Topic: CB550 Tire Thread

[snoop]

I am sorry for posting this, it is has been talked about in the forum many times but too many results come up when I search for it.   

I found these 2 tires,  I dont know anything about tires, would they work for a cb550?

Cheng Shen 100/90-19tl
the other tire is Dunlop F11 100/90H-19

[ProTeal55]

Most of these bikes have a 100/90/19 up front...

[TwoTired]

You could try reading the FAQ.

Cheers,

[xtalon]

You could try reading the FAQ.

Cheers,

+1.  This is like the third time in a week!

--xTalon

[gar]

Hi snoop,they might work...but tires make a big difference in handling.  You might want to consider just buying the right tires. Plus I have not heard great things about Cheng Shin.  I posted this in October....

I experienced the exact same thing when I mounted spirfires on my '75 550k last week.  I got the 90/90-19" front, 90/110-18" in rear, highly recommended by other SOHCers and a good match for the 3.25 and 3.75 sizes called for in the manual.

I used 11 1/2 inch tire irons  (set of 2, $11.99, denniskirk) and after much time got them on.  I bounced them , pounded all around with rubber mallet as the common service manual suggested, and tried to get the bead ring to be equidistant all-around the tire.  Nevertheless, the side opposite the valve was off 1-2mm regardless of what I did.  I inflated them to 1+1/2 normal pressure (actually I went to 50+ psi trying to get it to seat well and not be out of round on the one side)  but it did nothing.  I deflated the tire then used a small qty of water with a little soap in it, lightly coating the tire bead area/inside rim.  It was fruitless. BTW the Honda common service manual advises AGAINST using soap.  the CSM goes over this process in detail.  you can download the entire volume -do a search in the tech forum for it.  Glen put the link in a recent posting. 

Regarding having the tires mounted/balanced at the shop.... A friend of mine who is a perpetual bike mechanic and another trusted biker told me they wouldn't bother to bring it in to the shop for balancing.  They had rarely seen MC tires significantly out of balance. (This topic is highy contensious, though :-)

I decided I did the best I could do, remounted the wheels, spun them...they stopped in different places, suggesting adequate balance....then I test drove it. The ride was markedly improved, NO shuddering, wobble,  bouncing, vibration.  It was the best ride I've had on it.  Subsequently I have driven ~70 miles on the tires, at sustained speeds of 50-60mph, peaking at ~70mph, with no untoward effect. 

Moreover, it gave me great satisfaction that I did it myself.  The local Honda shop charges $70/wheel on the bike, $35 each if you just bring in the rims.  I ordered my tires/rim strips/tubes from Dennis Kirk.  Free shipping, cheaper than the dealer.

[jesus freek]

  Its time for the new tires for my CAFE project. My buddy thinks I  should go with a 16 inch Harley wheel on the rear  laced on my 75 cb550 hub. I have a 19 inch front rim.This would allow me to use a 130 90 16 instead of a 120 90 18. Any input would be great. My only concern would be a 2 inch smaller rim,and how my back end would look.I know some of you will have some comments on things I havent thought of.
gordon

[Bodain]

It will look like this..... Click the image!

[jesus freek]

   Looks very nice.Thats one meaty rear tire.Is that a 130 90 16?
Gordon

[ekim98]

Or it could look similiar to this. It a 5.10 X 16 on my 78 750. I plan on a 130/90x16 or 140/80x16 next year to match my new 90/90x19 front.

[jesus freek]

 WOW! That tire looks huge!!  How well does it corner?
Gordon

[ekim98]

WOW! That tire looks huge!!  How well does it corner?
Gordon

It is pretty big, and I'm not crazy about how it feels in the turns. It's more like a car tire, almost flat across the middle. Very good traction for drag racing tho. I've played around a little pulling hole shots and I get good grip, but I don't care for the look. That's why I'm changing it out next riding season, going to match the Bridgestone Spitfire on the front. The tire was almost new with I got the bike, still had the little rubber hairs on the OD of the tire.

[Patrick]

FWIW, a 130/90-16 tire yields an almost identical circumference (within a mm) as a stock 18-inch wheel with a stock size tire. So you will not lower the bike with the change.

Patrick

[Geeto67]

To me a 16" rim on a cafe bike is like having a smoking hot sister....looks real good but you can't ride it for anything.

seriously though...you guys do know psuedo race bikes for the street are supposed to handle right? 16" works great for the chopper crowd but you shouldn't be afraid to toss a proper cafe bike into a curve now and then.

If you want wider and are willing to lace a 16" rim to the hub, whats wrong with lacing a wider 18" rim to the hub.

[ekim98]

To me a 16" rim on a cafe bike is like having a smoking hot sister....looks real good but you can't ride it for anything.

seriously though...you guys do know psuedo race bikes for the street are supposed to handle right? 16" works great for the chopper crowd but you shouldn't be afraid to toss a proper cafe bike into a curve now and then.

If you want wider and are willing to lace a 16" rim to the hub, whats wrong with lacing a wider 18" rim to the hub.

I agree, but mine came with the 16" rim already on, and the tire was almost new. With the right type and size tire I should be ok for what I do. I need rear shocks more than I need a bigger diameter rear rim. Now if we're talking what I want that's a whole different thing.

[jreich]

My bike also came with a 16" in the rear. I put a set of BS Spitfires on, and it handles quite well!

[754]

With good rubber a 16 should handle pretty good.

Came stock on a Kawi LTD I think and Yamaha specials.. usually a fairly long lasting tire.. way different look than an 18 inch O-ring..

 To me cafe bikes can be equal mix of dragbike and roadracer.. they arte not going to put sportbikes out of business!

[ekim98]

With good rubber a 16 should handle pretty good.

 To me cafe bikes can be equal mix of dragbike and roadracer.. they arte not going to put sportbikes out of business!

I agree 100% with you 754. I'd love a crotchrocket, but I'm to old and the back won't take it. But it would be nice to have about 125+ ponnies to make it go real good when I wanted. I plan on going to the drag strip at least once next year just to see what I can do. It's been 24 years since I did it last so I'm not expecting anything great. I'd also like to try a lap or two on a race track just for the heck of it. That gets expensive tho. Then it's just somwe plain old road time.

[jesus freek]

  Good call on the lacing a wider 18 to the hub, my only problem is where do you find them.I live down the street from the Hog shop and crcII also sells the 16 inch hoop at a resonable price.
gordon

[754]

Wide 18 are usually not cheap, neither is the rubber.
Try searching EXCEL rims or Buchanans wheels.. also DID rims.

16 inch always work pretty good for lots of mileage and really change the look of the back end. There are a few treads that are not the best for cornering, I think one was in the pics above.

[squirley]

I just bought a 18x3.5 DID off ebay.  It took me sevral months to find one that was for a 40 hole rim, but I wanted a new one, and cost me 70 bucks.  Sometimes you can find drag bike part out listings that have wide goldwing or Kaw rims, as a matter of fact I think there is one on ebay right now, but it might be getting up there in price.

[Geeto67]

if you want aluminum (excel or DID) it will be expensive, but 40 hole steel rims should not be that hard to come by. Put in a call to buchanans, at the very least I know they can drill their own rims and have steel blanks in all sizes. They used to carry 40 hole 3.5 steel rims from excel (for $110 same as a 16"), and may have a few still kicking around. The same rim is still available in aluminum but is $269.

[jesus freek]

 I sure do appreciate all the input.There was one on EBAy over the weekend,not sure if it was a 3 or 3 1/2inch wide. I lost out on the auction by $2.50.It was all set up,new spokes mounted to a new 16 inch rim,to a cb550 hub with new bearings. OUCH! Even the new tire {130 90 16}and tube came with it.My fingers were to slow and my wallet a little tight due in part to Christmas and the economic down turn  here in southeast Michigan.Ticked me off it did.The rims I have on there now are stock and in good shape I will be watching EBAy for nos spoke sets and Im ordering my new tires and tubes this weekend from AMT amer moto tire.They are competitivly priced and the customer service up to this point has been top notch.Contrary to some blogs Im gonna try the cheng shin marquis 120 90 18  100 90 19 its a nostalgic lookin tire and should not only complement the look of the bike, but should handle the weather also.With the handle bars complete ,tires are next on my list.I hope to have it done by March 08.
gordon

[754]

You didnt lose it by 2.50..it moved one increment wether the other bid was 6.00 higher or 120.00 higher.

We have another name for Cheng chin.. ends in IT.. okay tire for taking it easy or saving bux but  not the best for really spirited riding...at least that is what they used to be like.

[kayaker43]

I haven't purchased tires in 25 years when K81's were the tire of choice. I know you can still buy them but is there something better now in the older sizes.

I would like to go a little wider if the rims can take it?

[chopstar500]

Americamototire.com has a great selection of tires, and the prices are great.