2012 Wide Glide Rear Wheel Question

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Aug 15, 2012 | 09:43 AM

CB024

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Road Master

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From: Surprise, AZ

2012 Wide Glide Rear Wheel Question

The stock wheel is 17 x 4.5 with a 180/60 17 tire. Does anyone see any potential problems going to a 16 x 4.5 rear wheel with a 180/60 16 tire? I know the "gearing" would have to change because the diameter would be smaller. I was thinking about doing this and adding a few more degrees of rake to the frame. I'm not sure how much this would affect the geometry of the bike. Thoughts?

Aug 15, 2012 | 10:11 AM

FXDWG12

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From: Arkansas

You'll gain some torque on the bottom end. But your top end will suffer. And at your normal crusing speed, you'll be turning more RPM's than before.

Aug 15, 2012 | 10:21 AM

CB024

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From: Surprise, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by FXDWG12

You'll gain some torque on the bottom end. But your top end will suffer. And at your normal crusing speed, you'll be turning more RPM's than before.

Correct. That is where the gearing would come in (pully change).

Last edited by CB024; Aug 15, 2012 at 10:25 AM.

Aug 15, 2012 | 11:01 AM

Overcast

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a few more degrees

How do you intend to add a few more degrees of rake to the frame?

Aug 15, 2012 | 11:05 AM

CB024

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From: Surprise, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overcast

How do you intend to add a few more degrees of rake to the frame?

Cut and weld. Not by me of course. Have a professional shop do it.

The diameter of the rear wheel and tire should lower the back of the bike 1/2". It should also allow the rim & tire to be moved forward 1/2" if necessary. I'm not sure what the 1/2" lowering in the rear is going to do to the overall rake and trail in the front though. Anyone have an idea?

Last edited by CB024; Aug 15, 2012 at 11:09 AM.

Aug 15, 2012 | 12:01 PM

WG2011

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From: Savage, MN

I lowered my 2011 WG 1" in the rear only (left the front stock) and it rides just fine. I know this is not exactly the same but its close to what your intention would be I assume.

Aug 15, 2012 | 12:22 PM

CB024

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Road Master

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From: Surprise, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by WG2011

I lowered my 2011 WG 1" in the rear only (left the front stock) and it rides just fine. I know this is not exactly the same but its close to what your intention would be I assume.

Cool. Thanks for that info. I'm not sure how much lowering the rear affects the rake and trail. According to Harleys site the stock rake on our wide glides is 34 degrees and the trail is 5.2 so I have a baseline to work from. I need to get a hold of a frame geometry calculator. That way I can also see what happens if I had the back bone and down tube both stretched 1".

I'd like to get as close to 40 degrees as possible without making the bike handle like crap.

I managed to de-rail my own thread. Started out about the rear wheel and ended up on frame geometry. A.D.D. much? lol