Installing new front sprocket....need advice

[Chuckster]

Hi guys,
Well, here I am asking for more help. What would I do without you folks willing to lend your knowledge? I wouldn't be very far. I do know that much. I have replaced the front/rear sprockets and chain on my 1981 Suzuki GS550T. I have a question regarding the front sprocket. See pics below. I have a new nut and washer for the front sprocket as you can see in the pic. Now on my old washer and nut, the washer had been bent up on one side as a precautionary measure (I'm assuming) so that if the nut came loose it would not come all the way off. When I went to remove it, the nut was actually loose and the only thing holding it on was because the washer was bent up on one side against the nut. And to think I'd been riding it that way. :shock: Now the new washer I have is sort of rounded and recessed whereas the old one was flat. Maybe has to do with spacing the new sprocket right. It seems to fit just fine. After I torque it down real good, am I supposed to bend up one edge like the old one? If so, how? Seems like I would damage the sprocket trying to pry a screwdriver in between the washer and the sprocket or something like that. You guys got any ideas? I hate not to do it like it was before. After all, that's what saved it from coming all the way off. I'd hate to think what would have happened if I'd been riding down the road and that came off. All you guy's help is greatly appreciated. I'm itching to fire this thing back up and get out on the road.

[Nessism]

Reverse the washer then you can get a blade under the edge and bend it.

[Chuckster]

I found a picture of my old one before I took it off and cleaned all the muck up. You wouldn't believe how much dirt and mud was under that cover.

[marz]

do it

if you done and like me.i didnt check it for a few years. one day hammering along at 180 km it came off the axle(why) it killed a perfectly great engine.at first i thought i could just put in a new / parts ect. then i thought i could see a small hairline crack.turns out the casings were toast.
im just luck it wasnt me.

check it from time to time too every one..

[Chuckster]

Reverse the washer then you can get a blade under the edge and bend it.

That's a pretty good idea. However, it seems the washer would then be further down the grooved spline (is that what that's called?) and it doesn't seem the nut would tighten down against the washer then. I may be wrong. I guess it won't hurt to try it. Thanks!

[Ironriot]

I found a picture of my old one before I took it off and cleaned all the muck up. You wouldn't believe how much dirt and mud was under that cover.

I believe you. YOU won't believe how much crap came out from behind MY cover

[Chuckster]

if you done and like me.i didnt check it for a few years. one day hammering along at 180 km it came off the axle(why) it killed a perfectly great engine.at first i thought i could just put in a new / parts ect. then i thought i could see a small hairline crack.turns out the casings were toast.
im just luck it wasnt me.

check it from time to time too every one..

Sorry about what happened to your bike. I'm glad you didn't get hurt is the main thing.

[Chuckster]

I believe you. YOU won't believe how much crap came out from behind MY cover

Sounds like you've been through the same thing as me! It was quite surprising how nasty it was. Folks been dirt riding with these bikes way back when or what?

[Ironriot]

Sounds like you've been through the same thing as me! It was quite surprising how nasty it was. Folks been dirt riding with these bikes way back when or what?

My ENTIRE inner cover was coated had a MINIMUM of 1 inch of grease and dirt lining. They must have been riding dirt. But now that I've done chain and sprocket maintence on mine I realize that this sprocket is probably from 85. And I doubt this cover has been opened since then. So the buildup is understandable. The one thing I hated most is how thick and sticky the chain grease is. Absolutely a pain to deal with and too take off

[Nessism]

That's a pretty good idea. However, it seems the washer would then be further down the grooved spline (is that what that's called?) and it doesn't seem the nut would tighten down against the washer then. I may be wrong. I guess it won't hurt to try it. Thanks!

That's why the nut has a recess cut into it.

[Ironriot]

That's why the nut has a recess cut into it.

I tried putting the nut on with the recess facing inwards and it didn't work at all. It only seems to work with recess facing outwards.... Blasted Suzuki genuine parts.....

[TheCafeKid]

Did you ever get your cover back on??

[Ironriot]

Did you ever get your cover back on??

That would be a negative flying ostrich (dpep's got me talking in pilot talk). haven't got out there in the last few days because the fuel vent tee has stalled me bad. I'll report back when I do. That'll be the same day I get her running

[tone]

Standard suzuki fare this with the front sprockets coming loose, had it on both gs/gsx's & gsxr's heres the solution .....


first off chuckster the recess in the nut faces inwards & the recesss it the washer faces out :-D

when you put the whole lot together use some permanant thread lock on the threads, torque up properly & always bend the washer up against the flat of the nut in at least one place

also i tend to keep a check on it all the time i own the bike just in case

[Chuckster]

That's why the nut has a recess cut into it.

We'll give it a try! Thanks again. :-D