Topic: CB500 / CB550 rear hub & rim differences

[nicks2319]

Hello and thanks for looking. I'm trying to find info on the different configurations for the 500/550 rear hubs. I made the mistake of assuming they were all interchangable, and powder coated my best looking hub and my best looking rim. Unfortunately, the hub seems to require a larger and different style of spokes than the rim allows.

The rim is from my 71 cb500. It accepts a thin type of spoke. When I tried to use these thin spokes on the chosen hub, they would not mate correctly. I realized some of my other 550 rear wheels have thicker spokes. Trying one of these spokes worked. The thick spokes' nipples do not fit in my 71 rim though. They're too big.

Does anyone know which models/years had these differences? Specifically, thin vs thick spokes, which rims require thinner spokes, and which hubs require which spokes?

Also noticed some differences in the spacing on the bearings. Thick vs thin diameter around the bearings on the brake side.

I want to get all of this info straight and write up a possible guide.

Thin vs thick spokes:


550 hub, thin spacing around brake side bearing:


550 hub, thick spacing around brake side bearing:

[Steve_K]

I don't know about the spoke diameter, but I do know that 76K and 77K 550s have different brake backing plates.  The main difference seemed to be the diameter of the splined brake shaft.  Remember, I am assuming my 550s were stock when I got them.
Steve

[strynboen]

yes i did the same thing...got a rim and hub from e bay..and it did not fit my 1978 k3..the brake plate is also unik for both types.

my idea is that 500 hub are used to abaut 75-76...and the other type for rest time76-78....but f bikes and k bikes dont thange at same year..

mine 1978 k3 used the thin type spacer at the bearing area vho,, are a metal tube pressed on.. to solid the bearing area

[nicks2319]

So there's definitely a spoke size difference. The thin ones are also tapered towards the hub. Here's one of my 550 wheels with a thinner bearing thing, and with thin spokes. I think ultimately what happened is that certain hubs are thicker where the spoke holes are, and require a longer bend and thicker spokes. I'm just trying to narrow down the years, so when I buy some new spokes, I don't get the thinner ones.

[jmelche2]

I bought new rim and spokes for my 1972 CB500.  Call this guy at Buchanan's and he will help you.

Matt
626-969-4655 ext. 10

Buchanan's Spoke & Rim
805 W. Eighth St.
Azusa, CA
91702

[Janstr63]

Hallo,

I have a bit the same problem .

See topic : http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,146588.0.html

i'm looking for the richt spokes for this rim but I can't determine from which cb this is.  Anyone here who can help and has the same rib.

Thanks

Jan

[nicks2319]

Hallo,

I have a bit the same problem .

See topic : http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,146588.0.html

i'm looking for the richt spokes for this rim but I can't determine from which cb this is.  Anyone here who can help and has the same rib.

Thanks

Jan

Were the spokes the wrong length? Or did they seem to not fit on the outer side?

[Janstr63]

I suppose they were the wrong lenght. The inner spokes were good. But then the outer spokes were to short. I seemed also like the angle was nog right..

[Jalapeno]

BUMP, for running into the same exact issue... I want to say there is a late model CB550 hub issue with hub flanges being thicker.  I bought the wrokes and they require some serious bending to make it "work."  Someone else on this forum actually ground down some channels on the rear hub to allow for clearance of the outer spokes, but I'd like to ultimately avoid gringing the hub since it's been powder coated already.  Buchanan's can make custom spokes if you send yours in, but it ain't cheap.

[nicks2319]

Yeah, I would suggest finding the correct year spokes. I didn't even bother trying to bend or modify them. I had an extra wheel laying around with the right ones, so I used them. They're much thicker than the early model spokes.

[hudecheck]

Hi guys, I hope somebody is still following this topic, since this is similar issue I amdealing with and didn't want to open brand new topic.

Due to this issue of "freeplay" of worn drive flange (see link below) I am looking for better shape flange. I have found the guy who's selling whole rear wheel. But the wheel is from CB500T 1978 and I would like to get it either whole wheel or at least the drum or the best the flange to my CB550F2 1978. Does anyone of you has experience with interchangeable wheel on these? Thx a lot!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150358.0.html

[nicks2319]

I'd be surprised if the 500t rear wheel was the same, or fit without spacer modification. I'd just try to hunt down the flange or at least an entire hub. They're on ebay often.

[strynboen]

as i renember is the 500 t hveel. is.made like the 400 four hveel...the drive "thain vheels" have taps vho grips in the hub..hvere rubber bushings is seatet..
if you use the komplet hveel..it can be used..but it meens some mods to aleign all up..