GS500E Brakes

These are the worst disk braked brakes I have ever used. This is a LAM as
well

Bleed them constantly to get some sort of feel to them - Sort of gets better
but no great improvement. There isn't any air in the line either.
Even put a new seal kit in the caliper.

Alot of the problems seem to come from the supersoft front fork springs,
which I've impoved by putting a 25mm Spacer in & cranking up the preload.
Added oil to dampen the thing. At least it goes around corners somewhat
better but it still doesn't stop!!

Is a Braided line the only solution?

Pads are limited due to the caliper configuration so there isn't too much
variation for *sport* orientated pads.

Daron

 

How about seeing if some alternative calipers could suit? I'm not sure
where the GS500E got it's front end from, but you might get lucky and be
able to slot on some kind of other caliper on it. Maybe something from an
early model GSXR perhaps? Does it have the anti dive front end on it? You
can disconnect this for more line pressure etc.

Cam
'00 ZX6R

 

No Front dive thing - just a basic Fork & Brake setup
Doesn't even have a fork drain plug?!?

Braided line ( Single disk ) is the cheaper option at $115 over a Caliper.

Caliper is mated with GSX1100G & VX800's

Could be the fact the line is 12 years old & beyond it's use by date

Daron

 

Regarding the suspension on the GS500 ..

Yeh you'll probably benefit from braided brake lines, definately - might
cost you about $90 to have them made up from a company such as pirtek.

In regards to suspension, a common GS500 mod is the installation of
'Progressive Springs' by a company called 'Progressive Suspension' or
similar.

I have the springs in mine and it improves them and is worth the cost ($140
all up) but the bike still doesn't handle too well ..

Matthew

 

Maybe some softer pad material? Can you still get brake dudes to bond a
custom lining onto your old pads? Or has that been nannyfied now?

Gary

 

Probably nannyfied as it sounds far too much like "can you sew a petticoat
under my frock"

Cam
'00 ZX6R

 

Hey

I'll sell you my VTR250, problem solved!

HTH

Hammo

 

Methinks you've answered your own question

JL
(you could always put a whole new front end on it

....snip

....snip

 

As a suggestion go to the website http://www.gstwin.com and the
associated GS500 Forum. There are some very helpful people(some are
racers) in that forum with heaps of knowledge on the GS.

This weekend I will be installing some Progressive Suspension's
progressive fork springs (~$120) into my wife's '96 GS500E and 15W
fork oil. From the gstwin forum's users comments this makes a big
difference to the GS's handling. Also most seem to install a
aftermarket shockie as well as the stock is usually shot on older
bikes (I think the single headlight GSX600 shock is a straight
replacement). Other mods include advancing the timing 5 degrees,
fitting K&N pods, SV650 or other aftermarket pipe and rejetting the
carbies.

Cheers
Conrad