So i just bought a 15 tooth front sprocket for my 94 GS500 and have been working on it plus other things this weekend. My question for the board is regarding the size of this sprocket. Its seems too thick. When I slide it on it covers up the slot for the circlip. I bought a JT from Chaparral. Part number jt516-15 is stamped on it and that matches the part number from their website.
Before I start beating on it I thought I'd see if anyone has any experience here. I'm sure there is as I have gotten all my GS500 knowledge here. This site Rocks!!!
I believe there are two different sprocket designs for the GS500. One has a shoulder, the other doesn't.
As I recall, there was a minor design problem with the output shaft on earlier GS's that could cause the spline to wear, thuse the re-design. I think the new-design sprocket came out in '94.
Edit: Read GSJack's post here:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43138.0
QuoteThe 89-93 models came without the shoulder and the 94 and on came with a shoulder. The sprocket with the shoulder won't fit on the 93 and older ones, they altered another part to make room for the shoulder. If you have room for a 8.8 mm wide sprocket with shoulder the bike came with that one.
http://www.jtsprockets.com/52.0.html?&L=0&sel_uid=4901&p=
For years Sprocket Speialists supplied only the one without the shoulder for all years GS500/E/F and I ran them for tens of thousands of miles on my 97 GS without any problems. No spacer required, the front is aligned by the chain from the rear sprocket. Just keep your rear wheel adjusted properly.
It sounds like the sprocket you need is the JTF565.16, shown here:
http://www.jtsprockets.com/52.0.html?&L=0&sel_uid=4900&p=
I had the same issue that you're talking about. When they say "94 and up" have the shoulder," they mean built after 1994. In my case and most likely yours, my 94 model was built in april 1993. A 95 model I had was built in april 1994, and had the shoulder sprocket. You need the earlier model as stated above, with no shoulder. Part number should be for 89-93 models.
Oh, and DON'T beat on it!!!
Mines a '93 model and it uses the sprocket with the shoulder.
Thanks for all the help with this guys! I went back and bought a sprocket without the shoulder and now its all back together and running....well almost. I am having a slight clutch problem. I went ahead and got a new cable while upgrading the sprocket. I noticed the cable was starting to fray up at the clutch lever so I thought it would be a good idea to replace it. Anyway, I took measurements before removing the old one and have tried to duplicate them on the new cable, but it doesn't appear to be working correctly. When I depress the clutch and shift into first the rear wheel immediately starts to turn. And I'm still holding in the clutch. I've tried loosening it up and I've tried tightening it all the way. Both seem to have no effect.
Any suggestions??
I wanted to add that I have gone through the clutch cable adjustment process in the Clymer manual and the Sprocket Cover Cleanout & Clutch Adjustment post: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0
Both exhibit the same results as I described before. While holding the clutch and shifting into first gear, the wheel immediately starts to roll...before releasing the clutch. Have I somehow changed the friction zone??
If anyone has any info please post it. I'm lost here. I've only owned this bike since April, and its the only bike I've ever owned.
If it's not warmed up the cold oil will drive the wheel with the bike on centerstand. Should be able to stop it with your foot against the tire. Even with the wheel on the ground and the clutch disengaged the bike wants to move forward when it's put in gear with cold oil on cold day. Just set your clutch free play right and try it out.
gsJack,
Thanks for your post.
I want to say that my bike didn't do this before I went down to a 15 tooth sprocket and replaced the clutch cable, but I honestly cant. I never noticed it i guess. But after your post I took it off the center stand and gave it a try. And sure enough, it feels pretty normal. I think I'm a little tight still though. It feels like I need to almost completely release the clutch lever for it to catch. I'll keep tweakin and hopefully will get it where I like it.
Thanks again.