I've heard of guys using Crossbones rear rims and respoking to their hubs to get wider wheels. Has anyone ever seen or know if it is possible to respoke a touring rim to a softail hub? I know alot of softails (Heritages and Deluxes) came with the smooth aluminum spoked rims. I'd like to respoke a 16x5 rim from a Road King to a softail hub in order to put it onto a Heritage/Deluxe/Fatboy. Anyone ever tried this? I don't know if the spokes would line up correctly. I'd like to put a WWW 180 on the rear of a softail and have the wheels match the smooth rim. Figured it'd be cheaper than buying 2 new wheels with the radial spokes. Any ideas? I know, the fender will have to be changed (not on the Fatboy), anything else. I also know alot of guys like the narrower tires, but i think it'd look great with a 180 WWW. Probably go with a Fatboy, so no swingarm and pulley changes, but make it look like a FAT Deluxe, lol. I included a pic of the wider wheel.

Any help?

 

it is possible, it all depends on how thick your wallet is

 

you think it’d be more than buying two new wheels? I’m looking for a cheaper way lol

 

I think you come out ahead if you relace. I wanted a 16x3 rear on my Dyna and laced my Dyna hub to a softail rear wheel per the Dyna service manual then had the wheel trued when the new rubber was installed.

 

I've seen guys go both ways. Current trent here is the opposite. Wide tire craze well and truly over in the late 90s early 2000s now they use xbones hubs and lace rims that will take slimmer tyre for the bobber look. Tyres last twice as long and they give them twice as hard use.

 

I know most think it’s foolish to put wider tires on, but I like the look. To me, an 180 looks just right. Not like it’s a 240 or anything. And the 180 touring tires last a lot longer than the old thinner ones. The one I replaced on the SG yesterday had 20800 miles on it.