Author Topic: Dirt Bike Wheels On a 350F (15.4lbs wheel set) (Read 7161 times)

MaaseyRacer · « **on:** February 17, 2010, 09:21:34 PM »

I have been looking at a new set of Excel rims for my CB350F with a CB500T front end. So far all I am running across is what they have at Buchanan Spokes. This would mean continuing to use my 40 spoke CB550 front wheel, and my 36 spoke CB350f rear wheel. I am not sure that I want to do this. I would like to run a modern sport bike front brake, and now I am thinking a dirt bike or supermoto rear brake.

I have seen some inexpensive dirtbike/supermoto hubs on ebay. As well as Excel 1.85x18 and 2.15x18 rims for dirt bikes are half the price that Buchanan charges.

I would then need to head to my local bearing shop and see if I can find bearings that would adapt the dirt bike hub to my CB550F axle.

I have been following TurboGuzzi's thread on this brake upgrade, and I think I am going to go for something similar.

This seems like an idea to do something that would give me a lighter set of wheels for not too much more than upgrading my stock setup.

I do have a couple questions before I plunge into this.
Has anyone has done this?
The Excel rims are for the rear wheel, will this cause an issue up front?
Do I dare go 32H up front? Or should I go with 36?
Is there any reason an Avon street tire would not mount to a dirt bike rim (a shop I spoke to claims this will not work)? Looking to run AM26s 90/90/18 up front and a 110/90/18 in the rear.
Does anyone off hand have the following measurements?
Rear axle diameter for a CB350F.
Front axle diameter for a CB550F.
Hub spacing for for a CB550F.
What is the swing arm spacing for a CB350F.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:21:02 PM »

Talked to the guys at KSR Wheels today and they answered most of my questions.
If I go with aftermarket hubs the rims will not be an issue.
The Avons should mount up with no big issues.
The Talon hubs are ~6.25" wide in the rear and ~4.25" in the front. I will have to adapt for the axle, but it should not be that big of a deal since the Talon hubs use a sleeve to adapt to different axle sizes.
Spacers will have to be made for the front and rear.
Front wheel will be a DRZ400SM Hub with a 1.85x18 Excel rim.
Rear for now will be an XR650 Hub with a 2.15x18 Excel rim, we may change this up on Monday in order to get a 38 tooth sprocket, and to see if Talon makes a narrower rear hub for another make or model.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2010, 10:38:38 PM »

Measured my axles finally.
CB550 Front axle 20mm.
CB350F rear axle 17mm.

Suzuki DRZ front axle 20mm.
Honda XR400 and XR600R rear axle 17mm.

Looks like I need to have my rear hub swapped up, or find a different bushing for the Talon.

754 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:38:37 AM »

I sort of doubt that the 550 front axle is 20mm, check at the bearings. What kind of disc are you planning for the front?

Mille44 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:43:49 AM »

Cool! Cant wait to watch your project progress. Keep us updated.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2010, 08:49:46 PM »

Quote from: 754 on February 22, 2010, 09:38:37 AM

I sort of doubt that the 550 front axle is 20mm, check at the bearings. What kind of disc are you planning for the front?

Yeah I just realized that I measured the ends that go in the fork, I bet it is 17mm. I will have to remeasure. I am not too worried about it, I will probably have to make a sleeve for the front wheel as well.

As far as a front disc I am looking to put a DRZ400sm or s/e front rotor. It all depends on how the front hub fits and what the clearance is. I would love to be able to run the 310mm front brake from the DRZ400sm. Worst case scenario, there are 260-280mm brakes for the DRZ400s/e.

I will post some photos when the wheels show up. I have been meaning to take photos of this project from the start and always forget.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2010, 02:28:01 PM »

Wheels showed up to day. I also got my master cylinder and caliper in the mail the other day. I will post photos of the DRZ400SM front brake set up once I get a rotor, and make sure that I can fit a 310mm rotor.

I will weigh these later tonight and post the results.

Next on my purchase list:

DRZ400SM front rotor
XR650 rear rotor
XR650 rear caliper
XR650 rear master cylinder
XR650 38t Sprocket - Any suggestions where to get this? Talon claims they make one, but I cannot find anyone who can get it.
XR650 Rear Brake light switch
CB350F 17t 520 Front Sprocket
Tires
Tubeless kit
Chain

754 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2010, 08:43:59 PM »

I think your axle is 15mm.

sleeve spacers will be fine..

Can you eell us what the wheels cost and shipping?
went on their site but my computer is so slow..

.. plus they have to come from Oz..
Where are you located?

Very nice wheels..

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2010, 12:17:29 AM »

It is a 15mm Axle. I am looking to make custom axle up front and I am going to make a bushing for the rear. I am located in San Francisco, CA. and I got a awesome discount from Keith at KSR for taking an older model front hub. They list for around $1139 USD, I paid no shipping, turn around was fast about 10 days to my front door.

I am going to do a test fit on the front wheel tomorrow to see if there are any clearance issues. I also need to track down a scale and weigh these wheels. I want to see the weight difference, so far the set feels to be about the same weight as the front wheel alone, if not lighter.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2010, 05:22:31 PM »

Just weight the wheels on a digital bathroom scale.

Front comes in at 7.5lbs.
Rear comes in at 10lbs.

Sub 20lbs wheel set. I am now starting to think about how light I can make this CB350F.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2010, 08:40:08 PM »

Test fit of the wheels to day. So far so good. There looks to be a good amount of clearance for the front rotor and caliper. I will test fit the rotor when it gets here later this week. The rear has ample clearance, but will need to be re-dished, as it is not centered for this bike, custom spacers for the front and rear will need to be made. Also both front and rear hubs are made for 20mm axles. I will have to make a custom bushing for the rear, and a custom axle up front. Custom spacers will need to be made for the front and rear.

Rear rotor, caliper, sprocket, master cylinder, rear sets, front sprocket, and tires are up next.

(sorry for the cell phone pics)

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:15:54 PM »

Update on wheel weights. I just put them on another scale. I got 3.1Kg fro the front and 3.9Kg for the rear. About 15.4lbs in total for the set. Front rotor should be here any day now.

camelman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:09:07 PM »

Guys, this is some pretty cool stuff. I compared these to stock 350F wheels, and this setup is much much lighter. Has anyone else done anything similar that worked out well on a 350F/400F?

Camelman

kghost · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:27:35 PM »

Did i read that right $1139 for them rims?

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:35:46 AM »

That is MSRP according to KSRs site.
http://www.ksrwheels.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=15&idproduct=8

Check out if Warp9 can build you a custom set. They are supposed to be nice, but I am not sure what they do in terms of custom sizing, with rims and hubs. Warp9 Wheels list for $710 on KSRs site and are built for MX and SuperMoto (if not mistaken I think they even come with brake rotors).

Keith at KSR hooked me up on this wheel set (big time), and asked me not to share our deal. There is about $100 discount if you assemble the wheel your self. Keith really knows his stuff and builds all kinds of custom wheels for flat trackers.

Joel · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2010, 11:31:26 AM »

Quote from: MaaseyRacer on February 18, 2010, 04:21:02 PM

Talked to the guys at KSR Wheels today and they answered most of my questions.
If I go with aftermarket hubs the rims will not be an issue.
The Avons should mount up with no big issues.
The Talon hubs are ~6.25" wide in the rear and ~4.25" in the front. I will have to adapt for the axle, but it should not be that big of a deal since the Talon hubs use a sleeve to adapt to different axle sizes.
Spacers will have to be made for the front and rear.
Front wheel will be a DRZ400SM Hub with a 1.85x18 Excel rim.
Rear for now will be an XR650 Hub with a 2.15x18 Excel rim, we may change this up on Monday in order to get a 38 tooth sprocket, and to see if Talon makes a narrower rear hub for another make or model.

Those rim sizes are both +1 from stock, right?

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2010, 11:59:26 AM »

Quote from: Joel C on March 11, 2010, 11:31:26 AM

Those rim sizes are both +1 from stock, right?

I believe they are stock sizes, or at least they are the same size as the wheels that came with my bike. They are also the same size as CamelMan's wheels that came on his bike. He has a 74 and I have a 72. There was another thread I saw the other day claiming that the CB350f had a 1.6 front and a 1.85 rear, but I have not seen one with those size rims (not saying it does not exist).

Joel · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2010, 12:11:08 PM »

Quote from: MaaseyRacer on March 11, 2010, 11:59:26 AM

Quote from: Joel C on March 11, 2010, 11:31:26 AM
Those rim sizes are both +1 from stock, right?

I believe they are stock sizes, or at least they are the same size as the wheels that came with my bike. They are also the same size as CamelMan's wheels that came on his bike. He has a 74 and I have a 72. There was another thread I saw the other day claiming that the CB350f had a 1.6 front and a 1.85 rear, but I have not seen one with those size rims (not saying it does not exist).

I see. I thought the 350 & 400 were equipped with the same size rims and the info I've found so far stated 1.60F/1.85R for the 400. As long as the 1.85F/2.15R fit with no problems, that's what I plan to use when I replace my wheels.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2010, 11:36:51 AM »

Front brake rotor is here. I have the Master cylinder mounter to the bike (I will take photos later today), and the caliper is here. The rotor is bigger than stock and weigh far less. I need to get a rotor and sprocket for the rear as well as tires next. I think the sprocket I am going to have to get from Sprocket Specialists as a custom 38 tooth XR650R sprocket.

Update:
With the rotor on the front and the bolts, the front wheel weight has gone up from 3.1Kg to 4.2Kg.

Mille44 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2010, 05:09:29 PM »

Quote from: Joel C on March 11, 2010, 12:11:08 PM

Quote from: MaaseyRacer on March 11, 2010, 11:59:26 AM
Quote from: Joel C on March 11, 2010, 11:31:26 AM
Those rim sizes are both +1 from stock, right?

I believe they are stock sizes, or at least they are the same size as the wheels that came with my bike. They are also the same size as CamelMan's wheels that came on his bike. He has a 74 and I have a 72. There was another thread I saw the other day claiming that the CB350f had a 1.6 front and a 1.85 rear, but I have not seen one with those size rims (not saying it does not exist).

I see. I thought the 350 & 400 were equipped with the same size rims and the info I've found so far stated 1.60F/1.85R for the 400. As long as the 1.85F/2.15R fit with no problems, that's what I plan to use when I replace my wheels.

The dimensions for the rims are taken at the tire beadseat. The stock rims on the CB350/400F were 1.60" x 18" front and 1.85" x 18" rear. Both wheels had a spoke count of 36.

Mille44 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2010, 05:12:35 PM »

...and Massey, since we are both in the Bay Area and both working on 350F's we should compare notes sometime, or at least get out and ride since the sun finally came out again!

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2010, 05:34:27 PM »

Quote from: Mille44 on March 15, 2010, 05:12:35 PM

...and Massey, since we are both in the Bay Area and both working on 350F's we should compare notes sometime, or at least get out and ride since the sun finally came out again!

All about it except that my bike is still far from complete, I need a financial transfusion to get it going. However we should compare notes.

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2010, 08:55:07 AM »

Just weighed the stock rear wheel, with brake and sprocket it weighs in at 21lbs. Which is a pound more than both of my new wheels.

Also the DRZ400SM front 310mm rotor looks like it is going to clear and fit. I also just got a screaming deal on a rear master cylinder and caliper.

Parts still needed:
Tires
Rearsets
Rear Sprocket
Front Sprocket
Rear Brake Rotor

MaaseyRacer · « **Reply #23 on:** April 29, 2010, 04:57:38 PM »

Rear sprocket is here! It weighs nothing, also the guys at Sprocket Specialists have great pricing on their aluminum sprockets, even with all the ad-ons and extra drilling. Also I found an awesome tire install guy in SF who install for $18 a tire ($2 tire recycle fee) and lets you order online at no extra fee.

Parts needed still:
XR650 Rear Brake Rotor
Chain
Rearsets
Tires

The Mayor · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2010, 09:14:19 AM »

What'd that rear sprocket cost ya?

News:

Author Topic: Dirt Bike Wheels On a 350F (15.4lbs wheel set) (Read 7161 times)