widest rear tire

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widest rear tire

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widest rear tire - 4/26/2008 8:55:26 AM

hotrod351

Posts: 278
Joined: 9/22/2005
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im sure this thread has been beat to death, but what is the widest rear tire i can put on my 1990 fxstc. right now im running a 130-90-16. metzeler is here at the laughlin run and looks like im needing a new rear tire.

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RE: widest rear tire - 4/26/2008 10:09:04 AM

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Joined: 5/23/2005
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Metzeler probably knows. It seems to me I've heard softails will take a 150/80-16, but not for sure. I know a 140/90 will fit.

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Post #: 2

RE: widest rear tire - 4/26/2008 11:34:57 AM

hotrod351

Posts: 278
Joined: 9/22/2005
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i checked with a straight edge and it looks like i can go maybe 1/2 wider. i do remember that i had to let the air out of the tire to get it to clear everything when putting it back in.

(in reply to mp)

Post #: 3

RE: widest rear tire - 4/26/2008 11:53:59 AM

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Joined: 5/23/2005
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Well, 20mm wider is over .78" so a 150 might not work. However, metric tires' measurements are far from accurate.

_____________________________

"A motorcycle is a spiritual object........
When I ride I'm exactly in the moment........it's like meditation. I'm in the flow."
- Indian Larry

(in reply to hotrod351)

Post #: 4

RE: widest rear tire - 4/29/2008 9:32:02 PM

highbars92

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Joined: 5/24/2006
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A 140/90/16 will fit with no modifications. I changed to a 160/60/18 and went with a rear chain. I didn't have to move the tranny over and just went with the sprocket conversion. I have a 4.25" rim with a 46 tooth sprocket.I had to go with a 8.5" fender and custom struts.

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Post #: 5

RE: widest rear tire - 4/30/2008 7:57:56 AM

lionsm13

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Joined: 10/7/2007
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140 for me. It won't rub the belt the way a dunlop does when you back up either. Won't run anything else.

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RE: widest rear tire - 4/30/2008 10:37:51 PM

Abe_Lugo

Posts: 58
Joined: 3/30/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: highbars92

A 140/90/16 will fit with no modifications. I changed to a 160/60/18 and went with a rear chain. I didn't have to move the tranny over and just went with the sprocket conversion. I have a 4.25" rim with a 46 tooth sprocket.I had to go with a 8.5" fender and custom struts.

pretty much the same on mine.

(in reply to highbars92)

Post #: 7

RE: widest rear tire - 5/19/2008 7:16:32 AM

Biggerfoot

Posts: 49
Joined: 3/1/2008
From: Southwest, Ohio
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I have a 1993 Springer Softail and Dunlap 140/90. The drive belt will rub up against the tire when the tire is inflated over 30 psi and I hit turns or bumps. The belt is all the way over to the left on the primary sprocket so a spacer will not work. It is an aftermarket wheel so that may be the problem. It does not dig into the tire...just makes some cosmetic marks. I am still unsure what I am going to do.

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RE: widest rear tire - 5/19/2008 7:46:04 PM

lionsm13

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Joined: 10/7/2007
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You won't have that issue with a metzler as it is not as wide as the dunlop.
I had the same issue too, but when changed to the metzler, the metzler tire no longer rubbed the belt.
It appears to sit a little higher and is not quite as wide as it the dunlop.

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CHANCE FAVORS THE PREPARED MIND

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Post #: 9