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Bars should be a bigger concern than wheels...I used to think that I was getting all thrown around also partially due to wheels until I went with a new set of bars. Now my Carlini wheelborrows cuts through gusts like a knife and do not notice the bike getting tossed anymore....hell sometimes I have to remind myself....I am leaning against winds cuz it's still smooth. Also FB low centre of gravity (profile) helps imo.
I took the solid rims off my fatboy long ago. One windy day on the freeway was enough for me. I say yes they are true although physics says a spoke rim will act as if it is solid at a high rate of speed as well.
I have never felt any effects of wind on my solid wheels. I have felt in on my 13 pound bicycle with deep aero wheels, but it does not take much to effect a wheel that weighs less than a pound. I say it's a myth on a heavy motorcycle with heavy wheels.
When I switched form the stock spoke to the fat front I initially noticed a slight difference in handling in high winds. I also lowered the bike at the same time, so it's hard to tell if it was the wheel or the slight difference in rake/trail from the lowering. I have heard all the myths, and have ridden in some pretty substantial storms with crosswinds and believe that they are just that...myths. I have never felt unsafe with the solid front. Granted, if you ride with no hands in a high crosswind, chances are the solid front will drift a bit more than a spoked wheel, but if you're riding in high winds with no hands then you have no business being on the bike in the first place!
If you dig the look, go for it! Don't let anyone else design your bike!
I am still in the thinking stage... I have built a bunch of custom bikes in the past... When I get the look I want in my head I will start. All my bikes are either loved or hated, never seems to be an inbetween.... I'll pot pictures as I go. Thanks guys.
Well, if my Wide White Wall on chrome Fat Boy wheels project doesn't work for me, I'll have two very nice special edition chrome Fat Boy wheels for sale cheap. Just sayin'.
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