10-07-2007, 02:07 AM
GS500. Wrenched on it for the first time today, and I gotta say, I am unimpressed. I'm trying to do some of the things that are supposed to be done every 4000 miles. I guess I incorrectly assumed that a bike should be easier to work on, especially one as simple as mine, and while some things are, a lot of what should be simple is not!
Let's see, I'll start with the good. Bleeding the brakes. Freakin sweet. I could pump and activate the bleeder with one hand! Neato. And the lines are short, so it goes quickly. :thumbup:
Also cleaned air filter and topped off battery. That went well too.
Ok, I'm supposed to check the valve clearances. This should be pretty easy, heck, I could do an e30 on a lunch break.
1) Remove the gas tank. Most everything starts with this step. Uh, ok, thanks for leaving me plenty of line so I can actually get to the connections while holding the gas tank partially up with one hand. NOT. And you could have put the nipple for the bleeder hose ANYWHERE, but hey, lets put it right in front of the tiny cutoff valve I need to use a massively long screwdriver on, I can barely see it.
Alright, it's off.
![[Image: 22sm.jpg]](http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e19/ecpreston/22sm.jpg)
Let's take off this valve cover. It's held on by bolts I need an allen wrench for. Odd choice. Ok, it's loose. Take it off. Wow, the frame is JUST in the way from any angle. And there's like 5 cables in the way over top of it. I can't believe I can't get it OUT of the bike. 20 minutes later, feeling like I've probably damaged the cables, I have it out.
Let's check those clearances, I have this nice metric feeler set. Oh. 0.05mm? Holy crap, mine doesn't go that low. That's like, a piece of paper. That was a waste of time. At least I managed to re-gap the plugs when I pulled them so I could rotate the engine. Snake the valve cover back in there eventually, reseal, tighten. Thank god I didn't have the ability to actually check the clearance though, here's the 1 hour video about how to replace the shims with other shims if they are wrong.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2015554469142545363">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 9142545363</a><!-- m -->
You have GOT to be kidding me. Guess I won't be doing that. Ever.
Anyway, the other frustration. Let's crank up the rear spring preload a few clicks, it's the only adjustment the suspension has, and it's sitting a bit too low with me on it. Tool is in the factory toolkit under the seat, this should be easy!
![[Image: Tool-32-5.jpg]](http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb29/TheUnHun/Tool-32-5.jpg)
Nope. Nevermind. I guess the "4" setting will work for me. I have tried every angle, I cannot get that freakin wrench ON the adjuster ANYWHERE. There is so much crap blocking that area, it will NOT fit in there without removing some more stuff, either the rear wheel or the linkage for the shock/spring. Did they even try this tool? Holy balls.
Let's see. Now that I've "done" all that, let's look at removing this centerstand for my upcoming track event. Besides, it's impossible to use it on a garage floor, and I should probably get some of those wheel jack/lift things anyway. Oh? I have to take off the exhaust? Cool. No thanks. Maybe next weeekend. :evil:
WHO THE HELL DESIGNED THIS THING. I only got a few of the things done on this laundry list that's supposed to be completed every 4000 miles. WTF.
Please tell me there are some bikes that are not like this. Or, call me a bitch for whining about this stuff.
Let's see, I'll start with the good. Bleeding the brakes. Freakin sweet. I could pump and activate the bleeder with one hand! Neato. And the lines are short, so it goes quickly. :thumbup:
Also cleaned air filter and topped off battery. That went well too.
Ok, I'm supposed to check the valve clearances. This should be pretty easy, heck, I could do an e30 on a lunch break.
1) Remove the gas tank. Most everything starts with this step. Uh, ok, thanks for leaving me plenty of line so I can actually get to the connections while holding the gas tank partially up with one hand. NOT. And you could have put the nipple for the bleeder hose ANYWHERE, but hey, lets put it right in front of the tiny cutoff valve I need to use a massively long screwdriver on, I can barely see it.
Alright, it's off.
Let's take off this valve cover. It's held on by bolts I need an allen wrench for. Odd choice. Ok, it's loose. Take it off. Wow, the frame is JUST in the way from any angle. And there's like 5 cables in the way over top of it. I can't believe I can't get it OUT of the bike. 20 minutes later, feeling like I've probably damaged the cables, I have it out.
Let's check those clearances, I have this nice metric feeler set. Oh. 0.05mm? Holy crap, mine doesn't go that low. That's like, a piece of paper. That was a waste of time. At least I managed to re-gap the plugs when I pulled them so I could rotate the engine. Snake the valve cover back in there eventually, reseal, tighten. Thank god I didn't have the ability to actually check the clearance though, here's the 1 hour video about how to replace the shims with other shims if they are wrong.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2015554469142545363">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 9142545363</a><!-- m -->
You have GOT to be kidding me. Guess I won't be doing that. Ever.
Anyway, the other frustration. Let's crank up the rear spring preload a few clicks, it's the only adjustment the suspension has, and it's sitting a bit too low with me on it. Tool is in the factory toolkit under the seat, this should be easy!
Nope. Nevermind. I guess the "4" setting will work for me. I have tried every angle, I cannot get that freakin wrench ON the adjuster ANYWHERE. There is so much crap blocking that area, it will NOT fit in there without removing some more stuff, either the rear wheel or the linkage for the shock/spring. Did they even try this tool? Holy balls.
Let's see. Now that I've "done" all that, let's look at removing this centerstand for my upcoming track event. Besides, it's impossible to use it on a garage floor, and I should probably get some of those wheel jack/lift things anyway. Oh? I have to take off the exhaust? Cool. No thanks. Maybe next weeekend. :evil:
WHO THE HELL DESIGNED THIS THING. I only got a few of the things done on this laundry list that's supposed to be completed every 4000 miles. WTF.
Please tell me there are some bikes that are not like this. Or, call me a bitch for whining about this stuff.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van
![[Image: 02792.gif]](http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/02700-02799/02792.gif)
Have some tie downs handy, but they usually come with the jack.