Hi all. I have read through posts on here, but it seems the information is kinda all over the place on older bikes.

I have a 2001 SE Road Glide with the factory 'Blade' mag wheels. I do not mind the look, but I am ready for a change. I have two reasons for considering this:
1) I am going to upgrade the rear fork to a newer model because apparently my version will crack and kill me any day.... I actually want to upgrade the cleve blocks, and it is recommended to replace the fork with a newer model. I understand from what i read that my axle/wheel combination will not work with the newer fork.
2) My wheels are starting to corrode a little bit. Not too noticeable yet from a glance, but I do not imagine they will heal - it will only get worse.

I have not decided yet on a wheel style, but I have some questions:
1) If I buy a newer rear wheel, do I need to swap out brake parts too?
2) How about my pulley? I guess my bike uses the wider belt than newer models.
Then comes the front because I will want a match
3) Will my front axle accept the same size newer wheel?
4) Same question about the brake stuff applies to the front

I do not like the huge front wheel look (no offense if that is your thing), and to me the latest and greatest mag wheel styles seem old looking after a short time. I would rather go tubeless laced, or factory wheels - just not the wagon wheels.

I know - long post with many questions, but any thoughts may help me out!

 

I converted my '00 FLTRI to a newer '02+ swing arm using the Custom Cycle Engineering kit.
You can use your wheel if you change the bearings, inner spacer to be compatible with the '02+ 1 inch axle & spacers. The Rotor and caliper will work. The pulley and belt will be ok.
You can also use any wheel as long as it has 1" bearings and wont rub the belt. You can mix and match wheels from different years and models. I ran a rear Sportster & a front '10 FLTH wheel for awhile. You just need the right combination of axles, bearing and spacers.

 

To add to the above...

Assuming your rear wheel is a 2001 original, it probably has a clearance hole only for the 3/4" axle/spacer sleeve. You'll need to enlarge that for the 1" axle/spacer sleeve.

Also the brake caliper 3/4" axle hole (at a minimum) would need to be bored out. Although HD beefed up the 2002-07 caliper arm with the introduction of the 1" axle.

 

Forgot about those details.

 

That is what I understood when researching the fork upgrade. So this is why I started looking at what wheels I could use. I would assume my front wheel would have the same issue? SO if I get a matched set for a 2002-up bike, I would have trouble with the front axle as well.

 

The Front used a 1" axle 2000-2007

So after the rear fork upgrade, if you're looking for a matched set, 2002-07 "Touring" would be a direct swap. I'll include 2008 also because really most (if not all) of the 2008 Touring wheels are earlier castings with 25mm bearings and associated adaption parts used. A bearing and spacer sleeve change is all that is needed.

Btw, the front fork sliders have the same axle "Hole" ID from 2000-current (2017) regardless of whether a 1" or 25mm axle is used. So like Dan said, you can make really anything happen up front with the appropriate parts
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So really with a 2002-2007 rear fork, axle, and caliper - I can use any wheels made for this year range. Very good to know - than you al.