Official Fat Rear Tire Thread

Finalcut · #1 10-19-2005, 07:38 PM

It would be real nice to have a solid thread on this topic.
Thought Iâ€™d try and help by consolidating a bunch of info from this forum pertaining to putting a fat rear wheel / tire on Soft Tailsâ€¦.

This is a pretty hot topic â€“ one that I am personally interested in.
Anyone who can share the following info please do:

Very Important! Web Links to the place that you bought your kit from.
Pictures!
What kit did you use.
Did you do the mod your self, or hire a pro.
Did the balance of the bike change due to the need for moving the engine / Trans
How does it handle over all
Are you breaking belts because they are slimmer.
Did your warranty go south.
Did the frame have to be cut or altered.
What list of little things would you suggest that the kit wonâ€™t have that may be missed.
Would you do it all over again.
Any thing else you can think of.

List of links for some various nice looking kits:

Arlen Ness Kit from JP Cycles
http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup...ore=All&page=1

Performance Machine Phatail Kits
http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/...ode=PM-PHATAIL

Customizing Harleys Since 1967
http://www.atlasprecision.com/onlinecatalog.asp

200mm Kit 1987 - 2004
http://www.dohertymachine.com/fat_200_kit.htm

Serveral misc good links - including wide tire conversion kits.
http://www.hdlinks.com/wide_tire_kits.htm

Nice looking 240mm Kit
http://www.chopper-kit-usa.com/fat_t...arley_FXST.htm

One of the best looking kits I've seen on-line.
http://www.performancemachine.com/phatail.html

Nice looking wide tire conversion kit.
http://www.pro-streetcycles.com/acat..._Arm_Kits.html

Several different wide tire kits.
http://www.cas4.com/Wide-Tire/Softail-Widetire-002.htm

Just a catalog link
http://www.heartlandbiker.com/

Arlen Ness Kit for 2000 - 2004 models
http://www.cyclecustomizing.com/prod...m_kit_114.html

Several different wide tire kits
http://www.steelthundercc.com/widerearswingarms.html

Several different wide tire kits
http://www.chubbyschoppers.net/widetirekits.htm

Wide Tire Kit - '97-'99 Models by Harley
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US

Finalcut · #2 10-19-2005, 07:39 PM

Here is a good post from a different thread from
FatBoy2five0

ok , so this is my first post here , but I personally like the fat tire , I am in the process of putting a 250 on the back of my 2003 fatboy, I have several buddies that have big dogs and ironhorses with the 240 and 250 on them, and I agree it takes a little getting use to the added weight on the left side , but after about 10 miles on one you just seem to get use to it, now I am not talking canyon carving here , leave that to the crotch rockets, but just good ole cruising , we cruise around town and/or we ride 150 to 300 miles at a time the larger tire seems to absorb some of the road bumps better and it also seems to brake a little better with a liitle more meat on the ground , about the only time we stop is so they can shake some of the evo buzz off thier hands and butt, love that twincam 88B , anyhow I digress I am using a kit from www.Heartlandbikerusa.com the kit is very complete and the quality is top notch , also you can use all your stock harley spacers, calipers ,rotors, pulley and belt, with the phattail kit from www.performancemachine.com you will have to use thier wheels , pulleys and rotors so the cost is substantially more, look at dmcustoms for a 200 kit
with the Heartland system you also have the option of a one piece sissy bar and seat for the passenger that mounts in about 5 seconds and does not touch the rear fender, so it wont mess up your paint. listen at any rate do what you like, the handling really isnt that big a deal but the look is killer and more than makes up for a slight offset that you really wont notice at all after a few minutes in the saddle,
good luck

Finalcut · #3 10-19-2005, 07:40 PM

Here is a past post from
TCSTD

Here's some kits that would do that http://www.cas4.com/Wide-Tire/Softail-Widetire-002.htm

_____________________________

** Check out the "Do It Yourself " forums on the home page for some usefull information **

TC

That's my story and I'm gonna stick to it!

03 SE Deuce ( For Sale... HERE )

krenshaw · #4 10-20-2005, 12:42 PM

This is a fantastic idea for a thread! I've been looking through a lot of these kits lately and I'm trying to figure out the best one. I really love the look of the Performance Machine kit, but I will also be very interested to see what the Heartland 250 kit will look like/cost. That removable second seat is a big bonus in my book and would love to be able to put that on a 250 kit.

Has anybody done any of these conversions? I'd really like to hear (if you don't mind sharing) how much one of these conversions will cost -- between the kit, labor, and painting of the new fender.

In response to your question about the handling/balance of the bike: I got to spend some time on a Thunder Mountain Customs (240 rear tire) over the summer. Exactly like your post from FatBoy2five0, it did take a little getting used to as the bike seemed to want to drift left in the beginning. But, within a few miles you just naturally compensate for the difference and don't even notice any more. I was truly surprised at how well that bike actually handled, which is what really got me interested to do this conversion on a stock Harley.

Let's keep this thread going!!!

Finalcut · #5 10-21-2005, 09:23 AM

Interesting link

http://www.cyclecustomizing.com/prod...m_kit_114.html

HDWRENCH · #6 10-21-2005, 12:25 PM

After a 200 on a bike that was made for a smaller tire you are going to notice the handling issue. I have ridden up to the 360 and I am not a fan of the wide tire. It really is a "look" thing. The 330 and larger ride extremly poor, you do not lean the bike as you more just drive it buy turing the front wheel. But the up side is that you really do not need a kick stand!! as they will stand on there own

Also when you go wide and stay left side you are taking more of a chance of breaking the output shaft as you have it out so far.

TxMoores · #7 10-21-2005, 12:31 PM

How about the Dunlop Screamin Eagle GT502 180/60B17? HD Part# 43197-04A.... A local HD wrench said it would fit a 4.5 to 5.5 inch wide rim, but I can't find any information to verify this...
Has anyone installed this tire on their Deuce or Night Train? Is the 44075-05 kit necessary if you already have a HD wide tire kit? Can you use the stock spacers? Do you have to notch out or replace your bottom belt guard? Who's on first?

HDF Tech · #8 10-21-2005, 01:54 PM

Keep the links coming guys, I'll gather them and put a post in the DIY with them in it.

Good idea!

GaryC · #9 10-21-2005, 04:50 PM

I put the Screamin Eagle Dunlop GT 502 on my Deuce. I had an indy guy do it. He used a pully spacer and removed my bottom belt guard. He would have notched it but I told him not to bother. I like it without. Anyway, that is all that was needed. I believe that the Dunlop GT 502 is the only 180 tire that can be mounted to the 17x4.5 wheel. Most 180's are for an 18x5.5

TxMoores · #10 10-21-2005, 04:53 PM

Gary,
Thanks!! I measured the inside of my rear fender and it looks like the 150 is as wide as I can go unless I change it out... Does you Deuce have a wider (8"+) rear fender?