i have a non-ABS 08 ultra that has the laced wheels. I didn't want them when i got got the bike and i am wanting to swap i can run tubeless.

my questions are:
What do i need to look for? i don't want to change wheel sizes, what years will work?
i am unsure of the bearing changes. is there a differance between an ABS wheel and non-ABS other than the bearings? can i put non-ABS bearings in an abs wheel and have it work?
anybody want to trade? lol

 

Any touring wheels 02-08 will work, however for 02-07 wheels you will need to swap the 1" bearings for 25mm, which will include the internal bearing spacers. Your local dealer can supply bearing kits with the parts you need for that. Or simply look out for a pair of cast 08 wheels. ABS bearings can be swapped for plain ones. The cush drive on your rear wheel will swap over to the cast wheel.

 

2008 has 25mm bearings. Both ABS and non were offered for 2008 so it would be easier to find a set of take offs from a non abs bike. If you get an ABS set of wheels all you need to do is swap the left front and right rear ABS bearings out for non ABS bearings. 2008 has it's own rear wheel setup and only a 2008 rear wheel will fit your bike. For the front wheel you can use a wheel off 2008-2015 but the only year that wheels came in 16" front and rear is 2008. After that front wheels changed in size. Rear wheels for 2009 and newer will not fit your bike due to the hub and the width. So, you are in a tough place as only 2008 wheels will fit your 2008 bike. You might be able to use a 2000-2007 wheel with the cush drive bolt on for your 08 but you would need to change bearings and I am not 100% certain this would work.

 

thank you both for your input. i appreciate it, but now i am slightly confused on what will fit the rear....

 

A take off from a 2008.

 

after going over this

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_us...013-wheels.pdf

i find that the rear rims that will fit my bike fit all the below

’00-later XL (except ’11-later XL883L),
’00-’05 Dyna,
’00-’02 Softail (except FXSTD)
’00-’08 Touring models.



am i safe to assume any rear wheel from any of these models will fit?

 

Yes and No. The catalog shows new wheels fit that range as they come with no "guts". to mount on different year bikes, one must buy different "guts". (HD sells wheel kits for different years that include the spacers, bearings, shims, etc) A take off from a different year will not simply mount on a later year without modification to wheel's guts (I.e. 1 inch bearings to 25 mm bearings.

Someone posted up above that 08 was only year with 16 inch front and rear - that is just plain wrong.

 

that is what i assumed. i just wanted to be sure.

anyone know if the spacers and shims from my laced wheel will fit or do i need to buy new? i will be putting new bearings in any wheel i get unless it is new.

 

Putting bearings in is easy, by pressing on the outer casing. Getting them out is not so easy and usually involves pulling on the inner, which risks marking the *****. I wouldn't personally reuse bearings. There is no need to buy Harley ones, which are quite expensive, as they are stock items and widely available. If you remove one and take it to an auto parts shop or bearing shop they should be able to give you top quality replacements. The numbers engraved on the bearing will tell them all they need to know. The internal spacer is reusable.

 

Crush tube should be fine to reuse. Buy 2 bearings per wheel from Harley. I know they sell "install kits" which include crush tubes and bearings but i would imagine you can order just the bearings and save some cash.