Its been a few weeks but I finally had some time off to address this again.
I took Pitbull's suggestion and I have to give him mad props.
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I dremmeled a small slot in one side of the head and took a screwdriver + hammer to it. It took a little over half-dozen hits but it finally gave way.
I had a few minutes if satisfied elation that I wasnt completely useless!
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Sadly, it was not to last. I loosened the chain, took the sprocket off and just for kicks, counted the teeth.
1,2,3....13,14?? hmm, must have miscounted. I put it up against the new 14t sprocket I bought, and what do you know - they were identical.
I must mention that I bought the bike used - so I was riding on the 14T mod the entire time without knowing. FML
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I really hope someone out there is laughing at my idiocracy.... bleh