Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

wheel swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 01:17 PM
  #1  
trace2008's Avatar
trace2008
Thread Starter
|
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 11,402
From: Clatskanie, OR
Default wheel swap

i have a non-ABS 08 ultra that has the laced wheels. I didn't want them when i got got the bike and i am wanting to swap i can run tubeless.

my questions are:
What do i need to look for? i don't want to change wheel sizes, what years will work?
i am unsure of the bearing changes. is there a differance between an ABS wheel and non-ABS other than the bearings? can i put non-ABS bearings in an abs wheel and have it work?
anybody want to trade? lol
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 02:37 PM
  #2  
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

Any touring wheels 02-08 will work, however for 02-07 wheels you will need to swap the 1" bearings for 25mm, which will include the internal bearing spacers. Your local dealer can supply bearing kits with the parts you need for that. Or simply look out for a pair of cast 08 wheels. ABS bearings can be swapped for plain ones. The cush drive on your rear wheel will swap over to the cast wheel.
 
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2014 | 02:50 PM
  #3  
Hogpro's Avatar
Hogpro
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
Default

2008 has 25mm bearings. Both ABS and non were offered for 2008 so it would be easier to find a set of take offs from a non abs bike. If you get an ABS set of wheels all you need to do is swap the left front and right rear ABS bearings out for non ABS bearings. 2008 has it's own rear wheel setup and only a 2008 rear wheel will fit your bike. For the front wheel you can use a wheel off 2008-2015 but the only year that wheels came in 16" front and rear is 2008. After that front wheels changed in size. Rear wheels for 2009 and newer will not fit your bike due to the hub and the width. So, you are in a tough place as only 2008 wheels will fit your 2008 bike. You might be able to use a 2000-2007 wheel with the cush drive bolt on for your 08 but you would need to change bearings and I am not 100% certain this would work.
 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 05:57 AM
  #4  
trace2008's Avatar
trace2008
Thread Starter
|
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 11,402
From: Clatskanie, OR
Default

thank you both for your input. i appreciate it, but now i am slightly confused on what will fit the rear....
 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 06:53 AM
  #5  
SafetyMan's Avatar
SafetyMan
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,970
Likes: 85
From: San Antone
Default

Originally Posted by trace2008
thank you both for your input. i appreciate it, but now i am slightly confused on what will fit the rear....
A take off from a 2008.

 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 07:16 AM
  #6  
trace2008's Avatar
trace2008
Thread Starter
|
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 11,402
From: Clatskanie, OR
Default

after going over this

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_us...013-wheels.pdf

i find that the rear rims that will fit my bike fit all the below

’00-later XL (except ’11-later XL883L),
’00-’05 Dyna,
’00-’02 Softail (except FXSTD)
’00-’08 Touring models.



am i safe to assume any rear wheel from any of these models will fit?
 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 07:38 AM
  #7  
Weavr99FLHT's Avatar
Weavr99FLHT
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
Default

Originally Posted by trace2008
after going over this http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_us...013-wheels.pdf i find that the rear rims that will fit my bike fit all the below ’00-later XL (except ’11-later XL883L), ’00-’05 Dyna, ’00-’02 Softail (except FXSTD) ’00-’08 Touring models. am i safe to assume any rear wheel from any of these models will fit?
Yes and No. The catalog shows new wheels fit that range as they come with no "guts". to mount on different year bikes, one must buy different "guts". (HD sells wheel kits for different years that include the spacers, bearings, shims, etc) A take off from a different year will not simply mount on a later year without modification to wheel's guts (I.e. 1 inch bearings to 25 mm bearings.

Someone posted up above that 08 was only year with 16 inch front and rear - that is just plain wrong.
 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 08:04 AM
  #8  
trace2008's Avatar
trace2008
Thread Starter
|
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 11,402
From: Clatskanie, OR
Default

Originally Posted by Weavr99FLHT
Yes and No. The catalog shows new wheels fit that range as they come with no "guts". to mount on different year bikes, one must buy different "guts". (HD sells wheel kits for different years that include the spacers, bearings, shims, etc) A take off from a different year will not simply mount on a later year without modification to wheel's guts (I.e. 1 inch bearings to 25 mm bearings.
that is what i assumed. i just wanted to be sure.

anyone know if the spacers and shims from my laced wheel will fit or do i need to buy new? i will be putting new bearings in any wheel i get unless it is new.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 01:17 PM
  #9  
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
Wink

Originally Posted by trace2008
anyone know if the spacers and shims from my laced wheel will fit or do i need to buy new? i will be putting new bearings in any wheel i get unless it is new.
Putting bearings in is easy, by pressing on the outer casing. Getting them out is not so easy and usually involves pulling on the inner, which risks marking the *****. I wouldn't personally reuse bearings. There is no need to buy Harley ones, which are quite expensive, as they are stock items and widely available. If you remove one and take it to an auto parts shop or bearing shop they should be able to give you top quality replacements. The numbers engraved on the bearing will tell them all they need to know. The internal spacer is reusable.
 
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2014 | 02:56 PM
  #10  
Hogpro's Avatar
Hogpro
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
Default

Crush tube should be fine to reuse. Buy 2 bearings per wheel from Harley. I know they sell "install kits" which include crush tubes and bearings but i would imagine you can order just the bearings and save some cash.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 PM.

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