Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fat Spoke on Deluxe question:

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 13, 2020 | 07:52 AM
  #1  
CaptKirk's Avatar
CaptKirk
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
10 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 229
Likes: 23
From: Bay Village
Default Fat Spoke on Deluxe question:

So, I have a Fat 40 on the front already and looking to match the rear. Wanting the 18". But, I see its comes in a 3.5" or 4.25" width. I am thinking the wider will look better? But, what size tire would I run to fit my 2010 Deluxe without any problems. What are you guys running and what do you like?

Thanks for your help!
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2020 | 01:21 PM
  #2  
Mike Lawless's Avatar
Mike Lawless
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Default

I hope you get some response to this, as I am also interested. I can say with the stock 3" wide 16" rims and an MU85 tire, there's only 1/4 to 3/8" clearance at some spots. So, "id be hesitant about the 4.25" unless I saw some photos of that size installed

Good luck! I'll be watching
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2020 | 07:33 PM
  #3  
back again's Avatar
back again
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Top Answer: 10
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,282
From: Georgia
Default

4.25 /18 will go under there. I’m assuming you have a 150 tire year with the 16. Inside the struts there is 7.25” between the rails. I have a 170/70/16 under my Train and my wife’s 04 Springer on 4” rims with room. There’s one bolt and nut that needs to be changed to a capture nut on each side.160/80/16 will also fit if you can find them anymore. Also I run Shinko’s 777 tires that tend to run a little lower in profile also. I’m getting more mileage out of them than anything I’ve run to date. Great tire in the rain.
You can run lower profile tires on the 18” rims. That keeps the tire out of the top of the fender giving you more room.


I Can dump all the air and still do not rub.
 

Last edited by back again; Nov 14, 2020 at 07:37 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 10:35 PM
  #4  
mean green's Avatar
mean green
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 524
Likes: 102
From:
Default

Originally Posted by CaptKirk
So, I have a Fat 40 on the front already and looking to match the rear. Wanting the 18". But, I see its comes in a 3.5" or 4.25" width. I am thinking the wider will look better? But, what size tire would I run to fit my 2010 Deluxe without any problems. What are you guys running and what do you like?

Thanks for your help!
I'm running the Danny Fat 40 on the rear as well as the front. Went with the 3.5" width. You may be able to fit a 4.25 but there isn't much room. I have a 2006 deluxe. I'll snap a better picture tomorrow to show how it fills the rear fender.

I'm running a Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra Motorcycle Tire Rear, 150/70-18
 

Last edited by mean green; Nov 25, 2020 at 10:37 PM. Reason: info
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 10:57 PM
  #5  
mean green's Avatar
mean green
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 524
Likes: 102
From:
Default

150 70 18 on a 2006 deluxe




 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 02:50 AM
  #6  
Zanthamos's Avatar
Zanthamos
Outstanding HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 433
From: Arkansas
Default

The stock MU is 140 so only 5MM difference on each side if you go to a 150.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2020 | 08:48 AM
  #7  
Valdemar's Avatar
Valdemar
Tourer
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 358
Likes: 38
From: Spain
Default

Here, the people are buying this wheels.

https://www.motea.com/es/llantas-big...romo-a000170-0

Are fake spokes, because are wheels (without pneumatic tube inside). Look very nice and have got a good price.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2020 | 07:30 PM
  #8  
back again's Avatar
back again
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Top Answer: 10
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,282
From: Georgia
Default

Simple math and accurate measurements will tell you what you can use. 140/ 150 tire bikes are what I do mostly.
To start with most pre 200 tire soft tails have 7.25” between frame horns so before I change to a bigger tire I check that dimension first. Most spoked softy wheels have offset built in them. You can change this by readjusting your hub one way or another with spoke adjustment. A spacer may be needed to keep rotor in line. Lots of variations in stock wheels so CHECK first. The later 2k models have the skinny belt which is also a factor how big you can go also. Early 2k bikes have the 1-1/4” belt and limits you to a 150-80-16 tire which really fills up the longer fenders on Heritage and FatBoy models.The 1” belt lets you run up to a 160/80/16,170-60-16 if you run a 777 Shinko. Other brands Metzler and Avon’s run bigger than the Shinko’s. I can’t tell you about any other brand sizing as these 3 are the ones I’ve installed.Math will get you the rest of the way. Every bike is a little different, measure,measure,measure. You shouldn’t see more than 1/8” difference.Ive done 20 or so of these tires conversions and haven’t found any difference bigger than the 1/8”. Remember you can adjust your hub in the rim if needed. Ride Wright and Black Bike Wheels will build the wheels the way you want if you tell them what your doing. Other brand wheels other than HD I don’t mess with. You get what you pay for. Simple math
140 mm = 5.51” divided by 2 = 2.75” leaving you 1.74” clearance between frame rails 7.25-5.51=1.74” is what I get clearance wise.
150mm = 5.90”. 2=2.95. 1.35”
160mm = 6.29”. 2= 3.14. .96”
These are 80 series tires measurements on stock Harley spoke wheels.Any Tires you can find with a lower aspect ratio gives you more room in fender well. Width remains the same The fender slims in width the higher you go in it. This conventions works on Evo bikes also
The 170 Shinko I use requires a little more work and will explain if someone wants. G.
 

Last edited by back again; Nov 27, 2020 at 07:44 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 24, 2021 | 11:44 AM
  #9  
Henrique Silva's Avatar
Henrique Silva
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Porto
Default

Originally Posted by Valdemar
Here, the people are buying this wheels.

https://www.motea.com/es/llantas-big...romo-a000170-0

Are fake spokes, because are wheels (without pneumatic tube inside). Look very nice and have got a good price.
RUN AWAY FROM THESE WHEELS!!!! THEY BREAK ON THE ROAD.

I bought a wheel from motea and they are refunding everyone because there are riders getting f-up on the road.

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
irish44
2018+ Softail Models
10
Sep 14, 2020 05:36 PM
strapped
Softail Models
6
Apr 7, 2013 09:00 PM
thelawnmowerman
Softail Models
1
Apr 14, 2012 05:22 PM
ga4boats
Softail Models
20
Feb 15, 2010 10:39 PM
bp2500hd
Softail Models
6
Feb 21, 2008 06:13 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:14 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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