Need a rear tire already!

[Classic Love]

Had the bike less than a year and my rear tire is getting squirrelly on me already! What are the best tires (and I don't mind spending a little more if it's worth it!) for my 1981 750 F ? I'm also going to need new sprockets & a chain, so I might as well do it all at once. I've tried looking through this forum, but you have to read through so much BS trying to find an answer!  If you've got a minute to answer I'd appreciate it. Too many options seems to be my enemy! Shinko?

[TOOLS1]

For tires you are going to get a lot of different answers, however I swear by Dunlop 404s. On chains, and sprockets I would recommend converting to a 530 O-ring chain, or X-Ring. Your bike uses the same sprockets as the earlier CB 750s so finding 530 sprockets will not be a problem.
TOOLS

[icerigger]

OK Tools, why convert to the 530 chain?

I'm asking because I'm replacing my 630 chain, not stretched just a lot of rust on the side plates. The sprockets are good, perfectly symmetrical but the '79 was the only model that had the 630 as stock AFAIK and if there is an advantage (smoother, less maint etc.) I think I might convert.

[sgtslag]

I had a hard time finding a 630 for mine, and it was the wrong length.  My mechanic did it for me, cutting it to size, and he used a rivet, not a clip (rivets feel 'better', 'safer', to me, but that is just my opinion).  There are many more options available in the 530 chain size, usually less money, as well.  No idea why Honda used the 630 on a small 750cc bike, as I believe it was made for heavier, much bigger engines.

Only tires I ride on (answering original Poster's question), on three very different bikes (440, '79 CB750K, and 1200 heavy touring machine), are Pirelli MT66 Route tires.  Ran these, two-up, bags/trunk/tank bag full of gear, through moderate rain, four days straight, in Canada, leaning in the curves, at 60 MPH, on the CB, for its 30th birthday tour...  Rode like we were glued to the roadway (like-new blacktop), had OEM suspension (crap!  bike was heavily overloaded...) at the time, too.  Same experiences with this same tire on my Voyager, two-up, loaded, riding in rain.  Fantastic tires -- like I said, only thing I will ride on anymore (considered a Car Tire on the Voyager, but have decided to stick with MT66 tires, regardless of price, due to safety, comfort, and traction in all conditions).  YMMV.

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Best thing to do when tire shopping, is to look up rider reviews on brand/model of interest to you.  Find out what people are saying about them, and make an informed decision based on a number of opinions, not just one, or two.  Cheers!
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[Re-run]

Back in the day, chains were not as strong as they are now. The cb came with a 530 chain up till 76, in 77 it was switched. Reason being the bikes made power compared to most machines of the day and chain breakage was an issue.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with running a 630 chain though. The main advantages of a 530 are lighter weight and cheaper, on average. You might save a slight amount of hp but probably not enough for the butt dyno to feel. 530 is also more widely available. there is a kinda brute look to a 630 chain though!

[Re-run]

On my cb, I stuck on a shinko 712 set. I would say they are about bridgestone spitfire in performance level.
Shinkos are a fairly new tire but the molds are actually made by yokohama before their motorcycle tire plant burned up. Shinko is korean, not chinese as some think.

I have had good luck with them, even in rain.

[Lucky 1]

The 630 chain is so heavy compared to the 530 and if the 630 breaks it has so much weight and momentum that it can break your engine cases. It has happened many times.

[Re-run]

Obviously the 530 does too. Which was why Honda changed out the front sprocket from a 16tooth to a 17. This is why many early hondas had crankcase holes. Besides, the chance of a 630 breaking is extremely slim.
A 630 roller chain has over 10,000 pounds of tensile strength. Few 530 chains can match that.

[Truck]

Lets hear it for shaft drives!

[Re-run]

Lets hear it for 15% power loss!!

[TOOLS1]

The 530 O, and X-Ring chains today are much stronger then the 630 chains of the 80s that there is not any reason to run the heavy, and costly 630 chain. Also I know that a riveted master-link sounds strong, and gives a warm fuzzy feeling all over, but I have never had a clip type master-link fail, and they are a lot easier to remove for tire changes, or repairs.
TOOLS

[Re-run]

Todays 530s are stronger, yes, but not when compared to todays 630. But back in the 70s, the 630 was still stronger than the 70s 530. But no, these days there is no reason for a 630. The 630 just has a cool, beefy look to it!

I have never had a master link fail either. I think almost every clip fail is due to improper installation.

people don't get the clip on all the way or put it on backwards or it just isn't seated right. I wouldn't hesitate to use a master, indeed it has been all I have ever used on my cb.

[MarkPBG]

I just got new chain and sprockets on my '74. Went with a 530 o-ring chain, but the older ones don't often have room for a 630 chain. I think I would like the 630, not just because it's made for higher horsepower bigger displacement bikes, but because it can handle the abuse of hard launches for a longer period of time than a 530, even considering both being the newer and stronger versions. I like to get on it from the lights, so that's one advantage of a 630. (I'm fat and I launch hard = more stress on chain…LOL) I had a 17/45 (2.65 ratio) sprocket combo (original was 18/48 = 2.67 ratio) and went with a 18/45 (2.5 ratio, with the 18 front sprocket being much easier on the chain than the sharp radius of the 17 tooth.) I get about 35 MPG now, and that's not being easy on it trying to get good mileage!

I had Dunlop GT501 tires on my bike, super sticky even in the rain and instilled very much confidence in riding, and leaning when possible, but the soft compound is only going to last 3000 miles (at least here in FL where the roads are tire munching shell rock construction), and when I replaced them, I went with Avon AM26 Road Rider tires. Same or better soft track style compound for riding confidence, but they are supposed to last 5000 miles. ($139.16 rear and $&94.88 front via Amazon with free 2nd day shipping)
I have about 400 miles on them now and have just about broken them in (read scrubbed to within a quarter inch of sidewall…very hard to do in FL with no curvy roads!) Will keep you updated if you message me in a few months if you want.

[Classic Love]

HI! I live in Tequesta!

On Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 2:47 AM, MarkPBG [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I just got new chain and sprockets on my '74. Went with a 530 o-ring chain, but the older ones don't often have room for a 630 chain. I think I would like the 630, not just because it's made for higher horsepower bigger displacement bikes, but because it can handle the abuse of hard launches for a longer period of time than a 530, even considering both being the newer and stronger versions. I like to get on it from the lights, so that's one advantage of a 630. (I'm fat and I launch hard = more stress on chain…LOL) I had a 17/45 (2.65 ratio) sprocket combo (original was 18/48 = 2.67 ratio) and went with a 18/45 (2.5 ratio, with the 18 front sprocket being much easier on the chain than the sharp radius of the 17 tooth.) I get about 35 MPG now, and that's not being easy on it trying to get good mileage!

I had Dunlop GT501 tires on my bike, super sticky even in the rain and instilled very much confidence in riding, and leaning when possible, but the soft compound is only going to last 3000 miles (at least here in FL where the roads are tire munching shell rock construction), and when I replaced them, I went with Avon AM26 Road Rider tires. Same or better soft track style compound for riding confidence, but they are supposed to last 5000 miles. ($139.16 rear and $&94.88 front via Amazon with free 2nd day shipping)
I have about 400 miles on them now and have just about broken them in (read scrubbed to within a quarter inch of sidewall…very hard to do in FL with no curvy roads!) Will keep you updated if you message me in a few months if you want.

Mark Davis
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
amateur photographer, hot rodder, motorcyclist, adventurer
"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

---

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NAML

[Classic Love]

I really need a friend locally willing to answer novice questions (though I'm a quick study!)

Please feel free to email me directly @ [hidden email]

On Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 2:47 AM, MarkPBG [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I just got new chain and sprockets on my '74. Went with a 530 o-ring chain, but the older ones don't often have room for a 630 chain. I think I would like the 630, not just because it's made for higher horsepower bigger displacement bikes, but because it can handle the abuse of hard launches for a longer period of time than a 530, even considering both being the newer and stronger versions. I like to get on it from the lights, so that's one advantage of a 630. (I'm fat and I launch hard = more stress on chain…LOL) I had a 17/45 (2.65 ratio) sprocket combo (original was 18/48 = 2.67 ratio) and went with a 18/45 (2.5 ratio, with the 18 front sprocket being much easier on the chain than the sharp radius of the 17 tooth.) I get about 35 MPG now, and that's not being easy on it trying to get good mileage!

I had Dunlop GT501 tires on my bike, super sticky even in the rain and instilled very much confidence in riding, and leaning when possible, but the soft compound is only going to last 3000 miles (at least here in FL where the roads are tire munching shell rock construction), and when I replaced them, I went with Avon AM26 Road Rider tires. Same or better soft track style compound for riding confidence, but they are supposed to last 5000 miles. ($139.16 rear and $&94.88 front via Amazon with free 2nd day shipping)
I have about 400 miles on them now and have just about broken them in (read scrubbed to within a quarter inch of sidewall…very hard to do in FL with no curvy roads!) Will keep you updated if you message me in a few months if you want.

Mark Davis
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
amateur photographer, hot rodder, motorcyclist, adventurer
"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

---

If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below:

http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/Need-a-rear-tire-already-tp4048351p4048373.html

To unsubscribe from Need a rear tire already!, click here.
NAML

[MarkPBG]

If you're in Tequesta, you should join our vintage bike club (based in Palm Beach Gardens) We've got over 50 members so far, everyone's bike is at least 25 years old, all makes and models welcome. We're actually hosting a huge vintage bike show in downtown West Palm Beach next month. We've got the whole block cordoned off, sponsors include PBR, Vintage CB750, Iron & Air Magazine, Parts n More, Lowbrow Customs, Biltwell, Dime City Cycles, Harley Davidson of Palm Beach, and even Ace Cafe!

Check out page 6 on the local shows posting….
http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/Post-your-LOCAL-MOTORCYCLE-EVENT-RALLY-SHOW-quot-HERE-quot-td4023431i100.html#a4048135
There's links to our club and all the sponsors.