changing back wheel
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro
changing back wheel
I have a 1998 road king and would like to change my back wheel from a spoke to a newer style wheel in a 17 so i can run a smaller tire. any ideas of what yr rim i can run.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
no such thing without a whole lot more work
biggest incompatibility will be the rear sprocket. they stopped using the ductile iron rotor in 2000 I believe, so you'd have to convert the rear swingarm/brake as well in order to do a new wheel
in this case, if you're dead set on a 17" (if I may ask...why?), you're gonna be better off ordering a rim to size for your particular application
why the 17 though? you can go lower profile, sure...with a MUCH more limited selection on tires.
I have a 98 road king too...and it took ALL the stock fender had (with some very careful spacing/sprocket spacing) to squeeze a 150mm Avon under the rear fender. anything bigger(wider) simply isn't possible.
biggest incompatibility will be the rear sprocket. they stopped using the ductile iron rotor in 2000 I believe, so you'd have to convert the rear swingarm/brake as well in order to do a new wheel
in this case, if you're dead set on a 17" (if I may ask...why?), you're gonna be better off ordering a rim to size for your particular application
why the 17 though? you can go lower profile, sure...with a MUCH more limited selection on tires.
I have a 98 road king too...and it took ALL the stock fender had (with some very careful spacing/sprocket spacing) to squeeze a 150mm Avon under the rear fender. anything bigger(wider) simply isn't possible.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Not true, I put a 17" solid Deuce rear wheel in a 96 Dyna and the only thing we changed at the swing arm were the spacers....we opened the fender struts and added an 06 up rear fender but the brake etc was dead easy.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Spanners, the Touring bikes have a different rear brake rotor and caliper to the Dyna range. If a Dyna caliper can be made to fit, along with the smaller and thinner rotor, that is one option. I have a Deuce rear wheel in my Glide, but I also replaced the swingarm etc.
Ty2airborn, welcome to HDF, give us more details on what you have in mind, so we can give you a decent answer!
Ty2airborn, welcome to HDF, give us more details on what you have in mind, so we can give you a decent answer!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Once I get it all dialed in, I plan to add a thread with pic's and part list. Essentially, I updated to the '04 swingarm(very good idea to replace the stocker anyhow), installed an '06 FLHX wheel and '09 Brembo brakes. New rotor, pulley, belt, and swingarm were all necessary.. The last thing I have to do is get the spacing right.. Big job if you aren't creative and comfortable with wrenching, but its not rocket science.. I do agree that going to a 17", just for the sake of having a 17 may be the wrong decision.. I'd do more research and verify what the supply of 17's look like. If I'm not mistaken, 18's may be more popular, 17's may be more difficult to get in the future.. Think about how difficult buying 15's or 16.5's for a car has become..
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
There are several sizes of rear 17" tyres available, from 120 to 200 wide, although mostly with fairly low load ratings. The one size used on our Harleys is the 160/70 on the Deuce, but that is too wide for a simple installation on an older model. It is an odd diameter to select, as I suspect that size in suitable rim widths is only available for a Harley from custom suppliers. But that comment may also apply to 18" wheels!
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2
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From: Greensboro
im basically looking to lower the bike in the rear so it dosnt sit so high in the back. I know i could use lowering blocks but i hear mixed reviews when it comes to them as far as changing the ride.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
It might sound perverse, but rear tyre diameters, on the wheel, don't vary by very much. Also to go to a lower profile tyre generally involves going to a much wider rim than stock, as well as a lower load rating. My Superlow has a 150/70x17 rear wheel, the rim being about 4.5" wide. The rolling diameter is a little lower than your stock wheel, but that size isn't common on Harleys and is unlikely to fit your bike without doing other mods, as I mentioned earlier.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
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From: Ohio
Smart to not use lowering blocks. It is not so much changing the ride as it is cracking the swingarm. Why not lower the rear by using different shocks?
Last edited by Beemervet; Apr 25, 2014 at 10:00 AM.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
