Rear Wheels/tires, The End All Discussion

There seems to be a lot of questions about rear wheel and tire sizes and fitment, here is the answers to all who inquire, please correct me if I make a mistake.

Rear wheel ID picture

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vfrwheels.JPG

3rd Gen wheels, 90-93, the infamous 8-spoke

Size: 17"x5.5"

OE Tire: 170/60-17

Tire recommendations: 180/55-17 is the best handling tire you can put on a 5.5" rim, nothing else.

The 170 will not put as big of a rubber contact patch down when cornering hard. The 190 tire will be too big, not as stable handling in hard cornering.

Fitment: Will fit all VFR's 90-09 without any problems

Weight: 13.1 lbs

4th gen, 94-97

Size: 17"x5.0"

OE Tire: 170/60-17

Tire recommendations: 170/60-17 is recommended for the 5.0" rim, a 180 will work, but won't be as stable handling in hard cornering. Some may argue this, the 180 will work, but I think the 170 is a better choice.

Fitment: Will fit all VFR's 90-09 without any problems

Weight: approx 12 lbs, please confirm me this.

5th & 6th Gen, 98-01, 02-09

Size: 17"x5.5"

OE Tire: 180/55-17

Tire recommendations: 180/55-17 is the best handling tire you can put on a 5.5" rim, nothing else.

The 170 will not put as big of a rubber contact patch down when cornering hard. The 190 tire will be too big, not as stable handling in hard cornering.

Fitment: Interchangable between 98-09 no problem, and will fit 90-97 with notching modification to hub mounting surface.

The bolts for the brake rotor stick out instead of being flush, as shown in pic. This mod has been shown, use the search feature.

Weight: 13.1 lbs

[image: gallery_4071_2768_16398.jpg]

vfrhubs.JPG

See, now this was helpful. I thought the 8 spokers were 17x5. Now I know. Might have to look for one to make the switch. :rolleyes:

SLO, yes that 8 spoker in the pic will fit your late model VFR.

Dallas,

Are you certain about the weight of these wheels without a tire mounted? I have not confirmed but have always heard that an 8 spoke is about 1/2 lb lighter than the 5th/6th gen wheel...

This question is about FRONT wheel interchangeability : Will a 6th generation (2002) front wheel, with rotors fit on a 5th generation ('98 - '01) bike ? I can get one at a good price but I can't try to fit into my ('98 vfr) forks w/o buying and having it shipped. Anyone know the answer ?

Front wheels from '98-'09 all the same.

ABS equipped VFR's model have an ABS sensor ring on the front brake disc on one side. You can still use it on non-ABS VFR's though; the ABS ring can be unbolted and removed, which has no affect on the braking of a non-ABS bike.

[image: View Post]SAFE-T, on Sep 8 2009, 06:26 PM, said:

fuldogg

SAFE-TFront wheels from '98-'09 all the same.

ABS equipped VFR's model have an ABS sensor ring on the front brake disc on one side. You can still use it on non-ABS VFR's though; the ABS ring can be unbolted and removed, which has no affect on the braking of a non-ABS bike.

Thanks for the info.

FYI-You will need to use the axle spacers off your 5th gen. I did the opposite (5th gen front on a 6th gen) and noticed the spacers are different widths.

What other NON-VFR wheels will mount up to our beasts? I'm sure some Ducati wheels must, any Triumph rims that will go on? Who else has SSSAs? Rims are an easy place to lose some weight, would love to find a light(er)weight option for my '98!

2fast2young

What other NON-VFR wheels will mount up to our beasts?

Short answer: nothing else bolts up to the stock VFR hub.

Some car wheels will actually do the trick. I couldn't find the thread but there was once a thread (that I actually started) about a guy whose Z1000 had a ZX-10R front end and a VFR SSSA. I forget what kind of rear rim he used but it was an aftermarket car rim. It looked sick. It just so happened to have the correct offset, number of lugs, lug pattern, diameter, and width for his 190 tire (it may have even been a 180 like ours.)

[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 02 December 2009 - 12:05 AM, said:

Many Honda cars use the same lug nuts, threads, PCD etc. as the VFRs.

VFR Capt.Bob

EmeraldVFR

Some car wheels will actually do the trick. I couldn't find the thread but there was once a thread (that I actually started) about a guy whose Z1000 had a ZX-10R front end and a VFR SSSA. I forget what kind of rear rim he used but it was an aftermarket car rim. It looked sick. It just so happened to have the correct offset, number of lugs, lug pattern, diameter, and width for his 190 tire (it may have even been a 180 like ours.)

Oh Reeeaaalllyy? :biggrin:

The only issue here, is the offset of the wheel is combined with a spacer plate between the hub and the wheel which allows the wheel to clear the swingarm. This pushes the wheel to the right of center and the guys that do these swaps on inline bikes move the entire swingarm to the left to compensate! Not happening on a VFR!

It's possible, for sure, but you would HAVE TO find a 17x5.5" car wheel with a 4x100mm bolt pattern(Honda or early VW for example). Then figure out if the offset is correct(distance from hub mating surface on wheel to outer edge of hub side of wheel).

Once you've got that figured out, then you can search for a design you like and the weight of the wheel... most car wheels are going to be heavier.

Here's a Z1000 with a ZX-10R front end (forks, fender, and wheel) and a VFR SSSA. The rear wheel is an automotive aftermarket wheel. The guy that built this said it was.

[image: Z1000.jpg]

EmeraldVFR

Here's a Z1000 with a ZX-10R front end (forks, fender, and wheel) and a VFR SSSA. The rear wheel is an automotive aftermarket wheel. The guy that built this said it was.

[image: Z1000.jpg]

The guy's name was Gavin Butts, he was a member on customfighters.com. The wheel is a Konig car wheel.

I say "was" because he recently died in an accident he had with that bike. Unrelated to the wheel.

umm, dumb question, maybe ... the 8 spoke wheel is very nice, and like most I too want one.

BUT, is there such a thing as an 8 spoke front rim ?

I don't think I have ever seen one ...

Are the 8 spoke rear rims very difficulty to obtain, or perhaps relatively available.

How much $$ does one usually fetch.

TIA

Bikes

umm, dumb question, maybe ... the 8 spoke wheel is very nice, and like most I too want one.

BUT, is there such a thing as an 8 spoke front rim ?

I don't think I have ever seen one ...

Are the 8 spoke rear rims very difficulty to obtain, or perhaps relatively available.

How much $$ does one usually fetch.

TIA

IIRC, all front wheels have always been the 5-spoke design of some type.

8-spokers start at around $200 (very cheap) and continue on up to new price of around $750. I do believe that they are still available new from the dealer if you just have to have one.

I picked mine up for under $300 shipped with a decent tire.

[image: View Post]hondalover, on 03 December 2009 - 05:00 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Bikes, on 03 December 2009 - 12:07 AM, said:

EmeraldVFR

I never knew that. All the ones I've seen have all been 6-spokers. If you've got a 5-spoker, can you post a picture? Where did you get it?

They're all 6 spoke wheels except the 1st & 2nd gen. With a few exceptions. :blink:

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Hi Im new to this group, I am doing a swing arm conversion to my 90 CBR600, I have a single sided swing arm from a 96 VFR750 4th gen. If Im reading this right the hub bolt pattern is the same on all the single sided swing arm VFRs? And it looks like any 90 09 rim will work/Fit. and does the rim have to be off a 750? what about a VFR800? Any other info anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ethan

ethanch

Hi I’m new to this group, I am doing a swing arm conversion to my 90 CBR600, I have a single sided swing arm from a 96 VFR750 4th gen. If I’m reading this right the hub bolt pattern is the same on all the single sided swing arm VFR’s? And it looks like any 90 – 09 rim will work/Fit. and does the rim have to be off a 750? what about a VFR800? Any other info anyone has would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ethan

Yes, they all fit and the very first post of this thread explains you question about each type of wheel. :wheel:

Welcome to VFRD.

The only Honda OEM five-spoke Enkei-type wheel I know of is the NR's 16"...and that may actually have been made by Magtek, like the rear. If there were a 17" Enkei-type front wheel (3.5" width, of course), I'd love to hear about it!

Ciao,

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 02 December 2009 - 11:24 PM, said:

[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 02 December 2009 - 11:17 PM, said:

Does anyone know the offset of the OEM rear wheel for the 6th gen?

Ok need a quick answer. I checked around here but found nothing conclusive. 4th gen (1994) VFR, I bought my 8 spoke, its prepped, black and shiney, ready for a tire. Can I run the 180/55/17 rear or will it hit necessitating a 170? If it does hit, what can be done (if anything) to make clearence? Let me know as I am gonna mount this sucker up tomorrow depending on the answer (the 180 is in stock at my local shop). Thanks in advance!

Tripped over this topic, and also found out that WORK wheels makes a 17x5.5" wheel in a 4x100 bolt pattern.

http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/wheels/23/48/Schwert%20SC1%20Spec.pdf

And as another data point - member HyoFighter discovered that the CB1000R rear wheel goes onto the VFR, as does the front with a few mods.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/65548-a-different-wheel-option/page__p__768468#entry768468

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I haven't found any threads yet. Has anyone tried a 7th Gen on an earlier Gen, say 4th? I quite like the look of the new wheels.

WestOfBen

I haven't found any threads yet. Has anyone tried a 7th Gen on an earlier Gen, say 4th? I quite like the look of the new wheels.

7th gen is a 5 lug. it looks bad ass, but its not gonna happen...

I am wondering what the better solution would be:

1. use a spacer between my Gen 6 rear wheel and my Gen 3 SSA hub interface

2. Dremel the Gen 6 rear wheel mating surface to clear the exposed bolts coming out of the gen 3 hub

The short of it is that I want to swap rear wheels between my Gen 3 and Gen 6. The 8-spoker '93 wheel works great on the 2004. but, the reverse is not true. I would rather not hack up the 5-spoker rear wheel, however.

Suggestions?

will a VFR400 rear wheel fit the 5th gen? not sure if i missed something. just looking

An 8 spoker of a 1993, freshly powdercoated with a 180 PR2 weighs 11.7 kilo.
An OEM 4th gen wheel (1997) with a 170 PR2 weighs 11.9 kilo

^ Tyres can vary in weight by a fair amount.

[image: 10_tireshootout_specs1.jpg]

But it's interesting that the wheel with the physically smaller tyre weighed the most! (both tyres PR2).

I guess Honda over-engineered the 4th Gen wheel.

I am wondering what the better solution would be:

1. use a spacer between my Gen 6 rear wheel and my Gen 3 SSA hub interface

2. Dremel the Gen 6 rear wheel mating surface to clear the exposed bolts coming out of the gen 3 hub

The short of it is that I want to swap rear wheels between my Gen 3 and Gen 6. The 8-spoker '93 wheel works great on the 2004. but, the reverse is not true. I would rather not hack up the 5-spoker rear wheel, however.

Suggestions?

I'd counter sink the hub and run the bolts on the other side...

RC45 wheels?

Ciao,

JZH

RC45 wheels?

Ciao,

I'm with JZH... what work was done on the conversion?

I recall seeing that mod done where the four factory holes were welded up. A bit of work, but not particularly difficult for a good welder.

The Phantom

I recall seeing that mod done where the four factory holes were welded up. A bit of work, but not particularly difficult for a good welder.

Not very difficult at all.

mello dude

JZH

RC45 wheels?

Ciao,

I'm with JZH... what work was done on the conversion?

There are different ways to go about it. I chose a way that I could use the parts I already had and I can easily obtain.I already had a Hawk GT spindle. This would be a direct bolt-on but it's a few millimeters short on the sprocket side. So I had my fabricator marry the Hawk GT's spindle and my VFR's spindle together. The Hawk's spindle has the inner spline that you would need for the inner wheel axle, which is used to hold the wheel onto the spindle. That inner axle may need to be extended, in my case it had to. It depends on how the two spindles are married. You'll need to source the inner axle, wheel nut base, wheel nut, and nut washer from an NC30, NC35, RC30, RC45, etc. Ebay UK is your best bet. Finally, the lug holes need to be heli-arced shut for the finished look then powdercoated. That's it.

That's a nicely done Hawk, indeed. Did you turn the NC35 sprocket carrier around the wrong way? Looks better that way, gives me further ideas for a project in motion. Thanks for the idea!

Gen3 wheels looks great on the later models.

[image: post-30134-0-06976500-1405480135.jpg]

TheStig

That's a nicely done Hawk, indeed. Did you turn the NC35 sprocket carrier around the wrong way? Looks better that way, gives me further ideas for a project in motion. Thanks for the idea!

Flipping the sprocket carrier is a common trick to get the proper chain alignment for cushless conversion on VFRs and Hawk GTs (RC31).

Excellent. I learnt something new today. Thanks!

Looks better with the sprocket carrier flipped too. Currently working on a similar conversion, although I'm temped (sorely!) by Dymag carbon wheels - which is the main reason for the conversion...
BTW, the Bros / Hawk swingarm looks a lot like the VFR750's as far as brake mounting is concerned. How did you make the brake underslung?

TheStig

BTW, the Bros / Hawk swingarm looks a lot like the VFR750's as far as brake mounting is concerned. How did you make the brake underslung?

On both the Hawk (mounting on top) and VFR (mounting on the bottom), the brake mountings are stock.

Ah yes, sorry - I must've been seeing double! :happy:
Anyways, I'm sure you've seen it, but there's an underslung kit available for the hawk that might work on VFR's too. Something I shall research more: http://www.hawkgtforum.com/forum/forum/honda-hawk-gt-bros-discussions/general-discussion/25919-hawk-forum-custom-made-parts-thread

Fantastic looking hawk you have there anyways - congratulations. :wink:

will a 4th gen sprocket carrier fit on a 5th gen?

part 6 and10 (etc) in this pic

[image: post-8974-0-82956200-1427913198.jpg]

What about the rear axle (part #3)? will that fit on a 5th gen?

It will fit but you need every other RC45 part to make it work... its about a 5K investment..

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[image: post-3131-0-81626500-1427935161.jpg][image: post-3131-0-97442400-1427935080.jpg]

It will fit but you need every other RC45 part to make it work... its about a 5K investment...[image: post-3131-0-75726800-1427935133.jpg]

[image: post-3131-0-81626500-1427935161.jpg]

[image: post-3131-0-97442400-1427935080.jpg]

Clear on the axle.

That leaves the sprocket holder..... (part #10 in the pic)

A fellow VFR rider has deep scratches in his 5th gen holder and I have a spare 4th gen.

The partnumbers are different, bit will it fit? :unsure:

Different diameters, so would be a loose fit!

Ciao,

Cheers, we like it nice and tight so we'll give this a miss...

Anyone got any pictures of or a how to guide for notching the 5th gen+ wheels to fit the 3rd and 4th gen. I see a lot of talk but no solid how-to's for it, I wouldn't mind trying a CB1000R on mine but don't want to attack it with an angle grinder till I know what's really needed.

Man those cb1000r wheels look awful.

I don't have any pics, as my VFR is 1/4 of the planet away from me, but if you take some clay, or some putty, or anything that is transferrable, and place it on the heads of the bolts gently/loosely, then mount the wheel, you'll see where you need to radius the inner face of the wheel. Then you take a dremel, or equivalent, and SLOWLY make a circular indent into the inner face of the im. If you Google this " blending turbine blades" you'll get the idea. You want a nice clean semi circle, so the wheel won't crack due to stress risers. It isn't hard, just takes a little patience. 

If you don't want to notch the wheel, you could just replace the disc bolts instead...

[image: 20160422_195628x.thumb.jpg.6d07f53220b34ab8d7f395a344b72cdd.jpg]

I always get the nomenclature wrong, but I think they're BMW "S1000R" disc bolts.  I used some titanium ones off eBay, but you could also use OEM BMW.  There's enough clearance on the other side for flanged nylock nuts--at least there was on my 3rd gen.

Ciao,

rc4six, 16/07/2014 at 3:33 AM

There are different ways to go about it. I chose a way that I could use the parts I already had and I can easily obtain.I already had a Hawk GT spindle. This would be a direct bolt-on but it's a few millimeters short on the sprocket side. So I had my fabricator marry the Hawk GT's spindle and my VFR's spindle together. The Hawk's spindle has the inner spline that you would need for the inner wheel axle, which is used to hold the wheel onto the spindle. That inner axle may need to be extended, in my case it had to. It depends on how the two spindles are married. You'll need to source the inner axle, wheel nut base, wheel nut, and nut washer from an NC30, NC35, RC30, RC45, etc. Ebay UK is your best bet. Finally, the lug holes need to be heli-arced shut for the finished look then powdercoated. That's it.

Can I ask what you (rc4six) did with the VFR. It's a 3rd Gen wheel that is normally located and driven by the wheel mount studs and nuts - which are no longer used. I assume you used a 400 axle, but how did you match the wheel to the drive pins? Did you have to machine the back mount face of the wheel to accommodate the drive pins?