GPZ500s Owners

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

My bike just reminded me today about one of its less endearing features, thought I would share because there are quite a few people who own them and may not realise.

Riding the bike into a 30 limit and closed the throttle to slow down. I thought I would take the oppertunity to fasten one of the straps on my jacket that had been flapping about. To do this I had to take both hands off the bars, not normally a problem as the GPZ coasts along quite happily in a straight line with little or no steering input.

Not this time though, as soon as I took my hands off the bars it started a lock-to-lock tankslapper. With a little experimenting, it was doing this under power too but my gripping the bars was damping it down. I also noticed the front end was feeling a bit vague round corners.

Initially I thought my tyre pressures were out, but they checked out ok. Wheel nuts were tight and none of the balance weights had fallen off. It was only when I was checking the tyres that I remembered. If there is less than 2mm of tread on the front tyre, the front end starts doing odd stuff. I just hadn't noticed because I have fitted drag bars so it didn't have the familiar 'feel' you get through the clip-ons.

So, if your GPZ500s starts feeling unsteady and 'tracking' along linear road defects (eg white lines) for no apparent reason, check the tread on the front tyre. They are worn out before they are illegal.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Full Bananas · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :

Cheers for that, had no idea.
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"Work is the curse of the drinking class."

ZaphodBeeble · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Feb 2004 Karma :

Nice one stinky. My bike (GSX600F) does that when I leave go of the bars, usually only above 30 or 40 mph though. I think it will be fine once I replace the tyre and get it balanced but I can't afford it yet, besides, there's tread left! Mr. Green

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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

Craggles · Traffic Copper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Very interesting.

I'll be checking that one out - I experience a bit of this.

Craig
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If this signature is blue, you're riding too fast

mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

As said in another post, this has started to happen to mine, slaps about at 50mph or if you let off under heavy acceleration.

Was looking at the front tyre (Dunlop Aeromax) and my dad suggested the tread looked a bit uneven. There is also a slow leak in the front so rather than get it resealed might as well buy a set of tyres.

Any particular tyres recommended and how much would they cost?
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iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Karma :

BT45's on the GPZ. Thumbs Up

Can't beat em. Smile

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Karma :

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

I noticed the exact same thing on mine just yesterday but as it's had a crash i thought the forks were very slightly twisted. Thanks for the tip, i'll check it out.

While the gpz'ers are taking notice i have a couple of little Q's.

When accelerating there is a sort of faint rythmic chuff chuff chuff noise. Is it normal? Is it the vacuum suction to the fuel tap?

Also on the later clocks, the trip counter and milometer are on the speedo dial but what is the counter at the bottom of the rev counter dial for?
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ZXR750L