Topic: Largest tire sizes for a 78 CB550k?

[ChopperCharles]

Can I fit a 120/80/18 or a 130/80/18 on the rear wheel?

If not, can I if I lace a wider rim onto the hub?

For the front, I'm going to have to relace it with an 18" rim... and I'm hoping I can fit the 120/80/18 there between those

I want to run Maxxis dual sport tires if I can.

Thanks!

Charles.

[fergie]

why? whats the point

[crazypj]

You have to fit a wider rim for a 130 or the center wears out very fast.
PJ

[TwoTired]

I never tried a 130 size.  But, I have used several 120s.  You can expect about 2/3 to 1/2 the tire life with the wider tire, as the stock rim width is only 1.85 inches where the tire seats.  Ask the manufacturer (not the dealer) what size rim your prospective tire purchase will fit onto properly.

Cheers,

[ChopperCharles]

The point is to run big knobby dual sport tires. I really, really like the way the Maxxis C6006 dual sport tires look, handle, and wear. I can easily lace up a larger rim... if someone can point me to where I can find a wider 18" rim with 40 holes... preferably alloy... and for not a lot of green.

Here's what the tires look like:


and here's one mounted on the front of my TW200:



Superb traction offroad, and no howling on road. Road handling is a little slower turn in, but PLENTY of grip. Most of the tires that fit the CB550K as is are either full on motocross knobbies, trails type tires (looks like vintage dirt bike tread), or 80% road/20% dirt type dual sport tires (barely better than street tires).

You can see from the photo above of the type of adventure bike i like... well, the TW200 is just a little small to take anywhere, so I'm giving the CB550K similar treatment.

Charles.

[malcolmgb]

take a look at this thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=19346.0 It should help.

[crazypj]

I think a WM4 is about the widest rim you can to fit to 550. Flanged alloy is about $200.00 from Buchanan's, plus $90.00 for spokes. (last time I priced parts, over a year ago) WM3 is a bit cheaper. You can't go wider as swing arm doesn't have clearance so whichever rim you use you'll still use a 130 tyre.
PJ

[ChopperCharles]

WM4? $200? Err, how about something used off of eBay for $50, and I reuse my existing spokes?

Charles.

[fergie]

Cheaper and less headache to buy a klr650 (like I did) than to try to make a cb550 into a off road bike. After you are done you are going to have a heavy ill handling off road bike with little suspension travel and ground clearance. Again I ask whats the point? I don't mean to bust your dream, just trying to save you some $ and trouble. cheers and good luck. Fergie.

[ChopperCharles]

It doesn't matter what my point is. It's what I want to do. A lot of it is for asthetics - I don't want a chopper or a cafe racer. I want something decidedly more Mad Max-ish. But some of it is practicality as well. I don't want a dedicated off road bike, but I do want to be able to ride down a dirt road and be able to take it at a decent speed and have fun, instead of creeping along like I do on my big heavy cruiser. If traffic is backed up at the mall during Christmas season, I don't want to hesitate to hop the curb, go across the grass, into the Applebee's parking lot, and then make a right onto the highway.... I do it all the time on my TW200... but it's just too small for riding on the Interstate.

Besides, I have a history of taking dirt cheap, unloved motorcycles, resurrecting them from the dead, and making them really cool. I built a chopper out of a CX500, a street fighter out of an EX500, and turned that TW200 into something pretty sweet. It's time I work my magic on this CB550K.

Charles.

[fergie]

good luck with that

[crazypj]

WM4? $200? Err, how about something used off of eBay for $50, and I reuse my existing spokes?

Charles.

If you find one or two that cheap let me know
PJ

[ChopperCharles]

Well, I could easily lace on a 17 rear wheel. I have a spare GL1000 spoked wheel in my garage already. I'm sure I'll find a wide 18" rim with 40 spokes somewhere.

Charles.