Which Wider Wheel?
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From: Bedford UK
Which Wider Wheel?
Assuming I can solve my ‘Wider Fender?’ query, the inevitable follow up question is ‘which wider wheel’, by which I mean wider rimmed wheel? I currently have a 2007 swingarm in my bike, with 1” axle, so this is really a post-Evo question, but we have some knowledgeable experts on here, so fingers crossed with this one!
The widest tyre Avon (my preferred brand) recommend for our 3” x 16” diameter stock wheels is 150/80. The Venom in that size is a great tyre and I thoroughly recommend it. But to go wider the tyres are lower profile and require significantly wider rims, such as 4” plus.
In recent years Harley has started using a wider variety of wheel sizes across the range of models, for example some Dynas and Softails are fitted with 4.5" x 17” rims and 160/70 tyres. That sounds a great size to me! Touring bikes in 2009 made a giant leap from 3” to 6” wide rims, but I reckon that’s a step too far to try and squeeze in to an earlier bike.
So my question is: will a stock Harley 4.5" x 17” wheel take 1” bearings and is it likely to fit a touring 2007 swingarm? Or am I hoping for too much?!
Added later: A Deuce wheel fits, by the skin of it's teeth! Read on.
The widest tyre Avon (my preferred brand) recommend for our 3” x 16” diameter stock wheels is 150/80. The Venom in that size is a great tyre and I thoroughly recommend it. But to go wider the tyres are lower profile and require significantly wider rims, such as 4” plus.
In recent years Harley has started using a wider variety of wheel sizes across the range of models, for example some Dynas and Softails are fitted with 4.5" x 17” rims and 160/70 tyres. That sounds a great size to me! Touring bikes in 2009 made a giant leap from 3” to 6” wide rims, but I reckon that’s a step too far to try and squeeze in to an earlier bike.
So my question is: will a stock Harley 4.5" x 17” wheel take 1” bearings and is it likely to fit a touring 2007 swingarm? Or am I hoping for too much?!
Added later: A Deuce wheel fits, by the skin of it's teeth! Read on.
Last edited by grbrown; Sep 30, 2012 at 06:05 AM. Reason: Link added.
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From: Bedford UK
I'm halfway there with my 150! I really like the idea of a wide rim to support the tyre and a heavy bike. I guess with your bike the axle is 3/4" diameter? I wonder if the later bikes (say 2002 on) went to 1" like the touring bikes did? So many questions....
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I fitted a Deuce 17" wheel into a 96 Dyna with the help of a blacksmith to widen the frame rails. We ran a 170 and it didn't handle as nice afterwards, in fact the owner hated it so much he sold the bike!
You can change the bearings to suit the axle so its no biggie to swap wheels from the different axle sizes.
I do not recommend wider back wheels as an improvement, quite the reverse really...its just a fashion statement.
A guy round here put a 300 on his V Rod and you can run rings round him on corners with a Chinese Scooter :-)
You can change the bearings to suit the axle so its no biggie to swap wheels from the different axle sizes.
I do not recommend wider back wheels as an improvement, quite the reverse really...its just a fashion statement.
A guy round here put a 300 on his V Rod and you can run rings round him on corners with a Chinese Scooter :-)
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From: Anywhere we stop
As for wider back wheels and tires, I have some experience. I had a 2009 FLHTC that came with the big back tire and here is my take. I traded in a 2005 Road King on the 09, the RK had all the tricks to cure the "bagger wobble" so it handles almost as solid as the new frame. It had some flex in the frame, but the rear steer issue was basically solved. The 05 handled better than the 09, in the sence that it would roll down into the corner faster and had a better lean angle. I was also running Elite 3's on the RK caues the 402's are just crap IMO. I live in the mountains and the RK was more fun in the twisties than the 09. The only advantage I see to the bigger tire is mileage and looks, on the 09 both tires wore out at about the same time instead of the 2 rears to 1 front on the RK. While the big rear tire looks cool, it does require more effort to corner and they are ALOT more $$$.
This is JMO, but I have had and rode both tires and prefer the smaller tire for out right handling.
This is JMO, but I have had and rode both tires and prefer the smaller tire for out right handling.
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Thanks chaps. I'm running a 150 at present, on a 3" rim. What I have in mind is a 160 on a 4.5" rim, which seems a better set-up to me, when heavily loaded. Not only would trying to squeeze in a 2009 size wheel be too much effort into a 21 year-old bike, but I agree entirely on not going too wide. The Avon Storm 160/70 tyre I have in mind has the bonus of a better load rating than the tyres we can use on a stock dresser rim. I think it should provide a more stable ride. My bike also has aids to cure bagger wobble, premium shocks, 100+HP/TQ, as well as hot brakes!
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
In essence the parts needed are the swingarm with wheel, brake caliper and axle, plus a set of bushings to adapt to your smaller diameter swingarm axle. However read that thread to see the sorts of thing that tripped me up, although we have done two long distance tours on it since, so it works fine.
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From: DFW
I am running a 180 Metzler on my '97 WG.
* Cut and widened fender rails
* Installed softail fender (bobtail)
* Using an 18" x 5.5" wheel
* 3/4" belt
* Narrower pulley
I have noticed BETTER handling, not worse. In combination with the 21 x 3.5 (120/70) front setup, I can easily go 20+ mph faster through the curves. Better handling and looks so much better than that 130 on the back.
* Cut and widened fender rails
* Installed softail fender (bobtail)
* Using an 18" x 5.5" wheel
* 3/4" belt
* Narrower pulley
I have noticed BETTER handling, not worse. In combination with the 21 x 3.5 (120/70) front setup, I can easily go 20+ mph faster through the curves. Better handling and looks so much better than that 130 on the back.
Last edited by GREENOHAWK69; Aug 3, 2011 at 11:46 AM. Reason: added items