Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Raygun on March 21, 2021, 10:13:48 PM

Title: Comstars
Post by: Raygun on March 21, 2021, 10:13:48 PM: Hey all,

Bike: 1977 CB550 'F'

I've tried in vain to use the search function to see if this is out there but I admit I couldn't find anything useful.

One of the bikes I'm building is going wire-spoke, the other (mine) I'm tempted either to go for wire spoke which seems the easiest, or to investigate Comstars.

I know they are widely not liked, but personally I am quite fond of the Comstar wheels. Does anyone know which models' Comstars will fit the CB550? I'd love to get a set for my bike, but I am unsure whether it is going to require a substantial amount of machining or replacement forks, bearings, spindles or other parts!

The end goal is to go for dual front disc and rear drums.

I've currently got some Lester Mag wheels on the bike.

R
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Arch stanton on March 21, 2021, 10:27:13 PM: What!!
You are seriously considering replacing Lester wheels.
With Dustbin lid Comstars!
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Bryanj on March 21, 2021, 10:30:43 PM: The only comstars i can think of that have drum rear are CX 500 and CB 650
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: K2-K6 on March 21, 2021, 10:31:32 PM: I quite like the comstars too, but those Lester wheels are a pretty neat and good looking set. Unusual to even see two sets in the same place.

The SOHC CB 650 had comstars that seem compatable-ish (think they may bolt in) with drum rear config that would immediately be realistic to investigate.
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: K2-K6 on March 21, 2021, 10:36:01 PM: It's this one as it's a development of the 550 and has most commonality.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: ka-ja on March 22, 2021, 10:12:07 AM: Hi,
If the frame steering head is the same as the 400/4, the complete front end of a 400N will fit straight in complete with twin discs, but this gives a 19in front wheel, but there are 18in wheels that fit, bthe rear needs two made to measure distance pieces to fit the rear wheels.
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: hairygit on March 22, 2021, 01:05:59 PM: Quote from: ka-ja on March 22, 2021, 10:12:07 AM
Hi,
If the frame steering head is the same as the 400/4, the complete front end of a 400N will fit straight in complete with twin discs, but this gives a 19in front wheel, but there are 18in wheels that fit, bthe rear needs two made to measure distance pieces to fit the rear wheels.
The 500/550 have a 19 inch front wheel anyway, it's the 350/400 that needs 18 inch front.

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: matthewmosse on March 23, 2021, 06:33:51 PM: One of my cb550s came with comstars, think it was a pretty straightforward bolt in fitting, but as the bike was a complete basket case theres not much guarantee what I started with. Personally I thought it looked pretty good and it used standard cb550 tyre sizes so the speedo worked ok. Pretty sure Ihave 2 sets of those wheels still here. I also ran twin disks on mine. The forks were cb550 ones, seem to remember the pads needed a light touch with a file to sit neat on the disks - these days I would skim a few mm off the hubs for the same effect.
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Raygun on March 24, 2021, 09:02:30 PM: Hey Matthew,

Thanks, that's interesting to note.

If you have those wheels and fancy moving them on please drop me a message. At the moment I'm pretty focused on the engine and electricals stage but at some point I'll get round to the running gear!

Thanks!
R
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Rob62 on March 26, 2021, 06:57:44 PM: Great looking CB650!
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: K2-K6 on March 27, 2021, 06:01:15 PM: I like the look of them with the rest of that 500 standard.

Never really agreed with the general feeling of dislike that's focused on them either as they more remind of this

[attachimg=1]

Great looking 1976 RCB endurance racer, from where they came.

I know the NR 500 had single strip versions, but the more pressed out form came from this one I believe.
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: ka-ja on March 27, 2021, 08:02:38 PM: My 1985 build with comstars[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Bryanj on March 27, 2021, 08:05:07 PM: And humongous cards by the look of it
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: andy120t on April 05, 2021, 03:29:35 PM: Is that the cards you stick in your bicycle spokes to make a clacking noise?
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Bryanj on April 05, 2021, 03:53:35 PM: Bloody auto correct it was CARBS
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: andy120t on April 05, 2021, 04:45:00 PM: :D
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: ka-ja on April 05, 2021, 07:52:23 PM: yes' reconned 4/5years ago
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Bryanj on April 05, 2021, 09:53:08 PM: Christ does that actually get mpg or is it yards per pint?
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: ka-ja on April 06, 2021, 09:32:09 AM: Depends if you thrash it, riding sanely it is not far off standard.
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: K2-K6 on April 06, 2021, 09:41:36 AM: Don't they look good though :D that intake proportion is way ahead of some carb's design, and just makes atomisation and intake charge uniformity probably the best it could get.

Having such integrated design also lets a smaller throat carb simply flow more effectively while keeping airspeed in decent range of combustion volume. Technically looks really good.

Amals?
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: ka-ja on April 06, 2021, 12:52:42 PM: 4 off 26mm Amal MK 2's (British) on 26mm gas flowed inlets.
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: Bryanj on April 07, 2021, 12:04:57 AM: I remember building a "tuned" suzuki GT750 stroker with 3 of those or maybe 2000's and that did 6ish to the gallon on the circuit
Title: Re: Comstars
Post by: ka-ja on April 07, 2021, 09:41:31 AM: Strokers were always thirsty, tuned or not! I've had a few many moons ago.