2002 Sportster rear back tire
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
2002 Sportster rear back tire
I have a question about rear tires and sizes for rims. I have a 2002 sportster 883C that had the original rear rim, which was the cast style rim. It had a 180/60R16 80H tire on that rim that was there since I acquired the bike. I wanted to get away from the cast rear rim and go with a spoked rear rim as the front was already. By the manual the rear cast rim was 16" x 3" rim, so thats what I ordered online a spoked 16" x 3" rim. Once I got the rim I went to Harley dealership to get a tire for the new rim. I asked for the wider 180/60R16 80H size tire and was told it wouldn't fit that rim. So I ended up with the 130/90 B16 tire which is what the manual says is the stock tire size.
My question would be is that rim too small to have the 180/60R16 size tire on it. This is not taking into account for sprockets offset. Thats a whole different topic. If the 16" x 3" spoked rim is too small for the wider tire, then what would be my option to get back to the wider back tire which I liked.
My question would be is that rim too small to have the 180/60R16 size tire on it. This is not taking into account for sprockets offset. Thats a whole different topic. If the 16" x 3" spoked rim is too small for the wider tire, then what would be my option to get back to the wider back tire which I liked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,751
Likes: 7,377
From: OH
Check the recommended rim width for the tire you wish to purchase.
Order a wider rim and relace to your existing hub
Of course you "had" a 180 on a 3" rim
Dealer won`t do it for "liability" issues
Order a wider rim and relace to your existing hub
Of course you "had" a 180 on a 3" rim
Dealer won`t do it for "liability" issues
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
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From: river
looks like you have the swingarm width covered! A pic of the bike next!
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 1,920
From: Santa Ana, CA
These dimensions don't look right at all. That has to be an aftermarket kit. My stock swingarm is several inches narrower. A stock tire on a wide swingarm is going to look mighty strange. I am guessing the fender is not stock either. A 150 tire barely fits a 2002 sportster with mods, so there must be some significant changes to get a 180 on there. Look up the sportster wide tire kits and see what rims they use.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 4,360
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From: Westland, Michigan
I just put a 70 series on the back of mine, it came with a 150/60 r 17. While everyone else is thinking wider I'm thinking taller for the gearing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,014
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From: The Wasteland
I have a friend who wedged a 150 on the back of his Sporty and it took some modding to make it work. From what I remember after seeing it is there's no way a 180 would fit a stock swingarm and fender.