Today's ride and tune is freakin' shot to hell. I pulled out a 5 inch roofing nail out of my rear tire doing my pre-ride. Thankfully, there was no rim damage and the way it went in and out of the sidewall, the tube was not punchered. Still have to replace the tire since the double rim of the nail shredded the rubber a bit.

So should I look at the wide tire kit or just buy the tire online? I'm thinking those 'special' brackets are a scam that just adds another $100 and an hours extra of labor to the first tire change when most guys do this 'conversion'. Discounted from Chicago HD, the raw 160/17 OEM replacement is tire $133 and the 180 is $154. The Steelers love doing these tire changes don't they? Especially the pricey wide tire kit tire change.

Not sure if I'm going to mount them myself like I usually do....those profile rims are too nice touch with my grubby tire levers so I'd most likely take the rim to an indy for mounting.

Seriously, drop me some advice either way if you have experience with the 180mm tire. Otherwise, I have no problem replacing with the stock 160.

James

 

I really don't think the extra 20mm is worth the trouble. If you were going to a 200+ tire then maybe a kit would be worth it. My 02 FXD has a 150 tire and 01 and older FXs have 130s. So, you already have everyone else beat just by having the 06. The tire on my bike is the widest I've ever had and I realy don't notice a big difference visually or when riding.

 

I would also like to know what the brackets are for.Cant visualize why a guy just cant put the 180 tire on?

 

FL,


I'd do the 180 myself. I don't know if you need the bracket or not.

 

I could have sworn I've seen posts before on people just mounting up a 180. Just looking to confirm.

al_e._gator, Yeah, I've never had a HD with a tire above 150 to I'm already ahead of the game. If the 180 is a bolt on, I would consider it. Otherwise, I 'aint gonna bother to spend the money of the 'kit' just to keep up with the 'latest trends.

 

I thought I read on here someone said the kit is for those who are gonna be running saddlebags w/180 tire?

 

I think Jonhanna is right about the 180 kit, I remember reading the same thing. I picked up a roofing nail on my first time out on my new bike. I took it to a local motorcycle repair shop, the guy charged my $20 to pull the rear wheel so he could chack and make sure the tube was ok. It ended up costing another $18 for the tube.

 

FL,
A lot of good you're doing me sitting at home... Just kidding, my adjustment to the map didn't work as soon as you rolled off the throttle you would get a series of 5-7 pops.

Somebody here did post that the kit is unnecessary unless you want to use saddlebags.

 

I think the bike is drivable for our tune experiment but I'm not sure how bad the tube got nicked and going down would kinda ruin my year. I'm was expecting it to blow air when I pulled the nail but it's holding air! People bash tubes but it is another layer if puncture resistance right?!? So You're the man now Angry_monkey. Take the wrench (or laptop) and run with it. Keep me posted on out little project!

Anyway, I did measure the clearance with dial calipers. There is 17 MM of clearance on the belt side and 19mm on the pipe side to the inside fender mounting point. Should only need 10MM on each side so I think it would clear the 180 no problem.

If this pans out, I'm ordering the 180 tire and new tube from Chicago HD and doing this myself.

Now Moeck posted this about his wide tire kit. My interperation; if you buy the quick detach stuff for the backrest and bags, they will NOT work with the wide tire 'bracket' kit. You'll have to put the factory side plates back on again. The saddle bags are mounted pretty far off the bike so I doubt they'll rub anything. Take a look at tell me what you get about this.

Moeck Wrote: "Purchased the wide tire kit awhile back when not really known what the deal was. Besides the tire, you get a revised bracket that allows a bit more clearance for the tire. If you are planning to buy any bags or side plates, you will end up NOT using these brackets, so no need to buy the kit! IF you are just going with the wide tire, then yes this works. Since I added detachable side plates, I purchased different side mounting plate brackets.
May not be the place, but if anyone wants mine, say $25 delivered, then please PM me.
Hope this helps.

 

P.S.

This has reinforced my thoughts that a second HD in the garage is not a luxury but a necessity! My wife gave me the green light buy a Road King classic or Electra Glide this summer for more comfortable 2 up rides for the tour She'll NEVER do anyway (20 miles is a tour to my wife). See how that works? [Dr. Evil laugh] Muhahahaha, muhahahahaha, muhahahahaha! My Superglide will never get a windshield or back rest and remain as uncomfortable as possible! Muhahahaha, muhahahahaha, muhahahahaha!

Now all I have to do it drive my wifes old crappy hand me down car for another 2-3 years and find 20 thousand laying that I don't have and I'll be all set. Where theres a will, there's a way!