I am trying to get honest feedback on anyone running 120/70/21 front tires on an FL front end (FatBoy, Deluxe, Heritage). I am getting ready to pull the trigger on new wheels (along with a slew of other mods) and I am still on the fence. Here are my choices:

120/70/21 on 21x3.5 rim (minimal mods needed, but how does it ride with the lower profile tire?)
140/70/21 on 21x3.5 rim (need to rake trees, I think, but I know it will ride better)
or
130/60/23 on 23x3.75 rim (my buddy did it with the raked trees and lowering, so I have some feedback. Sidewall is tiny, however and his bike shakes at speed, but he also has 22" apes, so we don't quite know the cause.)

Any feedback on anyone running the first two setups would be a big help.

 

I would say your buddies shakes due to improper trail #'s. Just installing trees gives a good look but fails to adjust for the proper trail. I've ran a 23" on my FLHX with trees and raked neck for over 8000 miles and to me it handles better than stock. No hands, cruise on at 85 w/o any shake. As far as 21", I have done a lot @ the shop w/o trees with both the 120 and 140. I like using the 120 with stock trees and 1.5" lowered forks. Done properly all look and work well however, nothing catches attention like a 23" or 26" sticking out there. Just my opinion....lol

 

Get a 21x3.5 with a 120/21 tire. It will ride fine. If the minimal height difference bothers you lower the front 1" or 2". Mine is lowered 1" in the front but I rode with it at sock t height with a 21x3.5 for several years without issue.

Also. slap some Ricor intiminators in the front forks, this will really help with front end stability and handling. I think taht raking the trees and all for a 23" wheel is goign to screw up the handling far more than putting a 21" front wheel on. Of course I have no personal experience with this either.

Drew

 

I'm running a 21x3.50 RW Fat spoke w a120-70-21 Metz WW by DB Tires.I have the front end lowered 2" with the (not so drop in on FL front end) progressive kit.Also rocking the Ricor Intiminators.I have 16" Carlini Gansta Apes.ROCK SOILD and SMOOTH all the way to triple digits. 2010 Deluxe. Pm me your email I'll send you pics.Still can't post pics as of late for whatever reason.

 

: so if adding the 4degree raked trees isn't enough, what else would you suggest to make it work properly? (I agree, that it's an attention grabber.)

Drew: I've looked into those Ricors, but I'm leaning toward the progressive lowered monotubes, which I think will solve the same issues.

 

I will. Thanks for the feedback and nice sled. I love that SoCal look, but I'm going for a little East meets West flavor. Hopefully it will all work out like I'm planning.

 

If your gonna do a 21" do it right and get a 120/21 and not a 70 or 90 the skinny wheels look dumb under the fender

 

I agree. I wouldn't even think of going skinnier. I was actually thinking fatter (it is a FatBoy, after all), maybe 140/70/21. I am also going with a RWD or Klock Werks wrapped front fender.

 

Rides better than standard with the 120/70/21 on, you wont be dissappointed, if you go whitewall, then like someone already said get one from DB .

 

Regarding the 120/70-21 on the 21 x 3.5" wheels... We have had an excellent turnout with these. 95% of the wheels we sell are these and we have never had a customer dissatisfied with them. The only complaint we have had is that the 21" raises the bike slightly and shorter riders have trouble reaching the ground.

The 140/70-21 is not as popular and we have sold very few. No other mods are needed besides swapping out your fender. This tire is too wide for your stock FL fender.

The 130/60-23 and 23" rim requires a lot of work to do it correctly. There are a few ways to get it accomplished, but this is not necessarily the best thing to do.

You can...

A. Swap your fender and run heavy fork oil to keep the wheel from hitting your frame. EXERCISE CAUTION! VERY DANGEROUS.

B. Change your trees to 3 degree FL trike trees and change your fender. (Note: This does not retain the stock trail and is not recommended either but a lot of customers have done this and are very happy with the turnout.)

C. Do it the BEST WAY! Change your trees, rake the frame and change your fender. This will ride amazing and everyone that does this swears up and down it rides better than when stock.

Call us at 888-926-2793 if you would like some help over the phone.
Let me know if this was helpful or if you have any other questions/concerns.

Ryd Safe.