Deuce 180 wheel not fitting- need help
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2024
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From: West Virginia
Deuce 180 wheel not fitting- need help
Hello, I am new to the forum and need help. I have a 03 Softail Deuce 100 anniversary edition, I am trying to install a new wheel and its not fitting. The bike came with aftermarket wheels "that looks like flames" width of the wheel looks like 4.5 inches, the tire that was on it was a metzler 180/55/18. I bought a new wire wheel from DNA its 5.5 wide and the tire is the same size that i took off "Metzler 180/55/18. I was told by DNA that it would fit and i even called ride wright and they also recommend the same 5.5 wide wheel and same size tire and said it would fit. Even tho its the same size tire im guessing because of the wider wheel the tire itself is about 1 inch wider. When we try to install it the brake rotor doesnt line up with the caliper and if we push it over so it does the belt pulley is against the frame. DNA sent me a spacer that goes between the pully and the wheel, it all fits if i dont use that spacer but then the belt wont clear the tire. I think i have 2 options unless someone can help me - DNA will replace with a 3.5 wheel and a 160 tire, or i see vulcan machining has a deuce 180 wide tire kit that just has different spacers. I would think DNA would have told me i needed this kit if i used this tire but idk. Iv ready plenty of people on these forums have fit a 180 and some with a 5.5 wheel on their deuce with no problems and DNA and ride wright said it should fit so I dont know why its not fitting on my bike. I do have a precision machine rear brake but I talked to the guy i bought the bike from and he said its same mounting place and alignment as the stock calipers so i wouldnt think that would be the issue
. The bike is with a local motorcycle mechanic who seems very knowledgeable but we just need some ideas. Thank you in advance for any help.
. The bike is with a local motorcycle mechanic who seems very knowledgeable but we just need some ideas. Thank you in advance for any help.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,773
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From: san antonio
The only 180 tire I have been able to fit to my '05 Deuce is the OEM SE 180 with the 1/8" Vulcan spacer on the OEM 4.5" wheel. That tire has gotten very expensive so I have been replacing the rear with 170/60x17 on the stock wheel.
I think you have a couple of options. I think you could take measurements; have to be pretty precise, and mill the backside of the caliper. Another option might be to replace the rear drive pulley and belt with the 20mm piece which should add about 1/4" between the tire and belt; more than enough.
I think you have a couple of options. I think you could take measurements; have to be pretty precise, and mill the backside of the caliper. Another option might be to replace the rear drive pulley and belt with the 20mm piece which should add about 1/4" between the tire and belt; more than enough.
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2024
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From: West Virginia
I really dont want to get into milling the caliper. I have thought about a thinner pully belt but it seems easier to just exchange the wheel for the 3.5 inch. I just cant figure out how guys have made a 5.5 inch work with a 180 it just seems to big to fit with the stock swing arms. Thanks for the tips tho i might try the thinner belt. Im just wondering if dna didnt send me the wrong spacers or something.
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2024
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From: West Virginia
What does the SE in "OEM SE 180" mean? is that something different than my tire. I didnt know if that was a speed rating or something or if that meant it was a different width or something. Thanks for the help also.
Also i have enough room between the belt and tire (with the spacer they gave me) the problem is the pully is hitting my frame when the rotor is lined up with the caliper so once i think about i dont think a thinner belt would help.
Also i have enough room between the belt and tire (with the spacer they gave me) the problem is the pully is hitting my frame when the rotor is lined up with the caliper so once i think about i dont think a thinner belt would help.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,773
Likes: 2,603
From: san antonio
The OEM SE 180 is the Dunlop rear tire (GT502 180/60B17) made for the '04 CVO Deuce. The 160/70B17 is the OEM rear for all the other Deuces. That tire will fit the other Deuce model years with the Vulcan 1/8" sprocket side spacer. I don't know if the '04 CVO Deuce swing arm was any wider that other model years but, if it was, that might also be an option.
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I have a 4.5" wide Deuce rear wheel on my -02 Dyna. Different bike but it think the belt pulley is the same and also the front pulley so I think this still applies.
I run a 170/60-17 Bridgestone tire, and there is less than 1/8" clearance between the tire and the drive belt. A 180 mm wide tire would not fit without adding a spacer to the pulley.
I guess your previous 180 tire was limited in width by the 4.5" rim, and on a 5.5" rim it reached it's full designed width. Different tyre brands can also have different actual width even they are the same nominal width. Metzler's seem to run wider than other brands for instance.
One way to get extra clearance is to do a chain conversion, but there could also be limitations in the fender, or with screws or nuts protruding inside the fender.
I run a 170/60-17 Bridgestone tire, and there is less than 1/8" clearance between the tire and the drive belt. A 180 mm wide tire would not fit without adding a spacer to the pulley.
I guess your previous 180 tire was limited in width by the 4.5" rim, and on a 5.5" rim it reached it's full designed width. Different tyre brands can also have different actual width even they are the same nominal width. Metzler's seem to run wider than other brands for instance.
One way to get extra clearance is to do a chain conversion, but there could also be limitations in the fender, or with screws or nuts protruding inside the fender.
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