I am new to cruisers making the crossover from sportbikes. I have just a simple question. I have a 2004 sportster 1200 and would like to upgrade the front wheel to a 21 inch spoked rim. Besides the rim itself are there other components I will need? Thank you for all input.

 

You'll need the wheel. A tire. bearings if the wheel doesn't come with them. And an axle if your old one is bad. Rotor and caliper should swap over

 

I am assuming you have a XL1200R since the XL1200C comes with 21" spoke. Perhaps look for someone that will trade with you...many are looking to go cast 19". I believe both have 3/4" axle.

 

Depending on model be sure the rake will work.

 

Changing between a 19" and 21" on a 2004 is pretty easy and there's no significant rake change to worry about. For your 04 you'll need a wheel with 3/4" bearings.

Note: If you have an R model, I don't recall the 21" OEM wheel having a hub that supports (drilled & tapped) the right side dual rotor, but maybe an after market wheel is available.

The 19" tire has a taller sidewall than the 21" tire, making the difference of the overall diameter of the wheel and mounted tire negligible, ~1/4" - ~3/8" IIRC.

I used to get get around 8,000 miles out of the 21" tire/wheel. After switching to a 19", I typically get 23,000 - 24,000 miles from the 19" tire, same brand/model tire as the 21".

 

If the 1200 , 2004 is an R and dual front rotors are desired, may drill and tap ,5/16" course thread on the non primary side of a stock narrow glide hub.
Could use a rotor as a bolt pattern and transfer the hole locations with a transfer punch.
The bolt hole locations can be .02" off, since the centering pilot on the hub actually centers the rotor.
Laced 21", 3/4" axle , 52 mm x 21mm wide bearing narrow glide hub are plentiful because of high demand for cast 19" conversion from 21" laced.
Believe there is less side role with 21" compared to 19", but only .75" diameter difference between ,D402, MH90-21 & D401, 100/90-19 Dunlop tires and 0.70" difference in width.
19" with wider contact patch compared to 21", should have less wear.
D401, 90/90-19 is 0.6" smaller in diameter than D401, 100/90-19,only used on cast wheel Rocker models.