Upgrading my wheels

Twinstar Joined: Jul 12, 2014 Posts: 48 Location: UK

Would it devalue my completely stock '81 CB750F if I upgraded the wheels to F2 wheels?

The reason I ask is because I love the bike, it's my first big bike and its been good to me. But I find it heavy and less confidence inspiring than the newer bikes I have ridden. I find it difficult at low speeds and the narrowness of the tyres worries me on the sharp corners on my local roads.

I am considering selling her and buying something a little more modern and smaller such as a bandit or cb500.

I would love to keep this bike and upgrade it myself but I am concerned that I don't have the expertise or space to do it myself.

I bought the bike very cheap and I am sure if I sold it right now as it is I would make good enough money on it to upgrade.

What do you guys think?

V

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 9:22 pm

You have the bike to enjoy so if lighter modern wheels will make a more enjoyable ride, go for it. You can keep the original wheels and parts, if you choose to sell, re-install or include the originals..

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 10:55 pm

If you are going to sell it why bother?

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:20 pm

+1 But I doubt the wheel change would make a noticeable enough weight difference to justify the expense. I was 20 when I got my 750F new in 81 and 20 less pounds lighter 175# when I got it and had no problems after some time riding. I think with more riding experience and time, confidence will grow and come, but it takes daily short rides and practice and patience. That's my 2cents worth after 40 years of riding experience....

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:21 am

F2 wheels make a huge difference to how these bikes handle. Dymags or other truly light weight wheels make an even bigger difference as the weight savings is all in unsprung weight.

I would not be worried about the negative or positive value wheel changes will have on your bike - these thing's aren't Hemi Cuda's. As Larry says, have fun with it and if you're really worried about, keep the stock parts stashed away somewhere.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 5:38 pm

Do whatever pleases you but if you are considering selling perhaps this is not the bike to put more money into. I've spent a fair bit of time upgrading the suspension on my CBX and will probably be spending more but that bike is a keeper so it was worth it. I did save all of the stock parts for the future however which is what you should do if you upgrade.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:47 pm

pontiacstogo wrote:

F2 wheels make a huge difference to how these bikes handle. Dymags or other truly light weight wheels make an even bigger difference as the weight savings is all in unsprung weight.

I would not be worried about the negative or positive value wheel changes will have on your bike - these thing's aren't Hemi Cuda's. As Larry says, have fun with it and if you're really worried about, keep the stock parts stashed away somewhere.

I couldn't agree more. I just finished a f2 wheel swap on my 1100f and am very pleased with the results. I saved all the original parts just in case. Do it, you won't be disappointed!

Twinstar Joined: Jul 12, 2014 Posts: 48 Location: UK

Thanks for the replies!

Some really good points - I'll switch the wheels and then see how I feel Smile

Can anyone point me towards a good guide on the f2 wheel conversion?

Twinstar Joined: Jul 12, 2014 Posts: 48 Location: UK

Still struggling to find a guide - I thought this was a common conversion?

Twinstar Joined: Jul 12, 2014 Posts: 48 Location: UK

BUMP!

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:27 pm

venari wrote:

BUMP!

Use the search engine of the site and you'll get all kinds of info on your wheel conversion....plus a lot of helpful other info too!!!

Wayne

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 6:35 pm

venari wrote:

BUMP!

You likely wont have 39mm forks on your bike, so some of the information you find on here may not be applicable - the basic concepts will be the same though. Some different methods outlined in this thread, and there are links to other builds within the thread;

http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=58818

Twinstar Joined: Jul 12, 2014 Posts: 48 Location: UK

Wayne750F wrote:

Use the search engine of the site and you'll get all kinds of info on your wheel conversion....plus a lot of helpful other info too!!!

Wayne

Thanks Wayne, I've been trying to search for this but I haven't managed to find much! I must be searching for the wrong things because I know the info is on here. It seems the keywords "wheel" and "conversion" bring up just about every thread in the history of the forum!

pontiacstogo wrote:

You likely wont have 39mm forks on your bike, so some of the information you find on here may not be applicable - the basic concepts will be the same though. Some different methods outlined in this thread, and there are links to other builds within the thread;

http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=58818

Thanks! This looks useful.

I was hopeful that someone may have done a bit of a 'how to'...