Topic: cb750 front hub on honda 400f ss rim

[Bikebuff]

HI All,

I've got an 18 inch honda 440f supersport front rim; can I gut it and put my cb750 front hub on it and re-spoke it?  Has anyone ever done this?  IF it's possible, what dimension of spoke should I use?  BTW, I'm in the process of collecting bits for a dual disc conversion. 

Any other thoughts?


Prost!

[bwaller]

400F's use 36 hole rims, 500/550 & 750's are 40 hole. I believe the hub for the larger bikes is somewhat wider also.

[Bikebuff]

shoot dang!  I was afraid this might be the case.  Looks like it's back to the drawing board.  I've checked out the Buchanan wheel/spoke site for 18" rims that can accomodate my 750 front hub and cost is prohibitive at this point, so I'm looking for other alternatives to get an 18" front rim (with the dual disc conversion) on my cb750.  Thanks for pointing that information out to me.

Anybody have any other ideas???

Thanks!

[Tim2005]

I've been looking at doing this with my CB550 to, however it seems that there were extremely few bikes made which used an 18" 40 hole rim with a disc hub. I've been quoted around £60 for a new rim, may end up going that route.

[Jinxracing]

How about lacing a narrow(ish) rear 18" rim up to the front hub? I'd imagine Buchanon's could set you up with the right spokes.

Jinx

[Tim2005]

That's a possibility, but normally the spoke holes are drilled for a drum hub, leaving the spokes at the wrong angle for a disc front hub. 

[physician]

because 550 have 1.85 x 18 rear, and 750 2.15 if i remember right. if someone could find the right spokes, it would open possibility to wider front rim if it can give a better handling

[bwaller]

I laced a 2.15x18 Excel aluminum on my 550 front hub. Just tell Buchannans what you want to do and they will sell you the right spokes for the job.

[Tim2005]

Bwaller, what fender did you use on the front of the 550 when you fitted the 18" rim? I figure the stock fender is going to look a bit too far from the tyre. Thanks

[physician]

I laced a 2.15x18 Excel aluminum on my 550 front hub. Just tell Buchannans what you want to do and they will sell you the right spokes for the job.

what rear wheel? what size tires? how doesit feel handling wise?
i smell project!

[bwaller]

Tim, the fender is from a 500 Interceptor and acts as a fork brace on the VF, so I made a clamp for each leg to bolt the brace/fender to. It will help stiffen the 550 forks too.

physician, the front rim is just a shouldered Excel 2.15x18" and I mounted a 110/80/18 Macadam. I can't comment on handling "pros & cons" of the 18" front yet as the bike is a couple of weeks away from finished. It should quicken the steering somewhat.

I finally have all the goodies here now so reassembly will begin soon, I'll maybe do the photo diary progression deal in case anyone wants to see some pictures.

Sorry to get off track Bikebuff

[Tim2005]

Cheers, that looks very good. Let us know how it affects the handling too!

[Bikebuff]

No worries bwaller,

Hey, I like the 500 Intercepter front fender.  Would you be willing to share the specifications/drawings for the clamps that you made to bolt onto the fork legs?

If I have to stick with the 19 inch front rim for now, so be it.  I just can't afford the rim right now; it's a 'want' rather than a 'need.'  That said, what are the pros/cons of fitting a 100 width front tire as opposed to a 110 width front tire?

[turboguzzi]

been playing with rims lately and seems like the rear stock rim of a cb500 could really work on the front hub. all you need to do is order the rear cb500 rim from david silver and the spokes from someone who can supply custom lengths. should be cheap and if you need I can measure spoke length in my 18" front wheel.
do a quick build first without tightening the spokes so much and see if the pull of the nipples is straight with the spoke. if not, you can disassemble and dress the holes in desired direction with a file. had to do this in the alloy akront rims i mounted front and rear. not a terrible miss-match but after dressing the holes some the nipple pull direction was spot on.

Bweller, my suzuki discs should arrive soon. good to see them mounted on your machine. how's the braking with them? seen any improvement? at least they do look like half the weight of the original ones.

cheers
TG

[bwaller]

Bikebuff, using a 100 front on a stock rim is aok.
Here's a pic of the clamp, it's 3/8" aluminum, I can send you a diagram if you need. The top of each fork leg needed to be machined round just below the fork dust seal so the clamp would "grab" the leg tightly.

The 18" SS spoke set I got from Buchanans, part KHON505SS. I can't give you an exact spoke length and don't really care to disassemble to measure exactly! Hope you don't mind.

turboguzzi, the bike is ready to assemble finally, so haven't had an opportunity to try the brakes. I don't expect any better braking than with two Honda discs, but certainly are lighter. (stock are 5.75lbs vs 3.5lbs for the 4.5mm Suzuki)

[Bikebuff]

Thanks bwaller for the pic of the clamp; I'd love a copy of the diagram-PM me if you like.  No worries about dissembling your rim; that's not necessary.  As I keep looking at the front end of your bike, I realized your calipers are in the back of the fork legs.  Did you just turn the fork legs around or do you have a custom setup?  I would guess that with the calipers in the back, your braking might be smoother?  Is that true?  Man, I gotta find me an Intercepter fender; your bikes front end looks sharp!

Prost!