3-4 hours for new front sprocket, chain, alignment?

[Jackstand Johnny]

Does this sound right to yall? I just called the only shop anywhere near me to have this done and thats what they told me. At $65/Hr there's no way I can afford this. Any links on a how to for the chain and sprocket install? Thanks.

[kml.krk]

sprocket with alignment is about 10-15 minutes.
I'm not sure though how long it takes to take the wheel off, put on new chain, and reinstall the wheel.
good luck
Kamil

[ATLRIDER]

I just did my front sprocket (15T) and chain adjustment for the very first time.  It took me a total of about 1 hour.  That included using an air grinder to grind off the 2 heads on the sacrificial link of choice and using the right tools to pop the link off and press a new one on the replacement chain.

[Jackstand Johnny]

I really wish I just went ahead and did it myself and took it up there for the alignment, but I didn't want to destroy the brand new chain and sprocket riding it up there. They told me when I was up there that youre supposed to replace the rear sprocket with the front and chain every time, but thats not what I was told on here.

[ATLRIDER]

I'm no expert by any means but your front sprocket is turning approx. 3 times faster than the rear (roughly 3:1 ratio) and also takes most of the load so it should wear out alot faster.  So if the rear is good, why replace it?

By the way, I didn't have to take the wheel off since the chain link was ground off.  Just had to loosen it to adjust the chain.

[kml.krk]

I believe GSJack has done about 50 000 miles on one of his GSes and NEVER changed rear sprocket... I can't give exact quotation tho.
If you lube your chain regularly the rear sprocket should live a long life.

like altrider said: about 3 times longer than front sprocket.

anyway, you may want to wait for someone more experienced to chime in before taking any actions 

[Paulcet]

Just the front sprocket?  No.  1 hour or less.

[simoniz]

I've done them myself on all the bikes I have owned over the last 25 years, and it is quite straightforward, so I would say 60-90 minutes for the full chain and sprocket set, going at it leisurely. The GS is one of the easier bikes to do this job on.

[RichDesmond]

Does this sound right to yall? I just called the only shop anywhere near me to have this done and thats what they told me. At $65/Hr there's no way I can afford this. Any links on a how to for the chain and sprocket install? Thanks.

That's crazy. A decent mechanic will do that job in less than an hour.

This how-to thread is for an SV, but most of it will apply to the GS.

http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=78234

[gearman]

Doesn't installing the factory "endless" chain require swingarm removal? Maybe that's what they base their hours on. I believe the engine sprockets are harder than the rear, so wear is pretty much equalized between the two.

[shiznizbiz]

Sounds to me they are feeding you shaZam! to get you to do somethign you dont want to do. shady mechanics prey upon people that done know any better.  Thats how they make money when business is slow. Watch out, they may tell you your muffler bearings need replacing. 
The internet is your friend.  research everything.  It'll keep you from getting f%&ked without lube.  Youll just get f%&ked.

[ATLRIDER]

I believe the engine sprockets are harder than the rear, so wear is pretty much equalized between the two.

I'm not sure that's right. The rear sprocket will turn roughly 100x for every 300x the front turns.  The front is connected to the output shaft.  Every time you start moving from a stop, the front sprocket is put under extreme engine load and then transfers the load to a bigger rear sprocket. When you accelerate hard, the front sprockets gets the privilege of being further stressed. Now I've just put on a smaller sprocket (15T hardened steel) and will bet it's gonna wear a little faster than the 16T stocker cause it's spinning faster and because I'm gunning it more to enjoy the extra power.  
Please, GS Guru's chime in if you have a better answer or if my theory is way off.

[gsJack]

I've never changed a rear sprocket on any bike I've owned.  That includes the 97 GS I put 80k miles on and my current 02 GS with 65k miles on it so far.  I also put 80k miles on a 82 CB750K I bought new and 98k miles on a 81 CM400A I bought slightly used.  I've changed the front sprocket approx every 2nd chain.

It's not just the hardness of the sprocket and number of teeth that affects wear.  The chain moves on and off a tooth with less wear when the diameter is larger, the smaller the sprocket and the less teeth it has the more the wear is accelerated and the less smoothly it works.  A new sprocket has a better tooth shape when it has 16 or more teeth than one that has less than 16T, the tooth is more undercut at the base when there are fewer teeth.

I use lots of mostly PJ1 Blue Label chain lube and don't worry too much about how the rear wheel looks.  I clean up the rear wheel everytime I change the tire whether it needs it or not.   

[sledge]

Small sprockets wear at a faster rate than larger ones of a similar pitch..........its down to whats known as Chordal effect and there is no way to overcome it.

http://chain-guide.com/basics/2-2-1-chordal-action.html

[kml.krk]

[...] That includes the 97 GS I put 80k miles on and my current 02 GS with 65k miles on it so far.  I also put 80k miles on a 82 CB750K I bought new and 98k miles on a 81 CM400A I bought slightly used.[...]

all I can say is WOW

80+65+80+98=323

323 000 miles. 323000 / 24,901.55 = 12.97

So it's like you've traveled around the globe almost 13 times 

cheers
Kamil

[fred]

[...] That includes the 97 GS I put 80k miles on and my current 02 GS with 65k miles on it so far.  I also put 80k miles on a 82 CB750K I bought new and 98k miles on a 81 CM400A I bought slightly used.[...]

all I can say is WOW

80+65+80+98=323

323 000 miles. 323000 / 24,901.55 = 12.97

So it's like you've traveled around the globe almost 13 times 

cheers
Kamil

That is a lot of trips around the world... Very very impressive.

[gsJack]

[...] That includes the 97 GS I put 80k miles on and my current 02 GS with 65k miles on it so far.  I also put 80k miles on a 82 CB750K I bought new and 98k miles on a 81 CM400A I bought slightly used.[...]

all I can say is WOW

80+65+80+98=323

323 000 miles. 323000 / 24,901.55 = 12.97

So it's like you've traveled around the globe almost 13 times 

cheers
Kamil

That is a lot of trips around the world... Very very impressive.

That didn't include my first bike a CB400T that I put 6k miles on and traded in on the CB750K or a CB650SC that I put 48k miles on that had a shaft drive.

[The Buddha]

I am second ... second in miles ridden ... me me  me all me ...
35 bikes, 16 GS'es, 48K on the first 40K were mine. And 125K total.
OK Fine distant second ... very very very distant ... GSJack rode more this week than I rode this year prolly. And it rained all this week.
I'll go hide my shame now ... 
Cool.
Buddha.

[sledge]

yeah...thinking about it and averaging the miles out I must be at about 170k now....but thats since 1982 when I first got a license.

[gsJack]

I started riding in late July of 1984 just before my 52nd birthday so I've been riding a little over 24 years.  I retired 14 years ago at age 62 so work hasn't interfered with my riding for more than half my riding years now.  Makes it easier to rack up the milage.