Front Wheel change?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
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From: Great Lakes State
On Street Glides, if you make the rear mounting holes bigger (3/8) you then tip the fender a slight amount forward (because there will be a little bit of play). If you don't the wheel could rub the back and ruin your paint and wear the tire prematurely.
Will that apply to an Electra Glide also?
You don't have to lower the front, but it will be more tippy at low speeds if you don't. When I order my 21" this winter I will be lowering the front.
Will that apply to an Electra Glide also?
You don't have to lower the front, but it will be more tippy at low speeds if you don't. When I order my 21" this winter I will be lowering the front.
The 21" is done so you can see more wheel, it looks good plus still handles, there are many 18" custom wheels also. I still have my original rear but plan to have it chromed on the next tire change to better match the front. As stated before it is hard to see the wheel pattern and when I install stretched bags it will be a lot less obvious.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Great Lakes State
The 21" is done so you can see more wheel, it looks good plus still handles, there are many 18" custom wheels also. I still have my original rear but plan to have it chromed on the next tire change to better match the front. As stated before it is hard to see the wheel pattern and when I install stretched bags it will be a lot less obvious.
Nice. Did you do anything else, suspension? Still handles ok if you didn't?
hougz mentioned it will be more "tippy" at low speeds?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 1
From: Superior, WI
The biggest factor for the 21" is the bling. Some think it handles worse, some say it handles fine, a few say it handles better. As mentioned, you see more the wheel with the 21 and it fills the fender. By using a different fender, you can achieve that look with an 18" wheel, but you will still run into the issue of the rotor(s) covering up some of the design.
Me personally, I am putting a 21" on this winter. I think wheels really stand out on a bike. One of the first things I notice. So yes, for me it is an appearance thing (the first step is admitting it right?). I have no issues with the handling of my stock 18" wheel. It's just too bland for me.
I will lower my front, for two reasons. It does get a touch more tippy at slow speeds and I am spending too much money on custom stuff to scuff it up on a stupid error. The second reason is it will raise your seat a little bit. Taller riders don't seem to mind. I am 6' with a 32" inseam. I can flat foot right now, but any higher would be uncomfortable.
I hope this helps in your decision. Just my opinion, you're the one riding your bike.
Me personally, I am putting a 21" on this winter. I think wheels really stand out on a bike. One of the first things I notice. So yes, for me it is an appearance thing (the first step is admitting it right?). I have no issues with the handling of my stock 18" wheel. It's just too bland for me.
I will lower my front, for two reasons. It does get a touch more tippy at slow speeds and I am spending too much money on custom stuff to scuff it up on a stupid error. The second reason is it will raise your seat a little bit. Taller riders don't seem to mind. I am 6' with a 32" inseam. I can flat foot right now, but any higher would be uncomfortable.
I hope this helps in your decision. Just my opinion, you're the one riding your bike.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Great Lakes State
The biggest factor for the 21" is the bling. Some think it handles worse, some say it handles fine, a few say it handles better. As mentioned, you see more the wheel with the 21 and it fills the fender. By using a different fender, you can achieve that look with an 18" wheel, but you will still run into the issue of the rotor(s) covering up some of the design.
Me personally, I am putting a 21" on this winter. I think wheels really stand out on a bike. One of the first things I notice. So yes, for me it is an appearance thing (the first step is admitting it right?). I have no issues with the handling of my stock 18" wheel. It's just too bland for me.
I will lower my front, for two reasons. It does get a touch more tippy at slow speeds and I am spending too much money on custom stuff to scuff it up on a stupid error. The second reason is it will raise your seat a little bit. Taller riders don't seem to mind. I am 6' with a 32" inseam. I can flat foot right now, but any higher would be uncomfortable.
I hope this helps in your decision. Just my opinion, you're the one riding your bike.
Me personally, I am putting a 21" on this winter. I think wheels really stand out on a bike. One of the first things I notice. So yes, for me it is an appearance thing (the first step is admitting it right?). I have no issues with the handling of my stock 18" wheel. It's just too bland for me.
I will lower my front, for two reasons. It does get a touch more tippy at slow speeds and I am spending too much money on custom stuff to scuff it up on a stupid error. The second reason is it will raise your seat a little bit. Taller riders don't seem to mind. I am 6' with a 32" inseam. I can flat foot right now, but any higher would be uncomfortable.
I hope this helps in your decision. Just my opinion, you're the one riding your bike.
Yes I realize it's for bling, I like the front wheel change (bling) now that it was brought to my attention (sometimes friends are only there to spend your $$) And his has just the single rotor, so he has a good side...Lol
Ok, so even with a low pro tire, the overall height will still be taller then(with a 21)...? So we raise it just to lower it....OK then. Haha
Yes, this is all helping me out thanks everyone for input..."Input, input..need more input"
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 102
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From: Black Hills, SD
Here is a picture of my bike I just traded in. I installed a new front and rear wheel with the factory sizes and I think it looked pretty good. What I did was put a "bling" wheel on the front and a Fatboy solid wheel on the back. It was quite a bit less money for the solid rear wheel and like others have stated.... Can't see much of it any way.
I opted for not going with the 21" up front simply because I did not want to have to relocate the fender or brakes. It can all be done though! Its only money.
Good luck with your decision! Its always fun to do some customizing
)
Also, One thing that has helped me after doing a few piece meal bikes is I now get out the catalog and figure out a clear path for custom pieces. What I mean is I pick out all the custom pieces that I want to have on the bike when I am done and just start picking away at the list as I can afford it. Too many times I have been caught in the Harley shop looking at something shinny and thinking "this would look good on my bike" and then I have a cobbled up mess when I am done with nothing matching and no real "flow" to the look of the bike.
I opted for not going with the 21" up front simply because I did not want to have to relocate the fender or brakes. It can all be done though! Its only money.
Good luck with your decision! Its always fun to do some customizing
)Also, One thing that has helped me after doing a few piece meal bikes is I now get out the catalog and figure out a clear path for custom pieces. What I mean is I pick out all the custom pieces that I want to have on the bike when I am done and just start picking away at the list as I can afford it. Too many times I have been caught in the Harley shop looking at something shinny and thinking "this would look good on my bike" and then I have a cobbled up mess when I am done with nothing matching and no real "flow" to the look of the bike.
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2010
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I did that and there is no problem, but after changing just the front I ordered the back and changed it too. You can see enough of the back rim that it doesn't look right without changing both, at least to me. If $$$ are an issue do like I did. Buy the front and get the rear as soon as you can afford it.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
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From: Great Lakes State
I did that and there is no problem, but after changing just the front I ordered the back and changed it too. You can see enough of the back rim that it doesn't look right without changing both, at least to me. If $$$ are an issue do like I did. Buy the front and get the rear as soon as you can afford it.
Yea isn't $$ always usually an issue?...well not for all, but I will do the the front 1st, but if I know me as well as I know me, I will end up doing the back also. I spoke with Jeff at Coastal Moto, he was a great deal of help and full of great info.
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