My 2005 FXD has a slight(?) offset to the left of 3/8-1/2 on the rear wheel. Is this normal? I have had no problem with it for 7500 miles. It rides fine, handles fine etc. I was thinking of bumping up to a 180 tire but with this offset it won't work. Waddaya think?

 

I've never seen a Harley that didn't have an off set rear wheel....

 

So this goes back to the issue of the wider tire. With this offset, does a 180 tire still fit with every thing else the same?

 

I'm not sure about an 05 FXD but my 00 FXDX will not allow a 180mm rear from the stock 150mm so I've been told. My rear is offset to the left whcih I heard is done to counter balance the gearbox.

 

Then you have never seen mine.

To the OP, have you checked your alignment on the wheel? Mine did look that way until I aligned the rear wheel, now it is perfectly centered. I run a 160 on the rear of my 05 without a problem. It is possible to do a 180, but from people I trust that I have spoken with, you need an 18" wheel and you need to clean up the inside of the fender. Such as using t-nuts so the surface is flush, planishing the lip on the inside of the fender. It is not an easy, just swap tires and done, but it is possible. A 160 would be an easy swap.

 

160 is all you can do on an 05.