If not, anyone know where to pick up a 18t that will? All my searches in the forum turned up dead links.
https://www.denniskirk.com/parts-unlimited/front-sprocket.p805668.prd/80566818.sku
Was discussed recently http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59607 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59607)
Not sure if that specific sprocket you linked will fit.
Don't like buying on ebay, too many bad experiences. But I think I found the one linked in that other thread.
http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Kawasaki-Suzuki-Yamaha-Front-18-Teeth-Sprocket
Doesn't show a flange on the picture, might be the wrong picture though. I am correct in thinking my bike takes the flanged sprocket right? can you throw a washer on there and call it a day or is that a bad idea?
That old bike barn link says it's a JTF513.18 sprocket which JTF says is for a 50 chain which is a 530 chain. Too wide for a GS. Your first Dennis Kirk link looks more promising since it's a 18T for a 520 chain but it shows no dimensions for the hub width or spline size but it is most likely same as GS500 I think. Can't say for sure, don't know if those Parts Unlimited sprocket dimensions are readily available.
I've run the 89-94 GS500 hubless sprockets on my 97 and 02 GSs without a spacer. Front sprocket follows the rear sprocket thru chain and it runs OK as long as the rear wheel is properly aligned. My log, sprockets marked SS were hubless:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSbrakeschains.jpg
Ok, did some more research.
That first Dennis Kirk link I posted was a Yamaha FZR600 sprocket, and the JT compatible diagram is here:
http://www.jtsprockets.com/fileadmin/code/images/large/jtf1581.jpg
Looks like it would be too wide at 11mm as I think ours is 8.5mm. Other than that all dimensions match.
Here is another sprocket JT carries for the old '89 to '93 GS: http://www.jtsprockets.com/fileadmin/code/images/large/jtf565.jpg . This would fit, but doesn't have the flange. They do still make this sprocket in a 18t. Think this just might be my best bet?
I ran three Sprocket Specialists 15T front sprockets for over 43k miles on my 97 GS. Was getting DID chains from Chaparral and they carried the SS sprockets back then and SS supplied the same hubless sprocket for all GS500 bikes. I called SS and they said that the hubless sprocket would follow the rear one located thru the chain. I had no problem with them and every time I opened the front sprocket housing I found the SS hubless sprocket running right next to the retaining ring with the extra space behind. BUT, first replacement sprocket I put on my 02 GS was run all winter once after a tire change with the rear wheel a bit out of line and that sprocket became quite wobbly on the shaft. Fortunately the wear was in the sprocket bore and the shaft spline was OK but I have run only sprockets with a hub on my 02 since. That's why I said it was OK as long as the rear wheel was properly aligned in post above. I'd still run a hubless sprocket if I had too in a pinch but I'd watch the wheel alignment with it. Your bike, your choice.
I seem to recall a while back that a poster here could not find that JTF565 sprocket in this country with 18T and JTF confirmed they didn't carry it here. A quick Google for a JTF565.18 just seems to turn up UK links. Maybe you can find a 18T hubless front from JT or SS. Think someone here also mentioned finding one from Renthal I think it was but it was quite pricey. Can't remember all the details, some days I can't remember any of the details at my age! :icon_lol:
Thanks for the help Jack, I couldn't find that 18t anywhere. I ended up getting a 17t instead with the flange. Should help a little bit riding the 465.
Just a couple other thoughts if you want more rpm reduction than you get from the 17T front. A change to a smaller rear sprocket will give the same affect as a change to a larger front. Also, after running over 80k miles on my 02 GS with standard 16/39T sprockets I more recently changed to a 15T front sprocket. It compensates for the larger rear tire I'm running to bring the engine speeds back to what they would be with the 16/39T and a stock 130/70 rear tire. If you're running a stock size 130/70 tire a change to a 140/80 next time you get a rear tire along with the 17T front sprocket would give you the same rpm as a 18T would with the 130/70.
Just found this one with the offset lip if anyone is still looking, Vortex 3481-18 http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Front-Sprocket-Material-3481-18/dp/B003175MU2 (http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Front-Sprocket-Material-3481-18/dp/B003175MU2).
Won't fit, wrong spline diameter. See GSJacks reply below.
Quote from: mitch79 on March 30, 2012, 06:10:19 AM
Just found this one with the offset lip if anyone is still looking, Vortex 3481-18 http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Front-Sprocket-Material-3481-18/dp/B003175MU2 (http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Front-Sprocket-Material-3481-18/dp/B003175MU2).
That Vortex 3481-18 is the right width over hub but checking JT sprockets for the bikes it fits according to Amazon shows a differant spline than GS has. Have you tried one of those?
GSXR1000 conversion
(http://www.jtsprockets.com/fileadmin/code/images/large/jtf1423.jpg)
GS500
(http://www.jtsprockets.com/fileadmin/code/images/large/jtf516.jpg)
No, I haven't tried it. Your right it wont fit. I was looking at the GSXR 1000 520 chain conversion sprockets as well. Looks like they changed the spline diameter in '08.
I'll edit out the previous post to save people confusion.
Thanks all for the info!
I have two non-hub'd sprockets from my pick before last. After reading gsJack's post about misaligned rear wheel causing problems, i ordered a sprocket w/ hub to be on the safe side.
AFAM 28402-18.
(http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz72/mitchc_1/Bike/1478b.jpg)
From page 52 of the AFAM catalogue http://www.afam.com/images/downloads/catalogue/afam_cat_2011.pdf (http://www.afam.com/images/downloads/catalogue/afam_cat_2011.pdf) the 28402 is used on '01-'08 GSXR 1000 520 chain conversions.
A google image search shows the AFAM 28402 has the same spline and offset as the AFAM 22505 listed on page 50 for the gs500.
This one looks promising, if untried ;)
Quote from: mitch79 on March 30, 2012, 08:48:30 AM
AFAM 28402-18.
(http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz72/mitchc_1/Bike/1478b.jpg)
From page 52 of the AFAM catalogue http://www.afam.com/images/downloads/catalogue/afam_cat_2011.pdf (http://www.afam.com/images/downloads/catalogue/afam_cat_2011.pdf) the 28402 is used on '01-'08 GSXR 1000 520 chain conversions.
This was what I put on my wife's 2007 GS500F. Took me almost 10 weeks to find one. You might want to contact AFAM or look for other companies that sell 520 conversions for the '01-'08 GSXR1000.
JT shows the JTF512 for the earlier model GSXR1000 conversions and it has been used by a GS500 member for a 17T sprocket but that's biggest 512 listed, no 18T.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=47925.msg566400#msg566400
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25312.0
So, I bought the 17t Sprocket from JT and I'm quite happy with it. I'm actually glad I didn't find an 18t because I think it may have been too much. I actually almost killed it a couple times on my first ride at the stop lights cause I had to give it more gas to get it going.
The bike is a joy to ride at highway speeds now. I can't drive the thing up at 6,000 rpms cause I hate the vibration. I get about 70 mph at around 5,100 rpm so I have plenty of headroom. To me, that's totally worth having the bike be a bit more sluggish. I might still get a bigger rear tire on my next switch, but that won't be for another 8000 miles or so.
I hated the way the bike was geared stock ~ 1st gear was so short I felt I had to shift before I even got through the intersection after the light turned green. Also changed over to a 1st gen SV650 throttle tube, and I can't remember ever stalling it with the 18T.