Widest wheel and tire package on 1999 Softail Std?
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
Widest wheel and tire package on 1999 Softail Std?
Hello, just joined today.
First let me apologise in case this thread has already been answered in the past.
I have a 1999 Softail Std and am planning on changing the wheels back to spoked. My question is, what is the widest tire and wheel package I can fit in the rear without modifying or changing the swinging arm? I am going to have to change the pulley to match wheels so if I have to switch to a chain and sprocket, I can. I was hoping I could fit a 16" x 5.50" wheel and suitable tire?
All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
First let me apologise in case this thread has already been answered in the past.
I have a 1999 Softail Std and am planning on changing the wheels back to spoked. My question is, what is the widest tire and wheel package I can fit in the rear without modifying or changing the swinging arm? I am going to have to change the pulley to match wheels so if I have to switch to a chain and sprocket, I can. I was hoping I could fit a 16" x 5.50" wheel and suitable tire?
All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
The newer swing arms (2007 and up) will take a 200. (for instance the swing arm for a 2007 fatboy and heritage are the same part no). The older ones may only go up to a 160 or 180...
Last edited by Benway; Feb 15, 2012 at 02:19 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
I kept my aftermarket spokes stock size. But I don't see how I could go wider than a 150 without a new fender and swingarm. Even with the 130 my fender is rather tight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 175
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From: Hahntown Pa.
I have a 17x4.5 Duece wheel with 160 tire on stock swingarm on my 99 fxstc !!!!... lots of work and money, ,change to 1.125" belt ,pulley (had to machine pulley) Duece caliper, reroute tail/turnsignal wiring into the fender strut, change fender bolts and grind lip off of fender !!! There is no way you are going with a wider tire than 160 without changing to wider swingarm and fender ,Trust me I know !!!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
New fender and struts go without saying (why I didn't say it, lol). Swing arms widened up after 2007 though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,325
From: Georgia
welcome to the forums Tafster. I got a 160-16 Metzler on my BadBoy. the rim is a 16-3.00 from a 05 Night train.Two easy mods to get it on.Used a 1-1/8" semi late model belt and pulley.We had to machine around an 1/8" off the hub flange on that pulley to get the belt aligned.That's it.
Messing around now with a 18x 4.5 rim with a 170 on it and due to hub width of the wheel we're going to have to put around a quarter inch spacer or so on it.More than likely will spread the frame rails with a porta power. The stock fender will conform to the rails when bolted up.We used a late model belt so there's plenty of belt tire clearance with the 170. Same with the 160 on my bike with the 1-1/8" belt. Anything bigger than the 170 you have to hack the rails off.
160BB003-1.jpg?t=1312856691
1stride006.jpg?t=1299978070
Messing around now with a 18x 4.5 rim with a 170 on it and due to hub width of the wheel we're going to have to put around a quarter inch spacer or so on it.More than likely will spread the frame rails with a porta power. The stock fender will conform to the rails when bolted up.We used a late model belt so there's plenty of belt tire clearance with the 170. Same with the 160 on my bike with the 1-1/8" belt. Anything bigger than the 170 you have to hack the rails off.
160BB003-1.jpg?t=1312856691
1stride006.jpg?t=1299978070
Last edited by back again; Feb 15, 2012 at 09:24 PM.
