94 Suzuki GS500E
 

Picked it up Thursday. Looks good but needed a few parts. 10482 miles with newer Bridgestone tires.

Both bar end weights were missing (probably bar end mirrors). Both brake and clutch levers were torn up, and I managed to break the head off the shift lever bolt trying to tighten it up.

New parts from Suzuki were $102 for both levers and bar end assemblies. The weights alone were 3 times as much as the whole assemblies, makes no sense but check the price of both if you are buying something similar.

Today I was drilling the broken bolt out of the shift lever to save the $48 they wanted for a replacement. I had the garage door open. Two Hummingbirds who were fighting over the feeder on my porch over the open garage door fly into the garage going at it with each other! Poor little guys got so exhausted I finally got one out and the other landed on top of the door. I grabbed him by the beak and carried him outside the dooor and let him go!

I hope they both survive :thumbup:

regards
Mech

Before I got my first of a few Suzukis and other bikes, this was one that I wanted when I was in high school. I really wanted a sport bike, but I knew what I should get as a new rider. Never did get a GS500, but looks like a nice find there. Have fun!

I got it roadworthy today. Will get Title transferred tomorrow, tags and insurance. I'm debating selling the Ninja 300 and transferring the tags to the GS500E but I can get a refund on the tag on the Ninja so I think I will just have tags on both for a short time.
The PO used Seafoam in the fuel which possibly saved me from having to tear the carbs apart and cleaning them. At first it did not idle or run smooth, but I rode it around my neighborhood, rapidly accelerating then using engine drag to decelerate in low gears which creates a lot of suction on the fuel delivery passageways in the carbs. The choke cable is frozen so I need to get that fixed so it will work properly when it gets cold this fall. Adjusted the chain to max specs, I like to not get the chain too tight. On a couple of those accelerations I could feel the front end getting light, probably close to pulling a wheelie!

regards
Mech

Congrats! Looks good!

I've always like those, but haven't ridden one.

Keep us posted as to how you like it when you get more time on it.


Jay

pre season, there were at least 3-5 of these every week on CL for dirt cheap. mostly not being winterized properly and gummed up carbs of course. Looks like a good find. Basic tune up and your set. this is a good compromise between performance and function, it will serve you well

Are you a bikoholic or do you think it should beat the ninja performance wise (obviously) and still return acceptable FE ?

Probably a Bikeaholic. I was disappointed with the Ninjas high revs per mile and relatively poor mileage compared to my old TU250X and CBR250R. For the total of $1300 I will have in the GS500E I can sell the Ninja for $4K and bank the difference. I rode the GS through my neighborhood today in 6th gear at less than 2500 RPM and it handled it fine.
I think I can get close to the mileage of the Ninja with the GS (65-70 MPG). I know the GS accelerates at the same rate with much lower engine RPM. 55 MPH on the Ninja was close to 6k RPM, on the GS it's about than 4500 RPM.
I got close to 60 average on my old Vulcan 500 so I don't think my expectations are unreasonable. With the speedo reading off the front wheel on the GS, sprocket changes do not affect the speedometer. Not so on the Ninja.
I like the way the GS is laid out for access to the carbs. I like a center stand. I like two valves per cylinder and the combination of old tech and modern ignition systems. Both bikes weigh about the same. I also like the older tech stuff built in Japan when they were at their peak from about 1980 to 1995. The two stage carbs give you a sedate low end acceleration and plenty of power if you rev it up. I'll get a mileage figure soon.

regards
Mech

I think it is possible. I've seen 60+ mpg tanks in a GS500 topic I frequent, though it's not typical there - it depends on the riding style, of course. With low rpms and anticipatory driving you should be fine.

The GS500 is still a good bike overall, with a good balance between performance and maintenance cost.

It was/is a very popular learner bike here (it can't be used for courses for the biggest license category anymore, the 47-hp models should be ok for the restricted one now) because of its easy handling, simple build and low maintenance cost.