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Author Topic: cb550 rim swapping  (Read 2720 times)

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Offline cocinero196

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cb550 rim swapping
« on: March 17, 2016, 04:46:45 AM »
Hi, I'm replacing the stock cb550 rear rim (1.85 x 18) with a cb750 rear rim (2.15 x 18), will the rim fit the existing spokes and hub of the 550?

I'm also planning to build an 18" front wheel using the rear rim of the 550 which is (1.85 x 18), what spokes and front hub will I need?

TIA 8)
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Offline calj737

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2016, 05:03:10 AM »
The rear rim swap should not require a different spoke than your standard 550 rear spoke. For the front, your stock 550 hub but you'll need "custom" spokes. The front and rear hubs on a 550 are different diameters, so "rear" spokes won't lace to a front hub. Buchanan's sell "custom" spokes, but you'll pay ~$2@ for them in stainless  :-\
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'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline cocinero196

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2016, 05:32:33 AM »
Quote from: calj737 on March 17, 2016, 05:03:10 AM
The rear rim swap should not require a different spoke than your standard 550 rear spoke. For the front, your stock 550 hub but you'll need "custom" spokes. The front and rear hubs on a 550 are different diameters, so "rear" spokes won't lace to a front hub. Buchanan's sell "custom" spokes, but you'll pay ~$2@ for them in stainless  :-\

Hey cal! My current front wheel isn't original, it's 18" w/ 36 spokes. Is there another option for my rim so I don't have to get custom spokes? Doesn't have to be the stock 550 hub.
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Offline calj737

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2016, 05:40:33 AM »
Do you need a stock 550 front hub so you can use a stock rear rim on the front? As for the spokes, you'd have to find a rear hub from another bike that had the same diameter and spoke angle mated to an 18" rim for the spokes to work out. I may have a complete front hub if you need one...
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'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline greenjeans

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2016, 05:49:03 AM »
If you are trying to mount a rear rim from your CB550 to a front hub that is a disc hub, you will find that you'll need spokes that are about 1/2" shorter.  But, the problem would be that your 18" REAR rim is drilled for a drum hub that is much larger in diameter than the disc hub would be.  You could lace it up, but you would find that the holes are drilled differently - meaning, the spokes angles would not match properly.  The spokes would have to bend a bit at the holes in order to get the correct angle back to the hub.  People have done it. Just not the best idea - it creates more stress on the spoke.

You can change your rear rim from the stock CB550 rim to a CB750 rim using the same spokes. 

Yamaha XS650 had 36 spoke rims and hubs that are easily found.  MikesXS online has spoke kits for those
« Last Edit: March 17, 2016, 05:54:30 AM by greenjeans »
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Offline cocinero196

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2016, 05:55:58 AM »
Quote from: calj737 on March 17, 2016, 05:40:33 AM
Do you need a stock 550 front hub so you can use a stock rear rim on the front? As for the spokes, you'd have to find a rear hub from another bike that had the same diameter and spoke angle mated to an 18" rim for the spokes to work out. I may have a complete front hub if you need one...

I don't need a stock 550 front hub. Is there another hub & spokes option for my 550 rim so I don't have to get custom spokes? If it's too much hassle, i'll just probably stick with what's on the bike now ::)
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Offline cocinero196

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2016, 06:45:33 AM »
Quote from: greenjeans on March 17, 2016, 05:49:03 AM
If you are trying to mount a rear rim from your CB550 to a front hub that is a disc hub, you will find that you'll need spokes that are about 1/2" shorter.  But, the problem would be that your 18" REAR rim is drilled for a drum hub that is much larger in diameter than the disc hub would be.  You could lace it up, but you would find that the holes are drilled differently - meaning, the spokes angles would not match properly.  The spokes would have to bend a bit at the holes in order to get the correct angle back to the hub.  People have done it. Just not the best idea - it creates more stress on the spoke.

You can change your rear rim from the stock CB550 rim to a CB750 rim using the same spokes. 

Yamaha XS650 had 36 spoke rims and hubs that are easily found.  MikesXS online has spoke kits for those

Seems too much work just to gain those 4 additional spokes, i think i'll just settle with what's on the bike right now 8) Thanks bud!
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Offline rocco

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2016, 01:53:47 PM »
Hey, just to confirm, I have the same question regarding the rear rim. I was given a 2.15 x 18 not realizing at the time that it was wider than the stock 1.85 x 18 on my 78 550. Cal, you're saying it will lace up to the 550 hub without issue? There won't be any clearance issues with the chain or anything like that?
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Offline calj737

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2016, 02:00:34 PM »
There's no clearance issues going from a 1.85 - 2.15.
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'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline rocco

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2016, 04:31:56 PM »
Cheers Calj!
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Offline cocinero196

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2016, 10:09:01 PM »
Quote from: calj737 on March 17, 2016, 02:00:34 PM
There's no clearance issues going from a 1.85 - 2.15.

hi cal, even with this tire?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141581275449

It won't rub against the swingarm? planning to get this set for my 550.
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Offline calj737

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2016, 03:52:54 AM »
Even with that tire...

I've seen 150 and even 160 tires on stock 550 arms. A 120 is nothing. the 160 needed an offset front sprocket to clear the chain/tire edge though. And that 120 on a 2.15 or 2.50 would be fine. Nothing wider though unless you increase your rim width!
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'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline cocinero196

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Re: cb550 rim swapping
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2016, 06:05:31 AM »
Quote from: calj737 on March 21, 2016, 03:52:54 AM
Even with that tire...

I've seen 150 and even 160 tires on stock 550 arms. A 120 is nothing. the 160 needed an offset front sprocket to clear the chain/tire edge though. And that 120 on a 2.15 or 2.50 would be fine. Nothing wider though unless you increase your rim width!

Good to know! I was able to get a 2.15 x 18 takasago rim ;) so now, i just need to lace it with the existing spokes to the oem hub...but before that, i'l powdercoat the 2.15 rims 1st, then get me those tires! btw, any comment on those Pirelli MT66 Route Tires? i might get them tom.

Thanks!
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