Good morning all. I have a 2017 Freewheeler. I'm looking to do some mods to give it a more hot rod/dragster look. Going to move the brake/tail/directional lights to the trunk and replace with some Custom Dynamics LEDs and remove fenders. The plan is to get a wheel adapter to change from current 4 x 4.25 bolt patter to 5 x 5.5 and put some old school Cragars on. I'd like to go to a 305mm tire which would require a 10"-12" width wheel. Does anybody have an opinion on whether this type of mod will negatively affect ride or mechanical function? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

The wider the tire, the more likely it will be to hydroplane.

You may want to beef up your axle bearing retainer plates also...see thread on them below-

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/tri-g...er-plates.html

 

The extra drag and rolling resistance from that big rubber is going to noticeably hurt performance and fuel economy. The large increase in rotating mass will hurt rear braking,too.
If I were going to do that, I wouldn't go quite so big.

 

Thanks Kevin.

Just checked out the thread you linked to me. Thank you. I'll have to purchase a set of plates from you very soon. What, in your opinion, would be the widest you think I can safely go on the tire? Any advice is appreciated.

 

Thanks Clint. I appreciate your input. And whats your opinion on the max width? I was going to keep a 15" wheel then a tire with a high sidewalls. I might have to go to a narrower tire and maybe an 18" wheel with lower profile tire.

 

Just an example but you could go with a 15x8 wheel and 245/60/15 tire. Problem with bigger 15" tires, is the diameter starts getting too tall. Keeping the diameter close to the stock 25.6" would be much easier to manage, with 17" wheels.
I assume you would be removing the stock fenders. When you decide what route you want to pursue, let me know and I'll help you crunch the numbers.

 

Thanks again Clint. Fenders are being removed and tail/brake/directionals being moved to rear of trunk. Obviously I have to rethink things but I will absolutely take you up your offer to help. Thank you. Mike

 

Clint is much more knowledgeable about wheels and tires than I am, and he is always willing to help. I would avail myself to his expertise.

I know that the wider you go, the easier you will hydroplane...so it is all a trade off. If you do not ride in the heavy rain/roads that are flooded, then it is a non-issue. If you do, then it is just a matter of trading off what you want for looks for going slower in wet circumstances. Even with the stock tire, on a flooded enough road, and going fast enough, you will hydroplane.

 

Thanks Again Kevin. I will definitely accept Clints help and expertise. I am definitely a fair weather rider so I usually attempt to avoid riding when rain is imminent. If I do get stuck (which I have) I'm never too far from home so slowing up I'm all for! Going to do some more research. Again.. thank you!