Does anyone out there have experience in changing wheel diameters on Classic/Ultra Classic Tour bikes.
A friend has suggested I go with 18 inch wheels front and back and avoid the 21 inch front due to the weight of the bikes front end. Currently have 16 factory wire wheels.

 

H'mmm, I would avoid changing to a larger diameter wheel in all cases, because it is a larger diameter wheel.

Harley 16" wheel with Dunlop = 25.30 diameter

21" Harley Dunlop is 27.20 Diameter

Unless you go to a completely differentsize sidewalltire I would assume an Dunlop on an 18" wheel would be somewhere in between the two above.

I do see on ebay 18" x 3.5"rims listed for Ultra's...What size tire would you run on them to deal with the clearance issue?

 

18's front and back here without a problem.

 

18's all the way, no issues, no problems

 

you can do 21/18 set up if that's what you--- do a search on 21/18 there must be at least 100 post on the subject

also check out hogpro.com

 

Thanks!

 

I want to put 18" rims on my SG. Here is my thinking. Since tires expand on rotation and when they do expand the demision of the tire increases...once would think that the 18" rim would cause the tire to expand and rub on a fendor made to fit 16" rims. I guess the clearance is still enough to compensate for the expansion of the 18" rim and tire?

Surely someone has done the math to calculate the clearence?

 

Here's my thinking, the 18 inch tires have a lower profile. I have had my ultra loaded to the max, couldnt stuff anymore in it,2-up, and guess what, no rub.

 

Because the profile of the 18" tire is lower (70) the overall height of the tire when mounted on the wheel is almost identical to the 16". No rub with 18's.

When lowering the rear of your bike on a bagger DO NOT use the type of kit thatuse your stock shocks because you still retain stock suspension travel. You will rub under load. Use HD or other good quality replacement shocks.

Jerry @ Hogpro

 

Thanks to all for the advice. I will consider the 18" rims with low profile tires. chappy_2336 is exactly what I am looking for.