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:

Changing front wheel size

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 27, 2013 | 10:43 PM
  #1  
5th Gear's Avatar
5th Gear
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba
Default Changing front wheel size

2006 RK Classic

I am having some work done on my bike and one of the things is new wheels. I'm getting straight spoke rims same size on back (16x3.5) but on the front I am getting a 21x3.5. In order to accommodate the larger rim size I am getting a lower profile tire.

I am wondering if there is a "down" side to the larger rim and low pro tire with respect to: handling, safety, blow-outs, ride performance etc etc?
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2013 | 11:59 PM
  #2  
angelrod's Avatar
angelrod
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 653
Likes: 2
From: 90807/60031
Default

your front will be taller .you might need to adjust your front fender , and your bike will lean more on the kick stand .handling will not changed .i rode my Electra glide with that setup for 83k.
 

Last edited by angelrod; Dec 28, 2013 at 12:07 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2013 | 06:31 AM
  #3  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Default

By choosing a 3.5" rim you are avoiding some problems, such as unsuitable narrow tyres (as used on some custom Harleys) and can only use a low profile tyre, such as a 120/70. Your wheel supplier probably guided you down that route!
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2013 | 01:10 PM
  #4  
5th Gear's Avatar
5th Gear
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Manitoba
Default

Originally Posted by angelrod
your front will be taller .you might need to adjust your front fender , and your bike will lean more on the kick stand .handling will not changed .i rode my Electra glide with that setup for 83k.
From my understanding from Hellybilly Motorcycles is the fender does not have to be realigned higher because of the low pro tire. 21" rim was the max though
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2019 | 03:32 PM
  #5  
Capreceous's Avatar
Capreceous
Stage IV
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
Default Change Wheel size on 2015 FLHXS

I have meen riding a 1999 Road King Classic since it was new. I recently purchased a used 2015 Street Glide Special with 2000 miles on it. I was very disappointed with the ride and handling of the Street Glide compared to my 99 Road King. So I changed the rear 12" stock shocks to Legends Revo-A , Adjustable Coil Suspension - 13in. - Clear Anodized 13" Legend . Then I changed the front suspension to Legend ,

AXEO FLH Front End Suspension (2014+)

Fits 2014-2019, FLH Touring Models

So far so good, ride is improving, but still not happy with the Handling, after some research I decided to change the front wheel and tire., unlike a lot of people, I decide to go from a 19" wheel to a 17" wheel and the appropriate Tire Change.
2015 Street Glide Front Comparison Stock vs Modified

2015 SGS front(stock) 2015 SGS Front(slicer)

19” inch Wheel 17” Inch Wheel

130/60 -19 130/80 -17 Difference

Diameter inches (mm) 25.14 (638.6) 25.19 (639.8) 0.05 (1.2) 0.2%

Width inches (mm) 5.12 (130) 5.12 (130) 0 (0) 0%

Circum. inches (mm) 78.99 (2006.22) 79.13 (2009.99) 0.15 (3.77) 0.2%

Sidewall Height inches (mm) 3.07 (78) 4.09 (104) 1.02 (26) 33.3%

Revolutions per mile (km) 802.18 (498.45) 800.67 (497.51) -1.5 (-0.93) -0.2%



BEFORE

stock 19 inch wheel


AFTER

17" Slicer Front Wheel

The Change in Handling and road imperfections coming through the handlebars was absolutely amazing, this is the ride I wanted and ex[expected. Too bad it took so many changes to make this ride what it should be..
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Coastiejosh
Touring Models
7
Sep 17, 2012 04:15 PM
eric2011Deluxe
Softail Models
5
Dec 25, 2011 12:37 PM
JustDave71
Wheels/Tires
7
Jul 10, 2010 11:48 AM
cdrich
Wheels/Tires
1
Sep 28, 2009 06:57 AM
tweakin
Sportster Models
14
Mar 4, 2008 06:49 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:21 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE