Want to install a 180 on the rear of '03 Ultra what do I need to do buy a kit if any sugestions or can I purhase a wheel and spacer do I need to alter fender ,thanks for help.

 

Theres a member on here that was recently in the process of putting a 180 tire tire on a 08 SG without a kit. He may be able to help or send you in the right direction. Mostly stock parts he was posting pictures as he went along. Anyone know that thread??

FOUND IT!!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-sg-today.html

 

Yes I too remember that one. IIRC he ground down the bolts and attaching hardware that were in the fender to keep them from rubbing on the tire and he rerouted the wiring and such.

 

Hey guys, I am following along with Timberland, I think if you keep the rear tire around 6-7/8" wide all will work with the spacers. I have researched the new Dunlop 407 180/65B16 rear tire that Harley has on the 09's. It's 7-1/8" wide on a 5" rim. Dunlop recommended rim for this tire is 5.00", however the acceptable range is 4.50" to 5.50". Each 1/2" of rim width per Dunlop is worth .20" tire width.
My plan is to use a 16 x 4.50" rim and that should bring the tire width to 6.9"
I think along with the spacers being shortened you will also need to widen the bottom fender bracket and space out the bars that run down and attach to it and the saddle bag supports. Also it appears the wheel will need to be centered in the frame and the pulley will need to be spaced out to clear the belt. Now this is on the 07's and 08's with the narrower drive belts and IDS pulley. Earlier models will need to be switched over to a narrower drive belt and pulleys from my understanding.

 

You can go 160 wide if you swith to a 18 in. rim. that is wide enough and it looks sweet over the stock 16

 

Hog Yild,

+1 what he said.

Jim, how is your project coming? Please post some pictures.

dkitch.... how wide is it between the frame, where the rear fender is mounted on your 03? 8" ?....How wide is your rear fender at the widest point?

DrPlastic... No rerouting of the wiring required on my 08.

 

That is what I was told as well when I checked into doing it on my `03....simply not enough clearance otherwise. I didn't do it as I didn't feel there would be enough benefit to justify the costs.

 

Hey Timberland,

I was able to spread the fender to 7-1/2" in almost all areas, except the area in the rear just below the attachment for the chrome side bars that you machined. I just spaced them out 5/16" on each side. 7-5/16" in that area. I put it all back together today, the next few days are going to be in the 60's and I'm riding! Besides, I haven't picked up the rims or tires yet. I've got about 2000 to 3000 miles left on my back tire. I'm going to run on that for awhile, I've got to pay for Christmas before I spend any more. But I'm confident, I'll get that area spread out, I just need to think about it a while.

It does look like the tire will need to be moved to the right about 1/4" to get it centered in the fender and clear the drive belt. I also think the belt guard maybe history as well.

 

I have the stock mu85-16 and there is only an 1/8" between the belt and tire now. How can you go any bigger without changing something in the drive train?

 

HB...most of us have either changed wheels or at minimum changed the wheel spacers. Some like me have new cnc wheel hubs too. 07's and newer have narrower belts that help also. A narrow belt kit is available from HD for pre 07's.