Harley Davidson Forums - Wheels/Tires

2016 FLSTN/I (Deluxe) Rear Spoked Tubeless Wheel OEM Smooth Chrome

CitizenHD — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:03:41 GMT

2016 FLSTN Rear Spoked Tubeless Wheel OEM Smooth Chrome - 16x3

Hello, looking for the above rear wheel. I can�t find it anywhere on eBay it�s the wrong year range.

I don�t want to put a DNA rim on and the only other high quality option looks to be SMT which are extremely expensive and look to only come in pairs and aren�t spoked.

Trying to keep it as original as possible.

Any suggestions or available wheels would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Rear Wheel w/ Brake Installation for 1989 Tour Glide w/ Sidecare

Thoma5 — Fri, 15 May 2026 01:46:29 GMT

Peace, all. Having an issue getting a rear wheel back on--and assuming I'm not the first person in this group to have it . Any wisdom folks have would be helpful. Here's what's up:

Bike: 1989 Harley-Davidson FLTC Tour Glide with sidecar

Problem: I cannot get the rear wheel reinstalled after a tire change.
The main issue is admittedly a coordination problem between the rear brake caliper, the caliper mounting bracket on the frame, and the brake rotor on the wheel. When I try to seat the caliper bracket onto the frame first and then bring the wheel in, I cannot get the brake pads to open around the rotor without knocking the bracket off its mount. When I try it the other way (disconnecting the caliper, slipping it loosely over the wheel, and then rolling the wheel into position) I still cannot maneuver everything into place without one part dislodging the other.

In trying to create more clearance, I also removed the rear belt pulley (which was not necessary when I took the wheel off) and disconnected the brake line in the process. Neither of those steps fixed the problem.
Rolling the wheel in at an angle from the rear seemed to help slightly but not quite all the way.

I am clearly missing something here. The correct sequence or technique or whatever for managing the wheel, caliper, and frame mounts all at the same time.
Posting here, because the sidecar also impacts this process, as it's not super easy to reach anything on the bike from the sidecar side.

Any chance anyone here has some hot tips for this theoretically easy reinstall?--Esp. the trick for getting the caliper seated on the bracket and around the rotor without everything fighting each other and then ultimately falling apart? A video specific to this era of Harley touring bike would be super rad, but any guidance is great.

Many thanks.
~Tom G.

21x3.5 fat spoke wheel with matching rear?

YoungToker23 — Sun, 10 May 2026 22:54:51 GMT

What up guys. Quick question (sorry if this has already been answered, new here and haven't yet learned how to navigate site�)

anyway. I have a 2023 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic 114. I�m looking ti upgrade my current stock wheel/tire combo. Specifically, i�m looking for a 21x3.5� fat spoke wheel with a matching rear wheel ABS. My issue is that I cannot find any to save my life. My bike is prospect gold with black and very minimal chrome. I�m looking for a black rim with either black or chrome spokes. Any suggestions on where to find a set? I�m adding a couple photos of what i�m generally looking for here below. Thank you!

Setting Up Wheel Without Bearings

HellaGNARLY — Thu, 07 May 2026 02:01:59 GMT

Trying to run a front Invader I just got. Will need larger bearings for the 3/4 axle but doesn�t have any internal spacers or anything.

Are there bearing kits out there that includes spacers for inside the spool? Or am I going to have to make the spacers based on the spool width? Talking about the spacer in the spool and not wheel spacers. Last chop I used a new Low Brow wheel that was already set up so this is new territory.

CruiseTechs

Funnel — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:14:24 GMT

What�s your take on these for those that are riding on them. Can ask to not offer opinions if you�re not running them but someone will. I just care about those using them. Thanks.

Wheel compatibility question

Usafexplorer — Sat, 02 May 2026 01:04:27 GMT

Anyone know if the factory wheels off a 2015 Touring HD will fit a 2012 Touring model? I don't see a discernible difference but I'm not completely sure.

Tire suggestions '12 Ultra Limited

Usafexplorer — Fri, 01 May 2026 16:10:59 GMT

Been going through older posts and checking to see if any additional current and relevant suggestions have changed or remained the same as tire specifications change. I got about 12k miles from the OEM Dunlap tires, kinda seems a bit low to me but maybe I was optimistic they would last longer. I was looking at the Michelin Commander III and there was a lot of negative reviews from owners regarding a vibration and some people recommended going back to the Commander II. For context, I'm a fair weather rider only and if there is a remote change of rain I don't ride. I'm more interested in a longer mileage tire versus a better wet compound tire. Appreciate any recommendations.

Front Tire Recommendations

propflux01 — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:38:00 GMT

Hello. Currently have an AE2 on my 2020 limited, it�s the one made in USA. It has about 12k on it, and is pretty thin. I�m looking for a good replacement for it, and not quite sure where to go with it. My tear is an AE2 as well, and has lots of life left in it. The front has no cupping or anything, and has been an ok tire sans the mileage. Not sure I want to go with another AE. I ride mostly solo and with curvy hilly type roads, with the occasional long slab trips. I�m not a hot rod rider, but not a pokey, either. Looking for something that grips good in damp, and a bit better ride than I have now. I�m looking hard at the metzeler 888, but have heard about cracking and separation. Anyone have any suggestions on which way to go here?

Springer front wheel removal

97SpringerResto — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:41:16 GMT

Looking for some advice. I want to pull the front wheel off my 97 springer but al lthe vids im seeing shows the fellas pulling the fender off but not really defining why. its not about clearance so any thoughts trying to keep this as simple as possible.

JJ

Wheel bearing end play

OilyTom — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 04:54:34 GMT

I have a 1990 Harley electra glide classic FLHTC. I did not realize these older bikes had tapered roller bearings in them, I did not clean and grease them last year, and unfortunately one got some water and ended up ruining a bearing. Not a big deal, at all. I replaced the bearings and races, which was the front wheel. I checked end play dry with the old spacers, and it came out about .003" and that seemed good. I put it back together greased and all is well. The back wheel bearings were fine, I only cleaned and greased them. When I tested them with their shims, I found .010" end play. Everything I saw online said .002" to .006" is spec. I replaced a .016" shim with an .008" shim, and have right at .002" end play. I greased them and put it back together, everything seemed fine. I then went into my service manual to find some torque specs, and lo and behold, the end play for a 1990 in this service manual says .004" to .018".

So is having my rear wheel this tight a problem? Do I need to pull it back off?

Help with tire and rim sizes on �95 FXSTC

loganr22 — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:25:49 GMT

What�s the widest tire size I can put on my rear without modification? From my research it appears 140 is the widest, but some say 150? Also would you recommend 140 85 16 or 140 90 16?

As far as the front goes I�d like to get a 21�x3.5� rim and get a 120 70 21. Anyone have any pics of this setup or know if it�ll work?

Any help is greatly appreciated