Hey everyone,

Had my blue gs500f for a month now and love it.  I'm comfortable with all types of riding now but still have lots to learn.  I barely know anything about engines and mods but will learn a lot through doing my own repairs and message boards like these.  First 3 questions:

-Last night I was riding and had just switched from 3rd to 4th gear when the bike suddenly kicked back down into 3rd after a few seconds in 4th without me touching a thing.  Did I just not kick hard enough or is there something wrong with the bike?  It has 1000 kms so the breakin period is just about done, hope there's nothing wrong...

-Squeaky rear brake...fixable or does it just need more breaking in?

-The "handlebar weight" (extra extension on the handlebar) has come out and I can't figure out how to get it back in.  Anyone know how to do it??  Obviously the bike's still rideable but it's annoying that it fell out.

I would really appreciate any ideas/tips!!

Thanks....

Congrats on the new bike!

Dont know about 1 or 2 but the 3rd item...The bar end weight has a screw on the end. Turn it while the weight is off the bike far enough to compress the rubber gasket enough to make it a tight fit getting it back on. Then turn the screw more to compress (which expands the rubber against the inside of the handlebar) the gasket more. This should solve it.

Did that make sense?
pablo-

welcome dude

ok, about the shifting problem......i had that happen to me lot's of time while i was drag racing and didn't use the clutch to shift.....maybe you just didn't get it in the gear all the way so see if it happens again and if it does take it to the dealer....


the rear brake.....well i think everyone has that problem.....i just got used to it and i don't use the rear brake as much now.....

the weight....there is a screw inside the barend weight and if your's fell out than you need to get another screw....

For the squeaky brake, see http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3428 .  Summary: EBC Black Kevlar pads may help; anti-vibration shims may help, or flipping them around may help; anti-squeal goop on the shims may help.  

One thing to keep in mind, is that the rear brake is generally overused.  Read about braking technique, and you will probably find that you don't use the rear brake nearly as much.

For the bar-end weight, mine kept coming unscrewed until I put some blue loctite on the threads.

Welcome!

Gearshift - I concur with GRU

Barend - You may have to loosen it up first before you can slide it back in and tighten it up.

Bar ends sorted as above hopefully, gears probably nothing to worry about just keep an eye on it and invoke the warrantly if it continues which it probably won't and the rear brake on my '03 still sqeals a fair bit. Think it's something that is a bit of a characteristic like the occasional clunks from the engine.
Welcome to the forum, be visible and enjoy the bike.

Hey guys thanks a lot!!  i got the bar handle fixed and the dealership checked out both problems and said not to worry and they couldn't find anything wrong

Thanks again for the advice!