Low rider Front wheel conversion
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5
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From:
Low rider Front wheel conversion
I have a 03 FXDL and I would like to put a 21 inch front wheel on it. I can not get a straight answer from anyone saying what it will do to the bike if I do that. I have converted my front end to the wide glide but I have the same 39mm stock forks on it. Thanks everyone
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 534
Likes: 35
From: Western Australia
RE: Low rider Front wheel conversion
I would think it would make it handle like a Dyna Wide Glide as the both have the same frame, although the Wide Glide has wider triple trees I'm pretty sure all the other specs such as wheel base, rake, trail, etc are the same.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Low rider Front wheel conversion
I think that you'll find the rake on the WG front end is a little different that the stock Low Rider or Superglide, gives it a more stretched out look. Whether this will have a huge difference in handling, I don't know, but be aware there is a difference, at least on the later Dyna and WG models. You'll also have less of a contact patch with the narrower 21" wheel than the 19", just one more thing to think about along with if the wheel assembly will fit between the Superglide forks without a problem as the WG front is a wider spacing between the forks and sliders than the other Dynas.
WG front does look sharp though.
WG front does look sharp though.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Low rider Front wheel conversion
I like the idea of a LR with a WG front end. I think it would look good with less rake. There are a lot of differances between the LR and the WG besides the front end. Not to mention thousands of $$ in purchase price.
Wheels are wheels. They will all fit within the same year. Take a look at aftermarket wheel catalogs and you won't find a differant listing for WG and LR. You find a listing for width and diameter. You can bolt in whatever wheel you like, just be sure to match the tire to the wheel.
If you look at tire sizes between the WG and LR here's what you find (for '06): WG = MH90-21-54H LR = 100/90-19-57H
That's a lot of gobbledygook at first glance. But all the numbers mean something imortant. There area number of web sites the decipher all this; find whichever one is easiest for you to read. What's important is overall height/diameter, and width. The 21" WG wheel/tire combo is only about 1/2" taller than the LR 19" wheel/tire combo. But the 19" combo is 3.5" wide with a 3.15" sidewall. And the 21" wheel is 2.75" wide with a 2.47" sidewall.
So whats the bottom line? You can use whatever wheel/tire combo you think looks best. For street riding I don't think there's enough performance advantage either way to matter. There are thousands of WG's on the road doing just fine. Personally, I would bolt in the wheels you have and see what you think. If you don't like them, then spend the bux on something differant.
Your biggest fitment problem is really the fender. I saw some alum adapter blocks for sale a while back, but can't remember where. But I don't suppose they would be difficult to make in the average garage. It's just a spacer block.
Wheels are wheels. They will all fit within the same year. Take a look at aftermarket wheel catalogs and you won't find a differant listing for WG and LR. You find a listing for width and diameter. You can bolt in whatever wheel you like, just be sure to match the tire to the wheel.
If you look at tire sizes between the WG and LR here's what you find (for '06): WG = MH90-21-54H LR = 100/90-19-57H
That's a lot of gobbledygook at first glance. But all the numbers mean something imortant. There area number of web sites the decipher all this; find whichever one is easiest for you to read. What's important is overall height/diameter, and width. The 21" WG wheel/tire combo is only about 1/2" taller than the LR 19" wheel/tire combo. But the 19" combo is 3.5" wide with a 3.15" sidewall. And the 21" wheel is 2.75" wide with a 2.47" sidewall.
So whats the bottom line? You can use whatever wheel/tire combo you think looks best. For street riding I don't think there's enough performance advantage either way to matter. There are thousands of WG's on the road doing just fine. Personally, I would bolt in the wheels you have and see what you think. If you don't like them, then spend the bux on something differant.
Your biggest fitment problem is really the fender. I saw some alum adapter blocks for sale a while back, but can't remember where. But I don't suppose they would be difficult to make in the average garage. It's just a spacer block.
Stage II
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: Low rider Front wheel conversion
I'm a lowrider man too. I have an '05. Why is it that on Ebay all of the 21" wheels for Harleys are for wide glide front ends? I want a 21" front tire but everyone says the wide glide wont fit. Don't they have the same axle size? Why couldn't I unbolt my wheel and slide my axle and wheel mounting hardware onto the 21"? I don't want to spend the money on a wide glide front end so what can I do? Thanks everyone!! Adam
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
RE: Low rider Front wheel conversion
I'm am looking at the exact same mod. Except I run a 99 LR and I have a really narrow front end. I think the 21 will fit and will tell you when I try it
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 255
From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
RE: Low rider Front wheel conversion
ORIGINAL:rdrnr03
I have a 03 FXDL and I would like to put a 21 inch front wheel on it. I can not get a straight answer from anyone saying what it will do to the bike if I do that. I have converted my front end to the wide glide but I have the same 39mm stock forks on it. Thanks everyone
I have a 03 FXDL and I would like to put a 21 inch front wheel on it. I can not get a straight answer from anyone saying what it will do to the bike if I do that. I have converted my front end to the wide glide but I have the same 39mm stock forks on it. Thanks everyone
ORIGINAL:lowlife blue and tru
I'm a lowrider man too. I have an '05. Why is it that on Ebay all of the 21" wheels for Harleys are for wide glide front ends? I want a 21" front tire but everyone says the wide glide wont fit. Don't they have the same axle size? Why couldn't I unbolt my wheel and slide my axle and wheel mounting hardware onto the 21"? I don't want to spend the money on a wide glide front end so what can I do? Thanks everyone!! Adam
I'm a lowrider man too. I have an '05. Why is it that on Ebay all of the 21" wheels for Harleys are for wide glide front ends? I want a 21" front tire but everyone says the wide glide wont fit. Don't they have the same axle size? Why couldn't I unbolt my wheel and slide my axle and wheel mounting hardware onto the 21"? I don't want to spend the money on a wide glide front end so what can I do? Thanks everyone!! Adam
