Softail Factory Wide Tire Kit
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,324
From: Georgia
SCaryCary and sir Harley you are overthinking things here. My Train and my wife’s FX Springer both have 170/65/16 tires on stock wheel and RideWright wheels with stock 05/04 pulleys of the 1-1/8 pulleys. I recently went to chain on my Train after shredding the belt with new motor. No spacers no brake mods and have plenty of room to spare. Clearance is not an issue. Wife’s Springer is lowered 1-1/2” and I run Shotgun shocks with the sidewall tucked into the fender. You only need to change out the 4 nuts that are inside the fender with capture nuts or star nuts as they are sometimes called.
On my Bad Boy I ran a 160-80 16” Metzler on a 04 stock spoked 16” Softail wheel and 1-1/8” late model pulley and belt. Only changed the 4 nuts under the fender as described above. You do NOT need to change to a late model swingarm. I’ve done 15 or more of these tire conversions for people in the last 12 years or so with no problems with tire to fender clearances. Wife’s 04 and my 96 Bad Boy run the stock calipers. I run HHI calipers on my 05 Train. No issues with any of the 3. All simple bolt on.
As you can see on my Train I ran a Fat Boy fender and then back to the stock bob tail. No clearance issues with either fender. Stock softy fenders are 7-1/4” inside. Depending on brand of tire most 160 tires are 6-3/4” wide on a 3.5” rim. I’ve had Metzlers Dunlop E-3’s and have now run Shinko 777’s in 170-65-16”. The Shinko’s have proven to be my choice of tires. Real good bite and great in the rain. PM me with any questions.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,047
From: Southwest Desert
I not really sure that I'm overthinking anything here. I was just following the factory instructions. If you didn't do that, and had some success, then I am happy for you. My springer has been riding on the factory wide tire kit for over 20 years now on the same belt. MY other softail rides just fine as well. 
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville, Florida
Re: Back Agains advice on going with wider rear tire for Softail..
I know this is an older thread but Im just getting to the point where I need the info here.. great info from everyone but back again really shared the details I need for my bikes. Im trying to do this on at least 3 of my softails. Awesome info!
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