I was looking through chopper builds over the years, especially stuff based on EVO sportsters, and noticed an interesting little design choice.
A fair bit of them have a Solid disc rear wheel, and wire spoked front wheel. This apparently was the stock wheel setup on a few sportster models for several years.
The Softail Deuce also has a solid disc rear with scallops cut in it, and a wire laced front wheel.
The original Fat Boy has solid disc front and rear, so it doesn't fit but it still where did the solid disc wheel idea come from?
This is a style i've emulated on my bike with the different years of M8 Fat Boy wheels, I have a 2018 model year lakester rear, and a 2024 Model year Slotted Lakster front wheel. I did it entirely because of this sportster/deuce style design. But I don't really know where it came from.

Related pics

 

My 1990 Softtail Custom came with solid rear, spoked front. Probably some years before that.

 

The first time I saw it was on the 1986 Softail Custom. I was hooked. It was one of the big selling points for Reaper (my 2005 Night Train). I LOVE that look!

Cheers!

 

1983 Disc Glide was the very first Harley with a solid rear wheel. It was called the FXDG.

 

So it goes back to at least 1983. Nice.

 

Since the first year the factory came out with that wheel. Where some aftermarket earlier offerings to make rears slid back into the 70's but tech wasn't up to yet and never caught on till the Moco's cast mag.

 

1941






..L.T.A.

 

I also think it's a great look. In addition, my personal opinion is that most tires that go flat due to nails and other road debris are on the rear. I have seen just one nail in a front tire over the decades, and I've seen many on the rear. (hoping I don't jinx myself, but it's always been riding buddies, never my own ride.) Does the front tire hit a screw or nail and throw it up into the rear? No idea. Is my experience nothing more than a huge coincidence? No idea, but I have thought about getting a solid or mag rear wheel for my bike, but would leave the front spoked wheel alone as I like the vintage look.

 

not seeing any spokes on that one...

 

No idea when it began but the Custom model Sportys and Softails have had that set up since the 80s or early 90s.