Ok, I just picked a 99 night train for a project and my first plan was to put a 240 rear kit on it. Most of the kits though are for up to 99 or 2000 and later. What is the difference between the two? I know 2000 was the switch to the twincam and the brakes are different I think but whats different in the frame or swingarm? Id like to put an RC Components kit on but they only are for 2000 and up.
What Im wondering is if the difference has something to do with off set or something and if I could get just the swingarm from the RC kit and then find an offset kit for a 99. Im stuck on the RC components kit because they have the single pipe swing arm instead of the V shape.

 

This doesn't completely answer your question but I don't think there is any difference in swingarms as it pertains to size or specifically width...I have a '99 Softtail Custom set up like a Nighttrain (drag bars, etc.) and I had the HD wide tire kit installed back in 2000, only changed belt from 1 1/2" to 1 1/8" went to a 150 Dunlop Screaming Eagle tire on stock rim and utilized stock swingarm..no other changes.....so as far as width is concerned, I think up to '99 and '00-'05 are the same. The wide tire kit for '00-'02 uses stock swingarm but HD catalog references "a machined an repositioned brake caliper, new splash guard, wheel spacer.....". So there must be a difference with brake mounting and spacing. I've been considering a move to a wider tire as well (Heartland kit or similar) and it seems like most of the companies treat anything earlier than 2000 as an afterthought. Tougher to get straight answers as to what will work and what won't. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did look it up and the bearings are different and there has to be something different about the brakes, but otherwise I still cant find an answer as to why they couldnt be interchangeable.

 

Any clarification on this question yet? I was wanting to put a West Eagle flat fender or Heartland Biker 180 Bobber fender on my 97' FXSTSB, but the item description says 2000-up Softails. So, I was wondering the same thing. Let me know if you find anything out, thanks!