Topic: CB500 Lester Mags- Question

[DKB]

I just picked up a 1972 CB500 that came with a set of Lester Mags. Can anyone confrim if the stock size CB500/550 bearings are used on these wheels? I just wanted to check before ordering replacements.
 
They currently have a 100/90/19 tire mounted on the front and a 120/90/18 on the rear.  The 120 seems a bit oversized but I only have my Cb550 spoke wheels for reference. Can I use a 110 on the rear wheel?

And is there a way to verify which model these wheels were designed for (500/550/750)?

Lastly- does the TL designation mean these can be run tubeless? I'veread some of the old threads but didn't find a definitive answer. Thanks!

Rear Wheel. 18x2.15TL 007
Lester 110477




Front Wheel 19x2.15

[cb550fcafe]

Check my thread about my rear hub http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70150.msg778228#msg778228

Traveler posted some bearing sizes, he has a thread about his build with info covering the Lester wheels/bearings.

[wildcatmahone]

"I just picked up a 1972 CB500 that came with a set of Lester Mags. Can anyone confrim if the stock size CB500/550 bearings are used on these wheels? I just wanted to check before ordering replacements."

Yes Lesters utilize all the stock hardware.

"They currently have a 100/90/19 tire mounted on the front and a 120/90/18 on the rear.  The 120 seems a bit oversized but I only have my Cb550 spoke wheels for reference. Can I use a 110 on the rear wheel?"

A 110 is fine.

"And is there a way to verify which model these wheels were designed for (500/550/750)?"

Yes by the 5 digit Lester part numbers (not Lester 110477 which is date of manufacture) cast inside each of the wheel hubs (Look good for the front number) List the numbers you have and I'll try to help.

"Lastly- does the TL designation mean these can be run tubeless? I've read some of the old threads but didn't find a definitive answer. Thanks!"

Not sure, def an issue some people have run tubeless on them BUT have been told that Lester originally instructed the use of tubes in their wheels. They simply dont have the proper beadlock to run tubeless, highly dangerous and NOT recommended.

-Wildcat


 

[traveler]

you have a 500 brake plate and a 500/550 cush drive setup, so order 500 or 550 rear wheel bearings.

the front wheel 500/550 or 750 wheel bearings...either will work.

In short, order bearings for your stock bike configuration, and you should be fine.

All Balls bearings are fully sealed, and are what I use.

With Lesters, tubes should be considered mandatory. 

~Joe

[srook]

Not all Lesters have the part# cast into the spokes.  The rear should have a number inside the brake drum.  The rears for the CB750 have the number 20200 inside the brake drum.  This a hub number and not the wheel part number.  I would be interested to know the numbers inside your brake drum.  The same rear hubs were used between 18" and 16" rears therefore the hub numbers are model specific but not the actual part number.
Scott

[DKB]

you have a 500 brake plate and a 500/550 cush drive setup, so order 500 or 550 rear wheel bearings.

the front wheel 500/550 or 750 wheel bearings...either will work.

In short, order bearings for your stock bike configuration, and you should be fine.

All Balls bearings are fully sealed, and are what I use.

With Lesters, tubes should be considered mandatory. 

~Joe

Thanks Joe. Appreciate the info. Your 550 and the one featured in "The Mantlepiece" article sold me on these mags. Stoked to have come across a set locally that fit my bike. Gonna order the bearings today and spend some time polishing them and touching up the paint this weekend.

Not all Lesters have the part# cast into the spokes.  The rear should have a number inside the brake drum.  The rears for the CB750 have the number 20200 inside the brake drum.  This a hub number and not the wheel part number.  I would be interested to know the numbers inside your brake drum.  The same rear hubs were used between 18" and 16" rears therefore the hub numbers are model specific but not the actual part number.
Scott

I'll check the numbers stamped inside the rear hub when I head over to the garage later on.

[jaguar]

that the bike that was on craigslist then ebay?
good find


i have lesters on my cb750
stock bearings fit

[DKB]

that the bike that was on craigslist then ebay?
good find


i have lesters on my cb750
stock bearings fit

Yep. Picked up the CB500 of ebay just to grab the 4into4's and Lesters for my bike. 

Not all Lesters have the part# cast into the spokes.  The rear should have a number inside the brake drum.  The rears for the CB750 have the number 20200 inside the brake drum.  This a hub number and not the wheel part number.  I would be interested to know the numbers inside your brake drum.  The same rear hubs were used between 18" and 16" rears therefore the hub numbers are model specific but not the actual part number.
Scott

I checked the inside of the rear hub while down at the garage. It's stamped Lester 20100.

[srook]

That is the magic number, 20100 for the 500/550 rear sprocket carrier, wheel bearings and drum cover.  I will be puting together a better explaination of the lester numbers in a post to come.  The TL may not actually mean tubeless.  Some of the later Lesters were marketed as tubeless but I think these were all the later style that was just a bit different than yours.  Nice find.
Scott