18inch wheels on FXDF Fat Bob

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  • xcited
    xcited
    13 years ago

     In the 2011 range on the HD website there is this photo of a FXDF with HD custom 18" wheels and it looks shit HOT. This might be my next mod depending on $$$. Has anyone else put larger wheels of there Fat Bob?

  • Daggs
    Daggs
    13 years ago
    that does look good
  • Surly
    Surly
    13 years ago

    That transfroms the bike.

    cheers
    Surly

  • xcited
    xcited
    13 years ago

    Crusty,

    Yeah I have look at the Parts catalog and now drooling. I will chase some prices for Mackay next time I'm in town. 

  • speedzter
    speedzter
    13 years ago
    Retail $1146 ea from Sy's
  • xcited
    xcited
    13 years ago

     You can get Metzeler ME 880 in 130/70 - 18 for the front and 180/55 - 18 for the rear which are almost exactly the same size as the OEM. So no change to front guard needed.

     

    Plus there are other brands I have found with similar sizes.

  • chriso
    chriso
    11 years ago
    Love these wheels but not to keen on changing wheel sizes as im sure Harley would have done the research and come up with the 16 inch being the best performer for the fat bob.

    Can anybody tell me for certainty if there is any handling differences going from the 16inch to 18inch wheels and tires?

    Also with me not listening in the maths lessons can anybody tell me the height differences this will make considering they will now run low profiles.

    And lastly but not over important what differences it will make to speedo reading
  • Tim S.G.
    Tim S.G.
    11 years ago

    With a lower aspect ratio tyre on the 18" rim , it will be the same overall diameter as the 16" rim .

    If I try to explain with a car tyre . 205/65/15 . 205mm wide . 65% of 205 is the sidewall height . 15" dia .

    So , if the car went to 17" rims , then a 235/45/17 is the same overall diameter . 45% of 235 gives a smaller sidewall height making up for the bigger rim dia .

    Same for all tyres , so fitting an 18" rim to your bike will not affect handling if you fit lower profile tyres to retain the original overall diameter . 

  • ozymax
    ozymax
    11 years ago
    ^^ correct
    chriso I have the 18" stingers on mine, I think there is 5mm difference in diameter to stock, Tyre choice is a bit limited however. I have no idea about the difference in handling as I never rode the bike with the stock wheels on it. From memory there was 8kgs difference which is a fare amount of unsprung weight saving. I would think that alone would help with suspension performance and over all handling.
  • chriso
    chriso
    11 years ago

    thanks fellas, ozy what choices are we talking for tyre?
    I heard the Metzi 880s are available but im not big on them (got 4500ks out of my last one)

  • ozymax
    ozymax
    11 years ago

    I haven't really looked chriso, currently got the HD dunlop's tyres on it, the rear I think is from a Vrod. I will find out soon whats available as I just about need a new rear now at 6000km
  • chriso
    chriso
    11 years ago

    Hey Max can you tell me what size tyres fit on the stingers so I can start researching to see what fits. Or at least the size of the ones on yours now.
    Cheers mate

  • ozymax
    ozymax
    11 years ago

    Front Dunlop D207 180/55ZR 18    130 not 180
    Rear Dunlop Sportmax D407 180/55 18

    edit not sure if it's age or blindness,, hmm maybe one in the same

  • chriso
    chriso
    11 years ago
    180 front how does that work? Did you mean 150
  • Jethro
    Jethro
    11 years ago

    130 on the front on mine, same Dunlop tyres

  • chriso
    chriso
    11 years ago

     Hey Jefthro is that 130/55/18.

    I think 150s fit as well ?

  • ozymax
    ozymax
    11 years ago
    chriso just edited it. should have been 130.

    Jethro has the same wheels and fairly recently so maybe that's the only size available to the dealers

    not sure a 150 will sit right on the rim, maybe to crowned
  • chriso
    chriso
    11 years ago
    No worries mate, thanks heaps, gives me something to work off, will get back to yas with my findings
  • Bagger Bob
    Bagger Bob
    11 years ago

    Hi fella's

    Here's my bob with 18in PM Revel wheels on him .

    I'm running a 180 /55 ZR18 COBRA  rear , 130 / 70 R18 front . COBRA

    Old front wheel weight with tyre on 20.3 kg running Michelin  commander 2.s

    New 19.6 kg

    So a saving of  0 .7 kg

    Old rear 22.7 kg

    new rear 20.4 kg

    A saving of 2.3 kg around 10 % weight saving .

    I'm finding the new front tyre has more of a roll to it .  Better turn in . A feeling like my sports bike gave .

    Have not run a tape around tyres yet to get circumferences but will this weekend ! And take photos of tyres to compare roll.

     To stop scraping if put in wide glide fork sleeves running racetech springs with gold tops , with floorboards ,

    Rear progressive 970's shocks facing forward so I can adjust on the fly to suit road con's  .

    No need to change front guard .

    So get on PM wheels web site , where u can try diff mags on a photo of a fat bob , and drool away .



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