Topic: Newbie to rim swap options - CB550F and some questions for clarification

[b1jackson]

Hello folks.  I have a ratty old 550F that I plan on turning into a sort of brat/scrambler vibe with fairly chunky tires.  Nothing too crazy but a cruiser bike where yes...maybe style outweighs pure stock performance.  I'm not a rip into the twisties rider and if I ever get that urge, I have plenty of other bikes for that style of riding.

Stock rims are the 185 x 18 rear and 185 x 19 front but as many know, this does present some difficulties for a chunkier tire.  I have two sets of rims that I assume were maybe 440F rims?  They are free from the hubs and 215 x 18 size.  My plan was to use these rims front and rear for my 500F brat vibe bike and lace them to the original 550F hubs.  Tire options open up alot and just wondering if there are any things to consider size wise for their use?  Spoke count (of course) seems to be the most important factor. but anything else?  Yes...they are wider than stock but perhaps not excessive?

Any thoughts or experience from people who have completed this swap? 

[Bankerdanny]

The 2.15 is probably from a 750. If it is a 40 hole rim it will lace right up to the rear hub using stock size spokes. You may need to order custom spokes for the front. CB400 spokes might work since it came with an 18" front wheel.

[b1jackson]

I'll check the rear hub spoke count for sure.  If the front spoke count works too, these should work with stock hubs shouldn't they?  Plan is to powder coat the rims, stainless spokes and polished (or at least cleaned up) hubs.

[Bankerdanny]

As long as the hole count on the rim matches the hub then they should work. Take a look at the way the holes are drilled in the rim and compare to the stock setup (stock rims have the holes drilled in such a way as to work with the angle of the spokes as they come off of the hub). It is very likely that you can use the rims with the stock CB hubs, but do a quick visual inspection to see if they look similar.