parts swap

[vdubbles24]

I'm currently building a 1974 CB360 rat bike, and my upper tree has the usual cracks. I just scored a free 1979 Honda xl500 complete minus motor. I wanted it for the 23" front wheel with drum brakes, but I was wondering if the trees would be compatible on the 360?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Brandon

 

[killerx]

Go to Denniskirk.com and look up the bearing numbers for each bike. If they match, measure the neck length on each bike. If they are close it should work.

 

[Coopcan]

Check out allballsracing.com they have a front end conversion chart that will tell you what top and bottom bearings you need for and easy swap

 

[vdubbles24]

Thank ya


I'm stoked about the 23" wheel as well, that is if its the correct wheel Getting the 500 free sight unseen, supposedly complete minus motor.

 

[vdubbles24]

Top bearing is the same on both bikes, the bottom on the CB is I.D.30mm O.D 50mm and W 14.25mm. The bottom on the XL is I.D. 27mm O.D. 48.5mm and W 18mm.

So now I'm on the hunt for a bearing I.D. 27 O.D. 50 and W 14.25 that's what I'm figuring. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[vdubbles24]

Anyone ever swapped a stem from say a 360 and put it into another set of trees?

I measured today the CB stem is a little bit longer than the XL stem. Correct me if I'm wrong the XL stem has a dia of 27mm at the bottom, the CB is 30mm at the bottom. So in theory I could machine out the lower tree from the XL and put stem in, to accommodate my CB neck with the CB bearings.

 

[irk miller]

You shouldn't have to machine anything. You get bearings with the OD of the frame neck, the ID of the stem and the necessary depth. Plus get the appropriate race to make it all fit right. All Balls has a chart to sort it out, or just call them and they can line you up with the right setup. Your only real concern is having a stem that is long enough. Too short a stem and there's nothing you can do about it except change the stem (which is the other, more complicated option).

 

[vdubbles24]

The CB stem is longer than the XL stem.

All Balls didn't have the swap option for these two, they didn't even carry the bottom bearing I would've needed for the swap. Machining the lower tree is my only solution since the shorter stem comes into play.

 

[vdubbles24]

Got the lower tree machine just a bit ago to fit the 30mm stem from the CB360. The xl500 stem is 9" long, the cb360 stem is 9 5/8" long. So now I can use the proper CB stem with the XL trees. The upper bearing in both bikes is the same, so this way I can use the correct CB bearing kit. No mixing and matching.


Now I'm considering using the rear wheel off the XL its a 18" as well. Only difference is it is a little wider "cleaner looking as well" The axle diameters are the same, may have to make some spacers. The sprockets are a different chain sixe as well so I'm hoping the mounting holes line up from the CB sprocket to the XL hub. If not may have to modify it just a tad.

I'll try to post a pic of the CB stem mod I did.