This is my first year riding and I just finished fixing up my gsf. So I decided Im going to do some small upgrades to my 04F and my first mod I wanna do is change the front sprocket to a 15t. So my question is can I just slap on any 15t sprocket on or do I have to buy a specific one? Do I also need to but a different chain?
PS,
Still a noob at this!!!
You can go to any website and enter in your Model and make and theyll show you the sprocket that will fit. You don't need a new chain for a 15t front sprocket, only if you get a rear sprocket with enough teeth.
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=8008015&store=Main&catId=415&productId=p80080&leafCatId=41508
this is the front sprocket you want.
True, he doesn't NEED a new chain, but it's likely a better "upgrade" than a sprocket.
Put a smaller sprocket on an older chain, even 1 tooth smaller, and you're getting pretty close to the maximum adjustment.
The inch or two of tolerance in the adjustment screws - the stock chain uses ALL of that.
And, I'm betting, being new, he bought a used bike with an older chain. No offense, I did the same thing.
Thats what I did when I got the bike but replaced it immediately before I started riding it this season. I was also wondering if swapping out the rear shock from stock to a katana 600 would be a better mod??
Yes.
Just don't shift into 6th gear, or maybe even 5th for a month. If you like it, change your sprocket. If it drives you nuts, don't bother.
I ordered the 15T from Dennis Kirk as my first mod/upgrade.
Still one of the best things I have done.
Quote from: O.C.D. on May 28, 2010, 10:07:39 AM
I ordered the 15T from Dennis Kirk as my first mod/upgrade.
Still one of the best things I have done.
agreed, best bang for your buck.
Quote from: drduimstra on May 27, 2010, 09:52:49 PM
So my question is can I just slap on any 15t sprocket on or do I have to buy a specific one? !
Depends what you term as specific.....Not every sprocket is the same, it may sound obvious but you need one that is designed to fit the GS500F
We changed out the stock 16tooth front sprocket for an 18tooth AFAM. A little hard to find, but makes the bike a lot nicer to ride - you can hold the bike in any gear longer, revs at freeway/highway speeds are now at a level where the bike gets better gas mileage and less vibration through the bars.
Thought it might make the bike's acceleration a little lethargic but it's barely noticeable - you just hold it in gear and let it wind up. Top speed still right around 180-190 km/hr indicated; fast enough for a court appearance :tongue2:
Quote from: SAFE-T on May 28, 2010, 09:57:41 AMJust don't shift into 6th gear, or maybe even 5th for a month. If you like it, change your sprocket. If it drives you nuts, don't bother.
Why would anyone ever do that? If you're trying to say that the GS will only go 60mph with a 15t, you're wrong. It'll still do the same 115-120mph (indicated) it does with a 16t, you just have to shift a bit more under 40.
I have a 15T front as well. If you're not a 20 mile+ commuter, do it. :thumb:
I also have a Kat600 rear shock. If you weigh more than 120 lbs or ride with a passenger, do it. :thumb: There are some other models that fit too.
Do the front springs too. :thumb: I went with progressives, 'cause I ride in the rain on rather rough streets. You can go with straight-rate springs if you want. When you pull the worthless front springs and giant spacer out of your forks, you will understand... :o
Mine will redline in 6th with the 15t at 129mph, I did it Sunday for the 10th+ time. :icon_twisted: I am thinking of getting a 140-70-17 tire which will increase the gearing by ~2.3% to get it over 130.
With a 15t on a stock bike it will probably go 118ish at ~10000rpm
I'm pretty sure it's just over 9k at 120 (indicated) with a 15T. My GS won't do it any more... Only just under 110mph these days. :sad:
at 10100rpm my bike with stock rear sprocket, 15t front sprocket, and stock size tires is exactly 120mph. I know this because thats as fast as she will go with me sitting up-right with my book-bag on. That dang bag is like a parachute.
my bike is all stock and it barely goes over 95mph on 5th gear :dunno_white:
Once I fix my tach, I'll have to collect some data. :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: A Non eMouse on July 29, 2010, 10:36:38 PM
Quote from: SAFE-T on May 28, 2010, 09:57:41 AMJust don't shift into 6th gear, or maybe even 5th for a month. If you like it, change your sprocket. If it drives you nuts, don't bother.
Why would anyone ever do that? If you're trying to say that the GS will only go 60mph with a 15t, you're wrong. It'll still do the same 115-120mph (indicated) it does with a 16t, you just have to shift a bit more under 40.
The point is to find out if your riding style works with the different gearing.
I had a different rear sprocket on my VFR800 for two years which was a similar change to going to a 15tooth front sprocket on the GS500. Roll-on performance was better, but riding at 7000 rpm on the open road got a little tiring and you can get the same "roll-on" performance by simply staying in a lower gear to begin with. I did a number of 5th/6th gear roll-on comparisons between my VFR and others of the same year and it was exactly like being one gear down > their 2nd was my 3rd, their 3rd my 4th, and so on.
And yup, the '07 GS500 we have still goes 115-120mph (indicated) with the 18tooth sprocket but now gets better gas mileage and only turns 4500 rpm at 65 mph and 5000 rpm at 75mph.
So whats the biggest difference from getting a smaller sprocket and a bigger sprocket? I would just like to improve my speed and maybe even get better gas mileage
Stock is 16T. Less teeth will give you quicker acceleration and worse MPG, more teeth will do the opposite.
The smaller front sprocket increases your rpm in each gear for any given speed, such that you get into an rpm range that makes more hp and torque faster.
So the smaller sprocket will help your GS accelerate quicker, but in my mind it makes an already pretty useless 1st gear even more useless, and 2nd gear more like the useless 1st gear used to be.
With the 18tooth front sprocket the GS500 now has the same gearing as an SV650. Which is what I would buy if I was serious about 'improving my speed' ~ the GS is remarkably good considering its genetics, but it's still fairly agricultural in feel and about 20hp shy of being really interesting.
In my experience with my VFR, the gearing change didn't really affect the gas mileage enough to worry about - maybe only 2 mpg.
On the GS500, the 18tooth sprocket gave us around 68 mpg in twisty mountain riding. Another GSTwins forum member reported getting 75 mpg on their daily commute with the same sprocket, so we're in the ballpark.
hello dear SAFE-T good evening!
great thread - interesting thoughts and a really superb discussion on this topic. I am interested in switching from stock (16 T) to 18 tooth. Where can i buy this 18 tooth sprocket!? Note i am an European living in Germany.
Is this a special part or do i get it as a front sprocket from another stock (motorcyle). And one last question!? Do i need to change anything at the engine - in other words - does it fit without any problems!?
RedShift discusses here in this thread ( http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.0 ) that he shifted to 17T - he thought of going to 18 T too - but argued that the 18 T sprocket probably would come dangerously close to the shift push rod -- not sure it would fit!!"
But now i am pretty sure that it will fit! I look forward to do the change! i look forward to change to the 18T-sprocket.
Where to get it! ?
Look forward to hear from you....
regards
lin ;)
Quote from: lin on August 03, 2011, 10:55:14 AM
Where can i buy this 18 tooth sprocket!? Note i am an European living in Germany.
It is amazing how many parts I've bought from Germany and shipped to Seattle Washington.
Probably find one easy on www.ebay.de
Sometimes there are really good parts (like a full "E" fairing) for good prices but they won't ship to the USA. maybe we could hire you as a go-between to get a shipment and send it in to the USA?
What part of Germany? I visit Berlin every year. Thinking of Munich for Oktoberfest. Been to Hanburg, Meintz, and a few other places.
You've got Gimbel, LSL and other companies that make really great GS500 parts.
Danke
PS: You should see some familiar German parts on Junior:
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/Garage/DSC00953.jpg)
Gimbel rear sets and seat. R&G parts, too, but they're from the UK.
(The LSL levers don't show well in this photo. Smoke turn signals and smoke LED tail are also from Germany.)
Hi adidasguy - many thanks for your quick posting!
[on a quick note - i have to leave house - i am back at home later the evening]
Great to hear from you! I live in Heidelberg - this is in the South of Germany - near Mainz and Frankfurt.
many many greetings
lin
Quote from: lin on August 03, 2011, 10:55:14 AMIs this a special part or do i get it as a front sprocket from another stock (motorcyle). And one last question!? Do i need to change anything at the engine - in other words - does it fit without any problems!?
The only company that makes an 18-tooth sprocket for the GS500 is AFAM. Took me a couple of months to even find one, and some places told me they were no longer available.
Try www.baysideperformance.ca
Makes the GS so much nicer when travelling, and it was not even noticeable in the city when combined with the 1st gen SV650 throttle tube.
I followed the link but could not find a listing for the GS500. Can you tell me the compatible model or part number for the 18tooth front sprocket. I am currently running 17/37 with standard 110 chain. I like the improvement so far and would like to try the 18t front if it will fit. I am a slower/gentler rider and am more interested in relaxed touring than performance. In 8000km since new I have averaged 3.5L/100km (67m/USg or 81 m/UKg and best of 73 m/USg or 88m/UKg) most of it with this combination. The bike is otherwise standard as far as engine/performance mods are concerned.
Check the links in the latter part of this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59810.msg689892#msg689892
Looks like you can use a GSXR1000 520 conversion sprocket, which is available in 18tooth.
Here's the short and skinny:
It's okay to just replace the front sprocket without replacing the chain. Problem is the new sprocket and old chain don't really match up. The idea is that the chain and sprockets have worn-in together so if you replace just one part, it's going to generate excessive wear - the most likely thing is it will wear out your chain a lot quicker and also make your new sprocket useless for use with a new chain in a few thousand miles or less.
As far as 15t versus 16t, the thing everyone keeps saying about "not shifting into 6th" is a pretty good idea, however, it doesn't give you the whole story. What you are effectively doing is lowering the entire gear ratio, so, every gear will be a little lower. First gear will be like .75 gear, 2nd will be like 1.50....etc. So it's not that simple.
We put a 14t sprocket on Termlifed's bike last week, along with a new chain and rear sprocket. He let me take it for a spin and I have to say, it's neither as drastic (or as scary) as you might think. If anything, the bike feels happier. Granted, I wasn't able to get it up to highway speed but still. You'd be surprised how natural it feels. It's much easier to pull off from a stop, accelerates much smoother (and faster) through the revs. The difference in acceleration starts to disappear each time you shift, though - in other words, the perceived acceleration gain goes away little by little and by the time you're in 4th you can't really tell apart from having a little extra left at the end. It's hard to really put into words - the only way you can really say for certain is to check it out yourself. It's a cheap experiment.
Quote from: A Non eMouse on July 29, 2010, 10:36:38 PM
Quote from: SAFE-T on May 28, 2010, 09:57:41 AMJust don't shift into 6th gear, or maybe even 5th for a month. If you like it, change your sprocket. If it drives you nuts, don't bother.
Why would anyone ever do that? If you're trying to say that the GS will only go 60mph with a 15t, you're wrong. It'll still do the same 115-120mph (indicated) it does with a 16t, you just have to shift a bit more under 40.
I have a 15T front as well. If you're not a 20 mile+ commuter, do it. :thumb:
I also have a Kat600 rear shock. If you weigh more than 120 lbs or ride with a passenger, do it. :thumb: There are some other models that fit too.
Do the front springs too. :thumb: I went with progressives, 'cause I ride in the rain on rather rough streets. You can go with straight-rate springs if you want. When you pull the worthless front springs and giant spacer out of your forks, you will understand... :o
i actually just did 15t front sprocket and katana shock 2 days ago. whatvsetting afe you runing the rear shock and whats your weight?
Thanks for your input SAFE-T. I have had a look at the link, however, before your reply I have found and ordered a JTF565.18 on Amazon. The JTF565 is listed for the earlier GS500. It seems that the JTF565 and JTF516 are interchangeable except for the collar. A spacer will fix that. Cost to me from Amazon is AUD15.02 + AUD8.27 freight to Australia. I figure that for $23.29 it is a cheap experiment. With a final ratio of 2.06 (18/37) it will give me almost a full extra gear as standard 6th is 2.074 overall and 18/37 final will give a 5th of 1.98 overall. This makes 6th a true overdrive and should give an indicated 100kph (62mph) at about 4200 rpm +- allowing for instrument variations. 1st gear will be almost exactly half way between the standard 1st and 2nd. I have tried several standing starts in standard second gear (some intentional, some NOT!!) and found it fine except for an uphill start which requires a bit of clutch slip to get going. Two-up I don't know as I have no pillion to try. When I get it on I will let you know what I think.
Like Kijona said, the change is not extraordinary, but enough that you will notice a difference in the direction you want to achieve (rev up faster through the gears vs. rev lower in all gears for the same speed). I wanted a lower revving bike on the open road, so that's why I put the largest front sprocket I could find that would fit.
I will likely be making a similar change to the FZ6R we bought as well.
Others like GSJack have used the non-flanged sprocket with various results. I find it interesting that Suzuki superceded the part for later bikes, but still sells a replacement OEM non-flanged sprocket for older GS500's...
Would be interested in knowing the justification behind the part change from Suzuki.
I know why the sprocket was changed; it's because the exposed length of the splined countershaft increased around 1994. But I don't know the reason behind the countershaft change.
I do know that a 1994-2000 front sprocket won't fit on a pre-'94 model because of the built-in spacer. I helped richard replace the engine in my old '96 with one that he found online. His original ('96) sprocket wouldn't fit, so I figured the replacement engine was a '93 at the newest. Luckily, I still had a spacer-less sprocket that I had tried on my '99 that I was able to give him.
My experience with the spacer-less sprocket on my '99 was ... OK, I guess. I started hearing unexpected noises halfway through my 3,200-mile trip to British Columbia in 2003 (http://bbburma.net/Trips/Canada_2003/index.html) which I realized must be coming from the sprocket. My chain alignment may have changed a little during the trip or something, which caused/allowed the sprocket to slide back and forth on the countershaft. No damage sustained, but I could have done without the worry when I was so far from home.
If only I had thought to provide my own spacer (washer) I'm sure everything would have been fine.
Good to see you back Kerry. We covered this sprocket hub change reason thing years ago and I'm still of the same opinion. Wish I could remember all the old posts we made, would save a lot of typing.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=39634.msg445278#msg445278
Quote from: gsJack on June 06, 2012, 02:22:14 PMWish I could remember all the old posts we made, would save a lot of typing.
I hear ya! I'll be 50 this year (which probably sounds very young to you) so trying to remember 4-to-8-year-old posts is getting harder all the time.... :sad: