What was narrower? Don't know about the swing arms, but the rear fenders are the same as 04 rear fenders (7"). I thought the biggest issue restricting tire width on an Evo Softail was the wide drive belt. I believe a 160 tire will fit on an Evo Softail if it is converted to a narrow belt or chain drive.

 

Having never owned an Evo framed Softail I was under the impression the frame rail widths were different. How much different? I wouldn't think much. The Swing Arm widths are indeed different thus why a change to an early Twin Cam arm will allow for wider tires such as the 180/200 (may not mattter when keeping the frame rails and a 150/160). I could see the belt being an issue. The variations of the Twin cam belts sure allow for some choices.

....I have a softail here with a wide pulley and a narrow belt. Never changed the pulley and have yet to have an issue.

 

OK, I shouldn't have even read this post.... Now I want a wider back tire. I was just looking on craigslist and found a 06 softail swingarm for 50$ would this make it easier
to go to a wider tire on my 04 Fat boy? They started the 200 in 06 correct? I'm already going to change my fender when I get home anyway.

 

I ain't back peddling chit...this post is about putting wider tires on 99 down bikes...softail99custom is the only one who has done this, and he ground the fender lip off to accomplish it...which I would never do to a customer bike. I still say a 150 is the biggest tire you will put on a 99 down without major mods...I would not waist my time doing any mods to go from 150 to 160 because no one is likely to notice. Please post a pic of your 160 on a 99 down ...160 easily fit on twincams ..they come with 150. The trans is offset 1/4 inch compared to an EVO. I build bikes daily...so I have facts and pictures....maybe I am not he one spreading misinformation.

 

Dang Tom you must be getting old to miss my post from above. We have done this same set up on 3 different Evo's now and all 3 are working just fine.I didn't grind anything fender or other wise.I use tee nuts in the stock holes to avoid any tire rub. You can put your finger between the frame horn and tire.On the 05 and back TC's just the tee nut is needed to avoid any rubbing with a Metzler 160.The Avon is just a tad wider but still goes in there.
Funny I remember having this same discussion 30 years ago when putting a 500-15 fat tire on wishbone frames was a big deal with the drum brakes.

 

He's the only person on the planet who has done it? Really? So you've never done it personally? Your basing all your information on one other person's experience?

I know from first hand experience that a 160 will fit without having to grind the lip off the fender. Maybe you should read the post below yours by back again.

That may be, but it's not what was asked. The OP asked "what is the widest tire and wheel package I can fit in the rear without modifying or changing the swinging arm?", and also mentioned converting to chain drive.

...and I STILL SAY your assertion is incorrect. You can't even put a 150 on an Evo Softail without doing something about the drive belt. It takes the same mods to fit a 150 as it does to fit a 160.

More back peddling. The issue of the drive belt has already been covered. The OP mentioned changing to a chain drive. Your only muddying up the water by going back to belt clearance issues. Once that is out of the way, clearance inside the fenders is the same with TC Softails as it is with Evo Softails.

You said it won't fit without changing the struts and changing to a wider fender, and THAT is where you are WRONG. That was the ONLY point I disputed.

Now your accusing me of spreading misinformation? Wow, you really take the cake.

 

edit for double post

 

These are the same issues you have with a TC Softail fender. Clearance inside the fender is the same, and they still aren't exactly centered. Mine is a little closer on one side than it is on the other. Once the belt clearance issue is out of the equation, clearance issues inside the fender are the same with the TC Softails with 7" fenders as they are with Evo Softails. If you have one that is too far off center, you might run in to clearance issues with the fender with a 160 tire. If I had one that far off center, I'd probably want to fix it anyway.

^^^^^ I still maintain that this assertion is incorrect, as I said originally. Knowing of someone else who said they had to grind the lip off the fender is not exactly "been there done that".

 

After all that I'm thinking of trying the 200mm LOL that was an awesome thread. I was thinking a 150 was all I cpuld do. Thanks for the complete info and the replies you saved me 20 years of arguing with the dealer shop dip sh£t's.

 

After all that I'm thinking of trying the 200mm LOL that was an awesome thread. I was thinking a 150 was all I could do. Thanks for the complete info and the replies you saved me 20 years of arguing with the dealer shop dip sh£t's.