Front + Rear sprocket

[stefman722]

hello,

I searched through the forum, but couldnt find anything specific relating to using a new fron and rear sprocket. From what i read, using a 15T sprocket is better then the stock sproket. Now, tdan553527, you had said you got your sprocket JT sprockets. What i want to know using this has done for you. And my other question is what gains i would be getting form using a different rear sprocket for my 04 gs500f. Anyone could actually help me with this. Will these mods help my gs go up? let me know. Thanks

[tdan553527]

Hello, front sprocket change=quicker acceleration, have to shift a little sooner, lost some top end, easier to wheelie, revs about 200 rpms higher than before, with changing the front sprocket, no need to change the chain, if you change the rear sprocket then you will need to change the chain. 1 tooth down in the front=about 3 up in the rear.

Definitely worth it!

[stefman722]

so are you telling me that if i change the front sprocket, i need to change the rear sprocket as well? or not. And changing the front sprocket will make it easier to do wheelies, but how about changing the rear, what gains do i get doing that.

THanks buddy.

[tdan553527]

You don't have to change both, 1 down in front or 3 up in the back should equal the same advantages.

[stefman722]

You don't have to change both, 1 down in front or 3 up in the back should equal the same advantages.

hey,

do you know where i could get me a 15t fornt sprocket then? the interenet site of JT doesnt support online shopping. I live in Canada, so i dunno where i could get one. IF you could help me out i would appreciate it. Thanks.

[Kerry]

See my GS500 Chains and Sprockets listing.  I couldn't say which (if any) of the vendors ship to Canada, but it's worth a look.

[stefman722]

would it be possible to go to 14t sprocket? what gains would i get from doing that

[stefman722]

See my GS500 Chains and Sprockets listing.  I couldn't say which (if any) of the vendors ship to Canada, but it's worth a look.

thanks, your page is helpfull. I need your help. I would like to order this right away. I got a 2004 Gs500f. I was wondering if the 15t sprocket for the 2002 Suzuki GS500E. I figure that it might, since the bikes are practically all the same. Or if someone could help me out locating a 15t fron sprocket that would fit my model of bike, i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much guys.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/partslist.aspx?Bike=3323&Department=759&Manufacturer=318

[gryhound89]

it's not a bad idea to change both sprockets and the chain at the same time...sprockets aren't very expensive, and they are a wear item.   I recently went to a 15 tooth front (kept the stock # of teeth on the rear), and I can definitely say the bike accelerates a little harder.  not quite ready to take on the R1's and busas yet, but every little bit helps  :mrgreen:   the front sprocket is very easy to change, just remove the cover, use snap ring pliers to take the snap ring off, and slide the old one off and the new one on....

[stefman722]

can you pop the bike up easier? and btw, what year/model bike you got.

[jermflux]

would it be possible to go to 14t sprocket? what gains would i get from doing that

I have a 13 on mine, big difference.  I have a 49 tooth for the back but I can't put that on till I get a set of new lugs.

[Kerry]

I got a 2004 Gs500f. I was wondering if the 15t sprocket for the 2002 Suzuki GS500E.

Yes.  As far as I know, the front sprocket hasn't changed since the 1994 model year.

[stefman722]

hey,

are  you sure about that?! as i will be ordering from the states. Thanks alot.

[Kerry]

I just went out to BikeBandit and checked for ya.  (I checked Ron Ayers too because they display Suzuki part numbers, but their data is ambiguous through the years for this particular part.)

The BikeBandit part numbers for the front sprocket are as follows:

1989   490551-001
1993   490551-001

1994   490543-001
2002   490543-001[/list:u]I don't know of any sprocket changes between the 2002 and 2004 model years.

I think you're safe.  

[stefman722]

alright,

the bike bandit website i found the rear and fornt sprockets for the 2002 gs500e. So, now all i need to know is what you recommend me getting(14,15,16). Do i need to change to a new chain if i buy a front sprocket? and do you recommend changing both? or just one. Let m eknow. thanks.

[Kerry]

I'm not sure ifyou're asking ME in particular, but tdan553527 pretty much covered it above:

16 tooth = Stock

15 tooth = quicker acceleration, more frequent shifting, higher RPMs in a given gear at a given speed

14 tooth = more of the same![/list:u]You can drop one or 2 teeth in the front without replacing your chain.  All you need to do in the back is loosen the axle bolt (and the adjusters in the swingarm) and pull the wheel rearward to take up the extra slack.  If your axle is already near the end of its adjustment on the swingarm then you MAY need to replace the chain after all.

If you're looking to create a wheelie monster then you might consider dropping to a 14-toother in the front AND adding teeth in the back.  Like

tdan said, 3 extra teeth in the back gives you roughly the same results as dropping a single tooth in the front.

It all depends on what you want....

[stefman722]

thanks, i appreciate your help, i just have one more question for you.
If i go with a 15t in the front, AND get a 45t rear sprocket, would i need a new chain? and what if i decide to ONLY get a 45t rear sprocket like this one here. http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/product.asp?pf_id=2745513&dept_id=927541 could i keep the stock chain then? sorry for all these questions, but i dont know much about sprockets.

[Kerry]

If you add 6 teeth in the rear you will definitely need a longer chain, probably one extra link for each extra tooth (although I'm not sure about the math on that).  It might be worthwhile to get a length of chain with a couple MORE teeth than that just in case, and then Dremel / cut off what you don't need.

[stefman722]

i decided ill just replace the front sprocket for now. My one LAST question is this. What do YOU recommend i do to my bike. Change the front sprocket to a 15t or a 14t since i dont need to replace the chain for either one. I want your opinion. Thanks again.

[Kerry]

Sorry - I stepped out for a few hours.    

You're asking ME?  Hmmm, that may not give the desired result.  I still have a 16-tooth front sprocket because I use my GS more as a commuter / tourer than a hotrod.

But I guess you didn't really ask what _I_ would do; rather, what I would do in your shoes.  When "reading between the lines" in some of your earlier posts in the thread, it sounded like you wanted some wheelie capability.  If that's the case (you haven't explicitly stated WHAT you're really after :dunno: ) then I would spring for both a 15-tooth and a 14-tooth front sprocket.  At about $12 US each you could save on shipping by getting both at once and experiment to your heart's content without "breaking the bank".

The front sprocket is easy to swap out, and moving the rear wheel back and forth is pretty easy too.  And if you eventually get tired of higher revs, or shifting more often, or just want to take a long weekend trip, you can always put the stock sprocket back in there and move the wheel back up.

If you simply can't afford more than one front sprocket, then I would suggest the 15-toother.  Unless, that is, you want a more abrupt transformation from commuter to wheelie bike ... in that case go with the 14-toother.

I don't know - does this help at all?