Difference between a current softail and an Evo one
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
No! They mark the change-over from tapered roller wheel bearings to sealed ball races, which have a larger OD, hence larger diameter bearing housing. The consequence of that is the central hole in the rotors and rear pulleys are larger in OD. Swapping wheels can be done, but they may not bolt right in and may require a bit of effort to get things working together.
I've changed both wheels of my 1990 Glide for later ones. IMHO this is custom work, not simple routine bolt-in stuff.
I've changed both wheels of my 1990 Glide for later ones. IMHO this is custom work, not simple routine bolt-in stuff.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
No! They mark the change-over from tapered roller wheel bearings to sealed ball races, which have a larger OD, hence larger diameter bearing housing. The consequence of that is the central hole in the rotors and rear pulleys are larger in OD. Swapping wheels can be done, but they may not bolt right in and may require a bit of effort to get things working together.
I've changed both wheels of my 1990 Glide for later ones. IMHO this is custom work, not simple routine bolt-in stuff.
I've changed both wheels of my 1990 Glide for later ones. IMHO this is custom work, not simple routine bolt-in stuff.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
FWIW online parts finder says the front axle is the same for both EVO and early TC softails.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
The later forks use a different axle and spacers and I suspect the rotors are a different OD, hence my comment about such changes being custom work. The fat end of the axle is larger in diameter than the earlier one. So it may well be possible to use the earlier axle, but it will require a spacer to adapt it to the hole in the end of the r/h slider. Although I have all these parts here, unfortunately it isn't a matter of moments to inspect them all. Sorry about that!
Later sliders can indeed use later calipers, but requires matching rotors as well, simply make sure you buy compatible parts. I have late sliders (new take-offs) with Brembo calipers (near new take-offs), which require the use of matching larger diameter rotors. Unfortunately I don't have stock old rotors to compare with later ones, hence can't give as definitive a reply as I would like.
Later sliders can indeed use later calipers, but requires matching rotors as well, simply make sure you buy compatible parts. I have late sliders (new take-offs) with Brembo calipers (near new take-offs), which require the use of matching larger diameter rotors. Unfortunately I don't have stock old rotors to compare with later ones, hence can't give as definitive a reply as I would like.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Yea thats what i thought as well
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
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From: WV
no need for new wheels. I did this to my 97 ultra. First I don't know what year they switched they switched to the 1" axle on the fat boy but if your new sliders are for 1" axle all you need to do is get a 1" axle and have a machinists machine the axle down to 3/4" from the shoulder of the big end all the way to the taper on the little end. All your existing spacers and Speedo drive if you have one bill go right back in place. Did a lot of research on this subject before doing the mod and this was the simpliest route. And if your worried aboit the strength of the axle don't it made from same material as your current 3/4 axle and I got 15k or so on mine since the mod 8k of that is fully loaded 2 up touring.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
My experience is with a Glide, but it seems the Softails fork ends are different. Check the OD of your front rotor with the later rotors, so ensure they are the same, otherwise there may be misalignment of pads with rotor. That is certainly the case with Brembo era parts.