Topic: CB550 Optimal Rim Size and Tires?

[SirTeddy]

Hello,

I'm new to all this but recently got my hands on the a CB550 and was looking to find some new rims for them and tires.

After researching the forums I'm a little unsure to what sizes i should be getting as many people run different setups. So i would like to know the ideal rim width, size and tires to purchase.

From what i have read on the forum I believe 100/90-19 Front and 120/90-18 Rear are the go to tire sizes but am still unsure on what rims sizes I should be going for?

1) 19" x 1.85 Front + 18" x 2.15 Rear

2) 19" x 2.15 Front + 18" x 2.50 Rear

3) 19" x 2.50 Front + 18" x 2.75 Rear

I've also seen someone with 2.5" front and 3.5" rear.

Or is there another setup that i am missing? or does it not matter?


Thank you

[TwoTired]

The us model cb550 had 1.85 front and rear rim widths.

To keep handling and wear eveness over the life of the tires, it is recommended that near stock tire sizes are used.  That would be 3.25 front and a 4.00 rear in inch sizes.

Metrics are often substituted.  But, I found through the years that the inch sized stock widths result in keeping the neutral handling thoughout the life of the tires, as they have pretty close to the same aspect ratio for the suspension as originally designed.
I settled on Metzeler tires, as I like the compound, and had no problem scraping bits of bike in hard turns without sliding off the roadway.

New tires will always feel better than worn ones, no matter what you put on.  It does not remain the same after oversize tires start to show uneven wear patterns.

Cheers,

Cheers,

[brewsky]

+1 on the 3.25 and 4.00 inch sizes.

TT, which Metzelers are you using? They list 3 different tires in inch sizes for the 550:

Sportek Klassik, Roadtek 01 (w/ dual compound rear), and Lasertek


I always wonder whether some brand's inch sizes are just re-labeled metric equivalents?.... as I have seen some labeled with both inch and metric on the sidewall before.

[flatlander]

I always wonder whether some brand's inch sizes are just re-labeled metric equivalents?.... as I have seen some labeled with both inch and metric on the sidewall before.

i have that suspicion, too.

when replacing rims, would it make sense to get some in metric size, as close as possible to the original inch size? might give you more tyre options and they would probably fit and therefore wear better then the (possibly just re-labelled) inch size tyres.

[SirTeddy]

I was going to go with Avon Roadriders. They have 3.25x19 and 4.00x18 so i can go with them.

That leaves me with that rim widths i should go for since the old ones are not salvageable.

Ed

[TwoTired]

+1 on the 3.25 and 4.00 inch sizes.

TT, which Metzelers are you using? They list 3 different tires in inch sizes for the 550:

Sportek Klassik, Roadtek 01 (w/ dual compound rear), and Lasertek


I always wonder whether some brand's inch sizes are just re-labeled metric equivalents?.... as I have seen some labeled with both inch and metric on the sidewall before.

I'm using the Lasertec tires.

I'd like to know which brands use both inch and metric on the sidewall.  I'd probably avoid them as it sounds like a ploy to sell tires to a wider customer base, rather than any performance or longevity benefit for the user.

In any case, reputable brands will also have a guide for rim width fitment.  Please don't use tires designed for 2.5 inch rims on a 1.85 rim width.

Cheers,

[Stev-o]

I was going to go with Avon Roadriders. They have 3.25x19 and 4.00x18 so i can go with them.

That leaves me with that rim widths i should go for since the old ones are not salvageable.

I'd go with 1.85 in front and 2.15 in the back.   

[Deltarider]

I was going to go with Avon Roadriders. They have 3.25x19 and 4.00x18 so i can go with them.

That leaves me with that rim widths i should go for since the old ones are not salvageable.

I'd go with 1.85 in front and 2.15 in the back.   

That's what later model CB500s and CB550s in Europe came with. Just recently I discovered that not every CB500/550 has 2.15 in the rear. Did some inquiries on the German forum and except some with very old CB500s, they, like me, have 2.15 in the rear. Odd... as it does not correspond with a difference in partsnumber.

[PeWe]

I recommend Heidenau for CB750. Must work fine on CB500/550 too.
Front rim 1.85, tire  3.25-19    https://www.heidenautires.com/product/k-36/  (I have not tested yet)
Rear rim 2.15, tire  4.0-18       https://www.heidenautires.com/product/k-44/  (Work fine, will continue with these)

I noticed that the rear tire K36 has better life than Metzeler Lasertec and Dunlop Streetsmart that both did not last longer than 4200 km rear. Flattened out at around 3500 km and bad handling.

Heidenau has the right look too. My K2 have a set front and rear.
My K6 will get Heidenau at front to match it's rear it has used 1840 km without much visible wear. Bike has +90whp.
Lasertec when bike had 836 and less power, +80 whp and much less torque.

I have had thoughts to use wider rear as 120/90-18. K36 not available in that size so I'll continue on 4.0.

[TwoTired]

Running high tire pressures will flatten out a Metezler tire quite quickly.  This happens frequently when a too large width tire is mounted on narrow rims.  If the sidewall angle is too great, the tire will squirm on the rim, unless the tire pressure is increased to aid stiffness.  Then the tire crown wears quickly.  This is why you size tires to the rim width you have.

I noticed the new Metzeler Lazertec rears, look a lot like the older ME55 tires in tread design, which I have had.  Those were soft compound tires, which gripped really well, but wore rather quickly.  I don't know what compound the newer rear lazertec tires have, though.  I still have the ME77's on mine.

Cheers,

[Bankerdanny]

I have Metzeler Sportec Klassiks on my 750. The stock rear size on the 550 is 3.75-18 (750's had 4.00-18). The closest metric is 100/90-18. The 120/80 is too wide for a stock 550 rim. My 550F had a 130/80 onn it when I bough bought it,  but out also had a 2.15" wide Lester.

I just ordered a 120/80 for my 750F, but for the 3.00" wide Lester wheel I am installing.

[PeWe]

Running high tire pressures will flatten out a Metezler tire quite quickly.  This happens frequently when a too large width tire is mounted on narrow rims.  If the sidewall angle is too great, the tire will squirm on the rim, unless the tire pressure is increased to aid stiffness.  Then the tire crown wears quickly.  This is why you size tires to the rim width you have.

I noticed the new Metzeler Lazertec rears, look a lot like the older ME55 tires in tread design, which I have had.  Those were soft compound tires, which gripped really well, but wore rather quickly.  I don't know what compound the newer rear lazertec tires have, though.  I still have the ME77's on mine.

Cheers,

Yes, tire pressure is really important.
I follow the Honda sticker on rear fender. Start on max pressure (high speed pressure), refill when reaching less than recommended std.
Bike handles worse with higher pressure. I tried it for a shorter period after reading some posts here about higher pressure.
I felt pain in hands and wrists when front tire had too much. Rear tire caused a jumpy handling.

I'm convinced that many use too high pressure and blame bike for the bad handling, shocks, fork oil,springs etc.

My tires flatten out due to riding style. Too little road racing style in corners letting knees touch the road 
I prefer long sweeping corners when I can accelerate from 100-170 kph. 

[brewsky]

+1 on the 3.25 and 4.00 inch sizes.

TT, which Metzelers are you using? They list 3 different tires in inch sizes for the 550:

Sportek Klassik, Roadtek 01 (w/ dual compound rear), and Lasertek


I always wonder whether some brand's inch sizes are just re-labeled metric equivalents?.... as I have seen some labeled with both inch and metric on the sidewall before.

I'm using the Lasertec tires.

I'd like to know which brands use both inch and metric on the sidewall.  I'd probably avoid them as it sounds like a ploy to sell tires to a wider customer base, rather than any performance or longevity benefit for the user.

In any case, reputable brands will also have a guide for rim width fitment.  Please don't use tires designed for 2.5 inch rims on a 1.85 rim width.

Cheers,

Here is an old Kenda on my T500 (date code 392), not sure what year.....

I don't think the newer Kendas are double marked though, but I haven't really checked any lately.

I'm currently running 3.25 and 4.00 K70's on my 550 with 1.85 rims front & rear and love the way the bike handles, but the rear is wearing quickly in the middle.

Dunlop "recommends" 2.15 rim for 4.00, but Metzeler gives a "permissible range" of 1.85 - 3.00 for the same size?

[SirTeddy]

Well according to "Avon Tyres Fitment and Data Guide" the recommended rim sizes for the 3.25" and 4.00" tires are as follows:

3.25-19
Min/Max = 1.85 - 2.5
Recommended = 2.15

4.00-18
Min/Max = 2.15 - 3.0
Recommended = 2.5

There are so many different guidelines and recommendations out there i don't know what to go for.

[brewsky]

Honda fitted 3.25-19 and 3.75-18 on 1.85 rims, so I wouldn't worry about using the 3.25 and 4.00 inch sizes on them at all.
If you wanted to use the metric "equivalents", which are shorter and wider than stock, it may be better to use the wider rims.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to step up a size though, especially in the rear.


Some time back, there was a member (can't remember the name), who posted a "pinch angle" chart, showing the differences based on tire vs rim sizes, which was informative.

[Deltarider]

Some time back, there was a member (can't remember the name), who posted a "pinch angle" chart, showing the differences based on tire vs rim sizes, which was informative.

On the German site I saw this. http://www.speichen-zentrum-niederrhein.de/technik/zuordnung/ It is in German, but it speaks for it self, I think.

[BomberMann650]

+1 on the 3.25 and 4.00 inch sizes.

TT, which Metzelers are you using? They list 3 different tires in inch sizes for the 550:

Sportek Klassik, Roadtek 01 (w/ dual compound rear), and Lasertek

>roadtec 01

I hadn't looked before.  figured it was a "modern" tire (wide 17" rears and all)
but...
holy#$%* 4.0r18 rear tire!  sweet

I've got the roadtec 01 hwb's on my FJR1300.  It's a fine tire.  The front is a little noisy, sensitive to tire pressure and temperature.  Maybe it's the hwb variant that just seems to take some time to warm up before handling feels right.  Mostly, it's the front that gives me grief.  The Rear is great.  Would totally recommend that rear tire.

[PeWe]

Some time back, there was a member (can't remember the name), who posted a "pinch angle" chart, showing the differences based on tire vs rim sizes, which was informative.

On the German site I saw this. http://www.speichen-zentrum-niederrhein.de/technik/zuordnung/ It is in German, but it speaks for it self, I think.

100/90-19 and 120/90-18 is too fat for CB750 stock rims according to the chart. Back in the days we wanted the fattest tire possible for the look. Today going back to stock for correct handling.