Fat front tire question.

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Jun 24, 2012 | 10:37 PM

Sitting Bull

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

From: Edmonton,AB,Canada

Fat front tire question.

As you probably figured out I am very new to HD's. I would like to know how old of a sportster can I go in order to get the fat tire in the front like the 2012 1200 custom as opposed to the narrower tire?

Jun 24, 2012 | 11:44 PM

Captain Smooth

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 1,391

Likes: 4

From: Upstate NY

The newer sportsters like the custom and the 48 have wide glide front ends, I think this started 2010 but I am probably wrong on that. I am sure someone will chirp in that knows better.

Jun 25, 2012 | 06:04 AM

JonFMJ

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 222

Likes: 1

From: Kansas

Pretty sure cpt smooth is right. It would be a matter of swapping out the triple trees and forks. Not to mention everything that goes along with it. If your wallets big enough then go for it. But, I've never done one so I have no idea what it does all entail.

Jun 25, 2012 | 06:55 AM

modular

Supporter

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 2,434

Likes: 292

From: Earth

Might want to take a look at this thread doing just what you are asking about.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...l-on-07-a.html

Jun 25, 2012 | 08:00 AM

Sitting Bull

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

From: Edmonton,AB,Canada

Thanks for your replies
I thought I had seen some older bikes with a fat tire, but I am probably wrong , it was probably the angle of the picture.

Jun 25, 2012 | 08:02 AM

Sport1200N

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 206

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From: Gatineau Canada

the nightster has a tire that's wider than the older customs but not as wide as the 48

Jun 25, 2012 | 08:06 AM

rickss69

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 2,158

Likes: 35

From: Gulf Breeze, FL

The newer bikes are using a H-D hybrid mid-glide front-end, not a wide-glide. Far and away more expensive to duplicate H-D's experiment, you will be better served and have more options as well as more money left in your pocket going with an aftermarket wide-glide conversion kit. The bike in my sig uses a Vulcan WG kit with 150/80-16 tires front and rear.

Last edited by rickss69; Jun 25, 2012 at 08:09 AM.

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Jun 26, 2012 | 06:40 AM

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,898

From: Bedford UK

You may be able to fit a fat tyre in older bikes, but this is not a bolt-in job you can do with your eyes closed! People are installing wide tyres and wider rim wheels all the time, but this is what 'customs' are all about. If you have the right skills or are up for a challenge, then do it. I am busy squeezing a Deuce rear wheel into my 1990 Glide at present, so am just a little ahead of you!