on an '04 883 with a factory 19" front rim...

(that doesn't require grinding on the existing forks)

can I just swap the trees for Mid-Glide trees (what mm does that equate to), rather than swap the whole fork assembly?

I don't care about fenders, but I'm guessing there are other necessary parts (wider/longer axle? spacers?)?

if I canabalize the factory 19" rim, can I re-use anything other than the hub? spokes (probably not)? nipples? does it really save much cash, vs buying a complete 16" rim? I've not seen many used 16" rims for sale? what's a good source?

thanks.

 

You can buy a mid glide conversion kit. It will come with everything you need. All the spacers for the wheel,rotor,fender,ect..You will need a wider rim. Should be able to use your hub, and nipples.you will need shorter spokes. A few co. make the kits ,cant remember the names at the moment. Heres one on ebay.
Oh and the mm is 39 the size of your tubes that wont change with wider trees.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/39mm-...Q5fAccessories

 

What's wrong with shaving your forks? That's definitely the cheapest way to do it and a hell of alot less work.

If you run a mid glide you will have to reuse your front hub. You'll have to have custom spokes made to lace a 16" hoop to a narrow glide hub because of the angle differences between a factory 16" wheel's hub and the narrow glide hub. You'll also need to get a spacer for your brake rotor and then a wider axle & wheel spacers but that's pretty much a given.

If you use a complete front (or rear) 16" wheel you will need a wide glide front end. But if you use a wide glide front end you can fit a 150 on a stock 16x3 wheel to match your rear tire & wheel. That's just under an inch wider than the front tire on a 48.

Here's a pic of one I mocked up with wide glide trees, stock forks and a 150 tire.

 

thanks for the replies guys, and that mock-up...

@ mreed - I've read that fork mod thread a couple of times (and other posts of yours, btw, always full of knowledge and good work... thanks for sharing...) and that particular approach is on the line for me, comfort-zone wise.

The clearance is so small even after you remove the material that it's a little sketch to my less experienced eye. Maybe there are "skinnier" fat tires that would make for even more clearance? what's the overall width of that tire in your fork mod thread?

It's probably just a hang up of mine, but I'd like to see more space in there. Not wide-glide space, mind you, and maybe not even mid-wide, but *more* seems safer? I dunno, maybe it's the photo, or maybe I'm worried over nothing?

In any case, regarding tire width... I want to check out the skinniest of the wide tires up there, to strike a balance of looks and turn. No need for a 150 up front for me, a narrow or average 130 is fine enough for what I'm looking to do. Do you happen to know off hand what the narrowest quality tires are that'll fit that 16" rim?

Thanks, again.

 

Thanks. I know you can safely run a 120 on a 16x3 and I think that tire will fit in your stock front end. You'll still need to use a stock front Sportster hub to keep your brake set up properly.

 

^^ now that's an idea.

thanks a bunch.

 

with a 16x3 wheel and a 120mm do you still have the save the forks? I thinking about doing a mod to my 2010 iron.
Do you lose handling on a 150mm front? is it safe? Also can i use my stock front rotor on a factory sportster 16x3 rear wheel?

1) wide glide 16x3 150mm
2) wide glide 16x3 130mm
3) stock glide 16x3 120mm
option 3 looks great to me because it less money i have to spend for a fatter wheel

 

I scored a cheap 41mm wide glide. Found a rear wheel off an older Dyna, and for under $300 made it work. i do need a front tire, but that's it.

 

This coming for mine... http://vulcanworks.net/store_4/produ...&cat=11&page=2 ...find a 2000-up wheel for cheap and good to go.

 

Thanks for the info on changing the front end of the sportster you have a pic of a sportster frame looks like fatboy rims on a rolling frame . nice ... I have a 2007 Sportster custom 883 with 4700 ks on her love the look of the fat bobber.. like to do the same as yours .what do I need and were do I start ? Been riding for 33+ years like the 48 look, can you help with my build ? like to put a fatboy 16" font wheel on her Thanks Heinz