Suzuki GS500 2001 - tyre repair & checking oil levels

[Ms Piggy]

Just last week I got my new bike (the GS500), I've only ridden it a couple of time since getting it but today I was checking it over and now have a couple of maintenance type questions. Please excuse the basic level of my questions, it's only the 2nd motorbike I've owned (before you ask - no I don't have a manual for the bike).

1. Repair of rear tyre - check out what I found lodged in the rear tyre today! Yikes! Where can people recommend as a reliable place to get the tyre repaired? I live in Lower Hutt but I work in town.

2. Checking the oil - do I screw the dip stick back down or just sit it back in place to get the correct oil level (on my old Honda I was told not to screw it down)? Also, do I check the oil with the bike on the centre or side stand (I read somewhere else in this section that oil shouldn't be checked with the bike on centre stand)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[James Deuce]

Replace the tyre if you can manage it. I'm never comfortable on repaired tyres. Repairs should be treated as temporary IMO.

Don't check the oil on any stand. Get the bloke to hold it upright.

I'll find you a maintenance manual and send to it you via email.

[LBD]

Replace the tyre if you can manage it. I'm never comfortable on repaired tyres. Repairs should be treated as temporary IMO.

Don't check the oil on any stand. Get the bloke to hold it upright.

I'll find you a maintenance manual and send to it you via email.

Wot he says on the oil...

Is air leaking from the tire? It may only be superficial in the tread. Take it to a chosen shop then remove nail, you may be lucky ....

[merv]

MotoMart should be able to take your tyre off the rim and put a proper plug in it from the inside and balance it for you and you'll be OK with it. Its only the externally applied plugs that are considered temporary these days.

[James Deuce]

Had an internal one slow leak on me Merv. I can't reccommend them.

[Spyke]

i think the problem with plugging the modern tyres is that theres a single wire about 300 meters long and when you get a flat it cuts the cord and the tyre loses structual strength. this can change the profile and strength of the tyre giving the bike a crappy ride.

but all puctures are different.

[Ms Piggy]

Thanks people for the info people.

I actually took the bike into TSS (because it's closest to where I live and I didn't want to be really late for work) and they repaired the punctures (yep, they found 2 nails!), I did ask the guy if I would need a new tyre but he assured me that because of where the nail was on the tyre it'll be fine - I'll make sure I keep an eye on too.

[Pwalo]

You leave the dip stick sitting on the casing to get a correct reading. This should be done with the bike level, and not on the side or centre stand.

I suggest that you log on to GSTwin and see if they have any downloads of the manual for the GS. If you look around they've got info on most questions that you'll have.

You should get the tyre relaced at some stage. Bridgestone Battleaxes always work well on the GS.

[birdhandler]

I have a PDF of the haynes manual PM me if you want me to email it to you

You can also use the centre stand on a level suface to check the oil

Click on the link below to get to the GS forum

Grwat bike BTW basically beebn selling the same bike for 20 years

Cheers