Topic: HONDA CB550 changing to taller shocks - Will this cause a problem with handling?

[kyle750]

Thanks mate.  I feel very stupid Of course they are bent different   Let's try this again

Yamiya CB750 rear spokes on the left (outer and inner) and Cadmium CB550 rear spokes on the right (outer and inner)

The outer spokes definitely have a slightly different angle with the CB750 spoke angled slightly sharper (inward).  CB550 spoke angle appears to be at 90 degrees. 

To my eye the  angles of both the CB750 and CB550  inner spokes look the same? but the top section of the CB550 spoke looks slightly longer than the CB750 spoke

I don't know if these differences are enough to render the CB750 rear spokes unusable on the CB550 rear hub??

[jonda500]

so they do look like they're the same length then? if so then I guess they are interchangeable 750-500/550 in a pinch...
John

[kyle750]

I really love Yamiya in Japan and UPS shipping for international deliveries.  After arriving in Thailand an invoice is generated for import tax and value added tax and is sent to me by email.  Quick link to paypal.  Amount is paid.  And delivery is set for the next day. 3 clicks and 2 minutes later and it is all done and the delivery is scheduled.

DID wheels for the Honda CB550 from Yamiya will be arriving tomorrow   

[M 750K6]

4 things to compare:
Angles:-
1. The angle of the flange on the unthreaded end
2. The angle of the bend to the flange
Length:
3. length of the spoke
4. The total distance created by the bend and that short lead in to the flange, I.e. how far the spoke is offset from the hub. If that offset is too short, you can have spokes rubbing, too long puts quite a force on the bend and flange.

They look different and I'd be wary if the plan is to ride the bike. Just my opinion.

[kyle750]

4 things to compare:
Angles:-
1. The angle of the flange on the unthreaded end
2. The angle of the bend to the flange
Length:
3. length of the spoke
4. The total distance created by the bend and that short lead in to the flange, I.e. how far the spoke is offset from the hub. If that offset is too short, you can have spokes rubbing, too long puts quite a force on the bend and flange.

They look different and I'd be wary if the plan is to ride the bike. Just my opinion.

An excellent analysis.  The angles of the bends are different on the outer spokes and the distances created by the bends are different on the inner spokes.

[jlh3rd]

there's a reason they are different part #'s.

[jonda500]

Once you disassemble the wheels, comparing the new ones to the original spokes will tell us how close they are to correct!
John

[grcamna2]

Once you disassemble the wheels, comparing the new ones to the original spokes will tell us how close they are to correct!
John

Yes !
I prefer OEM Honda spokes.
I have also re-used the original Honda spokes,rather than replacing them with a different brand;for the reason of correct fit 

[kyle750]

From what I have seen on ebay 50 year old zinc plated OEM NOS Honda spokes do not look very good

[grcamna2]

From what I have seen on ebay 50 year old zinc plated OEM NOS Honda spokes do not look very good

I've polished them before using fine steel wool and they came out Nice.

Nothing like new spokes,but it was an acceptable look,even though it took time to polish them.
The ones I did weren't rusty,just needed some polish.

[kyle750]

80 spokes - sounds like misery.  IMO not worth the time and trouble with questionable results. New for me   

[M 750K6]

80 spokes - sounds like misery.  IMO not worth the time and trouble with questionable results. New for me 

It would be, manually. But a medium grade mop on a wheel, or even on a drill held in a vice, I bet it would be done in half an hour.

[grcamna2]

Ozzybud's CMS kits spokes,they're new OEM?

[Ozzybud]

Ozzybud's CMS kits spokes,they're new OEM?

I don't believe so. It is an aftermarket kit.  Great quality.

When relacing my CB750F1 I  had to buy honda spokes. I bought them from Everett powersports honda near me
 There were no quality kits that I could find. They are unique to the 750 and 550 F models. According to the guys there honda still makes those spokes.
They were quite expensive but had the correct nipples.

[jonda500]

My '75 550F has exactly the same spokes as my 500 wheels have. I think my 77/78 550F/K wheel has slightly different ends on its spokes.
John

[Ozzybud]

My '75 550F has exactly the same spokes as my 500 wheels have. I think my 77/78 550F/K wheel has slightly different ends on its spokes.
John

The Honda parts diagrams show completely different part numbers  between the 550F and K models.
Honda was smarter than us and if the spokes were the same they wouldn't have created a new part number. They were all about interchangeability. They might appear the same but they are not.
The hub on my CB750F1 Is slightly narrower likely to accommodate the disk. Which would give them a slightly different bend.

[jonda500]

I have come across lots of F parts that have a different part number despite being the same part as the K item, I don't know why Honda would do this...
John
ps I get it when just the middle number changes from 323 to 374, but some have a completely different number!

[seanbarney41]

My '75 550F has exactly the same spokes as my 500 wheels have. I think my 77/78 550F/K wheel has slightly different ends on its spokes.
John

The Honda parts diagrams show completely different part numbers  between the 550F and K models.
Honda was smarter than us and if the spokes were the same they wouldn't have created a new part number. They were all about interchangeability. They might appear the same but they are not.
The hub on my CB750F1 Is slightly narrower likely to accommodate the disk. Which would give them a slightly different bend.

yeahh, but....Honda creates new part numbers for many known and unknown reasons,  A couple of the known reasons are finish and color.  Sometimes I think they change part numbers just to #$%* with our heads.  Those part numbers are meant for their corporate use, not the customers.  There  are endless compatible swaps possible with different part numbers.

Obviously, if you want new spokes for your 550, the correct oem spokes are guaranteed to work perfectly.  I still have not seen any reason why the 750 spokes won't work adequately.

[grcamna2]

"HONDA CB550-changing to taller shocks"
Which rear shocks have you decided to use ?

[jonda500]

My '75 550F has exactly the same spokes as my 500 wheels have. I think my 77/78 550F/K wheel has slightly different ends on its spokes.
John

The Honda parts diagrams show completely different part numbers  between the 550F and K models.
Honda was smarter than us and if the spokes were the same they wouldn't have created a new part number. They were all about interchangeability. They might appear the same but they are not.
The hub on my CB750F1 Is slightly narrower likely to accommodate the disk. Which would give them a slightly different bend.

The spokes do indeed show different part numbers but the hubs (42601-323-030) and the rims (42701-283-003) are exactly the same part with the same part number (500K - '75 550F), so I don't believe the spokes are actually any different at all!
John

[grcamna2]

My '75 550F has exactly the same spokes as my 500 wheels have. I think my 77/78 550F/K wheel has slightly different ends on its spokes.
John

The Honda parts diagrams show completely different part numbers  between the 550F and K models.
Honda was smarter than us and if the spokes were the same they wouldn't have created a new part number. They were all about interchangeability. They might appear the same but they are not.
The hub on my CB750F1 Is slightly narrower likely to accommodate the disk. Which would give them a slightly different bend.

The spokes do indeed show different part numbers but the hubs (42601-323-030) and the rims (42701-283-003) are exactly the same part with the same part number (500K - '75 550F), so I don't believe the spokes are actually any different at all!
John

Honda may have only changed the thickness of the spokes;a minor change.

[kyle750]

"HONDA CB550-changing to taller shocks"
Which rear shocks have you decided to use ?

Still undecided until I can safely ride the bike to test.  Old shocks are now in landfill.  KONI CB750 1296 taller length shocks are currently on the bike.  I also purchased a set of correct KONI aluminum body CB550 12.5 inch length 1302 shocks that have not arrived yet. 

[grcamna2]

I see.

I like Konis 

[kyle750]

According to the seller of the set of KONI aluminum body 7610-1302 shocks that I purchased they were used on his Honda CB550 (he changed from KONI to marzocchi)

[kyle750]

Message From Yamiya

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply.

The front spoke, the part number is the same CB750 and CB550, so it can use for CB550 as well.

However, the rear spoke, the part number is different between CB750 and CB550. So it can not fit for CB550.


Best regards,

Motorcycle YAMIYA