Author Topic: Question about comstar/ mag rims  (Read 3281 times)

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Offline forwheeldrift

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Question about comstar/ mag rims
« on: July 10, 2007, 11:01:16 AM »
I'm thinking of getting comstar/mag rims for my 72' CB500F
is there any modifications ill need to do or is it a simple install?

and does any one know ware i can get mag rims?
« Last Edit: July 10, 2007, 11:10:06 AM by forwheeldrift »

playinsafe44

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2007, 11:43:03 AM »
id like to know an answer to this too. spokes are great and all, but a less maintenance wheel would be real nice

Offline Schultz

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2007, 12:20:21 PM »
I'm not too fond of Comstars. If you have your heart set on it, then go for it otherwise I'd haunt eBay until I came up with a set of Lesters. They're out there. Something for a two valve GS750 should work as well and you'll have a rear disc brake. You might have to do some head scratching to get that all bolted together though. Very early model GS1000s had spoke wheels with a rear disc brake and aluminum rims. Maybe you could scare up a set of those. I see those from time to time. I even bought a pair for one of my GS750s for $200 with new tires on them. Look for the aluminum swingarm that came on the dual shock GS1100s. That should allow you to mount just about any GS wheel.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2007, 12:46:08 PM by Schultz »

Offline scondon

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2007, 01:32:39 PM »
    What are the rim sizes on a cb500F? The Comstars on the cb750F's are 19x1.85 front and 18x2.15 rear. Too tall for a cb500?

   The 77-78 cb400 hawk AND the cb400 Automatic came with Comstars. Not sure of the rim size though, and they might have rear drum brake ???

    Might want to look through the "Gallery" and see if you can find some pics of cb500/550's with mags and PM the owner.
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Offline Cowboy

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2007, 02:48:14 PM »
I have a set of comstars from a 78 cb400 twin. The rear has a drum brake, the front has a disk. I'm not certain of the exact sizes at the moment, though I know the rear is 18" diameter. It fits 3.5x18 tires, as I recall, though nearly every one Ive ever seen has been refitted with 4.00X18s.

I'd be willing to sell my comstars, if they will work for you. $25 each, plus shipping from Wyoming. Let me know if you are interested and I can snap some pics.
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Offline forwheeldrift

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2007, 03:11:46 PM »
    What are the rim sizes on a cb500F? The Comstars on the cb750F's are 19x1.85 front and 18x2.15 rear. Too tall for a cb500?


i have 19'' front  18''back
« Last Edit: July 10, 2007, 06:00:05 PM by forwheeldrift »

Offline forwheeldrift

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2007, 06:04:33 PM »
I'm not too fond of Comstars. If you have your heart set on it, then go for it otherwise I'd haunt eBay until I came up with a set of Lesters. They're out there. Something for a two valve GS750 should work as well and you'll have a rear disc brake. You might have to do some head scratching to get that all bolted together though. Very early model GS1000s had spoke wheels with a rear disc brake and aluminum rims. Maybe you could scare up a set of those. I see those from time to time. I even bought a pair for one of my GS750s for $200 with new tires on them. Look for the aluminum swingarm that came on the dual shock GS1100s. That should allow you to mount just about any GS wheel.

thanks...


the GS1100 swingarm will fit my frame?

Offline Schultz

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2007, 01:00:57 AM »
The GS1100 swingarm should fit your frame. If you run into any problems it'll be a little wide at the frame/swingarm pivot end in which case you could just mill off a little from each side. I suspect you wont have to though. I've never had a CB500/550 but I once put a Dresda swingarm for a 550 on a CB750 with no problems and I know the GS1100 swingarm fits on the CB750. Kinda convoluted logic but it's sound. The GS1100 swingarm is +3 inches on a CB750 so it should give you +2 as I believe the CB500/550 swingarms are +1 in 750. I'm typing all this from memory so bust out a ruler when you find the parts.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2007, 04:17:20 AM by Schultz »

Offline bryanj

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2007, 03:30:58 AM »
To put a comstar on the front you will need to alter/replace the forks and brakes as the discs/calipers/forks are different and the discs cant be swopped.
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Offline forwheeldrift

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2007, 04:57:07 AM »
The GS1100 swingarm should fit your frame. If you run into any problems it'll be a little wide at the frame/swingarm pivot end in which case you could just mill off a little from each side. I suspect you wont have to though. I've never had a CB500/550 but I once put a Dresda swingarm for a 550 on a CB750 with no problems and I know the GS1100 swingarm fits on the CB750. Kinda convoluted logic but it's sound. The GS1100 swingarm is +3 inches on a CB750 so it should give you +2 as I believe the CB500/550 swingarms are +1 in 750. I'm typing all this from memory so bust out a ruler when you find the parts.

your logic works for me.
I found a pic in the gallery of a 7 spoke rim on a  cb 550 AHMRA racer
that's what i want. any info on those rims

« Last Edit: July 11, 2007, 05:11:23 AM by forwheeldrift »

Offline forwheeldrift

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2007, 04:58:31 AM »
To put a comstar on the front you will need to alter/replace the forks and brakes as the discs/calipers/forks are different and the discs cant be swopped.

thank you, thats the kinda info i was looking for.

Offline forwheeldrift

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims...
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2007, 07:15:43 AM »
will this fit with out much problems
it's from a 1980 750
what kinda mods will i have to make?

Offline bryanj

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2007, 06:45:57 AM »
Not easily, you will need the discs, calipers, forks for the front and brake plate, sprocket carrier for the rear and then yoou will need to measure accurately and turn up the correct sized spacers
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

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Offline forwheeldrift

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2007, 07:54:56 AM »
Not easily, you will need the discs, calipers, forks for the front and brake plate, sprocket carrier for the rear and then yoou will need to measure accurately and turn up the correct sized spacers

changing the front forks i think i can handle, all the work required for the drive wheel is beyond my ability's.
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Offline crazypj

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2007, 08:24:36 AM »
    What are the rim sizes on a cb500F? The Comstars on the cb750F's are 19x1.85 front and 18x2.15 rear. Too tall for a cb500?

   The 77-78 cb400 hawk AND the cb400 Automatic came with Comstars. Not sure of the rim size though, and they might have rear drum brake ???

    Might want to look through the "Gallery" and see if you can find some pics of cb500/550's with mags and PM the owner.

 Thats the same rim size as CB500F, 19x1.85 f and 18x2.15 r
 I think you can fit them in if you change rotors (5 bolt instead of 6)  the rotors may be smaller diameter though, so you probably want to find later model floating ones (which are also slightly flatter so its easy to get them in correct alignment with spacers.)
The actual hub width is very close to that of 500 (may need to make some spacers to get it centered)
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Offline tino montreal

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2014, 12:59:07 PM »
Old post I know....but I cannot find resolution on this.
I know the cb500 rear shaft is larger than the comstar rear wheel allows. Does this mean a 400 axle is absolutely required?

Offline Powderman

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Re: Question about comstar/ mag rims
« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2014, 01:08:33 PM »
Old post I know....but I cannot find resolution on this.
I know the cb500 rear shaft is larger than the comstar rear wheel allows. Does this mean a 400 axle is absolutely required?
Or just change bearings to the correct size, bearings are cheap.