Topic: Searchin For A Wheel

[L5wolvesf]

This is re my project Wards CB550 engine project bike and doing a front disc brake swap.   http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180747.0.html

It looks like I am at the point where a Honda CB disc brake swap is feasible. I got a used Honda CB350 (et al) caliper holder and I can make a mounting plate to adapt it to the fender mounting bosses on the Wards fork.

Now I need to find a Honda wheel and disc assembly that will work on the Wards forks. It seems to me that using a Honda wheel and brake assembly would be the best / simplest way to go. I prefer a spoked wheel to match the Wards rear wheel. I also prefer to use the Wards front axle (15mm) as going to a different one may be problematic.

Given the above I think I have some options and some questions.
I’m open to going from an 18” front to a 19 which seems to be more available. But . . .
1.   Is there a spoked Honda CB??? 18” wheel with disc brakes?
2.   What would a taller 19” front tire do to handling?
3.   What will the affect of a 19” be on the speedometer (I have Honda gauges / speedo)?

What would be harder (I think) but possibly doable is using a Honda hub and disc setup on a Wards 18” 36 spoke wheel and find spokes that fit. l know little about spokes or how to determine what spokes I would need. How doable might that be?

Thank you

[Alan F.]

Lacing a different size wheel to a hub with custom spokes is easier than you might imagine. It may be more costly though. If you choose this route there are Online spoke length calculators to work with, or you can use a well known shop like Buchanan's to supply wheel, spokes and possibly assemble and true your wheels for you. But there are other sources of wheels and spokes if you might want to delve into a DIY situation for less cash.

I'd urge you to select your choice of tires and tubes from those currently available before spending on wheels and spokes, it'd be a shame to get halfway done only to stall out waiting for the supply chain to catch up.

[grcamna2]

The CB350F/400F both use an 18" spoked disc front wheel and so do a number of Honda twin cylinder bikes from the late 60's through 70's.

[bryanj]

Yes but they only have 4 bolt rotors

[L5wolvesf]

Lacing a different size wheel to a hub with custom spokes is easier than you might imagine. It may be more costly though. If you choose this route there are Online spoke length calculators to work with, or you can use a well known shop like Buchanan's to supply wheel, spokes and possibly assemble and true your wheels for you. But there are other sources of wheels and spokes if you might want to delve into a DIY situation for less cash.

I'd urge you to select your choice of tires and tubes from those currently available before spending on wheels and spokes, it'd be a shame to get halfway done only to stall out waiting for the supply chain to catch up.

As you pointed out, due to the cost considerations the different wheel to disc hub idea would be a last option for this project. Good to know

Tire wise the typical front tire for the bike is a 3.25-18. I could also go with a 3.50-18. I don’t think availability of those is a problem.

[L5wolvesf]

The CB350F/400F both use an 18" spoked disc front wheel and so do a number of Honda twin cylinder bikes from the late 60's through 70's.

Good to know – any others?

[L5wolvesf]

Yes but they only have 4 bolt rotors

Any disc brake would be an advantage over a drum – correct?

[grcamna2]

Yes but they only have 4 bolt rotors

Any disc brake would be an advantage over a drum – correct?

I could recommend that you measure the distance between both forks where the wheel/spacers & axle will fit on your Wards forks;it can give you an idea how you'll 'center' the spoked front wheel/hub which you plan on using.
I wonder if you will plan to modify the Wards forks to attach the caliper to it in the desired location ?

[L5wolvesf]

 I could recommend that you measure the distance between both forks where the wheel/spacers & axle will fit on your Wards forks;it can give you an idea how you'll 'center' the spoked front wheel/hub which you plan on using.
I wonder if you will plan to modify the Wards forks to attach the caliper to it in the desired location ?[/quote]

I have measured the distance between both Wards forks it is 5.5”. I also measured a CM400 that was close by and it was also 5.5”. Once I have a CB??? wheel and disc I will be doing the centering as you mentioned, as part of the install.

It looks like all I need to do to attach the caliper bracket to the fork is make an adapter plate. There is a pic at the end of this post
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,191234.msg2225989.html#msg2225989

[grcamna2]

I could recommend that you measure the distance between both forks where the wheel/spacers & axle will fit on your Wards forks;it can give you an idea how you'll 'center' the spoked front wheel/hub which you plan on using.
I wonder if you will plan to modify the Wards forks to attach the caliper to it in the desired location ?

I have measured the distance between both Wards forks it is 5.5”. I also measured a CM400 that was close by and it was also 5.5”. Once I have a CB??? wheel and disc I will be doing the centering as you mentioned, as part of the install.

It looks like all I need to do to attach the caliper bracket to the fork is make an adapter plate. There is a pic at the end of this post
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,191234.msg2225989.html#msg2225989
[/quote]

The wheel spacing between the CM400 wheel/axle spacers,end to end compared to the CB350F/400F and 350K twin wheels is a very close tolerance,imo.
They all have the same triple tree spacing between the fork legs.

[L5wolvesf]

From a lil bit of checking those 18” wheels are sort of rare. However, it looks like 19 inch CB??? wheels are more abundant. Hence more affordable.

What would a taller 19” front tire do to handling?

What will the affect of a 19” wheel be on the speedometer (I have Honda a speedo)?

[Don R]

 CB360 has 18" fronts, not rare at all.

[Scott S]

 Once you find the bub you want, you can lace an 18" wheel to it. This is 4into1.com, but Buchanan's, etc., can all get you the spokes needed to do this. Just takes $$.
https://4into1.com/search.php?search_query=18%22%20wheel&section=product

[grcamna2]

CB360 has 18" fronts, not rare at all.

CB350;there are tons of those 18" fronts.
The hub spacing is important.

[bryanj]

Carful of spoke numbers, 500,550,750 have 40 spokes so your ward rim won't fit, not sure about 350,400 I think they may be 36, you will have to check parts books for quantity.
Just for info 360 twin, 350 four and 400 four are same to best of my knowledge and the caliper plus mounts on those plus 500twin and 500, 550 four are as well.

[L5wolvesf]

Carful of spoke numbers, 500,550,750 have 40 spokes so your ward rim won't fit, not sure about 350,400 I think they may be 36, you will have to check parts books for quantity.
Just for info 360 twin, 350 four and 400 four are same to best of my knowledge and the caliper plus mounts on those plus 500twin and 500, 550 four are as well.

As several here have pointed out, due to the cost considerations the different wheel to hub idea would be a last option for this project. I still have research etc to do before I seriously consider going that route.

The front brake caliper holder I got is this one:
https://www.cmsnl.com/products/holdercaliper_45115323010/
It is for the CB350/360/400F/450/500/550

[L5wolvesf]

Re 18” Honda wheel availability; I just recalled there is a Mc parts yard down in Phoenix. Since it is not the molten asphalt time of year I plan on heading there Saturday.

I found out that the CB360 wheel is 1.85 wide. The Wards wheel is a wider 2.15x18 (stamped on the wheel) and has a 3.25x18 tire.

How will a thinner wheel effect handling etc?

[Don R]

 It's .3" difference. Less than 3/8" divided by two it's .15" per side. I doubt the 3.25 tire will know the difference.

[grcamna2]

Re 18” Honda wheel availability; I just recalled there is a Mc parts yard down in Phoenix. Since it is not the molten asphalt time of year I plan on heading there Saturday.

I found out that the CB360 wheel is 1.85 wide. The Wards wheel is a wider 2.15x18 (stamped on the wheel) and has a 3.25x18 tire.

How will a thinner wheel effect handling etc?

The CB360 has a rear wheel/rim which is 18" x 1.85 and the front wheel/rim is 18" x 1.60 stock sizes.

[L5wolvesf]

A couple weekends ago I went to the Mc bone yard. I got kind of lucky and came across what turned out to be a Honda Rebel front wheel (1.85 x 18). Then the owner’s son took an interest and was quite helpful. But he wasn’t completely sure of the axle diameter.

The wheel and disc are in very good condition and they will spin it to make sure it is true. The tire looked OK but may be old so it has little value. The price for the wheel, disc, axle and tire/tube will be $100

My intent for that day was just to see what was available so I purposely didn’t bring much cash. I also held off on the purchase to get more info.

I’ve searched online and came across info that says the Rebel axle is 15mm just like the Wards and many other Hondas. The spacing between the forks is very close (within 1/4in) to the Wards spacing.

So, the axle diameter seems to be good and the width seems to be good. Anything else I should check?

[grcamna2]

A couple weekends ago I went to the Mc bone yard. I got kind of lucky and came across what turned out to be a Honda Rebel front wheel (1.85 x 18). Then the owner’s son took an interest and was quite helpful. But he wasn’t completely sure of the axle diameter.

The wheel and disc are in very good condition and they will spin it to make sure it is true. The tire looked OK but may be old so it has little value. The price for the wheel, disc, axle and tire/tube will be $100

My intent for that day was just to see what was available so I purposely didn’t bring much cash. I also held off on the purchase to get more info.

I’ve searched online and came across info that says the Rebel axle is 15mm just like the Wards and many other Hondas. The spacing between the forks is very close (within 1/4in) to the Wards spacing.

So, the axle diameter seems to be good and the width seems to be good. Anything else I should check?

A Rebel 250 caliper,and how will you attach mounts to your Wards forks ?

[L5wolvesf]

A Rebel 250 caliper,and how will you attach mounts to your Wards forks ?

When I was at the yard I put a CB350 caliper and holder up to the Rebel and me and the yard owner’s son agreed it would work,

It looks like all I need to do to attach the caliper holder to the fork is make an adapter plate. There is a pic at the end of this post
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,191234.msg2225989.html#msg2225989