Hello, I've been told I can put a 180 rear tire mounted on a 6" wheel on my 96 softail without making any mods or using any trans/primary spacers by switching my 1-1/2" belt for a 1-1/8". And if so will I need to switch to a 1-1/8" pulley? Any thoughts on this?

 

On my 2006, I had to change the rear pulley to go to a slimmer belt. You'll have to do the same on your bike. Also, what size tire is on it now?

 

I bought the bike in August. It is all custom except for engine, trans and rear fender which are from a 96 Softail. I rode the bike 5 times then tore it down to the frame, engine and trans because I kept finding serious things wrong with it. When I was putting it back together I couldn't keep the belt from trying to ride off the inside of the pulley. After some research I found out that the wheel and tire were not the stock size. The tire clears the fender, though I've been told it shouldn't. Maybe it's not stock either. The guy I bought it from assembled it but, wasn't the one who bought the parts so that is a possibility. So to answer your question (finally) it already has the 6" wheel and 180/60-16 tire on it. I've read that a late model 2000-2005 pulley won't fit on a stock 96 hub. Since my rear wheel isn't stock how can I tell which type hub it has and what pulley I need.

Thanks:
Mike

 

I'm guessing measurements are going to be different. Bolt length and thread pattern could be different as well. IIRC, 180 is large for a 96. The Deuce was one of the first bikes you could fit a 180 on without mods and came with a 160 stock. It wasn't until about the mid 2000's or a little later than HD started putting 180-200 tires on everything that moved. In fact, I know a popular mod for the older bikes is the Deuce wheel.