bullet hole wheels on 95 Heritage

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May 12, 2012 | 01:41 PM

Prot

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From: Lafayette, Louisiana

bullet hole wheels on 95 Heritage

I have a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic which is pretty much stock. It has 27,000 miles on it. The original spoke wheels have seen their better days. I dropped it off at the dealer about a week and a half ago to get the steering head bearing looked at. While I was there, I was looking at the new bikes on the showroom floor and noticed many of the new fat boys had chrome bullet hole solid disc wheels on them. I really liked how they looked, much better than the mirror chrome solid discs I have seen before and much better than the textured cast disc or slotted discs.
I am curious about putting a set of them or something similar on my bike. My bike is a 95, so it has 16" wheels, compared to these were probably 17".
I searched around on HD's website and could not find these wheels. I also hit ebay and craig's list, but could only find 17", and then most of that was on an exchange basis.
Anybody have any ideas? Anyone have any pictures of a Heritage with solid disc type of wheels of any sort installed?
I don't like the smooth mirror chrome solid wheels, but the bullet hole chrome ones look great in my opinion.
Funny thing is when I bought this bike four years ago, I was actually shopping for a fat boy, but ended up with this Heritage that I fell in love with as soon as I took the first ride.

May 12, 2012 | 03:22 PM

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

Your bike has tapered roller wheel bearings. Around 2000/2002 Harley started fitting sealed ball races instead and the hub shape changed. One example is the hole in the centre of the pulley and rotor is larger, so yours won't fit. Also the sealed bearings on new bikes are 25mm ID (in other words axle diameter), although 3/4" bearing kits are available. So if you get a pair of those new wheels they are not a bolt-in conversion. Your rear rotor is not the same and there may be other differences.

So to change to alloy wheels you have a couple of choices. Fat Boys and some other models came with similar 16" wheels that take tapered bearings and will swap straight over. With patience they can be found secondhand at decent prices on Ebay. You may also be able to get new custom wheels that will fit, although they can be very expensive!

I swapped the rear wheel on my 1990 Glide a few years ago for a 2004 wheel, but also swapped the swingarm and brake caliper, as that was simpler than adapting my stock one. It may be possible to use a pair of those latest wheels you like, if you have the skills and determination to overcome any snags you may hit.

We are an adaptable bunch in here, so can off you encouragement and help if you take on the challenge! I am hoping to squeeze a Deuce 17" wheel in my bike before too long!

Last edited by grbrown; May 15, 2012 at 03:08 AM.

May 12, 2012 | 04:41 PM

CDF346

Cruiser

Joined: Aug 2011

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From: Illinois

While not spoked, but can be had cheap, I took my flh wheels and had them plated at 350 each. Why? Because aftermarket wheels, if i could find them for a 94, where too goddamn expensive, and my women woulda cut my ***** off spending 2k for a pair of wheels. Something to consider, pic here.Also,I donthave a set of wheelson the shelf for 20 years, as I have had with my stock springer wheels and tires, (tyre's, if your from old blighty).

Last edited by CDF346; May 12, 2012 at 04:46 PM.

May 12, 2012 | 07:35 PM

Prot

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From: Lafayette, Louisiana

I am trying to do this without breaking the bank and without a lot of hassle. I keep looking on eBay and it seems like 16" fat boy wheels from around 95 model year can be had cheap. Maybe the way to go is pick up a pair of those and have them chromed, or the outer lip chromed.

What model years have the same bearing size and type as my 95 Heritage?

I can't see myself paying one thousand dollars per wheel, but I could manage five hundred per wheel easily.

While the bike is at the dealer getting the steering head bearing looked at, I am having them install chrome fork sliders.

Who knows, this may end up with me going for a nice paint job. Right now it is just plain black with factory decals.

May 13, 2012 | 04:29 PM

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

Up to 1999 I believe. As I said earlier tapered roller bearing wheels if you want a direct swap. Stock FB wheels are advertised for around 200 each at present on Ebay, but as I have found they don't sell at those prices, so hang around for a private seller offering an auction or more sensible prices. I got an excellent Duece rear wheel for 100.

May 14, 2012 | 08:40 PM

Uncle G.

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Joined: Jun 2010

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From: Upstate New York

When my spokes rusted, and could no longer be tensioned, I rebuilt the wheels myself with new spokes (could have bought new rims, but reused mine). Total cost per wheel was about $40 each for the spokes, and I laced and trued them myself using the instructions in the service manual and a truing stand I built from some scrap lumber.

I'd never built a wheel from scratch before, but I'd trued bicycle wheels. Truing a 16" wheel was easier than truing a bicycle wheel.

May 22, 2012 | 06:32 AM

95yj

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Aruba

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle G.

I'd never built a wheel from scratch before, but I'd trued bicycle wheels. Truing a 16" wheel was easier than truing a bicycle wheel.

That's one thing I was never able to do well. I never tried a motorcycle wheel though. Mostly because I was never able to true a bicycle wheel when I was a kid.