Topic: Sprocket Question for you all

[mrfish2]

Thinking about putting a 16 tooth front sprocket on my 550 but I'm running into the problem of finding the right front sprocket. Here's a link to Dime City where they have the stock size 17 tooth for sale, along with a picture of the dimensions of the sprocket:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-transmission-parts-17-tooth-honda-cb450-cb500-front-sprocket-jtf278-47.html

And here is the 16 tooth sprocket they sell that comes real close to the 17 tooth dimensions but isn't quite there:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-transmission-parts-16-tooth-honda-cb250-cb350-cb360-cb400-cm400-front-sprocket-jtf278-16.html

The only big difference between the two is the thickness of the sprockets with the 17 tooth being at 12.7mm and the 16 tooth not being listed, so I'm wondering will this 16 tooth work for a 550?

[flybox1]

JT sprocket says all of the 288's are 12.7mm....
http://www.jtsprockets.com/catalogue/sprocket/JTF288-16

[flybox1]

doesnt look like the JTF278's are for a 550
(says the JTSprockets site)

[mrfish2]

Yeah that's what I'm looking at. It says the JTF278's are used for a 530 chain, but they don't look as wide as the JTF288's to me. So basically I'm gonna have to call JT and ask to buy a JTF288 16 tooth?

[flybox1]

Both are for 530 chains, but the 278 is not compatible with your bike.
The 278 does not fit on your trans shaft.  PER JTS, the 288 is what you need.
Be sure you're buying parts that are compatible with your bike model

[mrfish2]

The 278 does not fit on your primary shaft.

I was afraid you would say that. From the dimensions the 278 is just 1mm bigger in diameter in the shaft area than the 288, so I guess that's too much to make it fit?

I've been searching around like crazy the past half hour trying to find a 288 16 tooth sprocket for sale and the closest I've come is finding one on ebay in Italy. I emailed JT Sprockets hoping they can help me out.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Check with SprocketSpecialists too.

[mrfish2]

Check with SprocketSpecialists too.

Ended up being able to order one from them. They listed 1 sprocket fitting the 550's and at the checkout screen you could specify the number of teeth you wanted, between 15 and 18.

[mrfish2]

Finally heard back from JT Sprockets and this is what they had to say about the 16T sprockets for 550's:

Matthew,

The reason you are having trouble is that JTF288 is not sold in a 16 tooth size in North America. We normally do not sell direct but under these circumstances I can make an exception and special order it from our European warehouse. Please let me know if you are interested in doing so as I would need to contact them for pricing and availability.


Best Regards

Lili Rancano