Wheel Swap Effect question.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Wheel Swap Effect question.
I am 6'3" so I dont "need" to lower my 06 SG even with a wheel swap to ride and stop comfortably, having said that I am replacing the stock 16 inch wheels with a 160-60-18 rear and a 120-70-21 in the front. Will the bike be fine? or do I need to lower the front a little? I doubt I could lower the rear w/o it rubbing on bumps. I have it apart now and am thinking of putting chrome sliders on so I could make adjustments. Any advice?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
I am in the process of doing a 21 inch wheel on the front of my 09 SG. I will be lowering my front end 1 inch to put the steering geometry back to where it was. Several guys have complained when they do the switch the front end is heavy at parking lot speeds. Some say it does but doesn't bother them. Do a search on 21 inch wheels you should get a bunch of hits on it. Then make up your mind what you wanna do.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
I have had mixed results with the 160 tire -- had about five of them on my SG -- some wobbled some didn't -- Metzler now makes a reinforced 150 which is supposedly better then the old one. I have never had a problem with the 150
I am 6'3" so I dont "need" to lower my 06 SG even with a wheel swap to ride and stop comfortably, having said that I am replacing the stock 16 inch wheels with a 160-60-18 rear and a 120-70-21 in the front. Will the bike be fine? or do I need to lower the front a little? I doubt I could lower the rear w/o it rubbing on bumps. I have it apart now and am thinking of putting chrome sliders on so I could make adjustments. Any advice?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
With the SG you are already 1" lower in the rear(due to 1" shorter than standard FLH shocks) than the frame/fork geometry is set up for and with the bigger diameter 21" front wheel you are raising the front approx 1 more inch. This is why the guys that have done this comment on heavy feeling front end , it's like putting on 2" longer fork tubes.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Texas
With the SG you are already 1" lower in the rear(due to 1" shorter than standard FLH shocks) than the frame/fork geometry is set up for and with the bigger diameter 21" front wheel you are raising the front approx 1 more inch. This is why the guys that have done this comment on heavy feeling front end , it's like putting on 2" longer fork tubes.
so really if I go ahead and switch to chrome sliders now is the time to drop it and inch?
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
If you do that could I do a trade with a few of your 'spare' inches in height?! You don't have a reach problem, so I suggest you fit longer rear shocks, which will also give you a better quality ride. As soon as you sit on your bike you are going to make it look low, so it doesn't need any extra help!
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