Ciaran - GS500

Good news! I got a phone call this arvo telling me that my new gasket and a couple of other bits are ready to be picked up. That means the bike should be running by the end of the week, like a dog but it will be running.

Bad news! The exhaust wasn’t included in the last batch to be made like they told me it would, I have a feeling they wont be forgetting it this time round. It will however cost me another 3 weeks. <!-- s:cry: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cry.gif" alt=":cry:" title="Crying or Very sad" /><!-- s:cry: -->

Once the exhaust is on I can get a RWC and transfer the rego, then make an appointment for some dyno time.

Give it a month and she'll be ready for a christening on urriara road.

 

Will do.

If the weather is good I will be going for a run up the cotter with a few of the OCAU.mc and Canbrider fellas on Saturday morning. Here are the details if you are interested.

I doubt it will be so slow. I was thinking about meeting them at tharwa instead of riding all the way to Dickson and doing a return trip down the cotter back to the southside.

Is the fizzer back on the road yet?

 

The GS is alive! and running surprisingly well. Sounds awesome with the new exhaust, but I don’t think the neighbors like it much....

Might take it for a sort run up and down the street today to see if any more bugs need to be ironed out. I will also look into why the clutch feels so heavy.

All I have to do now is remember where I put the old number plate and rego papers. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_mad.gif" alt="" title="Mad" /><!-- s -->

 

Before installing the clutch disks, you should let them sit in a bath of fresh oil overnight (8-12 hrs).

 

As far as I know the clutch isn’t new but I could be wrong. Might just try a few different cable routs before opening it up.

I ended up taking the bike for a spin around the block. Running well enough to ride it to the shop for a RWC but will be going in for a proper tune ASAP tho. And it is damn loud. I met an old mate from school on the weekend that now owns a busa with muzzy pipes. The GS sounds like a beast in comparison!

 

I arranged for an unregistered vehicle permit and went down to get the RWC today. I took it to the workshop at the erindale servo since I know one of the mechanics. He said to bring it down whenever and they would do it on the spot.

It passed! (ever so slightly) Seems the bike is as loud as I thought. It was right on the limit but within the tolerance of the testing equipment, they let it pass. I am a bit pissed at the guy who sold me the pipe though, he clearly stated that is was an ADR compliant pipe and I shouldn’t have any problems with it.

It has a bit of a kick to it as well. Such a pity it was pissing down rain this morning. I can’t wait to see what it is like after the rejet.

 

The resurrection of the mighty GS is almost complete. If all goes to plan (fingers crossed) the bike will take its first trip into the hills by this weekend. Forecast is for rain. lol.

Rego by Tuesday tuning on Friday. After that I will hopefully be able to return to riding in my spare time.

I already have plans of swapping the rear shock for one off an rgv250 and installing some progressive springs, maybe even adjustable preload caps for the forks. The list goes on and on.

I will update this thread with some pictures at the end of this week.

 

Yeah. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt="" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s -->

The way i see it now, do the bare minimum or go all the way. No point in any middle ground. I realised that if the GS took this long the fizzer is going to take that at least. So I am going to be riding the GS for a fair while before i even have a chance to sell it. As well as a bit of cash left in the budget.

I don’t want to be stuck with a bike i am not satisfied with for such a long time. And after riding the fizzer the GS feels a bit too much like jelly mid corner for my liking.

 

No pictures just yet, not until she gets a wash anyway.

Rego is all done. I took it to the shop to get it rejetted and all seemed fine until I arrived and noticed a pool of oil forming at the base of the side stand. Turns out the clutch pushrod seal carked it. I was expecting another three week wait for a slow boat from Japan but luck was on my side this time. Another person had a GS400 in for the exact same problem and they accidentally ordered one for the 400 and one for the 500 so it only took 4 days.

I had a grin from ear to ear as she fired up and revved freely to redline then settled back to idle with no hesitation. All without a drop of oil.

It didn’t last long. I entered the onramp for the highway and gave it a fist full and the clutch started slipping! Argh. I have been taking it easy to minimize slippage but it is no fun. The parts will get ordered tomorrow, nfi when they will arrive but it should be around the same time as the 500km valve clearance check.

More waiting......

 

The clutch is also making a strange noise when engine braking or maneuvering at low rpms. It will be gone soon enough so not really too worried about it.

I managed to pick up for $400. Well worth it even after all the problems and the cost of parts, it really saves the wallet when you are doing all the grunt work yourself. Certainly has taught me a few things, mostly patience.

My confidence levels while riding the bike has improved and I have started to get a feel for it while commuting. The fizzer feels rock solid and very stable in comparison, especially at speed. Low speed stuff is allot more laid back and lazy on the GS, no need to be on your toes all the time like the fizzer.

The exhaust note has gotten a few head turning reactions, as well as waves from school kids. <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> It is noisy but I haven’t noticed cars paying anymore attention than usual. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s -->

 

Thats interesting you should say that actually. Recently one of my EXUP cables on my FZR1000 broke and it pulled itself completely open whilst i was riding with ear plugs in. The majority of the noise increase was at idle (not surprisingly) but it was magnificent! If it wasnt for the fact that it accelerated like a 250 below 4k rpm without the EXUP i'd leave it wired open constantly. For the first time i actually noticed drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and most definitely police looking to see where the noise was coming from. Just rolling up behind the average car, the rumble from the inline-four was magnificent.

Anyway, the EXUP cable is replaced now so she's quiet again. I enjoyed my fun but its far more pleasant to ride with the EXUP working.