Engine sprocket spacer?

[Dretzl]

I have a 93 suzuki gs500 and I recently replaced the driver sprocket because of a humming sound the old one was causing(too much play in and out, not so much left to right though).  I have the clymer repair manual, and it shows the sprocket going on as having a shoulder or lip to offset the space between it and the oil seal.  When I went to the dealer and ordered the sprocket it didn't have a shoulder on it or a spacer with it.  A friend of my swears there's too much place (over 1/8th an inch) but I'm having trouble finding a sprocket with a shoulder or the correct spacer for the shaft (matching the splines).  Any idea where I can find the spacer, or another sprocket?

Thanks,
Dylan

[Berowra]

Have you tried looking at a parts fische?  Is item no 37 what you are referring to?

That is:

37 SPACER (L:32.7)
27531-01D10

[Big Shot]

Sounds like you have a 93 GS with a newer motor installed in it.  I don't remember off hand, but i'm sure someone will chime in soon enough with the year they switched from a shoulder-less sprocket to a shouldered one.  And I would think your best bet would be to try and return it.  If you can't, just put it up for sale here and get the proper sprocket as opposed to trying to use a make-shift spacer.  Easier and safer i would imagine...


I want to be human - Bob!

[Dretzl]

Looking at http://www.hillsboromotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=92727&category=Motorcycles&make=Suzuki&year=1993&fveh=2103 it looks like the only spacer listed is the one behind the oil seals (35 and 32) and it is part 37.  It is either 37-1 (L:35.6) or 37-2 (L:32.7).  Is L:35.6 and L:32.7 the length of the spacer?  Could it be that the spacer back there is shorter than needed and the sprocket is fine?  Also though, there are 2 choices for the drive sprocket, 36-1 N and 36-2 (NT:16), can anyone tell me the difference between the two?  Sorry i'm really new to all this, so I'm probably asking total newb questions

[gsJack]

I ran several front sprockets without the shoulder on my 97 GS.  No spacer required, the front sprocket will be aligned with the rear sprocket thru the chain if the rear wheel is aligned properly.

[Big Shot]

I ran several front sprockets without the shoulder on my 97 GS.  No spacer required, the front sprocket will be aligned with the rear sprocket thru the chain if the rear wheel is aligned properly.

I had a front sprocket come off a bike at 120mph.  The chain ended up knocking about a 3" hole in the bottom end of the motor and the resulting smoke show behind me was pretty cool.  I had a 3 lane highway blanketed with smoke like i've never seen before or after in my life.  It was an instant death for all mosquitoes in my wake and it put anything KITT had to shame.  The people who drove by in their cars immediately after looked just about as shocked as i felt, lol.  But needless to say, the overall experience wasn't that much fun and i found God real quick as i rhythmically preyed, "Please don't lock up!  Please don't lock up!  Please don't lock up!" referring to my back tire until i came to a stop.  Anyways, since then, i'm kinda particular about my front sprockets : )


I built this place with broken parts - Bob!

[Big Shot]

Looking at http://www.hillsboromotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=92727&category=Motorcycles&make=Suzuki&year=1993&fveh=2103 it looks like the only spacer listed is the one behind the oil seals (35 and 32) and it is part 37.  It is either 37-1 (L:35.6) or 37-2 (L:32.7).  Is L:35.6 and L:32.7 the length of the spacer?  Could it be that the spacer back there is shorter than needed and the sprocket is fine?  Also though, there are 2 choices for the drive sprocket, 36-1 N and 36-2 (NT:16), can anyone tell me the difference between the two?  Sorry i'm really new to all this, so I'm probably asking total newb questions

Alright buddy, slow your roll, and read my first post again.  To clarify, there are sprockets for the GS500's that have shoulders on them (extra width), and sprockets that don't.  The earlier motors were shoulder-less.  The later motors have them.  You said you have a 93 GS, but that doesn't mean you have a 93 motor in it. 

When changing your front sprocket:

1)  You remove the cir clip holding the sprocket on.
2)  Remove the old sprocket.
3)  Install the new sprocket.
4)  Reinstall the old or a new cir clip which is preferable per my personally history to secure the sprocket.  (See above post)

If that's all you did.  And the sprocket you have doesn't have a shoulder on it.  And there is 1/8" wiggle room.  99.999 times out of 100 you have a newer motor that needs a shouldered sprocket.  At the very least, even if i'm wrong (never happened yet :p), this is the first step in your process of elimination.  Spacers, oil seals, and part number 37.95420485 on the fiche, that all comes later : )

Did the old sprocket have a shoulder?

Pics would help 


Somebody needs to buy there friend a beer - Bob!

[Dretzl]

Yeah, that was all I did, and no the other one didn't have a shoulder on it.  But I'm not the first owner of the bike and he told me that he had changed the sprockets to get better accel so I'm not sure what the original one looks like.  I'm going to take the sprocket back to the dealer today and see if they can get me the same one, but with a shoulder on it.  Thanks for the input.


Sorry at work, so cant get pics yet...

[Kepner]

I went through this last year. The older bike DO NOT have a shoulder to them. I have a 94' that does not have one. Apparently 94 was the year they switched to a shoulder sprocket. The one you have is correct. It does have some play in it. I put over 5,000 miles on mine since the install. I did have a sprocket with a shoulder and It was just barley too big. Trust me you have the right sprocket.

[Big Shot]

I went through this last year. The older bike DO NOT have a shoulder to them. I have a 94' that does not have one. Apparently 94 was the year they switched to a shoulder sprocket. The one you have is correct. It does have some play in it. I put over 5,000 miles on mine since the install. I did have a sprocket with a shoulder and It was just barley too big. Trust me you have the right sprocket.

There is no way you can make the statement with the included information that he has the right sprocket right now.  Being that the bike is a 93 has no relevance.  The motor at any time could have been switched out for a newer one.  In the end, we may find he and his friend got their panties in a twist over nothing, but we have to assume their concerns are valid until we can logically reach that conclusion which would sound something like this, "What the f%$k?  This shouldered sprocket doesn't fit!"


Agree to disagree - Bob!

[sledge]

...and now the easy way.

Using a steel-rule or a vernier measure the distance from the shoulder on the output shaft the sprocket sits up against to the back of the circlip groove.
If its approx 8.8mm you use the shouldered sprocket.
If its approx 5.8mm you dont use the shouldered sprocket.

[Big Shot]

...and now the easy way.

Using a steel-rule or a vernier measure the distance from the shoulder on the output shaft the sprocket sits up against to the back of the circlip groove.
If its approx 8.8mm you use the shouldered sprocket.
If its approx 5.8mm you dont use the shouldered sprocket.

: (  You beat me to it...  (Just measured them out in the garage)


Sometimes all you need is a bigger hammer - Bob!

[sledge]

Sorry...didnt know it was a race. You have the credit if you want it, doesnt bother me 

[Dretzl]

Excellent, I'll do that tomorrow morning, thanks so much!

[Big Shot]

Sorry...didnt know it was a race. You have the credit if you want it, doesnt bother me 

Farva's number one!  Farva's number one!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJQnM_4gn1A


Every dog has its day - Bob!