I really like my 19 FB, however I am finding that the more I ride, the more I am disliking the fat front wheel. I realize this will never handle a good as my Dyna or my FXR, but it feels like even my Road Glide handled better in the turns. I feel like I'm fighting it in every lean. I've got decent upper body strength, so its not a matter that I physically can't manage it. I don't think at least...
So I have three alternatives.
1) Sell it and get a Low Rider, but then I am taking a bath since the bike is only two months old and winter is coming. Plus I'll need to factor in the stage 3 kit since no way am I going to go down in engine displacement.
2) Live with it for a couple of years until its time for a new bike. Probably not going to happen.
3) Get rid of the fat front wheel.
Option 3 seems to give me what I will want. Crisper steering in turns due to the 130 tire vs. the 160 currently on it. Better looks as I think the BO wheels look better. Less money then the trade in at a huge loss option. Plus I like everything else about the FB.
I saw in another members post that a dealer in Australia did this conversion. I'll post a few photos. I figure I'll buy the front wheel first, and try it out. If it gives me what I want, i'll do the same to the rear. If it doesn't, I'll put the stock wheel back on and sell the Breakout wheel.
So I've got all the parts speced out, but I am wondering how the dealer did the job, as it appears the fork width is wider on the Fat Boy then it is on the Breakout. I need to go to my dealer and take some measurements. I suspect I'll need some custom spacers to get the wheel centered, but what about the brake rotor? What if that doesn't line up with the existing caliper? It obviously can be done, as the photos show. Maybe I can call that dealer and ask. If I explain that I'm in the US and I can't just buy their bike they'll let me know how they did it...
Here's what I want to end up with - a little less blackout though.
Hey I have my 2018 breakout wheels for sale if you still plan on doing this. PM me if interested.
The fork rake is a huge factor. The Breakout is 34deg while the FB is 30. That makes a big difference. The 30deg rake on the FB combined with the smaller 130 tire will make a huge difference. The Dyna Wide Glide suffered from a similar handling style. Nice and stable in the straights, but not so good in turns esp low speed. From what I’ve heard at least, having never road one.
I’m not saying I want a knee dragging monster, but I do want something that handles a bit better. I think I can do this. The big question is, should I try. I could just as easily sell it and buy a low rider, put a stage 3 kit in it and have my 114 and the handling I am looking for. But I really like the Fat Boy and if I can get a little more nimbleness, it will be a win.
I just dont know which direction I’m going yet.
Yea it dosnt make huge difference at all. I've done it.
it handles really well still but I reckon it handled better with the 240 rear and 160 front it leaned hard and cornered fine I thought and I came off sport bikes.
slight push of bars and it leand no dramas it changed direction fine. I've got 3 inch extended forwards control pegs and I scrap them easily and they're higher and further foward than the boards obviously. With the 18 inch 160 front, the size and profiles match the rear perfectly and compliment each other coming into, during and exiting a lean it feel firm and solid.
With the 21 on it, the steering feels lighter which I want to check the head bearing adjustment actually but anyway, it good and I'll keep it like this as thats what I wanted. But I reckon it's more like a breakout, front fighting the rear slightly, it was better standard 18 inch 160 front
don't get me wrong it still handles great with 21 turbine on front but yea I think it was better with factory front wheel 2020 fatboy with 21 inch turbine front wheel
Here's the parts list so far. Only wheels, no blackout stuff. May do the forks once I am ready to install Ohlins fork cartridges eventually.
Front wheel
43300457 SPACER FRONT WHEEL BEARING $7.42
40927-08 SPACER ABS $8.32
43300433 WHEEL 10-SPOKE, 21 IN (BLACK) $607.52
43100035 TIRE FRONT, 21 IN $257.95
41100080 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ABS, WITH 72910-11 AND 69201657 $87.16
29252A BEARING ABS $31.50
9276B BEARING ABS, (RIGHT ONLY) $21.89
Rear wheel
9252A BEARING ABS $31.50
9276B BEARING ABS $21.89
40325-07 SPROCKET ASSEMBLY (BLACK) $247.60
43189-11 TIRE 18 IN $Swap original.
40900447 WHEEL 10-SPOKE, WITHOUT BEARINGS AND SLEEVE (BLACK) $816.16
40900451 SPACER (LEFT) $7.89
40900453 SPACER (RIGHT) $4.74
40900474 SPACER WHEEL BEARING SLEEVE $8.74
41100076 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ABS, WITH 74190-98 $87.16
41300191 BRACKET REACTION $70.37
41500089 BRAKE DISC (BLACK) $154.28 - may leave original disc if it fits.
hi Mchad,
I'm also doing the same conversion but where I struggle is with those spacers is your wheel in the middle? And when yes, how did u resolve with the brake caliper?
thank you
04-28-2020, 10:14 AM
