Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Bigger Rear Tire '80 FLT

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 06:38 PM
  #1  
busracer88's Avatar
busracer88
Thread Starter
|
Stage II
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default Bigger Rear Tire '80 FLT

I have an '80 FLT that needs new tires. A friend of mine gave me an almost new set off of a newer bike. The front is the right size, MT90B16. The rear is a MU85B16. Question is, can I use the bigger 140mm tire on the rear? I know the MT is 130mm so the MU will be 10mm wider. Will I have clearance issues with the enclosed chain, fender etc? As you may know, it's way too much work to pull the rear tire on & off to guess and check!
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2017 | 09:59 PM
  #2  
V_twins's Avatar
V_twins
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 23
Default

Probably not issues with the fender but I would think the enclosed chain would be a problem.
Just looked at my FXRT setup, same enclosed chain and the rubber booths are very close to my tire. I run a Shinko 130-90 16 that is on the wider side...
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2017 | 02:33 PM
  #3  
Joe12RK's Avatar
Joe12RK
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 2,550
From: CT/FL
Default

how much clearance is there with the tire you have mounted now?
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2017 | 11:56 PM
  #4  
V_twins's Avatar
V_twins
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 23
Default

I just measured my tire and it is 141mm mounted on the alloy rim
Clearance is about 4-5mm
I guess it all depends on the profile of your 140, if it mounts narrow or wide.
I think the Harley Dunlops usually are kind of skinny
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
liscio42
Wheels/Tires
8
Sep 8, 2018 11:34 PM
KnarleyHarley
General Harley Davidson Chat
10
Mar 2, 2017 01:52 PM
checkers
Softail Models
10
Jul 24, 2013 10:04 PM
XL883R
Sportster Models
2
Dec 30, 2006 05:29 PM
99FXST
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
7
Jan 29, 2006 10:28 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:25 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE