Topic: Will it fit? 1974 550 wheel on a 78?

[Seanery]

Hey guys, quickie here for ya.

I'm planning on building a set of wheels while running the bike on it's originals. I've found a fairly cheap '74 550 front wheel that may work for a donor hub. Were there any differences between '74 and '78 at the front wheel? I don't want to start down a road that presents unforeseen roadblocks!

And, while I'm here, are there any compatibility issues with rears?

[bryanj]

Fronts OK unless you want to twin disc rears vary BUT if you get the complete wheel with brake plate, spindle and spacers it can work

[Bankerdanny]

The 74 vs 78 on a 750 would be an issue because Honda changed the chain size and spacing on the front drive sprocket. I don't think that the 550 had any material changes in the drive during it's run, so a '74 wheel should bolt up. I do agree with Bryan though that you should get the brake plate if possible, just to make sure.

[Seanery]

Thanks for the quick response, guys!

[jonda500]

The front wheel remained the same right through from '71 to '78 on all cb500/550 models. (the exact same wheel is used in many of the 750 models too.)
John

[bryanj]

The 550 hub does change part number at a point and the brake plates do not interchange nor do spacers so to be safe it is better to make sure you get a complete assembly

[RAFster122s]

The post by bryanj about the hub change is in reference to the rear wheel.
Wheel spacers were also different between the '74-'76 cb550 and the later '77-'78 cb550.

[Scott S]

 And the 550F used yet another style spacer.

[jonda500]

The 550F used another two different length spacers. Both K and F changed length in 77 when the brake plate changed to the ribbed one.
John

[bryanj]

Only extra different spacer was on closed end swingarm