New Rider in Northwest Indiana

[AdamB13]

I have been thinking about getting a motorcycle for a while and sound a deal on a 2001 I couldn't refuse. It only had 804 original miles on it. The first owner put on 801 then sold it. The second owner laid it down once coming to a stop. Only damage was the hardside saddle bags. After she laid it down she said she didn't want it anymore.
Adam

[gz4me +]

Welcome to the forum. The GZ is a nice bike. This forum has alot of good information for the GZ. From regular maintance to trouble shooting problems. Good ideas on making it your own or finding parts to keep it stock. Enjoy your GZ and the forum.

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome Adam. Always great to hear a new member has arrived.
Your new to you and almost new condition bike will need lots of TLC. It is a fact of life but the end result will be very gratifying. Most mechanical devices are meant to be used and exercised. Your job will be to prepare the bike to be ridden safely and reliably and we can help you through the process.

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Ride safe.

[chromedome195]

Welcome aboard!
Happy to have you join us.
Enjoy your GZ.

[Plavanchy]

Welcome from a fellow (boiler) hoosier's stink, enjoy your bike!

[AdamB13]

Thanks everyone for the welcome. It is great to have a site like this to share information and knowledge. The inspection part has already become a little crazy but by my own doing. Instead of simply cleaning the air filter I immediately took out the air box and ordered a new filter and crankcase breather. Now it is time to re-jet the carb. I am going to be going full synthetic on the oil next along with swapping out the brake fluid.

[Water Warrior 2]

Adam, you will also be wise to swap out the tires for new ones. Your present tires are very dangerous to life and limb. After 5 years the rubber gets hard and slippery which is a bad thing. Lots of tread means nothing if it won't grip the road.
Just to get to know the bike a bit better you should try lubing anything that moves. Levers, inside the rubber booties on the shift linkage, side stand, brake pedal pivot. Save the speedo cable and the speedo drive in the front hub for when you swap out the rubber.
Pull off the seats and tank too. Get familiar with the layout. Knowledge is power. Check all the nuts and bolts for snugness.
Something else that has rarely been discussed is replacing the headlight and other bulbs(signals and brake light) Tunsten bulbs get dim with age whether they are used or not. The headlight is a Halogen bulb but will also get dim over the years. Yup, I'm a light nut but I believe in seeing and being seen.