Topic: CB550 OEM 18" Front Rim Options?

[GreaseMonkey]

I'm figuring out the recipe and ingredients for my "Super Handing 550" project and am stumped on the front rim.

The plan so far is tapered steering head bearings, swing arm needle bearings, upgraded forks, upgraded rear shocks, appropriate sized tires, and an 18" front wheel.

I understand steering will be quicker with the 18" front, and that is the direction I want to go in. Plan is 18" front and rear.

Do I have any OEM (read ebay cheap) options for the 18" front rim or do I have to shell out the deneros at Buchanan's?

I do eventually plan to go with aluminum rims, but anywhere I can save money on the project to just start riding her for now is a big plus. Bike is a slight resto-mod so can't be ridden right now as is.

I was thinking there has to be an OEM 18" rim in the correct width I can use? Maybe if necessary custom spokes to suit the 550 front hub?

[Tim2005]

When I put an 18" rim on the front a 550 about 15 years ago I got a rim for a Kawasaki, could well have been z400D, it was chrome, 40 hole, drilled for disc hub, so did the job.

p.s set of Hagons and the bike handled great. Still heavy as anything & not very exciting.

[Stev-o]

The CB400F had an 18" frt rim, but not sure if that is the route to go?

[Tim2005]

Nope, cb400F is 36 hole, 550 hub is 40

[corky]

i think the front wheel for a Honda GB500 was a 40 hole 18 inch wheel.  I know the rear rim on a GB500 is 18x2.5 40 hole.  Uncommon wheel to find though.

[turboguzzi]

depends also which tire you want to use, rim width have to be matched to it and most oem rims form that time were quite narrow. dont forget that also that holes angle has to be right, its not just the holes count. so at the end, a complete 18" of something else like a 400/4 might be your cheapest option, new spacers and caliper reposition work might be needed

[GreaseMonkey]

Thanks for all the input. It seems to be what I feared there is no stop gap measure for what I want to do. I thought there might be some "go-to" OEM 18" wheel everyone uses, but it seems there isn't.

I agree that matching rim width is as important as choosing the correct tire size, and I was pretty sure no OEM options would be wide enough. Bike handling is priority for me.

Considering I have to buy a set of new tires, I just have to bite the bullet and do the rims at once too. I'll have to figure out what my "budget" aftermarket rim options are, but that's a topic for another discussion.

Appreciate all the input. Thread success.

[turboguzzi]

the Borrani i use in my racer is a 2.15", thats the recommended size for the 90/90-18 most people race with, if thats any help