Hi, im riding a 2008 Softail Standard witch comes factory with a 21" front wheel, i want to replace it with a 18" or 19" twin disc model, like something off a Street Bob or even a Fat Bob, a little smaller and a little fatter...

I hit a Kangaroo a while back so when the front end was re-built i fitted a set of 2" over fork tubes, the bike has a great look but i want to lower the front end but keep the raked look of the extended fork tubes. By reducing the wheel size by the 2" tube extension size theoretically it should sit lower and hopefully handle better.

Has anyone done this conversion and if so is it just a matter of new fork sliders to take twin calipers and a new rim and guard to suit, what about the brake lines?

Also i had the bike fitted with the smooth option rims, do the smaller rims come in these sizes?

Cheers Patto

Hi Cobber, have you considered getting raked trees instead, I think it would look cooler with the rake and the 21.

its not the rake im after, its the smaller fatter front wheel, all this is about the handling and the way she tracks and corners...21" has got to be worse that a smaller fatter model...

Sik, yeah me again!
I have run 19" front wheels on 2 wideglides now.(same front end as softail)
Best option is to buy a new rim and stainless steel spoke kit to suit, cut the spokes (or undo and save em) off your 21' rim and get someone who knows their stuff to lace the 19 (or whatever) to your original hub. You can lace yourself if you feel confident and have any idea!
Your guard will still work fine on a 19" rim although will sit about an inch above the tyre. Easily fixed by cutting down the support brackets.
A 19" rim on your 2" extended forks will bring your ride height to about the same or a little higher than standard.
Your handling will improve!

Don't suppose anyone has an idea of what it costs to get a wheel laced??

Burto,

good on ya mate that is exactly what im gunna do, thanks for the heads up much appreciated, the final result should be just what im after.