changing the front wheel - will the speedometer be off?
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Maryland
changing the front wheel - will the speedometer be off?
i'm comtemplating going to a 21" wheel on the front of my street glide, i won't be touching the rear wheel - as you can't see the wheel anyway.
my question is - will this alter my speedometer?
also, maybe someone can chime in regarding if it will change the comfortability of the ride. i've read some, where people say during slow maneuvering it takes some getting used to. i'd rather not lower the front of my bike.
thanks everyone, and ride safe!
my question is - will this alter my speedometer?
also, maybe someone can chime in regarding if it will change the comfortability of the ride. i've read some, where people say during slow maneuvering it takes some getting used to. i'd rather not lower the front of my bike.
thanks everyone, and ride safe!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
no, the speedo is driven off the tranny.
2.) handling will be affected, you may find the bike feels more stable on straight highways, a little tougher at low speeds
and turns.
a smaller tire contact patch = less traction. if you took a rider course than you know how this affects you
this is not a modification I would do ( I have other bikes, and my touring bike needs to be 'touring capable'), I'd suggest you follow the path of other guys who have done this.
make sure the tire you select is rated for the weight of the bike. Don't do anything stupid, like removing a brake rotor. If you do, please don't ride behind me.
lowering the bike can get your fender smacking the triple tree on a pothole
if you go with another wheel, get a fender to match- stock fenders on custom skinny wheels look 1/2 done.
mike
2.) handling will be affected, you may find the bike feels more stable on straight highways, a little tougher at low speeds
and turns.
a smaller tire contact patch = less traction. if you took a rider course than you know how this affects you
this is not a modification I would do ( I have other bikes, and my touring bike needs to be 'touring capable'), I'd suggest you follow the path of other guys who have done this.
make sure the tire you select is rated for the weight of the bike. Don't do anything stupid, like removing a brake rotor. If you do, please don't ride behind me.
lowering the bike can get your fender smacking the triple tree on a pothole
if you go with another wheel, get a fender to match- stock fenders on custom skinny wheels look 1/2 done.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 3, 2014 at 11:17 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 56
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From: Maryland
i had assumed the speedo was driven off the tranny - but you never want to assume anything. thanks for the information.
If i do get a new rear wheel, i definitely won't be removing a brake rotor - stopping is important.
if i do decide on getting a new wheel, i'll be looking to find a wheel with close to the same width, as to not decrease too much traction.
thanks for all the input.
If i do get a new rear wheel, i definitely won't be removing a brake rotor - stopping is important.
if i do decide on getting a new wheel, i'll be looking to find a wheel with close to the same width, as to not decrease too much traction.
thanks for all the input.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
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I don't believe in the low speed feeling with a 21" but i ride my bike everyday. On a softail it makes a huge difference as the bike has a much lower center of gravity but on a bagger you sit up really high and that really negates this feeling in my mind. Put a 21" on my Glide at stock height and I see no need to lower he front end.
But there is an exception to every rule and each person reacts to changes to their motorcycle differently than the last guy. The thing that gets me about this is that many people are told you HAVE TO lower the front end with a 21" front wheel which is not the case.
My advice is to do one thing at t time. Put on the 21" wheel and see how that affects your ride. Then, if you feel you need to lower the bike lower it but doing it all at once makes it difficult to differentiate between what has done what to the bike.
Food for thought for those thinking about mods to their bikes. I always do one thing at a time on my bikes. It makes more sense and is a little more affordable as well.
But there is an exception to every rule and each person reacts to changes to their motorcycle differently than the last guy. The thing that gets me about this is that many people are told you HAVE TO lower the front end with a 21" front wheel which is not the case.
My advice is to do one thing at t time. Put on the 21" wheel and see how that affects your ride. Then, if you feel you need to lower the bike lower it but doing it all at once makes it difficult to differentiate between what has done what to the bike.
Food for thought for those thinking about mods to their bikes. I always do one thing at a time on my bikes. It makes more sense and is a little more affordable as well.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 56
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From: Maryland
I don't believe in the low speed feeling with a 21" but i ride my bike everyday. On a softail it makes a huge difference as the bike has a much lower center of gravity but on a bagger you sit up really high and that really negates this feeling in my mind. Put a 21" on my Glide at stock height and I see no need to lower he front end.
But there is an exception to every rule and each person reacts to changes to their motorcycle differently than the last guy. The thing that gets me about this is that many people are told you HAVE TO lower the front end with a 21" front wheel which is not the case.
My advice is to do one thing at t time. Put on the 21" wheel and see how that affects your ride. Then, if you feel you need to lower the bike lower it but doing it all at once makes it difficult to differentiate between what has done what to the bike.
Food for thought for those thinking about mods to their bikes. I always do one thing at a time on my bikes. It makes more sense and is a little more affordable as well.
But there is an exception to every rule and each person reacts to changes to their motorcycle differently than the last guy. The thing that gets me about this is that many people are told you HAVE TO lower the front end with a 21" front wheel which is not the case.
My advice is to do one thing at t time. Put on the 21" wheel and see how that affects your ride. Then, if you feel you need to lower the bike lower it but doing it all at once makes it difficult to differentiate between what has done what to the bike.
Food for thought for those thinking about mods to their bikes. I always do one thing at a time on my bikes. It makes more sense and is a little more affordable as well.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
I put a 21 on mine and kept stick fender cause I like the look much better than skinny fender. I also went to one front brake rotor looks better and really not losing much braking power. Do what u want and like
i'm comtemplating going to a 21" wheel on the front of my street glide, i won't be touching the rear wheel - as you can't see the wheel anyway.
my question is - will this alter my speedometer?
also, maybe someone can chime in regarding if it will change the comfortability of the ride. i've read some, where people say during slow maneuvering it takes some getting used to. i'd rather not lower the front of my bike.
thanks everyone, and ride safe!
my question is - will this alter my speedometer?
also, maybe someone can chime in regarding if it will change the comfortability of the ride. i've read some, where people say during slow maneuvering it takes some getting used to. i'd rather not lower the front of my bike.
thanks everyone, and ride safe!
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I love my bike with the 21" wheel. I put 13K miles on the bike since September 2013 so yes I do some touring. I have a wrap around fender at the painter right now but have been running it with the stock fender up until now. Would I consider switching back? Not a chance. Have I had any ill effects? Not at all.
Would I hesitate to do this if I had another bagger as well? Nope. Did I lower the front end? Nope. Do I feel a need to? Nope. Any other questions I can answer for you?
Would I hesitate to do this if I had another bagger as well? Nope. Did I lower the front end? Nope. Do I feel a need to? Nope. Any other questions I can answer for you?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 18
From: Orange, VA,
I would not go 21 on my Electra Glide, maybe 18 or 19, the 21 inch tire on front is going to be smaller so you will have less grip, try a panic stop on a 850 lb bike with a skinny front tire and you will see........