Can someone please tell me is there any difference between an 02 rear fatboy rim and the 03? I am looking to buy a new rear rim for my 03 Fatboy and found a person that will give me a really good deal on an 02, but I am not sure if the rims are identical.

Thanks in advance

 

I believe there is a difference in bearing size but am not certain. I think they went to 1" rear wheel bearings that year.

 

I went to my local Harley dealership and asked them this question and they cross referenced axle sizes, bearing sizes, swing arm, etc. they couldn't find anything different between the 2002 and the 2003 other than the part number for the rear wheel. So I purchased the rims. So today after more searching on the internet I found this post:

We often see rear Fatboy wheels for sale on eBay describing them as "fitting 2000 and later". Some of you may know that is not true, and depending on the situation, can cause some major heartache during installation.

The Fatboy rear wheel changed in 2000 to include the new press fit sealed bearing (2.050" OD of bearing). The offset of the rear wheel (relationship of tire position to rotor and pulley) remained the same. In 2003, Harley changed the offset of the rear wheel by 3/32" (the position of the tire was moved over towards the rotor to allow for the 150 Dunlop tire). This doesn't sound like much, but it is enough to cause some problems.

Because of this change, the rear wheel is not completely universal. You can put a 2003 and later rim onto a 2000 - 2002 bike (assuming it is using a 130 tire and has not had the wide tire kit installed), but not the reverse. If you put a 00 - 02 wheel onto a 03 and later, and you use the stock 150 tire, the tire could rub.

Could anyone tell me definitely that I made a mistake in purchasing these rims, also if this is true what I would need to do to make them fit correctly.

Thanks,
Steve

 

2000 and later are all 1" axles. pre 2000 are 3/4".

 

Iwas wrong!!!

 

Was this question ever answered? I have a 2004 Standard and a 2002 Fatboy rear rim that I am planning on putting on with a 150 tire. I have been searching for an answer for about a week now, to no avail Can I put this thing on or not? Voices of experience please!!!