Change both f/r sprockets in regular maintenance?

[Wagoneer]

Does everyone switch out the front and rear sprockets in regular maintenance or just the front? Just ordered a new o-ring chain and a JT 16T front sprocket and wondering if I should order the rear just for insurance sake.

[Janx101]

how munted is your rear sprocket? ... take a pic of it... then compare the look and shape/wear of the teeth to the online one you want to get? .. or just in general to new sprockets .. 

[Wagoneer]

Can you tell by pictures? Especially between a clean one and dirty one? I just know the rear sprocket is under a lot less stress than the front (more teeth = less force on each tooth) but they're also completely different sprockets. So just wondering what the wear rate is for each.

But wth, I'd rather switch it out and never have to worry about it again. I'll probably switch it, unless somebody wants to convince me to save $50.

[gsJack]

I've never replaced a rear sprocket on any bike but have replaced the front every 2nd or 3rd or so chain change with no problem.  Might reduce chain life a bit but there are so many variables I don't know for sure.   

My brake/chain record:

http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GSbrakechainlog.jpg

[Wagoneer]

Thanks GSjack. Nice maintenance chart. I keep a similar chart with EVERY tiny little thing I do (right down to when I add oil between oil changes). I wish every single owner would do that with every single vehicle they own. It would make it a whole lot easier for the next owner.

Whenever I sell vehicles the person is always impressed with the binder I hand to them filled with invoices/receipts and a maintenance log. For instance, my bike has 33,000km on it and I have no idea if the sprockets or chain have ever been replaced. The chain was extremely dirty when I got it but it cleaned up nicely, but who knows how long it was that dirty for and how much it damaged the sprockets.

[Janx101]

i dunno .. pictures could at least give you a rough indication...

i usually look at the sprockets and decide if i think they need doing... doesnt really matter on my bike if anyone else thinks they need doing or not?! ..

reckon you and most others would be the same... personal choice/decision 

[Wagoneer]

Screw it, just ordered one. JTR823 stock 39T. Better safe than sorry. I'm doing a whole bunch of preventative maintenance over the winter before storing it, might as well do everything I can to try and have two summers in a row with as little maintenance needed as possible.

And I screwed up in my first post, I ordered a 15T front sprocket (JTF516.15). Should get my 240lb butt off the line a whole lot easier.

[gsJack]

My son took my restored 97 GS with 80K miles on it for a commuter and put a new chain/sprocket set on it and then used the bike for about 40K miles.  He then parted it out and I got the wheels/tires back.  That aftermarket rear sprocket is worn more with 40k miles on it than the OEM original rear sprocket on my 02 GS is with 100k miles on it.

I had a 16T OEM sprocket and a 16T JT front sprocket on hand when I wanted to change from a 15T to a 16T when I put a 150/60 tire on it for a year to try that tire size.  The OEM with about 30k miles on it was in noticeably better condition than the JT with only about 18k miles on it both in tooth wear and wobble fit on the spline so I chose it.

Conclusion, the OEM sprockets are better quality than most of the aftermarket sprockets being used including the popular JT ones.  The Sunstar sprockets that I used a couple times on my old Hondas were also a top quality sprocket and also quite a bit more pricey than the JT.

Like Janx said above "personal choice/decision  "

[Wagoneer]

I guess worst case scenario if the old rear sprocket is still perfect after I clean it up then I'll have a new replacement on-hand if it's ever needed.

I can't find a master link on the chain, so I'm guessing it's the original. It has some fairly bad loose spots. If the sprockets in good shape I'll be amazed.