I have a 97 sportster xl1200c. i have been riding it for a while and love it just wish the rear tire was a little wider. I have the stock wheels and it is time for some new tires and i just want to change it up a little. i know i cant go ridiculously wide but i want to keep the same rim and just add a slightly bigger tire let m eknow what you all think thanks

 

Not sure of the exact dimensions between a 97 and 02, but I put on a Dunlop D401 150 on the rear.
Took some encouragement from a patron of this forum, different axel spacers, pully and rotor spacers, switching the fender bolts so the threads were "out"-(used carrige bolts and ground the heads down), and in general clean-out the inside of the fender, loose/modify the belt guards.... other than that it fit like a dream. :-P
Basically went to the local hardware and left with 10 lbs of washers to fab it all up, then picked up the spacers from a local Indy.
Will be honest and have to say- tolerances are TIGHT.

 

I think you can manage a 160 on it but I wouldn't recommend doing so. You risk losing surface contact at that point. 150 is the best bet.

 

X- just incase you missed it, he has a '97. I really doubt a 160 is gonna fit....
I have 0.016" between my pully and swing arm, belt rubs when rolling backwards, and brake pads must go in after wheel is in place. I am going on a limb here... but IMHO, 160 ain't gonna happen unless it is one of them "skinny" 160's... even then?????

 

Oops. :O

 

I've looked at 160s and the makers' data gives quite widely different actual fitted widths for them. It is as if the 160 has the greatest variation out there. My own experience with a 150 is that the maker says it has a fitted width of 150mm, but on my 3" rim it actually measured 153mm. So makers' data cannot be trusted if clearances are likely to be tight! On earlier bikes there is is also likely to be a clearance problem in the rear fender with wider tyres.

 

The biggest tire you can put on your 97 without any modding is a 130. That will leave you with less than a 1/4" between your sidewall and your drive belt.

 

Certain 140's will fit, you have to check them close or a 150 will fit if you switch to a chain with offset pulleys. I have a 150 on my 2000 using Zippers offset pulleys and chain it took some work but it works perfect, been using it for about 8 years now. Your bike would be easier than mine because at the time I did mine they only had parts for the 99 and older bikes, about the only hard part for you would be spacing the sprocket cover out a little to get clearance.

 

After reading this thread I’ve a question regarding a 1996 Sportster 883 with stock laced wheels. With no major modifications except for removing the rear fender, what is the widest rear tire that will fit … a 140? I also have the same question concerning the widest front tire with front fender removal only. Thanks

 

In the rear I went with a 150 on my 99. I had to slightly widen the swing arm, space the rear pulley out a bit with a custom spacer (can't remember where I ordered that), used carriage bolts as mentioned above, spaced out the shocks slightly, and removed my pulley covers. Not hard to do and it fills up the rear fender much nicer.



As you can see the space is very tight. Be sure to have your turn signal wires tucked in nice and tight to the fender or they will rub (sho-goo is great for this as it protects them and holds them). With the wires tucked away, nothing rubbed on mine.