I have an 03 NT im looking to put an 18x5.5 rim on with a metz 180. I currently have a deuce rear rim with a 180 on there now. It doesnt have the stock rear fender on it. Its a little wider than stock (8.5") outside to outside. Still the same bobtail style though. I guess my question is,

What do I NEED to do/get to put the rim on?

I have been searching for answers for 3 days, but all I come up with by using the search function and google and everything is 7 people saying 7 different things. Everyone gives a different answer on what it takes to get this on there. So I am obviously quite confused.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all! Definitely been learning a ton from these forums over the past year.

 

What's up HDN: Have you looked at the top of this thread? The Heartland 180 Install start to finish thread? A lot of the questions you need answered are there. Additionally, check out DM Customs (www.dmcustoms.net). They also offer a kit for exactly what you're looking to do. Hope that helps.

 

I am in the exact same boat as you are. And I mean that litteraly. I have an 03 night train and am trying to complete the same thing. From what I can find out, your best bet is to simply find a wheel that is on a 2000-newer styel hub. Are you going spokes? That heartland thread has a lot of information but it also has your seven different opinions. I am doing my conversion without a kit, which is supposedly the hardest but cheapest way to go. If you already have a fender and all that set, then your only issue is getting a wheel with a hub that will fit both your stock pulley and your stock rotor, all the while being on a wheel that will clear your caliper. Do you have any issues with the duece wheel with the 180 your running now as far as belt clearance or caliper clearance? Any intel you have that you could throw back my way would be appreciated.

 

Unless you buy a rim specific for the bike spacing will be your only issues.The 1-1/8 belt will be tight depending on the hub offset of the wheel. That's why I'm suggesting getting a wheel hubbed for the 03.Lots of the mfg's can set you up right.

 

Well the rim I'm buying came off of an 04 deuce. So I can only assume it would fit my '03. But I guess we will see what happens when I try and put it on. I currently have no rubbing issues or anything with the tire I have now, so I know the 180 will fit. Just obviously depends on the spacing or what not. I know others have put an 18x5.5 on their night trains, so I didn't know if there was any spacers or anything I could get in preparation. Also, my bike still has the fender horns on it, and a factory fender, it's just not the stock 7.5 that comes on the 150 tire. It's an 8.5" one. I think what's going on here is that I am confused as hell. Haha.

 

I have a strutless rear fender, and had to cut the frame horns off. As far as spacers, you really cant buy any in preparation, just go buy a bunch of 3/4" washers and then mock it up with them in place. Then just measure your stack of wasers for each side and that is the size spacer to see the dealer or ebay about. Let me know how you make out and what kind of wheel you end up using. I'm probably purchasing an 18X5.5 fron DNA, I'm running spokes on mike bike and like it that way.

 

An 18" on a TRAIN? I dunno.

 

I think that the stock fender and frame horns will be in the way of the wheel. 18x 4.25 with a 160 will fit. If you find a solution let us know as we are always interested in new ways of doing things.

 

1" wider fender with the frame horns still attached? Got a pic? Would love to see it.

 

Hey, I have an 18" wheel on my train.