When I purchased my 09 Custom Sportster I had the dealer put on a custom front wheel. I just purchased a new front wheel for my bike. It is a 21" x 2.15" 40 Spoke wheel. I have a 1" axle. My problem is when I went to put the new wheel on, the spacers that were used for my custom wheel I am taking off are too big and my new wheel won't fit. I called my local dealer and they told me since it is an after market wheel they don't know what to tell me. They said they could sell me the stock spacers (for $52 mind you) but they can't guarantee they will work. I bought the rim from 883 Choppers on eBay and it is a legit purchase. The box came from midwest motors and when I called them they really couldn't help me and said they only sell to whole sellers. To end this long story and get to my point......how do I know what size spacers I need? Shouldn't I be able to look it up based on the year and make of my bike and the size of the wheel? Any suggestions....help would be so much appreciated. Below is a pic of the spacers that were on my bike that are too big. Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

My bad....from what I just researched I believe I have a 25mm axle, not a 1" axle since my bike is an 09

 

What do you mean by too big. They are too thick? Then go to a machine shop and have them machined.

 

Yeah....too wide. I guess my question is if there is an exact size or not for me to either have the ones I have modified or purchase new ones?

 

There is certainly a correct width = wheel + spacers. I'd measure the old wheel and the new one and correct as needed.

 

But understand that the difference you end up with may not be equal from one side of the wheel to the other.

What I do is set it up with the axle and wheel and eyeball it as close to center as I can get it, take some measurements and make those spacers out of PVC. When I test fit I may need to sand a little off of one or the other. Once I have the measurements I need I make them out of aluminum. Or you could just order them by axle size & length.

 

Good advice. Thank you both. Gosh I thought there would be an easier way buy just the wheel size and make and model of the bike. Am I correct in assuming the spacers need to be as flush as they can against the axle and the tree (fork) with no wiggle room at all (basically tight as hell)?

 

Yeah. Completely tight (within the appropriate torque specs). If you know that your wheel is from a Sportster you can go to the dealership and get wheel spacers for your bike and they'll work but they're spendy. If your wheel is not from a Sportster then the center hub may be wider/narrower than stock and the spacers will not work correctly.

 

+1

Tip: Make sure you have your front brake caliper on as you do as mreed suggests.