Topic: 18in front wheel on cb550

[turboed13b]

Long story short 18in rear cb550 rim does not work with front hub. So I am looking for a 18in rim from another bike that laces up to the front hub. Yes I know I can spend 250+ for a rim drilled for it but looking for a cheaper option first.

With that said anyone know what rims work?

[wowbagger]

Check out Central Wheel:

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/price_lists/classic_price_list.pdf

[strynboen]

400 four use 18 in both front and back..and looks like 550..have not preesise messure all stuf.

[wowbagger]

Is the cb400 a 36 or 40 spoke wheel?

[turboed13b]

36 spoke

[754]

36 spoke with lighter 4 bolt rotor mounting.
 If you want to go mag, some Yamaha RD 400 had 18 front.. Yor rotor will fit and bearings are the right size..   Not sure about getting the speedo drive to work.

[turboed13b]

I have a gsxr front end mags won't work for me.

[Lostboy Steve]

cyclex

[turboed13b]

cyclex

Just checked and smallest front 18 they have is 2.5 in good price though.

[Kenzo]

Well I learned something...had mistakenly thought the cb550 rear would fit the front hub.

How about will the 750 rear rim fit the 550 rear hub giving it a 2.5" rim width?

TIA,
Kenzo

[turboed13b]

Well I learned something...had mistakenly thought the cb550 rear would fit the front hub.

How about will the 750 rear rim fit the 550 rear hub giving it a 2.5" rim width?

TIA,
Kenzo

It "fits" but the spoke angles are all wrong so my spokes are bending. The 750 rear rim is a 2.15 which is what I was going to do next.

[Retro Rocket]

Mags will work too but you'll have to match up the bearings to suit the axle size, and make up spacers to fit., Check availability of bearings first though ..

[grcamna2]

What front rim width are you after turboed13b ?

[grcamna2]

I have this one 40 spoke 18" Takasago in Great cond. w/ no hits or blips at all Straight. This came from a Kawasaki triple

[turboed13b]

A stock 40 hole 18" rim of up to 3.50" will fit inside a gsxr front end (modern USD I'm assuming). The trick to lacing it is you must use an inside-inside pattern to keep the spoke angle shallow enough to avoid the calipers.

If you call Buchanans, they actually have spokes for this very lacing pattern having partnered with CognitoMoto to measure and make spokes for his hub.

I am using a Harley hub which already has the inside lacing pattern and a 19 in rim. I am trying to move to a 18 inch wheel on a budget so trying to find a 18in wheel from another 40 spoke front wheel.

[turboed13b]

I have this one 40 spoke 18" Takasago in Great cond. w/ no hits or blips at all Straight. This came from a Kawasaki triple

Front rim that used a disk?

[grcamna2]

I have this one 40 spoke 18" Takasago in Great cond. w/ no hits or blips at all Straight. This came from a Kawasaki triple

Front rim that used a disk?

I can't remember whether it came from drum or disc but it definitely came from a mid 70's Kawasaki 2 stroke triple,it's 18" x 1.60 and 40 spoke

[turboed13b]

I have this one 40 spoke 18" Takasago in Great cond. w/ no hits or blips at all Straight. This came from a Kawasaki triple

Front rim that used a disk?

I can't remember whether it came from drum or disc but it definitely came from a mid 70's Kawasaki 2 stroke triple,it's 18" x 1.60 and 40 spoke

Dang I was getting excited until I read it was 1.60. I am looking for something at least 1.85 but now you got me on a new lead.

[grcamna2]

I have this one 40 spoke 18" Takasago in Great cond. w/ no hits or blips at all Straight. This came from a Kawasaki triple

Front rim that used a disk?

I can't remember whether it came from drum or disc but it definitely came from a mid 70's Kawasaki 2 stroke triple,it's 18" x 1.60 and 40 spoke

Dang I was getting excited until I read it was 1.60. I am looking for something at least 1.85 but now you got me on a new lead.

Possibly a larger rim from the H2 or a GT750 Suz.? not sure if they're 18 or 19"

[Retro Rocket]

I have this one 40 spoke 18" Takasago in Great cond. w/ no hits or blips at all Straight. This came from a Kawasaki triple

Front rim that used a disk?

I can't remember whether it came from drum or disc but it definitely came from a mid 70's Kawasaki 2 stroke triple,it's 18" x 1.60 and 40 spoke

Dang I was getting excited until I read it was 1.60. I am looking for something at least 1.85 but now you got me on a new lead.

Possibly a larger rim from the H2 or a GT750 Suz.? not sure if they're 18 or 19"

Both 19....

[turboed13b]

Ok this is what I have found. The kz400 and kh400 triple both run 18x1.85 rims with 40 holes. The only thing left is to figure out hub diameter to see if it is close to the stock Honda and Harley hub.

The wheels are cheap on eBay I might just buy one and try it out.

[grcamna2]

Ok this is what I have found. The kz400 and kh400 triple both run 18x1.85 rims with 40 holes. The only thing left is to figure out hub diameter to see if it is close to the stock Honda and Harley hub.

The wheels are cheap on eBay I might just buy one and try it out.

That much closer to a solution;I hope you find one that has decent chrome.Those vintage Takasago rims seem to have decent chrome on them

[turboed13b]

I ordered a s3 400 wheel once it gets here I will lace it all up but I did all the research and they should fit perfectly.


So if anyone needs a 18in the kz400 and s3/kh 400 use 40 hole 18x1.85 rims.

[grcamna2]

That's good that you found the solution  Does the 18" front wheel help the handling more than the 19" ?

[turboed13b]

That's good that you found the solution  Does the 18" front wheel help the handling more than the 19" ?

It quickens steering and tire choices are not so limited.