I know the 06 has an odd ball bearing/axle size but I wonder if you would be able to put on a set of the new rims simply by switching axles or would there be some machining needed?

 

i doubt you would have to do any machining, my bet would be swap bearing and axle sleeves and youll be golden...

 

Do some research on Harley wheels and wheel installation kits. I was just in the middle of researching going to a 17" rear so I can go to a 170 rear tire. The 00-07 FXSTD wheel and install kit is the same as my 05 FXDWG, so it will be an easy swap.

It will all depend on the brand of wheels you use.

 

Axle Info:
2000-03 Dyna have ¾” front axle, 2004-07 Dyna have 1” front axle (except 2004-05 FXDWG), 2000-05 Dyna have 3/4” rear axle, 2006-07 Dyna have 1” rear axle. 2000-05 FXDWG have ¾” front and rear axles, 2006-07 FXDWG have 1” front and rear axles. All Dyna have 25mm axles from 2008+.
Info from J&P Cycles Catalog.

 

good info, i just pulled the bearings out of a rear 2005 13 spoke mag wheel and there is enough clearance for a 1" axle sleeve..

 

OK what I'm thinking about is going from my chrome 06 wheels to a set of the black wheels from an 11.Could I just pop a set of 06 bearings in the new wheels and call it done?

 

yeah that should work

 

Nope! The Stock 1" bearings are too wide for the newer 25mm axle wheels.

You can get a 1" ID x 52mm OD x 15mm wide bearing ( http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit7940 ) and use your OEM 1" axle and wheel spacers on the rear. If I remember correctly the 1" axle will slide through the 25mm bearing spacers so you can use those spacers with the new 1" narrow bearings, check that they do before pressing the bearing in.

You will be going from a double row bearing to a single row bearing that is not as reliable and I recommend replacing the Rear 15mm bearing at every tire replacement!

 

I just did it and it worked fine. Yes the old bearings are wider but I moved both bearings and the internal spacer over to the new wheel and it was done. The wider bearing does not recess into the newer wheel hub as far but I do not see any issues. Have only swapped the front wheel at this stage, Ii assume the rear will be similar, we'll see.

 

I truly do not see how, the counter bore for the bearing is not as deep? The left side bearing is pressed in and seated and the left wheel spacer aligns the wheel in the forks. The wider bearing will space the wheel further away from the left side and the rotor will not align properly. I mocked it up on mine and I could not see how a the wide bearing could work and the rotor centered in the caliper? What year wheels and year bike did you do this on? Post up some pictures of your set up!