Topic: Dad's 1978 Honda CB550k

[joegeis]

sounds like maybe going with 18" in both front and rear would be a good change? And upping the size to 2.15 front and 2.5 rear? I think this looks better, but wouldn't do it if it makes the bike ride more poorly...

Also, holy CRAP those rims are expensive. I was not anticipating that cost.

[RAFster122s]

Picking up stock used wheels maybe better and more cost effective solution...

[grcamna2]

sounds like maybe going with 18" in both front and rear would be a good change? And upping the size to 2.15 front and 2.5 rear? I think this looks better, but wouldn't do it if it makes the bike ride more poorly...

Also, holy CRAP those rims are expensive. I was not anticipating that cost.

Would be nice if someone is parting-out their caf'e project 550 on Market place which they never completed and a set of built wheels;I think going with the 2.15 Fr. and 2.50 Rr. widths are a good choice,considering the metric tire sizes available now want a wider rim. I hope you find a set of wheels with the rims you want which have the spoke holes oriented to the same/diameter size hubs you have.

I just purchased a complete used wheel last month for about $50 shipped on Ebay(example 79' Honda XL250S rear with an oem 2.15x18" alloy rim)just to get the undamaged rim;that rim is a good size for a front or rear.

[joegeis]

sounds like maybe going with 18" in both front and rear would be a good change? And upping the size to 2.15 front and 2.5 rear? I think this looks better, but wouldn't do it if it makes the bike ride more poorly...

Also, holy CRAP those rims are expensive. I was not anticipating that cost.

Would be nice if someone is parting-out their caf'e project 550 on Market place which they never completed and a set of built wheels;I think going with the 2.15 Fr. and 2.50 Rr. widths are a good choice,considering the metric tire sizes available now want a wider rim.

I just purchased a complete used wheel last month for about $50 shipped on Ebay(example 79' Honda XL250S rear with an oem 2.15x18" alloy rim)just to get the undamaged rim;that rim is a good size for a front or rear.

I think I'm going to pause on buying the expensive rims until I can get my old ones off and really evaluate the condition. I do really like the idea of changing the size, so I might keep an eye open for a used set on ebay in the meantime. Do I only need to look for width, diameter and spoke count?

Edit - hm, I could get two 18" x 2.15 rims from 4into1 really cheap. I've seen other threads with folks cautioning using cheap rims, but haven't found any horror stories or bad reviews. I wonder how these would work out... Probably better than what I have now I imagine?

https://4into1.com/rising-sun-aluminum-rim-black-40-hole-2-15-x-18/

[grcamna2]

sounds like maybe going with 18" in both front and rear would be a good change? And upping the size to 2.15 front and 2.5 rear? I think this looks better, but wouldn't do it if it makes the bike ride more poorly...

Also, holy CRAP those rims are expensive. I was not anticipating that cost.

Would be nice if someone is parting-out their caf'e project 550 on Market place which they never completed and a set of built wheels;I think going with the 2.15 Fr. and 2.50 Rr. widths are a good choice,considering the metric tire sizes available now want a wider rim.

I just purchased a complete used wheel last month for about $50 shipped on Ebay(example 79' Honda XL250S rear with an oem 2.15x18" alloy rim)just to get the undamaged rim;that rim is a good size for a front or rear.

I think I'm going to pause on buying the expensive rims until I can get my old ones off and really evaluate the condition. I do really like the idea of changing the size, so I might keep an eye open for a used set on ebay in the meantime. Do I only need to look for width, diameter and spoke count?

Edit - hm, I could get two 18" x 2.15 rims from 4into1 really cheap. I've seen other threads with folks cautioning using cheap rims, but haven't found any horror stories or bad reviews. I wonder how these would work out... Probably better than what I have now I imagine?

https://4into1.com/rising-sun-aluminum-rim-black-40-hole-2-15-x-18/

They look ok,as long as you don't mind black rims;I prefer silver.
The main thing needs to be if those rims will match the spoke hole orientation of the diameter and width of your hubs;I also hope you can determine the correct spoke length.

Have you taken a look at mikesxs.net that sells parts for the Yamaha TX650/XS650 twins and many other models? They have rims that may suit your purposes also and possibly have measurements that will match the 78' CB550 hubs & spoke length.

Do the sellers of this black rim have that information? A type of spoke calculator to see if they will accept your size spokes and your stock diameter and width hubs ?
Sometimes,when purchasing a used wheel,the size of the hub and spokes can be determined by asking the sellers to measure hubs,plus you can see the pictures of the used wheel and notice what that built wheel looks like and compare the orientation(the angle of the spoke holes are are drilled through the rim & designed to suit the size/diameter & width of the intended hub)of the spoke angles with your stock wheels .

I know Buchanans has this information,although they only use it if you purchase from them..

[flatlander]

new wheels aren't cheap if you want good ones.
i'd personally keep the overall hight (incl. tire) same as original unless you know that the change in geometry and therefore handling is what you want. going for a different width makes sense with current tires.
i did quite some research on this, here with great input from others: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,185154.0.html

[grcamna2]

new wheels aren't cheap if you want good ones.
i'd personally keep the overall hight (incl. tire) same as original unless you know that the change in geometry and therefore handling is what you want. going for a different width makes sense with current tires.
i did quite some research on this, here with great input from others: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,185154.0.html

Very good information. 
flatlander,what different size tires have you been currently running on your 550 ?

[flatlander]

i'm using avon roadrider mk2, 19-3.25 front and 18-4.00 rear.

[joegeis]

i'm using avon roadrider mk2, 19-3.25 front and 18-4.00 rear.

Where did you get your rims? Any fitment issues going that wide that required more modifications?

[smee]

What a great bike you got there! I love the story and the patina is real nice!

[flatlander]

i'm using avon roadrider mk2, 19-3.25 front and 18-4.00 rear.

Where did you get your rims? Any fitment issues going that wide that required more modifications?

i'm in the netherlands. i'm sure you can find a more local source. i got them from haan wheels which are over here, they mostly build custom wheels for motocross and make their own stainless spokes. buchanan's seems to be a trusted source in the US - if i lived there i'd consider them.

i have no problems with the width and didn't modify anything. i have dual front brakes. to get the wheel in or out, i need to loosen the bolts of the 2 arms that hold the brake calipers, at the fork, so that i can create more space. that's all - easy peasy.

[Mark1976]

   Use the Rising Sun rims, I have, on a 76 550f (barn find 550f, in project shop). They're definitely not the quality of the rims that Buchanan's offers but they're half the cost and the majority of people wouldn't know the difference. Keep the 19" on the front, as I've often said, "it's just easier ". A smaller wheel changes the steering geometry, that and you'll have to modify the fender to close the gap created by a smaller diameter wheel.

[joegeis]

   Use the Rising Sun rims, I have, on a 76 550f (barn find 550f, in project shop). They're definitely not the quality of the rims that Buchanan's offers but they're half the cost and the majority of people wouldn't know the difference. Keep the 19" on the front, as I've often said, "it's just easier ". A smaller wheel changes the steering geometry, that and you'll have to modify the fender to close the gap created by a smaller diameter wheel.

Awesome, thanks for sharing your first hand experience!

[grcamna2]

I purchased Sun Rims and SS spokes from Buchanans back in 97' to install on a Yamaha XT600 for a person;Buchanans drilled the rims to match the application so they must have came to them un-drilled?
I was wondering if the Sun Rims are the same as Rising Sun rims?

[RAFster122s]

Sun Rims are not the same as Rising Sun rims, Sun makes good quality rims, they aren’t Excel and some of the more expensive rims but they are solid quality and dependable. I hit a big rock riding home on my bicycle several years back and light was very low and I didn’t see the rock in the bike lane at a pull out for a restaurant on one of Tucson’s major arteries. It blew the tire and caused me to break a few spokes and then the rim potato-chipped itself. Luckily I maintained my balance and didn’t wreck. Just had to catch the last bus of the night to jog north two miles and then walk the bike 1.5 miles home from there.
I picked up a heavy-duty Sun aluminum rim for that wheel to be rebuilt as I am a big fellow. The quality on the rim was excellent.

Sun and Excel will have rims that have very little runout that would need to be adjusted out, whereas cheap rims may not have the degree of quality and precision that Excel and Sun will have…

The Rising Sun rims are likely a Chinese made rim with acceptable quality, but they won’t hold a candle to the build quality of an Excel or Sun rim…

[Mark1976]

   Rising Sun in the center, a Buchanan's Excel on the right and a Rising Sun on the left mounted to the 550f..  The Excel rims on my 400f are at least 10 or 12 yrs old, they look like the day I put them on. They'll true right up to .005 total runout. From a distance the Rising Sun looks great, and unless you know what your looking at/for, is a cost effective replacement.

[joegeis]

I had a buddy offer to sand blast my stock rims, so I think I'm going to explore that route and see how they look with all the rust removed. Because they will be down to bare steel, I know I will have to paint them or have them powder coated.

Next question - the spokes are all still tight, with no significant rust. Would leaving the spokes as-is be a problem? Is it the kind of thing that should be changed periodically, or only if there is a problem? I've never had spokes on a bike (well, not since my 10 speed!)

Plan for today is to reinstall the oil pan and filter (4into1 box finally came yesterday!) and wheel the thing outside for a far more manual degreasing scrub with a stiff brush. There is still a ton of grime on this thing. I will be sure to tape off the manifolds so no water can get in there!

Next is to bench sync and reinstall the carbs, install the battery and test the electrical. If there is spark, then it's time to try and start her up!

Attached is the next round of parts for the wheels, brakes and bearings. Brake shoes were out of stock, so I grabbed some EBC organics on eBay from a reputable seller. Anything I'm missing? I also picked up some brass swing arm bushings from a different site.

Edit - I forgot about tires! After some quick research, I think I'll go with the Dunlop D404 tires (Front 100/90 19" / Rear 120/90 18"). They seem reasonably prices, fit the vintage look and seem relatively well reviewed.

[grcamna2]

I don't like EBC organic brakes;they don't have the friction needed to make panic stops,imo.
Stock OEM Honda pads/shoes are very good and treat the disc rotors and drums nice.

[RAFster122s]

EBC organic pads tend to be noisy

[joegeis]

which pads/shoes do you guys recommend? I assume OEM were sintered/metallic? I found these on Amazon for real cheap. Description makes it sound like they are semi-sintered (kevlar, rubber and metal)? "Pad material is aramid fiber, metals, abrasives and lubricants mixed with Phenol Resin"

Brake shoes are out of stock on most websites right now. Are there any in particular you recommend?

I did swap out the pads for semi-sintered EBC pads from 4into1.

[grcamna2]

which pads/shoes do you guys recommend? I assume OEM were sintered/metallic? I found these on Amazon for real cheap. Description makes it sound like they are semi-sintered (kevlar, rubber and metal)? "Pad material is aramid fiber, metals, abrasives and lubricants mixed with Phenol Resin"

Brake shoes are out of stock on most websites right now. Are there any in particular you recommend?

I did swap out the pads for semi-sintered EBC pads from 4into1.

Semi-sintered are a better choice than EBC organics(green)..

I like OEM but Ferodo pads/shoes are excellent.
Get in touch with vintagebrake.com.
Michael over there gets in at 12noon 209-533-4346
info@vintagebrake.com

[joegeis]

I put the oil pan and filter back together then gave the bike a much more thorough cleaning today - steel wool, brass brush and tootbrush with a lot of Simple Green. I could not believe how much rust came off, and a LOT of grime off the engine. Here are a couple of pics.

I couldn't believe how well the headers and handlebars cleaned up! Mufflers and fenders are way better too, but still a lot of obvious rust. I'll come back at it with some evaporust later on, but this was a great start. I also think this thing must have been leaking oil at some point, because the kickstand and the underside were thick with sludge! I think I removed a decade or two of patina, but not to worry, there is more than enough patina left

[grcamna2]

The headers and fenders turned-out great 

[BenelliSEI]

which pads/shoes do you guys recommend? I assume OEM were sintered/metallic? I found these on Amazon for real cheap. Description makes it sound like they are semi-sintered (kevlar, rubber and metal)? "Pad material is aramid fiber, metals, abrasives and lubricants mixed with Phenol Resin"

Brake shoes are out of stock on most websites right now. Are there any in particular you recommend?

Vintagecb750.com has pads and shoes available for your bike. I like their stuff.
I did swap out the pads for semi-sintered EBC pads from 4into1.

[joegeis]

which pads/shoes do you guys recommend? I assume OEM were sintered/metallic? I found these on Amazon for real cheap. Description makes it sound like they are semi-sintered (kevlar, rubber and metal)? "Pad material is aramid fiber, metals, abrasives and lubricants mixed with Phenol Resin"

Brake shoes are out of stock on most websites right now. Are there any in particular you recommend?

Vintagecb750.com has pads and shoes available for your bike. I like their stuff.
I did swap out the pads for semi-sintered EBC pads from 4into1.

Thank you! Ordered!