Topic: Can you convert shaft drive wheel to chain?

[henry1282]

I am using the front end from 1990 vn750 on my 1981 cb750.
After I put it on I really liked the look of the wheel and would like to use the rear one also.
Has any one done this?
I've seen some mention before of a kit to convert  vulcans to chain or belt. I wonder if they have to get a new wheel or if you can change how the wheel is set up somehow. Or is there a way that you can mount a sprocket on there. I've never looked at one of those wheels removed before.
It would be nice to remove the drum brake and put a disc on also.


Here is a pic I found

[bryanj]

Need to see a better picture of where the rear wheel fits onto the drive

[henry1282]

Here is an image I found this morning.

[bill440cars]

       Makes ME wonder if the drive plate can be secured to the wheel, modified to accept a sprocket and spacers added to center the wheel in the frame, myself? Be interesting to know.

[henry1282]

That's what I was thinking. Guess I'll pull the wheel off and get a good look.

[bill440cars]

That's what I was thinking. Guess I'll pull the wheel off and get a good look.

      Nice looking wheel, it's worth checking out.

[mystic_1]

Looking at the exploded diagram, looks to me like you could machine an adapter that bolts to the 42034 cush drive plate.  The sprocket carrier on a DOHC 750 is taller than that plate, so you'd have the room to add your adapter.  Then you'd basically have the same setup as stock.  The stock sprocket carrier has it's own bearing outboard of the sprocket, so that's something you'd want to have on any adapter that you buy/make.

mystic_1

[Alan F.]

I've got a friend who's interested in doing the same type of thing with an 84 yamaha virago 5-spoke wheel for his cb500.  I haven't found much on the web yet but if I do I'll link it here.
-Alan

[754]

Its fairly easy to do if you dont need cush drive. Might need a 30 or 40 $ chunk of Aluminum to start.

[Retro Rocket]

What i have found is that most motorcycle manufacturers used the same mag pattern on shaft and chain driven bikes,  i would try and find a model that used those wheels with the chain set up and use that..

Mick

[Alan F.]

Thats a good point there Mick, especially considering they (kawi) put that same style 7-spoke wheel on damn near everything, if he picked up a factory chain drive wheel he probably can do way better than to settle for a 15" wheel at that.

Here's an 18"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Kawasaki-KZ-650-C-Rear-Wheel-Mag-2-15x18-Enkei_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem56365792beQQitemZ370278896318QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Retro Rocket]

Thats a good point there Mick, especially considering they (kawi) put that same style 7-spoke wheel on damn near everything, if he picked up a factory chain drive wheel he probably can do way better than to settle for a 15" wheel at that.

Here's an 18"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Kawasaki-KZ-650-C-Rear-Wheel-Mag-2-15x18-Enkei_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem56365792beQQitemZ370278896318QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I'm sure there are many more as well Alan, i think the KZ1000J had the same wheels with wider rims..

Mick

[henry1282]

Thanks for the lead on the KZ1000J!!! Thats exactly what I need.

I Like the look of the 15", wider rim but this would make everything much easier.

Thats kinda the look I'm going for with the CB but am using a reworked seat from a 76 cb750f ss and I was thinking about a tank like the one on Benjie's Trixie

Here's a pic of the KZ1000J and the Trixie

[Alan F.]

I wonder if the KZ1000J came to the States or even Canada?

Looks like a wider wheel is needed for sure with plans like his.

[Retro Rocket]

I wonder if the KZ1000J came to the States or even Canada?

Looks like a wider wheel is needed for sure with plans like his.

It sure did, it is the same model that ended up being the Kenny Roberts replica. Around that time all the Kawasaki's had the same mag wheels so there should be plenty laying around...

Mick

[Alan F.]

Thanks Mick, I'll keep my eyes open too.  I've been wanting to collect a set of those 7 spoke wheels for a swap someday.
-Alan

[henry1282]

I'm leaning more towards the taller skinnier wheels now after looking at other bikes.
I have a 19/2.15 on the front and have found a 18/2.15 for the rear.       One guy says he has a 19", I gotta call him to make sure because it's the only 19" rear wheel like that I've found.
I found many 16" rims that are wider but don't like those anymore.
I also found a 17/2.5, that is the widest wheel I've found at that height.
Seems that the widest rim I can get that is at least 18" is 2.15.

I wish I can line them all up to choose.

So far my process has bean about how they will look, I want them to look pretty even.
The front tire is a 100/90/19, I'd like to put a little bigger size tire on that wheel also.
Are there any pros and cons to different wheel sizes?
Any body know how large of a tire will fit on a 18"x2.15" rear wheel?
Should I be trying to match the OD of the tires? Does it matter?
Any comments would help out allot, I want to buy the right things the first time.
Thanks
(after I get a few more parts I'll start a project thread, it's going to be a 2 up cafe style racer)

[Alan F.]

here's a chart that may help to clar up a few questions.

http://www.dropbears.com/u/utilities/tyrerim.htm

But be certain to do the research on which tires are available for a particular size wheel, there's nothing worse than finding a set of wheels you love in every way only to find out that there are only 2 tire choices left.
-Alan

[754]

Honda built a red 18 rear x 3.50..3 S shaped spokes. I have a pair somewhere, the rear uses a 3 bolt? disc..