridden it yet?

And of course, I'm seeing all this via very tiny pics on my phone so I may be completely wrong. In any case, have a great time with it!

Quote from: brucedavidculver on June 11, 2023, 05:45:42 AMWelcome! Despite the shortcomings you describe, it's a good looking bike.

I don't know what the rear shock is, but looking at the pictures got me thinking. Is it possible the rear shock is longer than stock? It seems like that tail is really far up in the air. Also, unless I am simply wrong, an occurrence that will not set the world on its head, it looks like the subfender has been replaced by a flat sheet of "something" that's been painted silver? I know less about the older models as I've only owned the more recent ones, but I still feel like the subfender assemblies are similar. Without the curvature of the subfender, particularly underneath the seat release mount, I'm almost positive the rear wheel could bottom out on that silver piece. Perhaps if the rear shock has a longer e-t-e but the same stroke, that wouldn't be an issue. A significant difference in length would certainly impact your head angle and trail in the front though, possibly affecting the steering of the bike. Have you ridden it yet?

And of course, I'm seeing all this via very tiny pics on my phone so I may be completely wrong. In any case, have a great time with it!

Thanks for taking the time to comment  Bruce, it's definitely got its shortcomings but I quite like it. It's a lot more comfier than my other bike and I love the simplicity of it to work onrather than rebuilding 2x 6 pot calipers etc.

Yes, I definitely think the rear shock is longer than stock (i suppose it could possibly be the linkage, but the shock is definitely aftermarket or off another bike).

The rear is very close to the ground/sometimes touches depending on how level the ground is. I might back off the preload a bit to see if this lessens this a bit. I know the rear tyre is a 140/70 which I thought might be contributing to this too.

Youre completely right with the painted silver sheet metal. The original subframe is still there, with the exception of the pillion peg hangers, and a few inches that were taken off the rear so the structure is fine. The sheet is some metal that was welded in by the previous owner, and the electrics were attached to this.

The previous owner said something about the rear being damaged due to a previous theft attempt, but it seems that he has either done bodges rather than replacing genuine parts. It looks like he was trying to modify the bike.

I can't fault the previous owner though in terms of the bike, as it was practically free, and if it lasted 1 year of commuting it would owe me nothing.

I hadn't considered the possibility of the rear wheel bottoming out on the metal sheet at the rear, and it's definitely something I was considering cutting out with a grinder and trying to reattach a genuine rear mudguard etc. I'd need to take a look at parts diagrams though to work out if I can fit it with what is remaining of the frame. I definitely want to relocate the electrics too and tidy them up. The reg/rectifier is mounted under the tail of the bike where it will get covered in dirt.

I've ridden the bike up to 40mph but not done any higher speed stuff yet. It seems quite stable and rides quite nicely within the context of the bike, but I've not been over any large bumps yet. I'll definitely check over the rear to make sure it's not going to cause any issues while riding though. The bike will be used for 50mph max commuting, but most of the time will be lower speed filtering through traffic.

I took some pictures of the rear frame so you guys can see the crime scene I'm working with. I'm embarassed by the frame bolted on the back, and it's just a temporary measure until I get something better sorted.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/4fJQ04X

I'm glad that bike found you as its new owner.

Off the top of my head I can't recall seeing a shock like that... it doesn't look like the more common ones swapped onto our bikes (R6, Katana, SV).

I wouldn't be embarrassed about a temporary fix like that. You'll get it sorted right soon 

Quote from: ShowBizWolf on June 12, 2023, 08:24:38 PMI'm glad that bike found you as its new owner.

Off the top of my head I can't recall seeing a shock like that... it doesn't look like the more common ones swapped onto our bikes (R6, Katana, SV).

I wouldn't be embarrassed about a temporary fix like that. You'll get it sorted right soon 

Thank you for your kind words showbizwolf.

I'm still not certain on the shock either but I suppose as long as it works then it doesn't matter too much to me.

The bike has now passed it's inspection here in the UK so I have been using it for commuting. It still needs some work but it's just the sort of jobs I can do as I go now.😀

I also don't recognize that shock. It almost looks like its off something like a Honda dual sport, but that's a total guess.

The OEM Suzuki inner fender is a part that plentiful on eBay for pretty cheap if you want to go back to that, and then you could put in a good used GS500 shock or one of the more common aftermarket shocks that we use because they are the correct lengths (Katana 600, R6, make sure to do some research to get the right versions). I think without the OEM inner fender you will have to keep that longer shock.

The bike looks fine for its intended purpose. Having the top box on the seat keeps the weight in a better spot than way up high and back, even if it is a little messy, it does the job. It's a working bike, like most GS500s that are still on the road.
Mine is similar. I like to keep it running well mechanically but I don't sweat the cosmetics anymore.

It's interesting to see how this forum has changed over the years from mostly cosmetic and performance talk in the 00's and early 2010's and then slowly changed to how it is now where we mostly talk about how to just keep these old bikes running.

Quote from: Bluesmudge on June 30, 2023, 09:24:48 AMI also don't recognize that shock. It almost looks like its off something like a Honda dual sport, but that's a total guess.

The OEM Suzuki inner fender is a part that plentiful on eBay for pretty cheap if you want to go back to that, and then you could put in a good used GS500 shock or one of the more common aftermarket shocks that we use because they are the correct lengths (Katana 600, R6, make sure to do some research to get the right versions). I think without the OEM inner fender you will have to keep that longer shock.

The bike looks fine for its intended purpose. Having the top box on the seat keeps the weight in a better spot than way up high and back, even if it is a little messy, it does the job. It's a working bike, like most GS500s that are still on the road.
Mine is similar. I like to keep it running well mechanically but I don't sweat the cosmetics anymore.

It's interesting to see how this forum has changed over the years from mostly cosmetic and performance talk in the 00's and early 2010's and then slowly changed to how it is now where we mostly talk about how to just keep these old bikes running.

Thank you Bluesmudge.
Yes, it seems like something I'm not likely to be able to identify. Since riding the bike regularly for work, the shock seems pretty tired (even after adjustment of the preload), so it's possible it doesn't matter too much anyway as I might upgrade it at some point.
I've followed your advice and managed to order an inner fender as I think it would be nice to go back to as close to stock as possible.
It's definitely being used more as a workhorse than anything. I'll focus on the mechanical maintenance and won't worry too much about the cosmetic stuff.
I would like to keep it going as long as I can so will try and keep on top of it.
Thanks again.