i actually have the rear already its a 39 tooth 520 i think... was thinking id drop one tooth down in front also... any other suggestions would be welcomed im going over my clymers manual now on how to do this

JT Sprockets, I just put a 15t on my 04, love it. 15 minute Job

have a link? and im gonna replace everything so its probably gonna take atleast a few hours

http://www.jtsprockets.com/52.0.html?&L=0&sel_uid=1550&p=

I bought mine from a local shop, ordered it and had it i two days with no shipping charges. I think I paid around $14.00

Take a look through my GS500 Chains & Sprockets file.

Sorry about the lack of links.  I do list the URLs for the various vendors, but one of these days I'll convert it into a more user-friendly HTML page.

ya i saw that but i dont know what chain to get? i know i want a front with 15tooth the rear i have already guy gave with the bike, 39t 520

so which chain?!

DID520/110 link 0-ring chain is what you need. This is factory, but only changing one tooth down in the front won't matter.

ok other then the chain tool so i need anythign special to do this... like a gear pull thing.. you know what i mean it has a big stud bolt in the center to L shape brackets on the out side to grasp the sprocket then you turn the stud to pull the sprocket out.. i need that?

Yep, that's the replacement chain I'm using.  My original chain was a little different though - my '99 came slightly used with a D.I.D. X-ring chain.  When that one wore out I decided to go "down" (cheaper) to the O-ring chain that came as stock equipment on earlier models.

I'm also running a JT Sprockets unit in the front.  Good stuff!

Quote from: ppriderok other then the chain tool so i need anythign special to do this... like a gear pull thing.. "

Nope - just something to spread a snap ring.  You can manage it with regular tools, or you can buy a snap ring tool.

ugh just read the clymers manual on how to take the rear tire sounds a bit complicated.. i need like a 1-800 help line this weekend i hate being a noob!

Whoa ... slow down ... take a deep breath or two.

I'm wondering to myself why you're removing the rear wheel.  Is it so you can replace the rear sprocket?  If so, do you really NEED to replace that sprocket?  Examine it closely, and compare it to these diagrams:

From the Clymer manual


From the Haynes manual



Do you see either indication of wear on your sprockets?  If not, do yourself a favor and just replace the chain and the front sprocket.

It may be true that you will accelerate the wear on your chain if you don't change out both sprockets - but it probably won't make a noticeable difference in the number of miles that MOST motorcycles are ridden in their lifetimes.  IF your rear sprocket wears out, THEN replace the chain along with IT - not the other way around.

Don't give too much weight to the theoretical when practical experience is there to learn from.  Our senior member gsJack has NEVER replaced a rear sprocket in hundreds of thousands of miles of riding on various bikes.  He has put 80,000+ miles on a 1997 GS500E, so I would listen to him.  If parts are wearing out prematurely, it's because of bad alignment or lack of cleaning & lubing, not because of a sprocket swap.

I have 32,000 miles on my original rear sprocket.  I replaced my front sprocket at about 16,000 miles ... and I think that was too soon.


Now. If you choose NOT to replace the rear sprocket there's no reason to remove the rear wheel just to change your chain and front sprocket.  For pictures and a description of swapping the chain, see the Cant figure out how to remove old chain. HElP? thread.

For the front sprocket, let me know.  If you want pictures I will soon be exposing my front sprocket soon for a good clean out behind the cover.  But the gist of it is pretty simple:

1) Mark the position of the shift lever on the shaft.

2) Remove the bolt that secures the shift lever, and pull the lever off the shaft.

3) Remove the 5 bolts that secure the cover that the shaft emerges from.  (One of them is hidden by the shift lever.)

4) Swing the cover away from the bike and you will see the countershaft and the front sprocket.  (See

GooseyGoose's picture in THIS POST.)

5) Between the flat end of the countershaft and the sprocket itself is the snap ring that I mentioned.  Spread it and pop it off, pull the sprocket, push the new sprocket on, and replace the snap ring.[/list:u]I confess that it WILL help to loosen the rear axle bolt to get some slack in the chain for the sprocket swap.  But if you go down to a 15-tooth sprocket you will need to loosen it anyway to take the extra slack OUT.

Hope this helps!

helps a great deal... but i figure that since i already have a rear sprocket (came with the bike) why not replace it anyways? it should be good experience for me anyways too. i just wish i had a buddy that could help me through the first time :dunno:

OK, I see now.  I didn't realize that you already had a new rear sprocket.  I have a brand new one sitting around too, that I bought at the same time as my front replacement.  I'm tempted to sell it....  :dunno:

I also didn't realize that you were looking forward to the wrenching experience.  It sounded like you were dreading it, and I was trying to save you some pain.  But if you're willing, that's great.  Before long you'll want to take the rear wheel off anyway, to have a new tire mounted.  So the more practice the better!  

well im not exactly excited about it... well i am but im not i just wish i had some1 to help or atleast help me verbally

Quote from: pprideri just wish i had some1 to help or atleast help me verbally

"So what are we?  Chopped liver?"  :lol:  The HELP! taking off rear wheel thread should be a big help in the step-by-step department.

Here is what my rear axle looks like while my wheel is off at the shop having a new tire put on:




And here is a slighty-easier-to-read-than-BikeBandit diagram to describe the various parts.
NOTE: See how few parts actually come off in the picture above?  Don't let all the parts in the exploded diagram scare you!



Does that help any?

of course kerry you are the man! :mrgreen:  now are you gonna be around saturday lol?

Quote from: ppriderare you gonna be around saturday lol?

Hmmm.  Not in the afternoon.  The morning is a big unknown - we'll probably be running around like headless chickens,  preparing for our trip to Pasadena the next Tuesday.

But I'm not the only fish in the sea!  As long as you post well-defined problems, somebody will probably be willing and able to help.

awww poop! im screwed lol srin better be here lol  

about the chain... im trying to figure out what i need... i know the did 520 but do i need rivet link or clip link ect any links directly to the exact part i need lol :lol:

If you want another stock chain, here's a direct link.  This chain comes with a clip-style master link in the box.  You could choose to buy a rivet-style master link separately, but then you would need some more tools to install it.

Again, for pictures and instructions see the 1st link in my 3rd post in this thread.