hi all, my 2000 sportster custom has the alloy rear wheel. I prefer spoked wheels, and looking at classified for one. do other years and other models have the same rear wheel? I'm thnking others have gone through this and maybe learned what also fits...

thanks!

 

2000 to 2004 Sportsters have a 3/4" diameter axle and sealed wheel bearings, 2005 to 2007 have a 1" diameter rear axle, 2008 to 2022 have a 25mm diameter rear axle.

So without any modifications, 2000 to 2003 Sportster "Standard or Hugger" 16" wire laced rear wheel will be a direct replacement your cast wheel, according to my information there were no Sportsters produced with wire rear wheels in 2004.

A 2000 XLH 883 "Hugger".

 

2000-2004 Softail wheels will fit as well.

 

Thank you guys this is VERY helpful!

 

You should ask this question in the wheel/tire forum. IIRC, many stock and aftermarket rear wheels will fit, you may need swap bearings and spacers on some.

Wheels/Tires - Harley Davidson Forums (hdforums.com)

 

very cool, thanks I will.

I have a tire coming, would be nice to have a spoke wheel to put it so so i dont have to swap it later

 

I used an older pre-2000 rear wheel from a Softail on my 2003 sportster no problem. It uses timken bearings as opposed to the sealed so new spacers were needed. As long as the axle is the right diameter and the brake rotor spacing is correct I think your good.

 

THANKS! thats a good lead. I actually have a machine shop and can make something as simple as a spacer or bushing, so at least theres that...

so a pre-2000 softail wheel I wonder what years I can add to my search? and how did u source the bearings?

 

I bought the wheel on craigslist brand new from a guy who builds custom bikes in LA so it was already set up with bearings and he knew his stuff so I trusted he shimmed the races properly. 10k miles later no issues. I did the front myself. Timken bearings are easy to source online. Pretty much every parts retailer sells em. You may want to stick to a Sportster wheel since you are looking for a laced wheel and they're pretty easy to come by. I was looking for a mag wheel as I lived at the beach and the spokes on mine rusted up in a hurry.

Depending on where you live Ebay is a good place to look. I bought my front wheel on there with no issues.

 

OK looks like I found one locally, 16x3 spoked, thankfully.

Next question what the biggest tire I can put on that with no mods? 2000 Sportster Custom...