GT500 baffles

rbond · Post by **rbond** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:25 am

How do you get the baffles out? I removed the screw, but I don't seem to have anything to hook to the bar to pull with. HELP!!!!!!

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:26 am

A simple way is to remove the pipe from the header and slide a broomstick through from the front and tap carefully on the front part of the baffle.

rbond · Post by **rbond** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:28 am

OK, do I cut the rounded end off to make it flat, leave alone, or insert the taper end? Just want to do it right the first time.... I have just made new air filters to replace the originals,, next planning on replacing all rear wheel bearings, re-spoking the wheel, put on new chain, sprockets, and new bushings. I think I will take a week off from work......

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:10 am

Cut the round end off and use that flat end of the stick to place up inside against the front end of the baffle and make sure its centred before tapping. A week off from work?? ok then sounds like you've got somethings planned,

rbond · Post by **rbond** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:32 am

A week is because the simplest job on this bike ALWAYS has a problem stuck in there. Like the baffles, should just pull out? Right, NOOOOO. All the work I listed for the rear, well I have a partially stripped shock stud on the swingarm to deal with, I have the Parts-n-more bushings to deal with, lost the one spoke wrench I need and no one here seems to carry new ones, so I have to order a set, more hurry up and wait. Even the supposedly simplest maintenance or repair is sometimes blown out of proportion, it gets a little discouraging. I WANT TO RIDE. I only have one bike, so when I have to work on it and not ride...... I really don't have a place to park even a small second bike if I wanted and of course there is the wife. 'Why would you need another bike, you can only ride one at a time'. So I expect to need all the free time I can get to concentrate on doing the work in a continuous manner and during the week, I will have access to any stores being open for supplies, tools, etc. I will need to do the job. So for my situation it will actually be faster to get the repairs, upgrades done, so I can ride some more. I mainly use it for getting to work, running errands, saves me a lot on gas. I have been tempted to buy a MG V7 Classic, to me it is the modern equal to the GT. Simple, same weight, slightly more horsepower, better brakes, shaft drive, etc. Just can't get excited about the nearly 9 grand price tag. Last new bike I bought was a 1978 GS400C for $1,350. Same thing now would be about 4 grand. Be much better buying a slightly used GS from up north for 2 grand, or even a mid 80's BMW airhead for 3-4 grand.

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:09 am

'Why would you need another bike, you can only ride one at a time'

Try that one on her the next time shes buying ANOTHER pair of shoes.

rbond · Post by **rbond** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:16 am

That is a very valid point. She has lots of shoes and has actually been looking for more this past weekend. I know it won't work, but just to tic her off a little will be worth it. I had found a nice low mileage '74 GT185 in OK. for $950. Just close enough, I could have taken the bus up and rode it back.... Just couldn't save up the money quick enough, oh well maybe there will be others.

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:28 am

Oh too funny, I knew it would make your day. Another angle of reasoning can go something like this, "Oh honey I've just got to get this other bike, it will match my new riding jacket so well. Plus having two bikes will allow me to work on the other one while I still have some thing else to use.

diamondj · Post by **diamondj** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:14 pm

Once she lets you back in the house, let me know if you need a spare T500 swing-arm or if you'll be able to repair the one you have.

Jim

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:15 pm

Back to the baffles. Grab the cross bar with a pair of vice grips. Straddle the vice grips with a large crescent wrench to turn the baffle. They have never came straight out for me. Rotate the baffle back and forth with the crescent wrench while pulling on the vice grips.

rbond · Post by **rbond** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:33 pm

1. It is only logical to have at least a second bike for the very reason you stated. Could run to get parts, etc. without wasting a lot of gas and wear and tear on the much more expensive car...
2. At least it is a little cooler in the evenings here now. However it will be a little cramped sleeping in the back of my Corolla.

3. I only have a standard jaw vise grips, they will not go in far enought to grab the cross bar.
4. How much you want for the swingarm? I might get it anyway, easier to repaint, put new bushes in without being in a hurry to remount everything.

Are you getting the impression I am a little impatient with this? Normally I am a very patient person, but for some reason not with this bike. Right now I would even settle to have my old S-90 back to ride on so I could really do the 500 properly. Anybody got a spare tiddler for sale?

GT500 baffles

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