I have my 07 FLHX torn down being painted, I want to install a 21" rim on the front but I read an article that I should lower the forks because running a 21" makes the front end heavy at slow speeds and in turns.

I call my local Harley service department to ask the same question, he puts me on hold and comes back with, "I just asked the tech, he said you don't have to change anything but you have to run a Metzler tire."

What?.....Why?

I don't know, he didn't go into details.

Call another local dealer and he told me you don't have to change anything but it does make sense to lower. He also commented that he doesn't recommend the 21", it has a smaller tire and you have less tire on the ground, etc.
Said if your just gonna ride to bar jump with your buddy and go to bike nights he understands a 21" but if your riding long distance, he has heard nothing but problems from people with 21"

Am I over thinking this?????

 

I have had a 21in rim on my Road King for a few years now and never had any problems. I know for sure I do not have a Metzler tire (not sure what he is talking about). Go for it, you won't be disappointed. Hands down one of my best upgrades. Good Luck.

 

Yes the 21" wheel will have a tire that is not as deep in the aspect ratio (ratio of the height to width) which means you might be more likely to bend the rim if you hit a pot hole
No, you can use any tire
Typically going to a 21" front wheel will raise the front end up about 1" - this will change your front fork rake - you might feel it, you might not
You don't have to lower the front end unless you don't like the look or you feel the bike feels sluggish due to the increase rake angle
You will need to raise your front fender so it doesn't rub on the new wheel
Yes you're over-thinking it - slightly but you're not reinventing the wheel - it's been done by many before you...

 

I also have an '07 SG. I put a 21" wheel on mine with no other changes. Rode it like that for about a year and a half. Then I put the Progressive mono tubes in the forks which lowered the front end 1". I think the bike handles much better with the front lowered. You can do it either way. The bike geometry is much closer to stock with the front lowered.

 

He maybe recommended the Metzlers due to the fender needing modified to raise it slightly for clearance. Maybe the Metzler is a shorter tire, who knows. Drill the rear fender holes out and rock the fender up and be done with it. I lowered mine 1 1/2" with Arlen Ness shorter damper tubes. Handles and rides fine. Just make sure you run about 42 psi in the tire cold. Keeps them from expanding too much at high speed and lessens the chance of a pothole taking out your rim. The footprint is the same or more than a 16" tire.

 

To keep the same riding characteristics and handling geometry of the bike, when you install a 21" front rim, you should lower the front suspension of the bike by 1" as the 21" wheel effectively raises the front end by an inch and a half, more or less.

 

I have an identical setup on my 08, I feel like 21" improved handling to me.

 

i was running 21 since 2006 coast to coast to coast . with no handling problems at all

 

Same for me. 2011 FLHX

 

You do not have to lower the front. It will handle slightly different as you have change the trail and rake slightly.

I have been running a 21 on my Fatboy for five years now. I chose to lower the front one inch while installing progressive mono tubes in the forks.

This puts rake and trail back to stock. It also puts better suspension in the front. Handles just like stock or a little better.