Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Wheel Swap Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 28, 2012 | 08:43 PM
  #1  
Razorback Rob's Avatar
Razorback Rob
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 599
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
Default Wheel Swap Question

My buddy rides an 04 Super Glide. It has a 1 inch front axle. My bike, 06 Sportster, has a 3/4 inch front axle. We have agreed to swap. I want the 19 inch wheel he has and he wants my 21 inch. Will all we need is new spacers and new bearings. Is it as easy as installing the proper size bearings in the wheels? Thanks for any help.
 
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2012 | 11:33 PM
  #2  
MarksBOB's Avatar
MarksBOB
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: North Wales U.K.
Default

simple answer NO !,
your wheel that as 3/4 bearings will have a smaller internal dia for the sleeve that goes between the bearings.
Had the same prob when I put a fatboy rear on the 48, just needs boring to clear your mates 1" sleeve.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2012 | 05:06 AM
  #3  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

My understanding is you could swap wheels, but will need to swap back the bearing assemblies, in other words fit to the wheel he gives you the bearings out of the wheel you give to him.

You will also need to check the hole through the wheel casting, when you remove the bearings on your 21" wheel. When Harley first introduced their sealed bearings, that hole reflected the model the wheel was fitted to, so it may not be large enough to take your friend's 1" bearing sleeve. Just drill or machine it out, carefully!
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2012 | 05:49 AM
  #4  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

You'll just need to swap the bearings and sleeve between the wheels on 04-06 bikes.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Erix-2008
Sportster Models
6
Feb 7, 2018 09:26 AM
Ozark Joe
EVO
5
Jan 4, 2017 12:39 PM
sparks427
Wheels/Tires
5
Jun 2, 2013 08:53 AM
streeter
Touring Models
0
Jan 26, 2012 09:04 PM
Filmy
Sportster Models
3
Apr 16, 2009 02:26 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:27 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE