Author Topic: CB550 Spokes - Help (Read 12016 times)

sniper1 · « **on:** November 28, 2011, 04:32:38 PM »

I removed the spokes on my '75 550 build. They are in rough shape, not real rusty but tarnished pretty bad. I am trying to find replacement sets for both front and rear, and can't believe the price on these things. $100 - $130/PER WHEEL!

I see the Tiawanese ones on ebay for $75. Anyone have any luck of experience with these? They say 4-6 week delivery with $25 for shipping.

What about cleaning and painting the old ones? They aren't real bad, but not sure about the safety aspect.

Do CB750 19" front rims and 18" rear rims use the same spokes? I have seen some on 750 sites for sale for much less.

Thanks in advance for any help, advice, or just listening to me #$%*.

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2011, 04:48:41 PM »

I just used steel wool and a buffer. They didnt come out to bad much better than before..

Matt

Stev-o · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:15:42 PM »

A lot of guys paint them and they look fine, just depends what look your going for.

tlbranth · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2011, 07:44:10 PM »

I relaced both my 750 wheels a couple of years back and paid a lot less than $100/wheel although the exact cost escapes me. I got one set from Partsandmore and the other from Sudco. I'm happy with both sets. Both are chrome.

Kong · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:03:56 PM »

I redid front and rear wheels last spring, I put new spokes in both wheels. I looked at the asian spokes on e-bay and never really gave them any more thought to tell the truth. Stainless spokes and nipples came to two and a half bucks each, being new they threaded easily and using the supplied lubricant I was assured that they would not gaul during assembly, a problem with stainless hardware of all sorts. Considering what it takes to put a safe bike together I didn't think the hundred and a quarter, or whatever it was for a delivered set of stainless spokes/nipples, was out of line at all.

CoachDoc · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2011, 09:06:23 PM »

Just curious about the relacing of your wheels. I've made a few sets of bicycle wheels, and they require a truing stand and quite a bit of spoke tweaking to get the wheel both laterally and radially true. Just how do you accomplish this with a MC wheel??

Danno · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:21:27 PM »

I use spun stainless steel scrubby pads and sometime steel wool then if you want them to really look nice soda blast the heck out of them as long as they are not bent or the heads worn too much they are fine to reuse it is most important to get them laced in right and not super tight they still should make a nice tong sound when struck with a wrench though not a thud which is too loose

bryanj · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:28:59 PM »

Dave Silver does aftermarket sets

sniper1 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2011, 04:06:38 AM »

Thanks for all of the replies, I'm going to steel wool them and paint, I will see how turns out. If not good, I'll be ordering a new set.

luap · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2011, 09:01:53 AM »

david silver spares , tsa also makes them

grcamna2 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2011, 10:06:31 AM »

sniper1,
Try a small stiff welders brush(it may take 3 brushes)which has stainless steel bristles;it will clean off 95% of the rust & it will be a lot easier on your hands.

sniper1 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2011, 05:17:38 PM »

Quote from: luap on November 29, 2011, 09:01:53 AM

david silver spares , tsa also makes them

Who is TSA? I googled "TSA spokes" but got nothing.......

crazypj · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2011, 05:51:52 PM »

The front spokes from a CB750 should fit but the rear has a different diameter drum
I dismantled a CB 360 front wheel this afternoon and fitted an alloy rim (wanted to do something I could finish in one day for a change

)
The thing that took most time was polishing the spokes (almost new but slightly oxidised)
I also modified hub, you don't need cooling fins on a disc hub

While you have bike apart, this is a good mod

went from this

to this

to this in a couple of hours

Tews19 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2011, 05:56:16 PM »

God that rims is gorgeous. Reminds me of the 1980's movie RAD. Best BMX movie ever.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2011, 05:58:07 PM »

Nice Work crazypj !

crazypj · « **Reply #15 on:** December 01, 2011, 06:42:04 AM »

Quote from: CoachDoc on November 28, 2011, 09:06:23 PM

Just curious about the relacing of your wheels. I've made a few sets of bicycle wheels, and they require a truing stand and quite a bit of spoke tweaking to get the wheel both laterally and radially true. Just how do you accomplish this with a MC wheel??

Same as with a bicycle wheel, loosen some spokes, tighten others, sometimes individually sometimes 'sets' of 4.
BTW, forgot to mention, I have used the Tiawan spokes, they take about 6 weeks to arrive, probably longer once Christmas mail gets going

Kong · « **Reply #16 on:** December 01, 2011, 07:28:35 AM »

How much wall thickness do you have left in the center of that hub?

crazypj · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2011, 07:40:48 AM »

Plenty, I only took about 0.010" off minimum diameter at base of 'fins'.
The bolt holes are solid and will prevent flanges collapsing inwards even if I had reduced diameter significantly.
I also have a 1/2" radius which is polished and probably 'better' than stock?
It's off a CB360 which I've lightened about 60~70 lbs.

72500john · « **Reply #18 on:** December 01, 2011, 06:09:35 PM »

check out buchannan spokes/ rims out of california. they cary spokes for our old cb bikes. in stainless even. max price is 120 bucks for a set. look good and ia m all for saftey. dont like to spend my hard earned bucks but some things are worth it!

d9canada · « **Reply #19 on:** December 02, 2011, 12:07:51 PM »

A few other things that help with cleaning stuff is CLR (Calcuim Lime Rust Remover) and Blue SOS pads both work well. Also if you are painting, consider using an etching primer to get a good bite for your top coat.

Bob3050 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 02, 2011, 12:34:02 PM »

I have used these spokes and they work well. They are cad plated so with cleaning maintenance they stand up very well.
http://www.cb750supply.com/products/2/chassis-brakes/61/wheel-spokes

tlbranth · « **Reply #21 on:** December 02, 2011, 02:30:41 PM »

Quote from: Bob3050 on December 02, 2011, 12:34:02 PM

I have used these spokes and they work well. They are cad plated so with cleaning maintenance they stand up very well.
http://www.cb750supply.com/products/2/chassis-brakes/61/wheel-spokes

Some time back I read that chrome-plated spokes weren't as strong as cadmium plated. Maybe because of plating thickness - not sure. But I had some Taiwanese chrome spokes on a 16" wheel and they broke regularly. I know, too, that stainless isn't as strong as regular carbon steel. But I'd be inclined to find out where the spokes are made more than anything else. Taiwan & China, phthhhwwwt!. Japan, US, Britain - probably OK.

crazypj · « **Reply #22 on:** December 02, 2011, 07:46:45 PM »

As far as I know, the cyanide salts used during chrome plating can lead to brittle spokes.
There are ways around it but I don't think the 'cheap' ones are made to that standard?

kweb · « **Reply #23 on:** December 02, 2011, 08:47:50 PM »

Does anyone know where I can get some plain steel spokes for my
78 CB 550. I want to have them powdercoated along with my hubs.

754 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 09, 2011, 08:37:24 AM »

"Christmas mail gets going''...now that is an oxymoron..

Hydrogen embrittlement is the plating problem when chroming spokes..

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Author Topic: CB550 Spokes - Help (Read 12016 times)

72500john