replace 21 with 16 wheel?

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Apr 1, 2011 | 07:13 PM

Robtarra39

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,554

Likes: 52

From: Ottawa Canada

replace 21 with 16 wheel?

I was thinking of replacing my front 21inch wheel with a 16inch wheel.what are your thoughts on this regarding handling and ride comfort, also will it lower the front of my bike? Any one have pics of this on there bikes, except for the fatbob as it already has a 16

Apr 1, 2011 | 11:09 PM

wag_oh_neer

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 149

Likes: 6

From: wichita, ks

I laced a 16" wheel onto my street bob over the winter, I'm very happy with the looks, handling, and ride. The 16" tire measures 25.2" (by the math not an actual measurement). a 120/70-21 measures 27.6, a 90/90-21 measures 27.3, so depending what tire you have now it would lower it about an inch or so.

Apr 1, 2011 | 11:13 PM

wag_oh_neer

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 149

Likes: 6

From: wichita, ks

I only have my phone for browsing or I'd post pics here. If you do a search for 16" wheels you can find the thread I started that has pics of my bike.

Apr 1, 2011 | 11:36 PM

Trippster

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 535

Likes: 6

From: Bellingham, Washington

This is kind of a handy tool for finding different tire diameters.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/tirediamcalc.html

Apr 2, 2011 | 12:24 AM

Los11

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 670

Likes: 5

From: NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robtarra39

You will be fine, the ride is great I think it will be a better ride. I mean I have the Fat Bob so I am used to 16's but i think you will love it. as for the looks that is the only thing you need a certain look to run a 16..

Apr 2, 2011 | 06:24 AM

AFMM3

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,403

Likes: 72

From: North Dakota

I just test rode my 16 inch wheels yesterday. An amazing difference, especially at Interstate speed. Much more sure footed but didn't seem to loose any of the nimble/quick handling. Also, the slow speed cornering is much improved because of the front and rear diameter being the same.

Apr 2, 2011 | 12:51 PM

tspierce

Advanced

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 80

Likes: 1

I didn't like the 16" on my FXDWG so I went back to the 21"

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Apr 2, 2011 | 01:12 PM

SURFOR Chop

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 4,919

Likes: 23

From: Seattle, WA

As I recall, you are sporting a FX Softail (wide glide) front end ... right ...? If so, I believe you could use a FL Softail front wheel without any modifications ... like a take-off from a Heritage, Fat Boy or Deluxe (get the same year group to ensure the axle diameter is the same) ....

Might be a relatively easy experiment that will allow you to resell either your current wheel or the new one if you don't like it ....

By the by ... I like the 16" fat front wheel over the stock 19" mine came with ....

R/
'Chop