I have an 06 Street Bob that I am installing a set of 12 Z bars on, My question is I am going to a 21 inch front wheel and I cant decide on these options.

Option 1 (cheapest) Buy a hoop 21x2.15 and lace it to stock hub and use a 90 series 21 inch front tire with the SE 180 rear tire on the OEM 17 inch rear rim. So cost would be $99.00 for 21 hoop,$60 for spokes, and $100.00 for front tire,and $200.00 for the 180 rear tire. I may add in $100.00 for wheel builder and say $75.00 for gloss black powder to match rear rim. So around $600.00 total for 21 conversion and a new 180 rear tire. Not too shabby. I will have to stick with a 90 series GT502 front tire as it will be the only matching front tire to match the screamin Eagle rear 180. i know its stupid to match tires but I am a detail freak.

Option 2 Buy a complete set of wheels already powdered black, sizes 18x5.5 rear with 200 rear Metzeler 880 and a 21x3.5 front with a 120 series metzeler 880 front tire. The wheels will be around $1400.00 and tires around $400.00 more. So about $1800.00 total.

My dilemma is not really the cost. It is the look of the bike. Do you guys like the 18x5.5 setup with the fat 21 front or the skinny front tire with a 180 rear??
The advantages to buying the complete set is when I sell my bike if I ever do I can reinstall the old wheels and keep mine, I also eliminate downtime in building the front wheel. I really dislike the 19 incher on the front especially with apes. I have to get rid of it.

Please try and stay on topic as I am ready to get this done soon,

 

If your dilemma is not really the cost ( but thats all you keep mentioning ) then a very simple solution : WHO CARES WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK , it doesn't get easier that that !

 

Ok, Z bars scream (god I hate saying this) "old school" from the 60's. Throwing a 200 out back seems to be not in line with that sort of 'theme'. In the end, it's your ride and you have to ride it. Do what I do in life-altering decisions...flip a quarter.

 

I say skinny front would look better with the z-bars.

 

I was kinda thinkin the same thing about the 200 rear. I mainly want the bike to look balanced as the only reason I am doing this mod is too fit the bike to my monkey sized self.

I really like the 12 Z bars and if I go with the skinny front wheel tire combo, I can use the narrower 180 rear which sticks with the more skinny profile of older styled bikes.( I realize this is much larger than older bikes still) I already switched back to mid controls and ordered the bars.

I guess the $$ matters, I just didnt want it being the deciding factor. I plan on keeping my scooter for many moons and really want to make it my own, but not make it look like a hack job. Thank You

 

I like the look of the 21" front wheel but did not like the ride on a 2005 Night Train I recently sold. Just seemed to not hug the road as well especially in the rain.

though I may not be thrilled with the 19" looks it seems to be a little better ride.

I am hoping in time to go to a 180 rear and a smaller fatter tire in the front.


If it is the look your 21 with the 180 is in line.

 

man do what you want what the hell do we know