Wednesday, June 29, 2011

GS500 Air Filter Replacement or Cleaning

Cleaning the air filter can help prolong the life of the engine in your motorcycle. This post document replacing the air filter on a 2007 Suzuki GS500F. The same procedure applies for cleaning. Suzuki recommends cleaning the air filter every 2,000 miles and replacing it every 7,500 miles or two years. The gas tank needs to be removed to change or clean the air filter.

GS500 Air Filter Replacement

The tools I used:
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

1) Put the motorcycle on the center stand to make it more stable.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

2) Remove the seat. Turn the key while lifting up on the rear of the seat.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

Seat removed:
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

3) Ensure the fuel petcock is turned on and the fuel cover on the tank is secure. The fuel tap is under the tank, and will be turned off in step 6.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

4) Use the 12mm socket and ratchet to remove the two bolts, each one securing either side of the tank.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

5) Gently lift up on the rear of the tank and slip a piece of wood to support it.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

6) From the right side of the bike looking towards the left, the fuel tap is visible under the tank.

GS500 Air Filter Replacement

Use a flatbladed screw driver to turn the fuel tap from on (vertical) to off (horizontal)
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

7) Using the pliers, loosen the two hose clamps and remove the fuel hoses from the fuel tap. Make a note of which hose goes where. I used a zip tie to mark one side.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

Have a rag handy to catch the couple drips of gas that will be in the hoses.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

8) Remove the water drain hose
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

All three hoses removed:
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

9) Now that the tank is free of the hoses, lift up on the rear of the tank and pull towards the back of the bike slightly. The tank should come free easily. Place in a safe place.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

10) The air filter is held by four Philips screws. Use the Philips screwdriver to remove them.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

Note the two clips also held the the bottom two screws:
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

11) Remove the air filter
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

12) If cleaning use compressed air to blow it clean. This one is a bit dirty.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

13) The Old (left) and New (right)
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

14) Install the new filter and replace the four screws. Remember the two cable clips on the bottom.
GS500 Air Filter Replacement

15) Reinstall the gas tank and reconnect the three hoses.
16) Remember to turn the fuel tap back to the on or vertical position.
17) There is no specified torque for the two rear 12mm bolts.
18) Go for a ride!

Other GS500 Guides/Howtos:

10 comments:

  1. Dear Chris:

    I am not the world's smartest person but I was surprised where you said in the above directions that the fuel tap should be turned "on." Did I get that wrong? But id you'd be removing the hoses, wouldn't you want the tap switched off?

    The air filter on my K75 is one of the few things you do not have to remove the tank to access... But it is an even bigger pain in the ass with a myriad of little connectors.

    I sincerely hope I have the opportunity to see you in Bloomsburg.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack/reep
    Twisted Roads

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Jack: Thanks, part of the original post got goofed when I posted it. I updated step 3 to reference the fuel petcock (step3 - on) and the fuel tap (step6 - off).


    PS: check out today's post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Jack: PPS: I decided last night that I will make every effort to be in PA later this month.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you so much! The dealer manual that came with the bike was not that helpful at all. It did not mention anything about the fuel hoses. I almost break the fuel hose from stretching it too much thinking it was long enough.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous: Glad I was able to help.

    ReplyDelete
  6. hey i just got K&N SU5589 and i followed the above steps now my question is when i replace it KN Air Filter installation instructions mention about " On an unmodified Motorcycle the air flow restrictor must be installed in the air flow inlet" and it was not provided with the product so i called K&N and they are sending it now, my question is for GS500F 2009 is it required to have the Airflow inlet or i can just use the the filter as is, please advice, i cannot drive the motorcyle unless i get the part or replace with the old one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not sure about a K&N on a 2009. Based on the name, it would be restricting the air into the bike and thus the carb. With too much air, you'd run a bit rich and foul up the plugs. The bike should still run however.

      I would follow K&N's recommendations if it were my bike. They should understand the effects of their filter better than anyone else.

      Delete
  7. Thanks for posting these instructions. I recently purchased a used 2004 GS500 not sure when the air filter was last changed. Would the process to change the air filter be the same for a 2004 as your 2007 GS500. Also, the clamps that hold the gas line hoses, do they readily spring back into position or should I have replacements on hand just in case. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the process is the same. the bikes haven't changed much in the last decade. I re-used my clamps, so I think you can too.

      Delete