Hello, this post is lengthy and detailed. Unless your planning
on a DIY fatboy wheel and accessory upgrade, it will most likely
bore you. If you just want to see the picks, please scroll down to the
bottom.

I thought I would share my trials and trivializations in
upgrading my FatBoy Wheels, Rotors, Calipers, Sprocket and Tires
without getting the dealer involved (labor wise) and without breaking the bank.
I had spend 4 weeks researching these mods and what all it would
take to do. I had posted questions on both HDforums and V-Twin
and have talked to three dealers seeking information from maximum
tire sizes, bearings, bearing spacers, etc, etc. All in all, the worst, and
most misdirected information came from the dealers I talked to,
in particular, the guy's in the parts sales department.

I hope you can imagine all the flack I got by bringing in newly chromed
Fatboy Wheels to the dealer that cost 1/3rd of the price of there chromed
wheels. My first round at getting bearings for my new wheels was a bit
ugly, and I got everything thrown at me from "Installing those wheels will
void your warranty" to "Don't think the MotoCo makes a bearing kit
for that after market wheel!!!" Anyhow, there are enough threads on here
that bash the dealers, and although I did get suckered into buying some
parts from them that I did not need ($70 dollars worth of useless spacers,
zinc bolts, zinc washers, etc.) I would rather share what is needed to get
this done "Right" so in case someone wants to travel down this road.

I have to give a quick shout out to HD-Forum member ANUBISSS. This
man is a true gentleman and spent some time helping me with information
he already knew, and if he didn't know, knew where to get it, FAST.
Anubisss, you got me thru a big hump in the road bro, Thank You!

When I bought my new Fatboy in February of 2005, I had to take it absolutely
stock as I could not afford to spend another dime on it. From time to time
I would save enough money to buy a piece of chrome here and there, kind of
a "work in progress" type of thing. One thing I knew I wanted from day one
was chrome wheels, but the dealers pricing and labor was way too out of
reach. To keep a long story somewhat short, in the past 34 months,
I have done everything I originally wanted to do, sans the wheels. This
past November 1st, I started the research and planned.

The Wheels came from a company call "Impress Plating and Polishing" located
in Upland California. There Ebay exchange price was $750.00. I offered $490.00,
they came back @ $550.00 firm (275 per wheel). I had to pay for shipping both
ways up front and was given 30 days to return my stock wheels to get back my
core charge. After accepting there offer and paying thru paypal, I received the wheels
in 2 days and packed like crystal. My Performance Machine Calipers came from
offers on Ebay too. Interesting to note, even though an ebay item doesn't have a
"Make an Offer" link, I alway do it anyway via "Ask seller a question". You just never
know what the answer may be.

The chrome "FatBoy" Sprocket, and the floating rotors came from Chicago Harley
utilizing there 20% off sale. Shipping to California was 18.00 dollars (sprocket is heavy)
and I received the parts in 2 1/2 weeks. Yes a long time, but a great savings. The
The Metzeler ME 880's came from Americanmototire.com. 130mm up front, 160mm
for the rear (10mm up from stock). Quick shipping.

The 2000-2006 Fatboys use 3/4 inch bearings (HD#9267) front and back,
and also use a 4" spacer (also called a collar inside the service manual) between
the bearings to help distribute the axle weight. If you bring your newly chromed
bearingless wheels to the dealer, they will sell you something called a
"Bearingless Wheel Installation Kit" for $70 dollars (each wheel). This kit contain

 

Great post.

Thanks for all the info, those wheels look sharp. As a rider with shallow pockets, I always appreciate lower cost DIY projects.

 

Looks great and am glad I was able to help. One day I may do the same. The knowledge of where to get the bearings, which ones and spacers is one of the things that has held me back so far, aside from the cash. Once again, a great looking mod.

 

Nice job and great info!!!

 

Looks real nice... I'm waiting on my setup to come to me. Same deal as you, the chromer is doing the wheels now and I should have them in a week or so.

 

That is quite a change.
Looks great, you gotta a place to buy chrome polish cheap too? [sm=joke.gif]

F.Y.I
I'm one of those who's not planning on doing a DIY wheel project
but I readyour article just the same.

 

looks awesome, I want to do mine but same problem you have maybe this spring.

 

..so how much did it end up costing for everything..parts, labor?
Later

 

I probably won't be gettin wheels anytime soon but that was still a very interesting read. Looks great .

 

Congratulations on a job well done. Adds a lot to you bike and the satisfaction of doing the work yourself.