hello dear community, good  day!

Inspired by some interesting threads with users that share  their expericence on changing the front-sprocket to 18 teeth i now want to do the change also!  I cant wait to get a 18 theeth front-sprocket.  Well, this seems to turn out a tricky task. Some users from this great furum told me to contact stores in the UK ( jtsprockets.com ) or Canada ( baysideperformance.ca ). Here in this thread i want to share my experience and let you know the results of my inquieries.  I hope that some users know some store where i can get the 18-teeth-sprocket.

The results: An inquiry at http://www.jtsprockets.com gave me the answer back: written by one of the staff of jtsprockets.com :

QuoteThank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately the largest size of JTF516 we produce is 16 teeth. It may be possible to use JTF565 which has the same spline, this is produced in both 17 & 18 tooth but you would require a spacer to take up the free play on the output shaft. JTF578-18 has been used by some GS500 owners though this does not provide perfect chain alignment. (see http://www.jtsprockets.com/61.0.html?&L=0&sel_artnr=JTF578.18 ). I`m sorry I cannot be more help.

( end of cit. )

If anybody of you  can add more information where to get the 18-teeth-sprocket, i would be very happy. Looking forward t o a fruitfull discussion.

regards
lin


BTW: all the stores i have contacted and send inquiries to:  http://www.baysideperformance.ca - they cannot help - they only have 17 teeth - see also http://www.jtsprockets.com - they cannot help!: see above: I was inspired by this great thread "Adding a Tooth -- Going Up to a 17T Front Sprocket" with more than 3071 reads): Lots of experiences were discussed - but they did not go as far - as i will do: They went up to a 17T Front Sprocket. - see http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.0

see more interesting threads: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57254.0
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52178.msg589825#msg589825
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52610.msg602403#msg602403
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=45419.msg509715#msg509715
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25312.0 [with in depth description: JT Sprocket 520 Front 17 Teeth Mfg.#: JTF51217 ]

no one - does nobody can give some hints where to find the front sprocket!?

look forward to hear from you

greetings

One of our members used a JTF512.17 sprocket a couple years ago and I found one at Dennis Kirk.  See this link just posted in another current thread:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=47925.msg566400#msg566400

I checked the JTF site and they list a JTF512.18 sprocket that looks like it will fit, you might check back with JTF on that number, enter number here to see sprocket:

http://www.jtsprockets.com/61.0.html?&L=0

I've never tried a JTF512 myself.

you said in your post that jtsprockets has a sprocket with the same spline that would require a spacer, get it. use washers as spacers. snowmobile jackshafts use washers down to 1 mill thick, i switched to a 17 tooth and it had no shoulder, used the washers to fill in the space. (skidoo jackshaft).

I used 3 Sprocket Specialist replacement sprockets on my 97 GS that did not have the hub over a period of approx 40k miles.  I questioned SS about it and they said the front sprocket would be located by the chain and rear sprocket and would run OK without spacers or hub.  This turned out to be true and every time I opened the sprocket cover the front sprocket was located right next to the retaining clip in perfect alignment.

I put same type SS sprocket on my 02 GS with the first chain replacement and ran it all winter with the rear wheel a bit out of alignment and when I checked the front sprocket in the spring it wobbled a bit on the shaft.  Turned out the sprocket spline bore was worn excessively but the shaft was OK and I went back to sprockets with the hubs after that.  So the hubless sprockets will work but the ones with the hub are better, must be the reason why Suzuki made the design change to add the hub back around 1993.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSbrakeschains.jpg

Hello grader hello gsJack, 

many many thanks for the reply! GREAT to hear from you!  I saw the JTF512.17 sprocket at
http://www.jtsprockets.com/61.0.html?&L=0

And there is also a  JTF512.18 sprocket listed (at least i saw one).

I think it is worth a try.  I think i order this sprocket - the  JTF512.18 sprocket - I hope that this will fit well - and does not cause any issues due to the very chain comes very very cloes to some parts of the engine.  Some german GS-Riders argue that the change to the 18 Sprocket might by very dangerous.

By the way: - some  general musings on the gear ratio: But what can you do - if you want to lower the rpm - a guy here posted that he used a 130/90 instead of 130/70 which lowered the rpm in about the same range like going up two teeht with the front sprocket.  GsJack and grader: did you ever think about the change of your tyre...


Again:  used a 130/90 instead of 130/70 lowers the rpm  - approx 1000 rpms.

What do you think ... !?

I look forward to your idea - and to a  fruitful discussion..

greetings lin

I've run every size tire I consider suitable for our stock 3.0 and 3.5" GS500 rims including a couple of 130/90 rear tires in the 12 years and over 160k miles I've been riding my 97 and 02 GSs.  I ran the 130/90 and an equivelant MT90 early on with the GSs about 10-12 years ago.  No problem with the size as I recall but they were touring type tires like I ran on my previous Honda bikes and the GSs wanted to go around the corners faster than those tires did.     One other thing to consider, the 130/90 will raise the rear end of the bike about 1" from standard if height is a problem for you.  Also the steering will be quicker with the steeper rake, I liked that result myself.  A quick calculation indicates it would be about same rpm as 18T sprocket change as you suggest.  Tires I've run:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs.jpg

Hello GSJack


first of all: many thanks for your posting. I will give it a try!

Sure i will test some tires!

By the way: This is just overwhelming. I read about 100 threads-regarding the issues of front-sprockets, gearing and that things.
I saw that you share your knowledge and ideas. Your ideas and experiences were most valuable assets. Your knowledge, experience and ideas help many many users - they are supportive in at true sense!!!

Again many thanks - your very very supportive, gentil and yes: you rock!!

many greetings (from good old Europe)

lin 

I'm running a 17t front sprocket because I couldn't find an 18 tooth. I'm also planning on running a 90 series tire when I get new tires this winter. Should drop the RPMs really low on the highway....

I'm still trying to find a 17 or 18 tooth for my '92. No luck.

Hello sveach, hello BrianKD,

Great to hear from you both -

Quote from: sveach on August 12, 2011, 06:47:02 AM
I'm running a 17t front sprocket because I couldn't find an 18 tooth. I'm also planning on running a 90 series tire when I get new tires this winter. Should drop the RPMs really low on the highway....

Great to hear that you plan to run a 90 series tire. It can drop the RPMs really down - and the best is - this happens allmost - without any loss of fun! At least i heard that.

For both of you this thread here has got lots of information: "Adding a Tooth -- Going Up to a 17T Front Sprocket"   http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.0 

in the thread the user davipu wrote here: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21803.msg210981#msg210981

QuoteI was in the same boat abot two years ago when I first went from the stock 130/70 rear tire to a 130/90 which effectiavly drops 1000 rpms for each gear.   for me it was easier to find tires in taller sizes than a new sprocket.    instead of going to a 18 tooth sprocket you may want to try going to a 80 series rear tire.

@ BrianKD - just check the Links that i copied into the first mail in  this thread. All of them contain lots of infos and some links to distributors. Also GsJack might be a valid ressource that can help here. If you do not find any distributor in your local area (note i am from Europe)  i would ask GsJack in a pm.


Well i think it is worth to discuss the issues of gearing and all things like that in a extra-thread... There the user-experience (regarding tires) can  be shared. - even better than in this thread which is about the 18-teeth sprocket. - ideas, thoughts


look forward to all fruitfull discussions
lin 

Quote from: lin on August 07, 2011, 03:57:02 AM

BTW: all the stores i have contacted and send inquiries to:  http://www.baysideperformance.ca - they cannot help - they only have 17 teeth

Weird. They found an 18-tooth AFAM steel front sprocket that I put on my wife's '07 GS500F. But it took them a while to find it and get it to me ~ almost two months if I remember correctly. Maybe they didn't feel like going through all that again.


Rick

Quote from: lin on August 10, 2011, 03:33:57 PM
I think i order this sprocket - the  JTF512.18 sprocket - I hope that this will fit well - and does not cause any issues due to the very chain comes very very cloes to some parts of the engine.  Some german GS-Riders argue that the change to the 18 Sprocket might by very dangerous.

That is because as far as I can tell there are only two people on this forum who have ever put one on their GS, including myself. The other person who put one on their got the same (false) warnings as you are getting.

The 18-tooth sprocket fits fine.

I ordered one of these to try on my GS: http://www.amazon.com/Renthal-Front-Ultralight-Sprocket-321U-520-16P/dp/B00317DM6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314318309&sr=8-1

I'll give it a try an see how it does.  I commute everyday to work on the GS and usually cruise on 5th gear at 35mph.  I'd like to see how this does on my commute.  Just a little curious

UPDATE: turns out this is a 16t not an 18t.  the website was a little misleading when they put 18t in front of the part number.  checked renthal site and turns out it only goes up to a 17t

I really liked the 18-tooth front sprocket. You could hold the bike in 1st gear for more than 20ft before you had to shift in 2nd, the bike revved dramatically lower on the freeway/highway, and it got 70+ mpg on tour. What's not to like about that ?

Top speed was unchanged at 190km/h. Roll-on performance was probably worse, but unless you are scared of downshifting it's a non-issue. You could always hold it a gear lower if you wanted to, I guess. Then you wouldn't have to downshift because you would already have the bike in a lower gear at higher rpms. I just left it in 6th and immersed myself in the smooth silkiness of being able to cruise at 4500 rpm....

I suppose you could also go down 3 teeth in the back as well. Not sure if you could find that in a steel sprocket though.

so after my first attempt to buy a 18 tooth sprocket failed, I did some researched.  It appears that the later gs has the same size front sprocket as a 01-08 gsx-r1000 with 520 conversion.  If you look into the JT website and look up front sprocket for the 01-08 gsx-r1000, you will see the jt512 show up when you go into the 520 conversion link.  So after finding this out, I searched for 18 tooth gsx-r1000 sprockets and found 2.  One by Superlite and one by Vortex.  They are approx. $30us.  I ordered the Superlite.  Will update when it comes in

So the sprocket came in and it does match up to the gs(with the raised hub sprocket) here is the link to the one I purchased:
http://www.sprocketcenter.com/p/320197/superlite-520-conversion-drilled-steel-front-sprocket.html