Sprocket and chain kits, who sells em for the GS?

[The Wreck]

I'm rebuilding a friends GS and she's gonna need a new final drive. I've tried a few places online (parts411, kneedraggers etc) and no luck on kits, just individual parts. Also, is the stock chain non O-ring? This has probably been covered but I'm new here people. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Jamie

[Kerry]

I don't mean to second guess you ... just asking:  If the rear sprocket is not totally missing, are you sure it needs to be replaced?

I ask because buying the individual parts may be the best way to go.  Why buy a rear sprocket if you don't need one?  (My bike has gone 34,000 miles on the original, and gsJack has put around 80,000 on his....)

Having said all that, I don't know of a chain & sprocket set for the GS500 anyway.  There may be one out there, but I haven't come across it myself in my own wanderings.  If you decide to go the individual parts route, check my GS500 Chains & Sprockets listing for ideas.

[DerekNC]

Your friend's rear sprocket will probably be okay. Be sure to check the front sprocket  splines for wear. Mine were starting to get a little sloppy. If it gets too bad the output shaft may start to wear. The stock chain is an o-ring. It's worth the money since they last a lot longer.

Derek

[Eqlsp]

i read in another post that if you change the chain, you'd have to change the rear and front sprocket so that it wont' stretch out the chain with worn out sprockets.

how true is it?

i THINK my chain is pretty worn out, I tried to adjust it, but some parts are very tight and other parts are very loose

should i get a new chain?

[DerekNC]

I know on bicycles as long as you replace the chain frequently the sprockets should be okay. It should be the same on motorcycles. If the chain is as bad as you say it might have wore the sprockets. If the teeth are sharp the sprockets are definitely wore.

Derek

[Blueknyt]

bike chains dont get the pounding Motocycle chains get.  grab a bicycle after 10 miles of pedeling, then grab MC chain.   AS the MC chain stretches it doesnt fit inbetween the teeth of the spockets like it should and tends to ride up higher on the trailing teeth, benting and wearing on them. this gives the Sawtoothed look on worn sprokets. when the teeth are bent and you put a new chain on, the teeth no longer support the links like they should and the new chain then stretches in uneven fashion.  in extreme cases you can hear it in the engine exhaust note while going down the road. it will kinda sound like a  Wah wah wah wah wah and tempo will go up and down with speed.   this is the chain getting tight then loose then tight as it goes over the sprokets.

when the driveline isnt pounded on and kept lubed and cleaned, keeping track of actual link stretching you could put new chains on old sprokets for a very long time. but one day they too will need changing and should get a new chain with them regaurdless of miles on prev chain.

if taken care off you can go through many chains.
i beat on mystuff rather harshly, and depending on chain makes ive goten 3 chains on a set of sprokets.