Author Topic: Tubeless Tires (Read 5524 times)

Jonesy · « **Reply #25 on:** November 08, 2005, 06:18:57 PM »

Quote from: MetalHead550 on November 08, 2005, 06:10:29 PM

I let a buddy ride it once and he was about 6'5"/230lbs. He looked way too big on it and he said he felt cramped. I guess you'd just have to try one out though.

I rode my wife's CB360 into work one day. I knew I must look too big for it but what added insult to injury was when I'm getting off the bike and taking off my helmet, I hear my Hardley riding coworker whistling "Entry of the Gladiators"! (For those of you unfamiliar with classical music, it's the "theme music" commonly used for the circus. I was surprised when I found that out!)

Since then, whenever I'm on it my wife calls it the "Shriner Bike"

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #26 on:** November 08, 2005, 06:20:32 PM »

Quote

Of course the 550s are designed for the lighter, more athletic frame of a young man in his prime

Well, guess I will have to rule out a 550 on both counts.

TwoTired · « **Reply #27 on:** November 08, 2005, 06:31:06 PM »

Quote from: jonesdp on November 08, 2005, 06:09:18 PM

...At least my rocker shafts don't chew through my valve cover. It's nice to know my bike had the bugs worked out before it hit the showroom...

Let's see, somewhere in mid 76 through 78 the rocker shaft issue was fixed on the CB550. Then they put the fast wear out heads on the Cb750 F models for 77-78, for which you have to remove the engine from the frame to fix.

Oh, and I've never seen or heard of a holed lower case near the chain sprocket on the cb550. But, judging from the posts, this is a weekly (weakly?) occurance. Something else to yank the motor to repair. You 750 guys need that extra power to haul all that muscle bulk from changing out engines.

Oh wait, I've got two 750Fs to work on...

Never mind.

TwoTired · « **Reply #28 on:** November 08, 2005, 06:57:13 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on November 08, 2005, 05:17:18 PM

Would a 550 be out of the question for someone 6'4"? Mind you, I'm not thinking of it as a long distance tourer.

Well, I'm 5'11 1/2" about 190lbs. It works for me.

At last years' California left coast ride, I loaned one of my Cb550s to a Cb750 owner who couldn't get his bike working in time to make the date. He was 6'2' and 230-250 lbs and quite concerned about the estimated diminutive power of the Cb550. Fears unfounded. He made the whole trip without incident on that trusty bike. And, apart from a little less power than the Cb750, hauled his butt easily at any speed we cared to employ during the trip. Admittedly we were more into the coastline scenery and the winding mountain roads through the redwoods than scraping pegs and making new speed records. But, we pushed it here and there for the adrenaline to spice things up some. We rode with two other Cb750 guys who never outdistanced us. But, it was a group ride, not a competative ride. He wasn't ready to trade his 750 for the 550 afterwards, but he gained a good deal of respect for the 550 with that experience.

You looking to start a collection, Bob?
Cheers,

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #29 on:** November 08, 2005, 07:03:46 PM »

Quote

You looking to start a collection, Bob?

Ha, a collection of two perhaps

If I had a chance, I guess I would try sitting a 550 for fit. Otherwise, I guess a 750F would do as well, or an old Beemer, or and old.. well you get the picture.

mick750F · « **Reply #30 on:** November 08, 2005, 07:14:35 PM »

Quote from: jonesdp on November 08, 2005, 06:09:18 PM

Quote from: MetalHead550 on November 08, 2005, 01:28:02 PM
Hey, Ive got an idea! Lets start a new battle! Ill go first.

Rippin on 550s huh? Yeah they might not be as fast as your 750s, especially the K8s, but they look a hell of alot better than their bigger, clumsier brothers, the 750s. The 550s are sleak and ballanced and perfectly proportioned, much like a fighter jet. Your 750s on the other hand are like big retards with big ears and too much muscle that end up crushing small animals and trip over their fat uncoordinated feet! 550s handle like razors, like cheetas. 750s handle like druken sloths! Big stupid 750s! .

...At least my rocker shafts don't chew through my valve cover. It's nice to know my bike had the bugs worked out before it hit the showroom...

Nice slam jonesie but TwoTired got you right back...and took out my ride to boot.

Mike

Dennis · « **Reply #31 on:** November 08, 2005, 08:11:58 PM »

Wow, nothing like straying just a LITTLE BIT off the topic.

BTW: I'm not taking a side on this .....
'75 CB750F registered and on the road
3- '72 CB500K's 2 projects one for parts
and 2- CB550 engines for parts

But I do like tha size and balance of the 500/550 bikes

jbailey · « **Reply #32 on:** November 08, 2005, 09:52:17 PM »

I'm not going to get into the "Mine's better than yours" argument, but as far as size goes, I prefer the 550. By the way, I am 6 foot and about 250 lbs. 50 HP will propel me and the bike as fast as I need to go, and then some.

The chewing problem can be fixed by adding four o-rings to the end of each of the shafts. This can be done with a philips head screwdriver in five minutes should you find that your bike did not get the retrofit.

TwoTired · « **Reply #33 on:** November 08, 2005, 10:00:17 PM »

Quote from: jbailey on November 08, 2005, 09:52:17 PM

The chewing problem can be fixed by adding four o-rings to the end of each of the shafts. This can be done with a philips head screwdriver in five minutes should you find that your bike did not get the retrofit.

Er, the oring thing is good as a preventative. However, once the rocker cover shaft holes are elongated, it's toast. The orings can't restore the rocker geometry.

jbailey · « **Reply #34 on:** November 08, 2005, 10:22:27 PM »

I should have said prevented rather than fixed. True, if they are worn, it's too late.

my78k · « **Reply #35 on:** November 09, 2005, 05:37:14 AM »

Well...it looks like "somebody" incited some hate crimes to take place here...

Funny thing is I actually find my 750 a little too big...not because I can't handle the power (lord knows 65 or so BHP aint that much to handle!) but because I'm like 5'9" and have to stand on my tip toes to straddle the thing plus it's heavy to push around.

If I hadn't received it as a free project bike I would have probably gone the route of a 550...

Not looking to alienate my 750 bretherine here or anything though I'm just built a little too low to the ground to truly enjoy this bike. Still alot of fun and don't regret getting it back on the road (preventing another classic from death is never a bad thing!) and am really looking forward to "officially" getting it on the road in the spring and making a daily driver out of it. Just need new rubber and a few odds and ends to make her legal.

Dennis

dusterdude · « **Reply #36 on:** November 09, 2005, 06:48:39 AM »

dennis,i cant believe your 5 9 and cant straddle that bad boy.im 5 5 and i dropped mine about 2 to 2.5 inches and i could still use another inch.so i fugure by that account if i was 5 8 or so id be good to go.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #37 on:** November 09, 2005, 06:51:18 AM »

Now, now, you short guys try to be nice to each other.

dusterdude · « **Reply #38 on:** November 09, 2005, 07:09:51 AM »

ok bob,dont start now.

my78k · « **Reply #39 on:** November 09, 2005, 07:30:42 AM »

Well that's only when I'm not wearing my high heels!

dusterdude · « **Reply #40 on:** November 09, 2005, 08:53:22 AM »

oooooh k

Scout · « **Reply #41 on:** November 09, 2005, 09:49:22 AM »

You guys got me a little confused here... (not that it's that hard

)

My bike has Metzelers that are 3-4 years old, and look almost new. But:

1. How do I know if they have a tube in them?
2. Why do you have to run a tube in modern tubeless tires? Is it impossible to put on a tubless tire withough a tube, or just for general safety?

Scout

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #42 on:** November 09, 2005, 09:57:07 AM »

If the wheel is spoked, you need a tube and tube rim rap.

apormarkos · « **Reply #43 on:** November 09, 2005, 11:47:51 AM »

hi
I'm 5'7 or so and i can almost flat foot on my 550 (though the marbles feel a bit tight in that position).
apor

Philly550K1 · « **Reply #44 on:** November 09, 2005, 12:11:25 PM »

you know how there's two numbers when you buy pants ("compare to" and "our price"

? no, waist and inseam.)? they both mean something, oddly enough. on a bike, the first number can get rather high with relative impunity (save on acceleration, suspension, tire life, etc. -- right bob?), but the second has practical lower limits. translation: on a bike, it's better to be too fat than to have short legs. at a stop, anyway.

my challenge has always been where to tuck the third leg.

MetalHead550 · « **Reply #45 on:** November 09, 2005, 12:24:27 PM »

Quote

my challenge has always been where to tuck the third leg.

Yeah I hear ya. Mine got a little to close to the chain a couple times so I had to start rolling that bad boy up!

Looks like the 550s are winning

Jonesy · « **Reply #46 on:** November 09, 2005, 12:57:51 PM »

I knew about the chain issue- I thought that's why they came out with the 500/550- They couldn't make the chains stronger so they had to build a wimpier engine that wouldn't hurt them...

Besides, as long as you don't beat on it, they're fine.

Philly550K1 · « **Reply #47 on:** November 09, 2005, 01:55:07 PM »

Quote from: jonesdp on November 09, 2005, 12:57:51 PM

Besides, as long as you don't beat on it, they're fine.

are you telling metalhead not to beat on his chain? or are you yanking his crank?

maybe a sidecar for that third leg?

MetalHead550 · « **Reply #48 on:** November 09, 2005, 02:15:49 PM »

Yeah a sidecar would be nice, with a cute little helmet and scarf to put on him.

Jonesy · « **Reply #49 on:** November 09, 2005, 02:54:27 PM »

I meant beat on the motorcycle, but now that you mention it, I see where there could be a double meaning implied. Freudian slip, maybe?

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Author Topic: Tubeless Tires (Read 5524 times)

Scout

apormarkos

MetalHead550

MetalHead550