SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

what different/modern front ends can used

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hairygit:
That's why I said it's like putting a C90 engine in a fireblade!>:D

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florence:
I will say though, it's all a matter of personal taste.  If someone wants to build a 500/550 with the benefit of modern suspension, good luck to them.  If we all liked the same things it would be a boring world.  As you know, I detest polish and my bike is far from standard.

One of the things that lets this bike down is the front brake.  A more modern front end would certainly sort this out.  I remember the front brake on my CX500 being phenomenal as it had two twin piston calipers.  If there were a way of fitting that set up I would be interested, as long as the wire wheel could be retained.

stuartni:

--- Quote from: florence on November 12, 2014, 01:26:59 PM ---I will say though, it's all a matter of personal taste.  If someone wants to build a 500/550 with the benefit of modern suspension, good luck to them.  If we all liked the same things it would be a boring world.  As you know, I detest polish and my bike is far from standard.

One of the things that lets this bike down is the front brake.  A more modern front end would certainly sort this out.  I remember the front brake on my CX500 being phenomenal as it had two twin piston calipers.  If there were a way of fitting that set up I would be interested, as long as the wire wheel could be retained.

--- End quote ---

Couldn't agree more everyone has there own taste which doesnt always mean good taste but thats in the eye of the beholder.

If my stanchions where is good nick i would happily rebuild them and do a twin disc setup again but there in a bad way and like you said the standard brakes are terrible and funny enough there is a cx500 front end i can use for free only thing putting me off it was there 33mm stanchions worried incase they would be a little thin on the 550???

matthewmosse:
Easy way to upgrade the front brake and retain the front wheel. 650 sohc forks, if a comstar off a 650 fits a 550, then the same should apply in reverse. I wouldn't be at all surprided if cx500 or 650 forks could be made to fit the cb550. Is the 550 that much heavier if any than a cx? If anything I would think the 550 were lighter as cx is shaft drive, isn't it? After that the next concerns would be a set of spacers for the wheels and how far between centres the yokes are. I think they use the same headstock bearings but check that, I just think the cx500 appeared on the list of applications for the bearings I just fitted. It might be a way to retain that spoked front wheel. A beefy fork brace at top of mudguard level might help with the skinnier forks. I have mixed feelings about fitting differnt front ends, I can see pros and cons, but unless the bits are free/ virtually given away, then probably it is just easier to source decent used forks that fit streight off. Cb550 forks are not very often pitted past oil tightness in my experience, in fact I only have 1 set that need re chroming, and a few good spares. Not like my wifes 250 honda which wore its stanchions down to copper in 30k - I searched in vain for good used and ended up buying a bike with bent forks and straightening them, only they wore through the chrome too, so I eventually picked up a set of nos 70's honda forks the same diameter and build a hybrid set. The 90's era showa forks seem to be chromed with ultra soft /thin chrome, my 500 has done 100,000 miles + with no attention to seals or chrome.

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