Scratch rebuild of my Japanese import Bros 650 Mk1

[Hondaenthusiast]

Hi all

I am getting started on my Honda Bros 650 over the winter months in the UK and will post pics and progress, hopefully to get done by August 2023.

Just a quick question, I'm fitting a VFR750 rear wheel, can anyone confirm if it will take a VFR750 180 section tyre without fouling the Bros swing arm. I have the VFR Hub and that fitted well.

Regards. Hubert

[Captain 80s]

Just a quick question, I'm fitting a VFR750 rear wheel, can anyone confirm if it will take a VFR750 180 section tyre without fouling the Bros swing arm.

I don't know the direct answer, but I have a question that may end up being relevant...

What year VFR wheel? or... 5.0" or 5.5" ?

[ricksax]

I am running a five-spoke VFR wheel with a 170 section rear. It just fits, and actually is more tire than I need. I believe that a 180 tire may require you to sand the inside of the swing arm, but I'm sure others here know.

[Hondaenthusiast]

Thanks both, I have new tyres which were bought to fit the Bros wheels, does anyone know if the handling would be affected adversely if I fitted those.....its a 97 vfr 5spoke wheel and i'm using a cbr600f3 front.

Thanks in advance

[Captain 80s]

I don't think a 180/55 on a 5.0 rim is recommended. But a lot of people run tires beyond manufacturer's recommendations. It will change the profile it was designed to have. 160 or 170 is the sweet spot on a 5".

I have 5.5" rims on two VF1000 and I still run a 170/60 because I prefer the profile.

What size tires do you have for the BROS wheels?

[Hondaenthusiast]

Hi sorry for the delay in replying, I have a 110 70 17 front and a 160 60 17 for the rear...I also have a matched new front in 120 70 17 if needed.

Thanks in advance
Hubert

[Captain 80s]

The 160 rear for the 5.0 rear is just fine, as the CBR600F3 with a 5.0 came with that.

The front I am hesitant to comment on. Pretty sure that is the size (110/70) I recently got for my CB-1 with a 3.0" rim.

But, the few tire size / rim width charts I just visited list a 3.5 as acceptable. And if given an acceptable range, I prefer to be on the wider end of the rim spectrum for a particular tire size if the nominal recommended combo is not an option.

I'd personally go for it if I had already purchased tires in those sizes. But somebody will now come along and say you're gonna go straight into a ditch and die. Its just the way these topics seem to go.

Edit: I see you updated your post to say you also have a 120/70. Run that. Sell the 110 to somebody with a stock bike.

[Hondaenthusiast]

Thanks , that's very helpful...it's good to know that I can use existing tyres which I have already.

I'll post up a picture soon of how it stands at the moment.

Cheers H

[Hondaenthusiast]

I've just discovered the bottom frame slider is nla, has anyone got a solution for this? Maybe from another Honda model or make one from a rubber block

Thanks in advance

[Hawk04]

frinesi2 makes chain rollers

[Hondaenthusiast]

Thanks I've sent a private message to him

[Forcerouge]

I've just discovered the bottom frame slider is nla, has anyone got a solution for this? Maybe from another Honda model or make one from a rubber block

Thanks in advance

The temporary solution I used was to take some regular corrugated cardboard, wrap it in duct tape to protect it, then tape it on the frame so that the chain runs on it.
I made about 300km so far with this and it worked just fine, not even a scratch on the tape, I was surprised.
Obviously not a durable solution, but if you need it to work for a while it is a good trick.

If you can wait for a few weeks and are not in a hurry, I am working on a 3D printable slider, I'm fairly confident it is going to work.

[Hondaenthusiast]

Thanks however I'm going to make my own bracket and fit a good quality chain roller.

[6]

If you can do without the center stand and side stand you can get rid of that whole interference with a sawz-all..

Just an option.

[ricksax]

frinesi2 makes chain rollers

This, chain roller. Then you can run your chain loose and never worry. Plus, I need my center stand.