Wide tire help needed
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10
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From: Massachusetts
Wide tire help needed
Hello all
I currently have a '96 fxstc I'm looking to get a 180 or 170 rear tire on it without losing my stock bobtail fender. Anything wider than the 130...
I've seen this done on other bike but I can't seem to find anything as far as a kit out there ...
Any input is appreciated. I'd like to hear what others have done.
I currently have a '96 fxstc I'm looking to get a 180 or 170 rear tire on it without losing my stock bobtail fender. Anything wider than the 130...
I've seen this done on other bike but I can't seem to find anything as far as a kit out there ...
Any input is appreciated. I'd like to hear what others have done.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I have done it on a Dyna and it was hard work, we had to widen the frame rails to take a later fender.
Then the owner found it handled like a stoned hippo and hated it so much he sold it.
The big issue with trying to put a wider tyre in the stock fender is that it can rub and eat away your wiring.
Then the owner found it handled like a stoned hippo and hated it so much he sold it.
The big issue with trying to put a wider tyre in the stock fender is that it can rub and eat away your wiring.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,716
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From:
With stock fender 140-150 is about it on an evo softail, to go wider you're gonna have to chop the frame. Not a big deal if keeping it, but if you ever sell it limits potential buyers.
Been there, done that...150 is the limit without cutting the frame...if you want to go wider, the frame struts gotta go..you can get bolt on struts or use a strutless fender. The wider tire will hit the brake caliper mount... you have to machine it down or use one off a newer softail. You could probably get a 180 in there, but it will be really tight, and in todays sea of 200 bikes no one will notice. Put a 200 on my bike 2 years ago and I have a 250 kit sitting here to go on this winter. You would be better off to buy a wide tire kit..makes life much easier. Tom84FXST
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...4-softail.html
Been there, done that...150 is the limit without cutting the frame...if you want to go wider, the frame struts gotta go..you can get bolt on struts or use a strutless fender. The wider tire will hit the brake caliper mount... you have to machine it down or use one off a newer softail. You could probably get a 180 in there, but it will be really tight, and in todays sea of 200 bikes no one will notice. Put a 200 on my bike 2 years ago and I have a 250 kit sitting here to go on this winter. You would be better off to buy a wide tire kit..makes life much easier. Tom84FXST
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...4-softail.html
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
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From: south of Boston
i tried a 150 metz on my 91 when i first put it together....it fit, but it was TIGHT!...and in fact, like Spanners said, it ate away at all my wiring...went bonkers for days trying to figure out why i lost my directionals ....tail and brake wiring was on its way
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Lorain Ohio
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From: Lorain Ohio
I had to side the wheel in without the rotor on it, get the axle started, line up the brake, slide the rotor in then push the axle through. Had to tighten the rotor bolts with the wheel installed. Problme now is I think I need rear brake pads!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Rear fenders up to around 2008, except on a few models, are barely as wide as a 160. I have squeezed a 160/70 into my Glide with smoke and mirrors plus a narrow belt, but that is it. It is not a bolt in! Some 150 tyres are quite a bit wider, like 157mm, if you shop around, but even they will need a narrow belt.