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:

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. 

I also have a Kat600 rear shock.  If you weigh more than 120 lbs or ride with a passenger, do it.  There are some other models that fit too.

Do the front springs too.   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...

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 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....