Front drive sprocket

[heygawgaw]

O.K. picked up new chain and both sprockets. Noticed that the old front drive sprocket has a "shoulder" spacer on the back side. New replacement sprocket does not. Dealer this is no problem and replacement will work just fine. I know sprocket will fit over shaft and teeth have correct engagement, but would the in and out play of a spacerless sprocket effect longevity? Should I demand a exact replacement  or can I use this spacer-less sprocket or try to find aq washer as a spacer? I really don't trust the dealers, so I came to the experts. :dunno:

[tdan553527]

Just find some washers that will fit and put them on, I don't think you want that sprocket sliding side to side.

[treybrad]

What year is your bike? '94 is anybody's guess, but pre-94 don't get a shoulder and the 94+ bikes do. Sounds like you got the wrong year sprocket. I'd take it back and make them give you the right part rather than just making it work... it's your $$.

trey

[cummuterguy]

here's some advice kerry gave on a previous topic that was similar...

those part numbers do not come up for GS500 bikes at all.  They mostly say Yamaha.  Will they still fit the Suzuki?

Hmmm.  I can double-check if you like.  Which set of part numbers were you looking at - from which vendor?

I assume an 02 should still fit an 04 GS500F...same engine right?

Yes, same engine ... but the pre-'04 engine was the same, too.     The difference between the '89-'03 sprocket and the '94+ sprocket is not the shape of the hole that slides onto the countershaft.  It's the presence or absence of a "shoulder" that serves as a spacer.

Here's an old photo showing a stock '99 sprocket, a Sprocket Specialists unit, and a JT Sprockets one:



The Sprocket Specialists sprockets for the GS500 all look like the one in the middle.  This is what the '89-'93 stock sprocket looks like as well.  Several GStwin members have successfully used a Sprocket Specialists unit on their post-93 countershaft with no ill effects, but when I tried it I had some scary noises coming from down there when I least expected them.  Probably just a wheel alignment issue, but still....

[heygawgaw]

Yeah, I guess I'll have to go back and fight with the "know it all" at the service counter. They know sooo much more than anyone else, you're just supposed to take it.
Can only imagine what would happen if I took my bike there for any type of service.
The bike is an 01. Thanks for all the information, should just rely on this forum to get part no.s then order through internet.  :guns:  :guns:

[gsJack]

I changed the chain only on my 97 GS (bought new 3-99) for the first time and then chain and front sprocket yearly using the Sprocket Specialists front sprocket without the hub.  Put first hubless srocket with 15T on in 4-01 at 37k miles and again spring of 02, and last time in 4-03 at 69k miles.  Bike has almost 80k on it now so it was run with a hubless sprocket for about 43k of it's 80k miles.

Called Sprocket Specialists when I received the first hubless sprocket and was assured by them it would be OK.  Said the front sprocket followed the chain that was located off the back sprocket.  Last time I changed it at 69k the shaft looked like new and sprocket still fit like it did 1st time.  Always careful to align the wheel properly.

I rode the bike hard but didn't do wheelies or burnouts and probably will continue to use the Sprocket Specialists front sprockets on the 02 GS.  It has about 21k on it now and will get a new chain in the spring.  I found the best price on a DID o-ring chain and front sprocket from Chaparral and have stuck with them.  About $70 for both.

[Adam R]

Yeah, I guess I'll have to go back and fight with the "know it all" at the service counter. They know sooo much more than anyone else, you're just supposed to take it.
Can only imagine what would happen if I took my bike there for any type of service.
The bike is an 01. Thanks for all the information, should just rely on this forum to get part no.s then order through internet.  :guns:  :guns:

 Yeah, motorcycle dealers are terrible, especially the nationalized corporate ones.   I've driven more than an hour to pick up a part only to find that they told me the wrong part over the phone, even with giving part numbers.  

In my experience, most service counter guys are in their late teens or early twenties and have never even heard about the GS.  They either have a bunch of dirt bikes or a blinged out late model supersport bike that they subsized through said dealer and their $10/hr paychecks.  Then there are the motorcycle dealer guys who don't even have a bike or ride!  Those are the worst!