'89 GS500E First Bike Project (The Spartan)

[IAmSpartacus]

These bikes sound like sewing machines stock!

Haha- I was just telling my wife that today. In her mind, that's a feature, not a weakness, lol.

[adidasguy]

Interesting not on horns we discovered this weekend in the Bike Cave.
Old bikes have a better horn than new bikes! Like twice the sound and bigger in diameter!
I got a dual PIAA that doesn't need a relay because it isn't an air horn. Air horns need a relay due to the current draw. Also have an air horn. Will do a video on installing horns.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Interesting not on horns we discovered this weekend in the Bike Cave.
Old bikes have a better horn than new bikes! Like twice the sound and bigger in diameter!
I got a dual PIAA that doesn't need a relay because it isn't an air horn. Air horns need a relay due to the current draw. Also have an air horn. Will do a video on installing horns.

coolness. looking forward to it. was considering putting an airhorn on the scooter. lol. ( its plenty strong enough to carry me and the weight of horn/battery and wiring.

[IAmSpartacus]

I installed the Fiamm "Highway Blaster" horn. It shouldn't need a relay and it wired right in to the stock clips. Must be a faulty wire, connection or ground SOMEWHERE, but locating it is beyond my electrical abilities so far, lol.

For my "all on" blinker problem, I think I found a solution. I ordered an electronic relay which handles any combination of LED and incandescent bulbs- so I'm hoping it'll work with my LED signals and stock indicator light. The relay is the ELFR-1 from CustomLED.

http://www.customled.com/products/flasher_relay/flasher_relay.htm

I'll let you know how it turns out.

[CrownSeven]

We sure they don't need a relay?  I've been told most aftermarket horns (air or not) need them because of the increased power draw over stock.  They'll work, but they might burn out the horn switch eventually due to the increased power draw.  Or maybe I just have no idea what the heck I'm talking about 

I picked up the Hella Dual horn kit, which came with a relay. I didn't use it as I have a fuse block installed on the GS which is where it was getting its power from.

[IAmSpartacus]

The Fiamm horns draw around 5amps if I'm not mistaken. According to the Wiki, the GS's system has at least 5.5 amps available that isn't used on its 20 amp fuse (assuming ALL other electrical systems are being used and drawing their maximum power), so I don't see a problem there.

But the issue isn't amperage- the stock horn didn't work either (which is why I replaced it in the first place). So it has to be a wiring issue somewhere between the switch, battery and horn. Though now that I think about it, installing a relay might bypass the faulty wiring that's causing me issues...

[IAmSpartacus]

Well, I know I told you that I was going to wait to upgrade the intake and exhaust, but a Yoshi R-77 popped up on craigslist (from a GSX-R 1000) for $80. It's a carbon fiber exhaust- MSRP is $425. Looks awesome but can it be made to fit my GS (and would it be beneficial)? I couldn't pass it up for that price, but I'm hoping I can actually use it, lol.

http://www.yoshimura-rd.com/t-replacement_muffler_R77.aspx

[jacob92icu]

$80 bucks for a yoshimura!? Whats wrong with it?? 

[IAmSpartacus]

It has a dent and some scrapes, but I should be able to make it look nearly new again. PO took it to a local muffler shop and had them remove it and install straight pipes for more noise, so the Yoshi went up for sale. 

In other news, my electronic flasher came in and was installed. It is a step in the right direction as the blinkers flash now- just all at the same time. So the next step is diodes leading up to the indicator lamp in the gauge cluster, which should remedy the problem. Oddly, my horn randomly started working as well- so I have no idea what was going on.

I still plan to run a relay to the horn just for good measure though. Can anyone point me to a relay and or website that they would recommend?

[IAmSpartacus]

LED blinkers are all working properly now- as is the horn. Only electrical issue left to resolve is the hand brake- it doesn't initiate the brake light. Foot brake does however, so for now I just make sure I use it to alert people behind me (I also have a Back Off brake light module installed for extra safety).

Will probably install the Yoshi R-77 and K&N lunchbox within the next few weeks along with new jets. Starting out with 40/147.5 jets and then test from there.

Anyone who has installed a slip-on, what exactly needs to be done to the GS to accommodate them? I know I will need a flange and some welding done. Since I don't weld, should I just take the whole thing to a muffler shop or are there some things I can do in my garage to minimize expenses?

[IAmSpartacus]

Ok, got my Yoshimura R-77 installed. As you can see, it isn't in like new condition, but it is functional and it was dirt cheap. I don't weld, so I took it to a local muffler shop where they charged me $60 to make a midpipe/flange and weld it all up. I plan on grinding the welds down a bit and spraying high heat black on the new section to make it match.

The Yoshi had obviously been laid down- it had some scrapes and a dent in the front dome of the can as well as the front rivet brace isn't straight. I filled in the dent with JB Weld putty and sanded it smooth and painted the steel dome high heat black to cover it up and match it to the pipe. I also wet sanded the carbon fiber and removed most of the blemishes. I might be able to straighten out the brace- or I might just live with it. I can't complain- $80 for a carbon fiber Yoshi.

What matters most is the sound- which is a veddy nice.  I was smiling the whole way back from the shop- it sounds like a totally different bike now.

Before:


After:

[jacob92icu]

At least its not the stock exhaust! Haha. Looks good! 

[IAmSpartacus]

Here's some (poor) audio to give you an idea of her new sound...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK6B7LQj-ak

[IAmSpartacus]

K&N lunchbox installed and got her rejetted today. 40/147.5 jets, 2 washers and 3 turns and she rides great. Should have had my new grips installed too, but they sent me the wrong color, so I'll have to wait for USPS again. But hey, if anyone wants a pair of Pro Grip 724's (black with green accents) let me know!

Went out for a ride on the North edge of town to test her growl out 

[IAmSpartacus]

Installed a Motion Pro SV650 throttle sleeve today. Quick question: Are these models natively 1/5 turn or are they 1/4 turn but are compatible with the SV650 1/5 adapters? I found a lot of conflicting and confusing info about this here and other sites.

I would love to do the Yamaha 1/6 throttle sleeve, but it seems as if that only works on the newer F models...

[J banning]

Nice build man. Thanks for documenting.

[breekman]

Bike is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[IAmSpartacus]

Thanks guys. I hope it's helpful.