Topic: Cb550 with HD 16" wheel conversion

[Jason_jp]

Hey guys. I'm new to this forum and I'm new to this hobby so I m looking forward to some help! I was given a cb550 as a project and i'm trying to make it my style while on a budget. Looking online I have found that the style I like most is with a beefier rear wheel/ tire combination. From the research I have done it seems the best rout for myself is to use a 16" Harley wheel and get spokes from Buchanon's to fit my 550 hub. Is this research accurate? Is it even the best way for me to achieve this look? I'm allso having some trouble finding what tires sizes will fit in the swing arm without issues also. From my understanding with this wheel I can put a 160 on the back and not have any major fitment issues.

Any help with this cluster of confusion would be greatly appreciated!

[riverfever]

That's Devin's bike (Cognito Moto). I'm sure he'll chime in but, if not, try to contact him at the shop. He has everything you need to make that swap work.

[calj737]

A 160 can fit depending upon which year swing arm you use and of course, the diameter. A 16" will provide more room, but finding a 160-16 is not as easy as a 17.

It may require an offset sprocket to make room for that tire. Devin uses a 120-17 on the front also. You can buy any 40 hole rim in 16 or 17 diameter, but for a 160 tire you'll need a rather wide one, like 5.5.

Hope that helps-

[Retro Rocket]

The Harley rims weren't wide enough to fit a 160 correctly, 140 was about the biggest you could fit without distorting the tire. You first need to decide on how you want to ride the bike and how you would like it to handle before going for a "look", if you want it to handle well and have a good range of tires and sizes go 17 or 18 inch rear rims, if you don't really care about handling then do what you like...

[Jason_jp]

Thanks for all the I put guys. As far as riding the bike I don't plan on doing much more that putting around on some weekends so I am ok if the handling sacrifices. I will have to keep researching about the rim width in the Hd I did not know that a 160 would be too wide.

I really like the look of Covnitos bike but I'm not necessarily set on the 16" 160 set up but I do like the lower wider rear end opposed to the  tall narrow 19" rear.  The perfect fit may be a 17" 150?  It's hard to imagine without seeing it on the bike for sure. 

I would assume if I go with a 17" 40 hole wheel bucanons spokes and a 150 tire it still still fit without major issues?

[calj737]

A couple of corrections for you: Devin used a 160 tire on a 17" wheel, 5.5" wide to fit the tire. Stock is 18", with about a 110 tire.

A 140 tire on a 16" or 17" wheel would be finer fitment, and would be much wider than stock, using a 4.25" rim width. Buchanan spokes and rims can all be ordered through Cognitomoto.com.  A 150 tire wants a 4.5 rim minimum.

Important to consider the major difference between front and rear wheels/tires. It's fine to sacrifice some handling, but it's really I'll advised to go too nuts with major differences.

If you on stick with a 19" front, run a 110 and then go 140-17 on the rear. It's not so crazy, would still handle reasonably well, and give you a nice meaty look. I run a 19"/16" but my 16" is shod in a 130/60 tire to keep the bike on the ground.

[Jason_jp]

Thanks for the corrections! I do want to keep the 19 in the front as I like the look but want some beef in the rear like you mentioned. I do want to consider making any major sacrifices as I still want to enjoy my ride so your sizes may be perfect for me. Do you have pics of that set up you mentioned? It's hard to see if there is any significance in appearance as there is no image line up with the different looks!

Thanks again guys!

A couple of corrections for you: Devin used a 160 tire on a 17" wheel, 5.5" wide to fit the tire. Stock is 18", with about a 110 tire.

A 140 tire on a 16" or 17" wheel would be finer fitment, and would be much wider than stock, using a 4.25" rim width. Buchanan spokes and rims can all be ordered through Cognitomoto.com.  A 150 tire wants a 4.5 rim minimum.

Important to consider the major difference between front and rear wheels/tires. It's fine to sacrifice some handling, but it's really I'll advised to go too nuts with major differences.

If you on stick with a 19" front, run a 110 and then go 140-17 on the rear. It's not so crazy, would still handle reasonably well, and give you a nice meaty look. I run a 19"/16" but my 16" is shod in a 130/60 tire to keep the bike on the ground.

[calj737]

Again, 19 front 16 rear

[minimo]

It may require an offset sprocket to make room for that tire. Devin uses a 120-17 on the front also. You can buy any 40 hole rim in 16 or 17 diameter, but for a 160 tire you'll need a rather wide one, like 5.5.

I realize this is an old post but want to consider something for my '77 CB550F fitted with a 16-inch Harley rear... If I got one of these offset drive sprockets from CognitoMoto, would it also require that I get the spacer for the rear sprocket also - do they work as a combo?

Here's the drive sprocket:


and the rear sprocket spacer:

[calj737]

More than likely. The exact offset of the sprockets can't be determined until the wheel is assembled and installed. Then measure the rear sprocket face offset from the drive sprocket.

[minimo]

Copy that.

Maybe it was also mentioned here about placing a mockup of the spacer and offset sprocket and running a straight edge or a string to essentially chalk line along the face surfaces of the front and rear sprockets might give a better guess as to how the fit and alignment will be. Kind of a lot of work to get that figured out but might be worth it as the parts aren't cheap.

Thanks, calj!


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[calj737]

Maybe it was also mentioned here about placing a mockup of the spacer and offset sprocket and running a straight edge or a string to essentially chalk line along the face surfaces of the front and rear sprockets might give a better guess as to how the fit and alignment will be. Kind of a lot of work to get that figured out but might be worth it as the parts aren't cheap.

Thats exactly how you want to do it.

[minimo]

Ay ay, cap'n!


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[Scott S]

 How about a 16" Lester mag wheel? I'll give you a good price on one!

[minimo]

Thanks for the offer, Scott S. But I like spokes on my 550. Good luck finding a home for your Lesters.


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[Don R]

 I'd have bet there was a guy with a sweet 16" rim mounted that wants a stocker.

[sinister902]

I'd have bet there was a guy with a sweet 16" rim mounted that wants a stocker.

GV1390 I think is in this exact boat.

[GV1390]

I'd have bet there was a guy with a sweet 16" rim mounted that wants a stocker.

GV1390 I think is in this exact boat.

Yup.

I have a 16" on my CB500-4 that I'd like to get rid of.

[JMS28411 I'm no Spring Chicken]

Again, 19 front 16 rear

Did you have to change the swing arm or was it just an option you wanted?

Is that a custom made swingarm or something you can pickup ready made?

[Shtonecb500]

I see 16' hog wheels for these Hondas all the time. just slap one on, the only thing you may need to modify is the brake stay. I run a 16" on my 500 right now just cause I wanted to see how I liked it...I like how it rides but dont like the size difference between the the hog wheel and stock 19" front. The only way I dont go back to stock is if I run a full gsxr front end with stock gsxr tire....that way im running a 17 up front with the 16 hog on the rear.