I am in the process of installing a 180 tire on my 07SG. Here is my progress so far. I know some will say why bother I say its paid for and has my touches on it and don't want to pay for a new bike when mine is fine. So far I am to the point of fitting my Frankenstein fender back to the bike before final welding.

The first wheel and tire combo was a 18X5.5 Wheel with and Avon 180/55zr18 which I found the load rating was not in my comfort zone for riding two up that I do a lot of. So switched to a 16x5.5 with and Avon 180/65-16 that made me look at putting a new brake and rotor on for clearance.

Here is a list of parts I am using to do this.
1. Klockworks hardware kit from the MO'Bager kit
2. FBI Spacer Kit for wheel placement.
3. 2009 Fender along with my 07 fender.
4. Light and Fascia for 09 fender.
5. New wheel and tire.
6. 08 and newer rear brake caliper and rotor.

Here are some picks I would like feedback from others that have done this and maybe some comments from people looking to do it and I can help out and just overall thoughts of the project.

 

My 2007 has a dunlop elite bias 160/80/16 its a plug and play tyre.

 

Another member has posted a thread on his mod somewhere on HDF. He cut his stock swingarm and enlarged it, also did a stack of other clever stuff. He has a good workshop and skills, as you appear to have as well! I limited my efforts to adapting a Deuce rear wheel with 160/70 tyre, which isn't a bolt-in either, although it doesn't require quite the same surgery. Look forward to seeing how you progress.

 

I am thinking of doing the same thing for the same reasons. I have a 2004 Road glide with a 2007 motor and 6 speed trans. I reconfigured the Road glide to Road king configuration with a detachable fairing 2 years ago, Paid for and running sweet.
I bought a 09 swing arm and was going to get a fat fender but paused when I priced them from fat *** and FBI.
I am thinking of getting a replacement fiberglass fender, I've seen some reasonable (under $200). Paul Yaffe $700 with light and license plate bracket (still pricey after you add paint.)
The license plate mounting hoop is going to be eliminated also for the clean look.
I bought a 2009 Street glide wheel 16x5.5. I am still looking for axle and spacers.
I'd like to ask you what came in the FBI spacer kit? Are there various sized spacers or is for a specific wheel?
I am subscribed to this thread so I can follow your progress. Please post future pics and progress.
I have plenty of time as I just put a new tire on while I figure out the rest of the details.
Did you say you had to get different brake?

 

The reason for doing that is because the later caliper is detachable from it's anchor, not a single piece, which makes removing and installing a wide rim/tyre in the bike easier. The Brembo calipers were introduced in 2008 IIRC (and are jolly good!).

 

I did look at all the fiberglass ones and just didn't like the looks of them and I wanted to keep my luggage rack on the back because mine is more than just looks I actually use it.

The spacer kit for mine is made for 2007 came with brake side spacer, pulley to wheel, and pulley side axle spacers. They have a different one for 2008. Your setup will be a little more involved with changing out the swing arm but you will probably be able to get a spacer kit with the axle from a 09 or newer and not have to do to much on that and yours will have the IDS.

I did get a new brake caliper and rotor for newer style bikes. This did a few things one the new one is slimmer than the old style two it does brake down into two parts that helps with mounting the wider tire and three future service of changing brake pads. This is also an overall upgrade to the rear braking system. For my tire I did have to trim the bracket that the brake mounts to.

 

Does anyone know what is the minimum spacing I can have between the rear pulley and swing arm? I have about .8 now.

 

Bike is slowly coming back together. A lot of frustration through out this project but hopefully seeing the light.

 

Just some more pics

 

You just need a running clearance, but also want to ensure the belt is fully on the front pulley and not touching against anything. It's wide enough to allow a fair bit of movement of the rear pulley away from the wheel hub.