I'm sure this information is hidden somewhere deep within the labyrinth, but I couldn't find a positive answer and the HD parts guys were of no help today either (whole other rant).

The WHY:
I got a smokin' deal on a 17" lace wheel that I want to put on my '05 sporty.

I know I'll need a new 1" ID bearing spacer and if the 3/4" and 1" bearings are the same width, then I can cut a spacer the same as the 3/4" one that I pull from the 17" wheel when I replace the bearings.

The Question:
My bike is 1" rear wheel bearing. The wheel coming has a 3/4" rear wheel bearing. Are those bearings the same width/depth (not ID or OD)??

As an aside:
Has anyone put a 17x4.5 on a sporty? (correction NOT a 5.5)

 

I have a 17" Wheel on my Glide and took out 3/4" bearings to install 1". The 1" bearings used on the touring bikes are double row, the 3/4" and also 25mm used are single row. I also had to bore through the hub, between the bearing seats, to make space for the larger diameter spacer. Both double-row and single-row bearings fit the same hub with genuine Harley wheels (my 17" is from a Deuce softail) and to get round the query you raise I cheated and bought a Harley fitting kit, which came with bearings and the correct spacer.

Having told you that, tell us more about your new wheel. Is it a genuine Harley and what year and model bikes is it for? Your 5.5" rim will take a 180 tyre, which can just be squeezed in. There is an excellent thread about doing it in here.

 

The 25mm are a different width from a 3/4, not sure about the 1 inch and 3/4. I went from a 3/4 to 25mm and got a wheel kit from HD, it had spacers (large flat washers) to make up the difference between the width of the 2 bearings. As grbrown said, I also had to bore out the hole because the 25mm bearing spacer wouldnt fit into the 3/4 bearing spacer hole.

 

I'm actually not sure EXACTLY what model it came off of. I bought it from a harley-store close out that had been acquired by a salvage company. It is supposed to be genuine HD though. Guess we'll find out more when it gets to my door.

 

Post us a photo of it, we can't think clearly in words!

 

Just came in today! So that part number means 25mm bearings, correct? Same outside diameter, but What's the width difference between those and the 1" bearings?

And chew on this too - I just took out the old bearing and it's an NBR 13-7 - did I just get stupid lucky and find a 1" axle wheel or at least a 25mm x 21mm bearing wheel?!

 

The rim size is typical of softail models since shortly after the Deuce was introduced (it has a cast disc wheel and was the first routine model to use 4.5" x 17") (also same as a SuperLow!) and the rotor is stock Harley. The hub will probably take 3/4", 1" and 25mm bearings, which all Harley wheels from around 2000-2007 will.

The large diameter of the bearing seat should be 52mm. I can't be certain, but the central hole, through the hub, looks too small for the larger ID bearings, however I would guess your 05 uses 3/4" bearings? In which case you should be fine and don't need to make any mods. I recommend getting a factory bearing kit, which comes with bearings and the correct spacer, also instructions to correctly install them.

 

The old bearing from this new wheel mic'd out to 25.39mm ID, and my 05 has 1" bearings as well. so I'll get the 1" axle install kit from HD like you suggested (since the stock spacer from the new wheel is gone as well).

Thank ya, sirs!