Author Topic: Comstar Wheel Compatibility (Read 9793 times)

Frankenkit · « **on:** March 15, 2009, 06:37:03 PM »

Hey, guys,
I'm having a hard time on Google etc. coming up with stats on the CB450 Nighthawk's comstar wheels.
They came up on CL for $35, front and rear, both are tubeless and rear comes with drum brake etc. Just wanted to make sure they'd also fit my bike, because though my chromed, spoked rims look nice, the inside is rusted so badly I'm surprised the tires beaded. $:-\$

The rear tire size is 130/90-16 which is the same as mine. Not sure what the size the front is, but as the seller bought these wheels to fit on his CX 500c, I suspect it's also 3.50-19. This and the fact that they fit on the CX500c makes me wonder if they were actually FROM the CB450 in the first place.

IF they check out:

I'm wondering if I should be able to swap over my rubber cush drive, brake internals, etc, and since I'm getting these at such a deal, if I should go and get wheel bearings right away, as these look original?

...also, will shorty shocks AND running a wheel 1/2" shorter be a bad thing? I already reach quite comfortably with the shorty shocks, just don't want to risk bottoming out.

The rear tire has an unnamed Metzler tire on it with an est. 90% tread on it. Would it be okay to run Metzler on the back and Bridgestone Spitfires on the front?

Discuss!
Thanks

Alan F. · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:31:06 PM »

Found on ebay, this is from an 82 450 nighthawk... 2.15x19 front
Here's the pics to prove it, is this the same wheel?
http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=1008045&image=238666371&images=238666277,238666371,238666475,238666626,237541464&formats=0,0,0,0,0&format=0

Frankenkit · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:50:10 PM »

Diff wheel, I think (?) because this site says the front is 100/90-19, and this site says I could still use my stock tire size on that... though I'm not sure how 100/90-19 translates to 3.50-19.

Alan F. · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2009, 08:13:01 PM »

try this page http://www.dropbears.com/u/utilities/tyrerim.htm

and this page http://www.kawtriple.com/mraxl/tire_rim.htm

A 100/90-19 is a perfect fit for a 2.15" wide wheel. The 3.50-19 is just another method that was used to express tire sizes, and does not reflect on rim width at all.

Personally, with all of the work involved in making other wheels work with your bike, I'd go with the later model alloys from the 450 NH and forget the comstars.

My 750K3 will have a set of 90's 750 NH forks, brakes and an 87 cbr600 front wheel, and a 90's 750 NH rear wheel when it hits the streets later this spring.
My spoke wheels were pretty far gone too, I wanted a better front brake and more tire choices.

Either way, for $35 with decent tires on them you can't go too far wrong. You can always ebay them for a profit if they don't pan out. $35 will almost cover the wheel bearing kits I'm looking at tonight....

mick750F · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2009, 08:21:54 PM »

The 100/90-19 translates to a 3.25/3.50-19 so they are the same size. I don't really have much to offer you here except to say that I'm in the process of trying to fit up some dohc Comstars to my '78 750F3. I'm doing this so that I can run tubeless tires without the tubes..which I need to do with my stock Comstars...and I think they are a nicer looking wheel. From my measurements it looks like it's going to work but I haven't had the time to actually fit them up yet. I'm kind of surprised that there doesn't seem to be a lot of info about fitting up these later wheels to our bikes...although your bike is kinda one of the later bikes.

As far as the tires go...if the treads are a similar design and composition I'd think you'd be okay regardless of brands. You do want to check the date of manufacture to make sure that your not running something too old.

Good luck...Mike

Hush · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2009, 10:54:03 PM »

They look like the wheels I had on my 82 650 Custom Kit.
Custom was running 130/90H-16 on the back can't remember the front tire.
Metzlers and Bridgestones mix OK I was looking at that combination before I decided to go with Metzlers front and back.
Wanted to fit a 130 on the back of my cop bike but wasn't sure if I could squeeze a 130 in there so went with a 120, big improvemnet on the 100 that was on there.

Alan F. · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2009, 06:42:31 AM »

Quote

I'd think you'd be okay regardless of brands.

Okay, and likely safe enough if you're not agressive, but you'd notice the difference with a matched set.

MikeB · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2009, 10:32:44 AM »

don't know if this will help or add to the confusion but on my 650 NH
Front Rim Size: 2.15x19 tire size: 100/90-19
Rear Rim Size: 2.50x16 tire size: 130/90-16

just went through Honda's parts fich for the 83-86 450NH the comstars dont look like the ones in your pic. but the look like the 82 450NH

shouldn't your 80 Custom have came with comstars ?

Mike

cxtecs · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2009, 11:13:23 AM »

Quote from: Kit on March 15, 2009, 06:37:03 PM

The rear tire size is 130/90-16 which is the same as mine. Not sure what the size the front is, but as the seller bought these wheels to fit on his CX 500c, I suspect it's also 3.50-19. This and the fact that they fit on the CX500c makes me wonder if they were actually FROM the CB450 in the first place.

IF they check out:

I'm wondering if I should be able to swap over my rubber cush drive, brake internals, etc, and since I'm getting these at such a deal, if I should go and get wheel bearings right away, as these look original?

If I'm reading you correctly, the wheels you're lookin at were used on a CX500C. I'm not an expert on the CB450, but since you mentioned "Cush drive", I'm guessing your CB runs with a chain to the rear wheel. No chains on any CX's....they are all shaft drive.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2009, 04:27:49 PM »

CXtecs- They were bought for a CX500c, but were never mounted because the PO just bought them "as spares, in case his painting project on the others didn't work out". As the story goes, the paint worked out, so he had no use for these. I'm looking at the side that's up on the rear wheel, and it looks like the little compartments the cush drive rubbers go into, unless I'm horribly wrong. That's what makes me suspect now they never would've really fit the CX.

Mike- My 80 Custom SHOULD have come with comstars (though I see them pictured fairly often with chrome, spoked rims like mine) so I think they were an optional addition, or something frequently 'upgraded' to.

cb650 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2009, 05:49:48 PM »

US 80-82 standards has spoked wheels. Direct bolt on to a custom with comstars. Or a standard with 4-4 pipes. Little diff in stands and how they "stop" on the pipes. In 80 not much else diff between.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2009, 05:53:19 PM »

Indeed. It seems like my PO replaced everything he either trashed or didn't like with standard equipment. ...then why buy a custom?

cb650 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2009, 05:56:46 PM »

Musta been thats what he had to change. I know my dad likes the 4-4 and the wire wheels. So when he wants one back thats what he will get.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2009, 08:05:21 AM »

I've been all over the search results for 'wheel bearings' but I never really see it discussed to much detail- What brands should I look for? I like that All Balls has entire kits for the front and rear. Do any other manufacturers make kits like that? Is there any bearing co. that is superior? I want quality but I don't want to go nuts with unnecessarily expensive stuff.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:00:56 AM »

Ok, so bought and cleaned up the comstars- got them for $5 less because I'm cute.

$30 all told, and not a serious investment, just in case.

The cush drive looks a little different from mine, my spoked wheels have 4 rubbers, this one apparently has 5. The wheel sizes are the same as mine, 2.50-16 rear, 2.15-19 front. Unfortunately, it didn't come with pads or the cover for the drum brake, nor the cover/rubber for the cush drive.

I'm wondering what the big difference is between reverse-stamped comstars and 'normal' ones, and right now just hoping I can make these work. They cleaned up real well.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:23:21 AM »

I guess I already have an 'issue'
These comstars have a space for five cush rubbers, which is great and all, but it'd then require a 5 bolt attachment for the final drive cover/sprocket. I'm pretty sure my 650 (as with all other 650s...) required a 4 bolt system... so is this going to be a deal breaker?

MickeyX · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:34:29 AM »

It looks like they are off of a CB750 Supersport except I think those are 18s and they are disc. Check the parts schematic on bike bandit. 80-82 yrs. I'll try to go through some more schematics to compare diff years. I haven't find anything drum rear with 5 bolt yet.

MikeB · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2009, 11:49:46 AM »

they kinda look like the 82 cb450 nighthawk ?
hears a pic. of the rear wheel

Mike

MikeB · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2009, 12:02:53 PM »

here's hondas fiche of the 80-81 cb650c

looks like it would be a lot of work if even poss. to make the 450s wheel work ?
honda doesn't show a spoke rim for the custom that i can see ?

good luck
Mike

Frankenkit · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2009, 12:31:10 PM »

They're off a 1982 cb450sc.
The 650 came with spoke rims for the standard, and mags for the custom.
If it looks to be a difficult swap, maybe I can trade at the parts place, or just sell them. I cleaned 'em up enough that they look NOS.

MikeB · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2009, 12:42:46 PM »

I suppose if you had the whole rear wheel for it you might be able to make it work ?
but your swing arm is prob. diff. than the 450s, but don't know ?

but for $30 you shouldn't have any trouble getting your money back or even
making a profit since youv'e cleaned them

good luck
Mike

MickeyX · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2009, 01:53:50 PM »

hah! you beat me to it!

I was narrowing it down, just slowly. I think you should have no problem either selling or doing a swap with someone who could use them. $30 is a good price, it's just too bad they won't work. Then again, that seems to be the theme of rebuilding your bike, Kit. At least you got to go to Eugene for a day and visit family, among other leisurely pursuits.

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Author Topic: Comstar Wheel Compatibility (Read 9793 times)