I would like to share my learning experience with everyone that is thinking about installing the 21"x3.25 wheel on there late model Wide Glide.

Top wheel 21"x2.15" (stock)
Bottom wheel 21"x3.25




First off, I wanted to learn how to lace a motorcycle wheel. Doesn't look hard but when I dove into the wheel it was a little intimidating. But HEY after 8 hours and multiple do-overs (lace and unlace) I finally found the pattern. Now I can lace a wheel in 30 min. WOOT!


Parts ordered:

1) 21"x3.25" drop center rim from K and G cycles.

2) Pirelli Night Dragon, inner tube, and wheel liner from AMT American Motorcycle Tire.

3) New Timken 205PP bearings from Amazon.

4) Spokes: I needed 9 3/16" length. I found the stock spokes are too long with the wheel I bought from K and G. Called Buchanan's and they asked for the measurement between nipple ridge to nipple ridge on new rim. Mine was 19". A week later I had 40 stainless steel spokes and nipples.

Ok this is where I @#$% up and had the local guy powder coat my hub, spacers, front rotor and a few other bits. I should have paid the extra $100 for shipping and handling and sent the parts to Joe at The Powder Pro. Next time I wont let $100 in S&H get in the way of quality, customer service, and pure awesomeness.












Yep they powdered the WHOLE hub. Being this is my first time I was uneducated on where not to powder. So I busted out the Dremel and lightly sanded in order to install the brake rotor. And the entire time the voice in my head kept saying "You should have sent this to Joe". "Hows that $100 dollars working out for ya now?"

This is the pattern I used while lacing my wheel. Again this worked best for me. I started on one side and laced the inner circle first. Then the outer circle. Using straws saved the wheel from getting scratched by the spokes and it helped my see the pattern.



White arrows: There are 13 nipples between these two spokes (one inner one outter). Green arrows: These are the outer circle spokes each with 3 nipples between them.


When I took my laced wheel, new tire, tube and bearings to my local Harley dealer I asked the service guy if mounting a tire not sold by HD is ok. He said not a problem. A few days later I walk out with a new tire mounted, pressed bearings and trued wheel

After putting the wheel back on the bike I noticed the tire was 1/4" off opposite the rotor.



The fender is a no go. So I thought. But Harley said bring it down and we can retrue the wheel 1/4" over without removing the wheel from the bike. SWEET!! Now I can use the stock fender.



In a few weeks I have an appointment for the guys down at the dealership to retrue 1/4" over.

Here it stands now with out the fender... for now.





Sorry crappy cell phone pics.

Well, I hope this helps someone out in the future. Even with the powder coating issue I still had fun learning how to lace a wheel and wrenching on my bike.

 

Hi,

Good info, top effort for taking it on man

Thanks
Mirrmu

 

Thanks mirrmu

 

Kudos to you for "going for it". Getting it there and doing the work is the best way to learn. Good Job!

 

Looks good. I'm looking to do something with my front wheel too, not a fan of the skinny 21. What size tire are you running now?

 

good job. I just went to a metzler 120 on the stock rim.

 

Thanks again everyone. lol I forgot to mention the tire size.

Pirelli Night Dragon 120/70-21

I love this size over the stock 80/90-21. For me I like how the tire grabs the road and doesn't catch and pull to every grove in the road. Very sturdy IMHO.

 

Nice job. I am too lazy for that. Just bought a DNA twisted 80 21 x 3.25 and mounted a 120 70 21.

 

you put a 120/70 on the stock 2.15" rim? got any pics of that.

 

Looks good! I'm a fan of that spoked 21.
And plus one on sending it to Joe. I'm waiting on a few parts to arrive from him that are in the mail.
I had a local guy PC some stuff for a VTX I used to own and his prep work was atrocious.

Good lookin scoot!