Will new wheels work for an older bike?

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Oct 27, 2007 | 05:59 PM

96RDKING

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Will new wheels work for an older bike?

I have a chrome junkie for a friend who wants to sell me his Black Thunderstar Custom wheels, p/n (front 43575-00 & rear 43847-02), that were on his 2003 Road King Classic. The catalog says '00-later Touring models.Will these fit on a 1996 Road King ?

The chrome junkie says he'll sell them to me cheap, so I wouldn't mind buying an adapter kit, if one is needed, to make these wheels work. If these wheels are not going to work, is there a source for custom wheels for older model Harleys?

I keep seeing "fits 97 & later models" as I go through the parts catalog. Was there a redesign starting in 1997regarding the Road King and touring models?

Oct 27, 2007 | 09:29 PM

pococj

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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?

RE: Will new wheels work for an older bike?

Somewhere around the turn of the millenium axles size changed. I don't know exactly when, or whether it applied to all or only some models, though.

Oct 28, 2007 | 10:19 PM

nzbernie

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From: Pukekohe - New Zealand

RE: Will new wheels work for an older bike?

Like the above post said check the axle size , i have a 2002 wideglide rear wheel on my fxrs i was lucky as it came with a 3/4 axle. now the other mod you are gonna have to do is the rear disc rotor , the later wheel has a bigger center than the older ones (i took my rotor to a machine shop and they bored out the center) and other than that its just checking out the spacing when you put it on , but the width of the wheel at the bearings is the same as your old wheel.
I hope this helps you Bernie

Oct 29, 2007 | 11:56 AM

96RDKING

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RE: Will new wheels work for an older bike?

Thanks for the info. I may not be willing to go through those machine shop type measures for a cosmetic upgrade like this.. But where do you go to find custom rims that do fit on the older/smaller axles that don't require that much tweaking?

Oct 29, 2007 | 09:39 PM

pococj

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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?

RE: Will new wheels work for an older bike?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 96RDKING

Thanks for the info. I may not be willing to go through those machine shop type measures for a cosmetic upgrade like this.. But where do you go to find custom rims that do fit on the older/smaller axles that don't require that much tweaking?

Here's one place, and they are a sponsor of HDF: http://www.hogpro.com/

Oct 29, 2007 | 10:32 PM

Hogpro

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RE: Will new wheels work for an older bike?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 96RDKING

I have a chrome junkie for a friend who wants to sell me his Black Thunderstar Custom wheels, p/n (front 43575-00 & rear 43847-02), that were on his 2003 Road King Classic. The catalog says '00-later Touring models.Will these fit on a 1996 Road King ?

The chrome junkie says he'll sell them to me cheap, so I wouldn't mind buying an adapter kit, if one is needed, to make these wheels work. If these wheels are not going to work, is there a source for custom wheels for older model Harleys?

I keep seeing "fits 97 & later models" as I go through the parts catalog. Was there a redesign starting in 1997regarding the Road King and touring models?

'84 to '99 is the same 3/4" axle front and rear. 2000 switched to sealed bearings and a 1" front axle. 2002 switched to 1" rear axle, and of course '08 is 25mm.

You can take the 3/4" internal spacer and timkin bearings out of your stock wheels and install them into the new wheels. Keep in mind that you will need to use 2000 and newer brake rotors. You will also have to machine the I.D. of your pulley to the newer 2.22 diameter to fit over the register. Of course the bearings and races will need to be pressed out and in.

All that being said, I would just start out with the correct wheels and make life easy. It might end up costing about the same.

Jerry @ Hogpro

Oct 30, 2007 | 09:26 AM

paco

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RE: Will new wheels work for an older bike?

As stated above, I bought a set of 2006 Streetglide wheels for my 1990 eglideultra. Came with 1" sealed bearings oem #9247, I replaced with 3/4"sealed bearings oem#9267 Hd price $30.00 each. Jerih cycles price $7.60 each. I bought a set of brake disc on ebay for $40.00 and a back disc brake disc for $20. Took a dremel tool and cut the center out in the drive pulley (aluminum) so it would fit, bolted the pulley and the brake disc on, remember to measure the spacer size with the oem wheels on the bike and cut new spacers accordingly. Put th back wheel on. Measured the front spacer lenght with the oem wheels on the bike and cut the left one to fit .Also keep in mind that if you have front wheel speedo drive, it also has to be modified to the right spacer length and a notch cut in the left rotor for the speedo arm to sit in. Put the front on and style and profile....
Ended up with about $500.00 in the new look.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...P1010001-1.jpg