I was wondering if any one on here has put a 23" wheel on their bagger.I have a 21 up front now on my RK and love it but got a little envious when I was on a charity run for labor day and saw a guy with a SG with a 23 upfront.I asked how it handled and he claimed it ran down the road perfectly with no wobble..I have wanted to do the conversion for some time but didn't want to rake it out.

05 Road King.16 in apes stage one ac but going to a K&N air charger kit.RCC slip ons ,V&H true duals,accutronix forward controls.Legend air ride.The list goes on...

 

Welcome to the forum man. The guy said it dont take away from the handling of the bike? I can see that for a show bike but not a daily rider. Just not my thing I guess. Good luck with your project.

 

Allan, welcome to HDF from the UK. You will find the 'Search' in the blue bar above is your friend. Use the advanced feature, enter '23' hit return and stand back.

 

Go to this site. Your questions will get answered there.
http://custombaggerforum.com/forum/

(I have wanted to do the conversion for some time but didn't want to rake it out) Im pretty sure you need to rake it to get a 23 on there, and you'll need a new fender.

 

I love when veteran members come on here and tout search search search!!! Why are they here? Everything has been asked and answered. You've seen it all, don't come back! Lock down new thread options too

 

Giving a new member help to use search is hardly a bad thing! Allan asks if anyone has done it, to which the answer is yes and there are some great threads on the subject.

 

You have to do more than just mount up a 23, either get the frame modified or get a raked tree from pickard or tricky. I have rode my friends who have a 26 up front and pickard trees and cruise on the hiway @ 80 no wobble all day long.

Its like anything new, you have to get used to it. I wouldn't toss a big wheel on and run straight for the highway to do 90, simply because you gotta get used to the feel of the wheel but that's me. That large wheel has its on centrifugal force weight compared to a smaller 18 and as such will feel heavier in the front when doing slower maneuvering, and can just as well get away from you in faster maneuvering because of the same reason.

I like the look of the 26/30's don't get me wrong they can look good hell one of the best guys around is by me www.backyardbaggers.com , Joey makes some insane bikes! That being said I personally think a 21 is about as big as plan to go up front. Yeah I have 4inch extended bags and a extended fender out in the garage I plan on massaging the winter and dropping on the bike and most likely will add a 21 up front as well, but that's as big as I want to go I think. The roads are just crap to be honest and I like more meat between the road and the rim.

 

Hey I appreciate all the replies Still I was just wondering if anyone had actually made the conversion.Yes I know I have heard all about the handling problems with the larger wheels however I ran behind this guy for quite a few miles and was watching how it handled and I saw no wobble or for that matter any kind of problem for him.Now this guy was probably in his 20's so He couldn't have had that much experience riding.I have been riding Harleys since I was 17 when I bought my first right out of HS.Yeah I am an old guy that was in '77.I don't get to ride as much as I would like cuz I drive a truck .I have owned my KW W900 for 14 years and bought it new second odometer says 205000 first quit around 1450000.. Ok off subject.Anyhow I kinda stubborn so when I get it in my head to do something I do it come hell or high water.


One time I was told I have very strong convictions and beliefs that cannot easily be changed by the current political winds....Well actually I think it was more like :You are a stubborn old fool.

 

I like it myself and plan on doing a 23" fat spokes, maybe a brake conversion and new fender and some adjusting the front suspension.
I wish I had it done to say , yeah check it out but not yet.
I eventually want to cut and rake with pickard trees at 9* lol that rhymes.
Maybe go 26", 30 is pretty radical but I love the look.
I too get in my head and thats it, so hopefully this summer ill go with a 23 and see how it rides without the rake or trees
Lump

 

I have a 23" setup on my bike.The pictures i have on here is with a 21". I personally love the ride and have had no problems at all. It handles great at higher speeds and in the twisties. Like others have said it takes a few miles to get use to, not bad just a little different. The setup that I used was trike triple trees, Bad Dad Mo'Fl front fender, Performance Machine Luxe wheel. Its easy to change out and can be done in a weekend. I'm thinking of changing my setup to a 26". If your interested just let me know and I'll send you pics. If you have any questions I'd be glad to help you out. I attached a picture with the 23"