I'm contemplating changing the stock 21" front wheel on my 2007 Sportster 1200 Custom to a 19". I've heard that such a swap can improve handling characteristics and give a larger contact patch. Questions:

1. What is the widest wheel that can be mounted in the otherwise stock front end?

2. Given that wheel, what is the widest tire that can then be mounted?

3. This eBay seller lists a 19x2.5" wheel as compatible with my bike, but $199 seems to be a perhaps suspiciously low price. I don't want to put crap on my bike, especially as a front wheel is rather important. Does anyone know anything about that wheel or that seller?

4. Can anyone recommend a good seller or wheel brand? I'm looking for chrome/spoked.

5. Also, if anyone can point me to a resource for figuring out what wheel/tire combos would fit. I went to the Motor Company website and they offer 19" wheels that would fit ($600 and up), but the only spec listed is 19", with no mention of width.

Thanks.

 

There isn't a "bunch" of combos. If you want a 19" rim for a Narrow-glide then it's going to be a 19x2.15 or 19x2.5 using a 100/90-19 (OEM sizing) or a 110/90-19 tire.

The MoCo wouldn't normally list widths because they list by Application. They just have to say "It's Fits"

The ebay wheel probably is an imported "Ultima". You can get them cheaper here
http://www.jirehcycles.com/ #36-730 $144.95

You could look at others such as RideWright, DNA, HDwheels to name a few


PG 187

 

Thanks for the info, it's just what I needed.

The eBay seller listed the 2.50" as working for the Sportster, but I didn't know whether to trust that info, especially when other references I found all showed 2.15" only (probably because it's the OEM width?).

Can you tell me which tire, with the 19" wheel, would duplicate the OEM 21" wheel/tire combo's outside diameter, in order that the fender gap be correct?

 

2.5" is fine...that's what OEM 19" laced spoke wheels are.


You can't duplicate it...the MoCo doesn't duplicate it. The fender and mounting dimensions are the same. You (or the MoCo, this is what they do) either mount a 21" with minimal tire to fender gap or a 19" with more gap. Use any 19" sportster as a reference for tire gap and tire width. The OE tire will be 100/90, but you can get 110/90 that minimize the gap and look "beefier"
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!’m considering the same w a tubeless rim/tire for a 2008, if you did the swap, how do you like it?
thanks