Wheel seems tight after 21" install

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May 19, 2011 | 03:11 PM

FIREHAWK116

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 134

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From: MI

Wheel seems tight after 21" install

I just installed a 21 on my 09 sg. I went for a short ride around the block. When I put the bike back on the jack and have to put a lot of effort to spin it only 3/4 of a rotation. Is this normal? The wheel spins fine with the calipers off.

May 19, 2011 | 03:44 PM

modes

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,118

Likes: 26

From: OOB, Maine

When I first put my 21" on way back when I had to buy another set of spacers. The stock Harley one's on my '05 are slightly different lengths on both sides. They both needed to be the same size and it was the longer of the two stock sizes. All is well now. Didn't even take it off the jack when installing. I backed the nut of 'til the wheel would spin properly with the calipers mounted. Once achieved I would see the gap between the spacer and fork slider. SO I am running two of the longer stock spacers (one on each side).

Adam

May 19, 2011 | 05:26 PM

HOGNIT

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 303

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From: beaver dam, Wi.

If your using stock fender,you need to tip fender up in back. Loosen fender bolts and grab the back of fender and pull up and retighten.

May 19, 2011 | 05:42 PM

Bgill

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 1,010

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From: Parrish, Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOGNIT

If your using stock fender,you need to tip fender up in back. Loosen fender bolts and grab the back of fender and pull up and retighten.

did you reset your caliper pistons?

May 19, 2011 | 06:33 PM

Overdoo

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 673

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From: Charlotte NC

21 wheel drag

I helped a good friend of mine install an 18" wheel on his SE EG. He had the same issue. The wheel would not turn freely. It turned out he had a bent rotor. The wheels and rotors were new and probably damaged in shipping. The wheel should spin with a little drag but should still spin. Try taking off one caliper at a time. See if the drag changes. If you have access to a dial indicator check your rotor runout to. Usually spacing effects both sides at the same time. Are you sure you installed the spacers on the correct sides. Brembo brakes are far less forgiving as far as spacing is concerned as well. Hope this helps.

Last edited by Overdoo; May 19, 2011 at 06:35 PM.

May 19, 2011 | 06:42 PM

buggy

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 644

Likes: 5

From: Pittsburgh

I did same thing once and the new rotors were different. the old calipers were 11" and the brembos are 11 1/4 " . I would bleed calipers and check spacers also.