Author Topic: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4  (Read 826 times)

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Offline bassboy3313

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Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« on: April 15, 2024, 02:09:23 PM »
Hello everyone! I am new to these bikes and just acquired a CB500/4 for practically free. I am planning a street scrambler style build. I want fat tires on it, which made me look at the wheels on the Sportster Forty-Eight I have sitting in my garage. They are 16" laced wheels with 170 rear & 150 front tires. This is the exact look I want for the CB as well.

My question is, will the hubs on the Sportster wheels mount right up to the CB500? Or will custom hubs be needed due to axle size, etc. I know the brakes would need to be sorted out, but is there anything else preventing the Forty-Eight wheels from mounting right up? Otherwise could I lace up the CB hubs to the Harley wheels/spokes and be good or will the wider wheels prevent that from working? Thanks in advance!!!

Offline newday777

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2024, 04:04:33 PM »
Welcome to the forum

Many have put Harley 16" rim on the rear over the years.
Front will probably be too narrow spacing of the forks for a wide rim and tire.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2024, 05:53:36 PM »
Thanks! Happy to be here. I found this bike online that is a good representation of what I'd like to do wheel/tire wise. Any info or help in achieving this fitment would be awesome!!




Welcome to the forum

Many have put Harley 16" rim on the rear over the years.
Front will probably be too narrow spacing of the forks for a wide rim and tire.

Offline newday777

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2024, 07:20:52 PM »
You will need to obtain a set of bigger width triple trees.  Those might be from Cognito Moto
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2024, 08:06:21 PM »
Get longer front forks along the way: these bikes had little trail up front, and having even less will make for pretty spooky handling!
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Offline gearsoup

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2024, 03:26:11 AM »
Get longer front forks along the way: these bikes had little trail up front, and having even less will make for pretty spooky handling!

I've got a '78 750K that I'll be tearing into this winter. Any suggestions on what would be a viable longer fork swap option? Triple trees aren't an issue, as I'm planning on machining anything I need (assuming I can get some openings in my shop schedule)
Current Project: CB750-K6 (hoping for OEM look)
Future Project: CB750-K8  (likely go wild on this build)

Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2024, 03:50:48 AM »
You will need to obtain a set of bigger width triple trees.  Those might be from Cognito Moto

Ah that's a good point. I didn't think about that. I will have to do some research on what width triple tree would be required. I'll do some comparative measuring on the Sportster and CB500. Thanks!
« Last Edit: April 16, 2024, 06:40:04 AM by bassboy3313 »

Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2024, 03:51:26 AM »
Get longer front forks along the way: these bikes had little trail up front, and having even less will make for pretty spooky handling!

How much longer would you suggest?

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2024, 07:52:28 AM »
Don't know what the limit is for the rear, but the swing arm might also prevent something too wide.

But... nobody wants to try to talk him out of this? His bike, his ideas, sure. But a bike like that is going to handle like 5hit. It's definitely "just for looks" but people who know these bikes will be giving it a different kind of look.

Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2024, 09:51:28 AM »
Don't know what the limit is for the rear, but the swing arm might also prevent something too wide.

But... nobody wants to try to talk him out of this? His bike, his ideas, sure. But a bike like that is going to handle like 5hit. It's definitely "just for looks" but people who know these bikes will be giving it a different kind of look.

This bike IS going to be more so "for looks" honestly. I have my Sportster Forty-Eight that is fully built for racing/street riding as well as a Triumph Bonneville. I got this CB500/4 for practically free already cut into, so now is my chance to build a "show" bike that I have wanted to do for awhile.

Mainly looking for ideas on how to most closely match that balloon retro tire look from the image above. If there is a way to do it with the stock wheels, I am all ears. Just don't think that's possible without going to a smaller diameter rim.

Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2024, 06:12:09 PM »
I think the fattest tire ur gonna get into a cb500/550 swing arm is a 130/140 tire and thats with modifying the brake stay/stabalizer bar...might even get some rub when the tire gets wide.
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2024, 09:33:00 PM »
I still don't get it.  What is it about a crippled, useless motorcycle that looks "good".
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2024, 07:24:24 AM »
I still don't get it.  What is it about a crippled, useless motorcycle that looks "good".

Some guys just like oversize tires for looks.  I get it for muscle cars but not for my bikes that I ride.


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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2024, 08:12:14 AM »

I've got a '78 750K that I'll be tearing into this winter. Any suggestions on what would be a viable longer fork swap option? Triple trees aren't an issue, as I'm planning on machining anything I need (assuming I can get some openings in my shop schedule)

A GL1000 swap would get a longer fork with bigger fork tubes for a more rigid front end and better brakes if you want to run twin front rotors. It is almost a direct bolt on. You need the complete front end, including the triple trees and have to press out the GL steering stem tube and replace it with the 750 tube.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2024, 08:13:11 AM »
Thanks! Happy to be here. I found this bike online that is a good representation of what I'd like to do wheel/tire wise. Any info or help in achieving this fitment would be awesome!!




Welcome to the forum

Many have put Harley 16" rim on the rear over the years.
Front will probably be too narrow spacing of the forks for a wide rim and tire.

I will not deny this looks cool. But it will handle like a pig and not be very enjoyable to ride.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline newday777

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #15 on: April 18, 2024, 12:31:01 PM »
Thanks! Happy to be here. I found this bike online that is a good representation of what I'd like to do wheel/tire wise. Any info or help in achieving this fitment would be awesome!!




Welcome to the forum

Many have put Harley 16" rim on the rear over the years.
Front will probably be too narrow spacing of the forks for a wide rim and tire.

I will not deny this looks cool. But it will handle like a pig and not be very enjoyable to ride.
It might fo OK on gravel roads though.....😎
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline calj737

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #16 on: April 18, 2024, 03:43:33 PM »
I think the fattest tire ur gonna get into a cb500/550 swing arm is a 130/140 tire and thats with modifying the brake stay/stabalizer bar...might even get some rub when the tire gets wide.
A 150/17” tire fits.  The tire in his reference photo is not nearly that wide. Regarding the rear tire fitment, clearance to the subframe above is the place to be mindful of when the suspension is under compression.

Wider spread triple trees require spacers for the hub. One thing affects another with respect to modifications. The tires shown “appear” wider, taller etc but I think mostly it’s due to a taller sidewall. So before you go chopping things up, get a set of tires and lay them between the stock forks and trees. Then see what you might need to do (could be less than you think).
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Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #17 on: April 18, 2024, 05:12:59 PM »
I still don't get it.  What is it about a crippled, useless motorcycle that looks "good".

Good thing this isn't your bike then, huh?

Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #18 on: April 18, 2024, 05:14:30 PM »
Thanks! Happy to be here. I found this bike online that is a good representation of what I'd like to do wheel/tire wise. Any info or help in achieving this fitment would be awesome!!




Welcome to the forum

Many have put Harley 16" rim on the rear over the years.
Front will probably be too narrow spacing of the forks for a wide rim and tire.

I will not deny this looks cool. But it will handle like a pig and not be very enjoyable to ride.

Different strokes for different folks... 🤷‍♂️

Offline bassboy3313

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #19 on: April 18, 2024, 05:18:24 PM »
I think the fattest tire ur gonna get into a cb500/550 swing arm is a 130/140 tire and thats with modifying the brake stay/stabalizer bar...might even get some rub when the tire gets wide.
A 150/17” tire fits.  The tire in his reference photo is not nearly that wide. Regarding the rear tire fitment, clearance to the subframe above is the place to be mindful of when the suspension is under compression.

Wider spread triple trees require spacers for the hub. One thing affects another with respect to modifications. The tires shown “appear” wider, taller etc but I think mostly it’s due to a taller sidewall. So before you go chopping things up, get a set of tires and lay them between the stock forks and trees. Then see what you might need to do (could be less than you think).

That definitely makes sense. From research on Shinko's site, I think the below tires are what's on that reference bike. I would just need to see what size would work and what size wheels would be needed to make it all come together as well. More research will be had for sure.

https://shinkotireusa.com/product/super-classic-270-tire/211905

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Harley Sportster Forty-Eight Wheels on CB500/4
« Reply #20 on: April 19, 2024, 07:30:36 AM »

Different strokes for different folks... 🤷‍♂️

Agreed. You build the bike you want.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200