Hoping I can get some help. I have been looking to move to cast wheels preferably black with edge cutting. Trying to decide if I go with 16 x 3.5 all around, 18 x 3.5 all around or a combination. I had thought of the 21 x 2.25 for the front but worried that would change the ridge to much and more weight reducing power.
Has anyone changed out the stock spoke wheels and what size and tire size? It has ABS so I know there are cheater bearings out to compensate but want to keep the ride close to normal which is why I was looking at the 18. Thought they may still open it up more than the 16 and possibley look better.
Also in those sizes what would be the right tires to ensure minimal impact to ABS?
What is the max width the front and rear will fit on a 3.5 rim for the 16 or 18 that has some brand selection.
Any feedback on the 21 front and tire used would be good as well. Dont want to mess with the height to much but know may need to lower if the rise is out front to back.
Any help would be appreciated. This is my first Harley but have modfied tires and wheels on metrics before but ABS was not a factor.
For riding style I do a lot of mixed. To work, longer easy rides, enjoy the twisties when possible as well.
So far learned a lot but want some good winter projects to go from stock to more of an original look. Like to move more towards murdered out with some edge cut and a bit of chrome to offset. With plans to eventually go with some customer paint work.
Have not been able to find much out on the wheels side as I know the new axel is having limited options right now.
Last edited by g.pederson; 11-21-2018 at 01:56 AM.
I switched out mine. I stayed in spec and bought the H-D Machete wheels. Now they are tubeless. I matched these with the Michelin Commander II tires. I am not one to change to a larger size tire/wheel especially when doing all types of riding and heavy miles. Would rather keep bike geometry and specs as intended.
Just wondering if its worthwhile to change the rear sprocket and brake rotor given you cant see much back below the bag. For the front, are the brake rotors much different from stock? Would save a bit of coin if just buy the wheel and installation kit. Which brings question what's included in the installation kit that you would not reuse from a pretty much new stock wheel?
For me, I just want mag wheels from a safety or convenience perspective. I can plug a tubeless tire, but will have to get it towed to fix a tube on our current spoke wheels setup. I live where transport can be sketchy.
If you are considering the HD machete wheels you might want to make up your mind soon. When I got mine recently I was told that they are being discontinued and they are using up existing stock. They are the only wheels listed for the Heritage in the HD catalog and are far cheaper than any third party offerings I found. Can't vouch for how good they actually look since I haven't received them yet. Got 'em at the dealer for 15% off list, which was better than I found on line.
Just wondering if its worthwhile to change the rear sprocket and brake rotor given you cant see much back below the bag. For the front, are the brake rotors much different from stock? Would save a bit of coin if just buy the wheel and installation kit. Which brings question what's included in the installation kit that you would not reuse from a pretty much new stock wheel?
For me, I just want mag wheels from a safety or convenience perspective. I can plug a tubeless tire, but will have to get it towed to fix a tube on our current spoke wheels setup. I live where transport can be sketchy.
If you're replacing the wheels solely to eliminate the spoked wheel with a tube then you're correct, it may not be worth the additional expense to replace the sprocket. You can't really see the back wheel with the bags and exhaust in the way and no reason why you can't use the existing sprocket and rotor from your spoked wheel.
But.... every once in a while you may peak back there and notice how that existing sprocket doesn't quite stand up to those nice mag wheels :-)
Thanks in advance for the help - relatively new owner of a 2019 Heritage Classic 114 and am thinking of switching to forged wheels so I can run tubeless tires. I'm having trouble finding wheel that is 16x3, but have found quite a few that are 16x3.5. Will that work on my bike without modifications? Also, any opinions on good aftermarkets wheel/rim brands? It looks like its going to be quite an investment. Thanks again, I appreciate it.
11-21-2018, 01:45 AM
Wheels and Tires for 18 heritage classic
