For those who are intrested in wider rear tire for Sportster 48.

1) It is easy and possible to install 16x5 wheel with metzeler 180/65-16 tire into the stock rear fork.
2) I used custom wheel made for me by guys from hdwheels.com. Style of the wheel match 48 stock, but it is 5" wide and hub is made in a way that pulley and brake rotor are in the same position on the axle as with stock wheel.
3) With this kind of wheel, upgrade is really bolt-on procedure as new wheel sits tight and nice with stock spacers and other hw.
4) Clearance between tire and belt is about 4,5mm (.177in) which I believe is enough (forums say .125in is minimum)
5) 180mm wheel fits to fender struts fine but it seems that slight milling will be required for strut "bosses" that extend inward, and shorten bolts
6) It is obvious that anything wider than 16x5 and 180mm will not fit to stock fork and in case of 200mm+ you need to go for widened fork and etc.


New wheel and stock fender. I think to leave it stock or cut only about 2/3"




Probably need to grind those things from struts that extend inwards

 

Interesting... Not that I would ever run a wider tire on my 48, but I'm sure someone will.

I dont know if its possible but you could probably shim the pulleys out a bit to get a little extra clearance if needed. Or a chain drive conversion would give you more room as well.

Looking forward to seeing the direction you take this bike... Always nice to see something different.

How will the rear compare in height to the front now that it's wider? Or did you keep the same diameter?

 

A 180/65-16 is slightly smaller diameter, not enough to notice.
A Dyna Fat Bob rear wheel is 16x5.00, maybe that would be cheaper route.

 

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A Dyna Fat Bob rear wheel is 16x5.00, maybe that would be cheaper route.[/QUOTE]

That would be pretty awesome if it could be that easy.

 

Most of the newer (2009+?) tour bikes have 16x5.00 rear wheels too.
If this works for 48, it should work on any 2004+ Sportster.

 

Don't quote me on this... But I think,

Up to 04 the Sportster rear axle size is 3/4", 05-07 is 1", and 08+ is 25mm.

Pretty sure the Dynas were 1" in 06-07, then switched to 25mm in 08 as well.

I've seen guys run dyna wheels on sportsters, and sportster wheels on dynas... So it can be done, how much work though I have no idea.

Getting the wheel to fit isn't the issue, there's all sorts of combinations of spacers, axles and bearings. Its the offset of the brake rotor and rear pulley that could casue an issue.

Another option is just to call up http://www.buchananspokes.net/ and have them lace a 5" wide rim to your stock hub.

 

Got any pics of the clearance bt the tire and belt?