Topic: rim/tire question 74 cb550.

[wesbailey1]

i know its been asked prob a million times but i just cant seem to find it or figure it out.


im trying to get a bigger rear tire to fill in my fender but i hear running a wider rear on the stock 1.85 rim is a problem with handeling and stuff. so my question is, whats the widest tire i can fit on my rear ? and am i able to lace up a new wider rim to my stock hub ?   i know nothing about this stuff, so thanks alot.

and heres the beast im talking about, definitly needs a wider rear.






  this is her now but she used to look like....

[wesbailey1]

anyone ?

[steamnjn23]

i cant help, but i'm speechless.  your bike looks good!

[MCRider]

The widest tire for a 1.85 rim is a 3.5 standard inch tire, a 4.1 low profile, or a /90 in metric.
 You look to have that or more already. The issue is safety as well as handling, as the bead won't sit properly in the narrow rim.

You can lace up a 2.15 which will allow a 4.75 inch or a /120 in metric.

For your style bike many use the 3.5 x 16" conversion (on the CB750) which will take up to a 6 in tire. But on a 550, i don't know if that is too wide. and it may scrape the swingarm. I'll bet a 2.5 in 17 or 18" rim with a 4.5 in tire will give the best look without scraping.

[wesbailey1]

i need a new front end setup. bad.  where can i get that 3.5 rim ?

[MCRider]

i need a new front end setup. bad.  where can i get that 3.5 rim ?

Front? I thought we were talking rear? The front should be narrower to begin with, like a 1.65? Going larger on the front will really affect handling, though for your style (chopper/bobber) it will look all right. I don't know how much more you can go on the front. I doubt a 3.5 will go there. By front end setup what do you mean? Just a new rim/tire, or a new front end, forks and all.

To your question, rims can be had haphazardly from many sources. If you want to go right to the quick, get what you want when you want the first time, Buchanan's Wheels at www.Bucanansspokes.com is the only place in town, IMO. Remember anything you do by way of rim will require spokes.

Get your wallet out.

Some people will tell you they've had bad experience or they don't like the service. Happens.  Nevertheless Buch- is the biggest and the best.

If you are talking the 16" "Harley Conversion" on the rear, they can be had many places, for much less than Buchanan's. look on eBay. The rim will be chrome steel. The spokes will be chrome also.

Build it yourself, many here have.

[greasy j]

yeah, there are lots of 16" rear wheel conversions out there. I got one for cheaper than a stock wheel. just got lucky. mine's got a 150 tire...

you're bike looks great. I think a slightly smaller seat would go well w/ the wider tire. jus my opinion, though. don't change it if ya like it.

surprised ya didn't keep that sweet green chain guard haha