Couldn't really find much information on the partilcular model of sportster i have. Everything seems to be belt drive specific.

I've embarked upon an ambitious build and i'm going to be buying new rubber shortly. My question is, how wide can I go on the front and rear? I know the front wont be much (without removing the fender), how silly is it to ride around without a front fender in VIC? As for the back, im contemplating buying a 150 over the stock 130, but ive read that people fit 170's on newer models with a chain conversion. Since i already have a chain and aftermarket rear fender to be put on, will it fit? Can i space out the sprocket if need be?

 

Thanks
 

Couple of the boys here fitted a shinko 777/170/16 to their sportsters , widest tire with the belt drive , no mods other than swapping the tire out Someone's also done the 180 rear with a chain drive With rear wheel ,sprockets and spacers from a dyna from memory

I did the shinko 170 and it worked fine, actually a good set of tyres for the price.

I put the avon 160/80/16 on and was too wide, just skims the inside of the plate holder at full drop and belt was about 2mm from hitting, too close.

Swapped for an avon 150/80 and all is well.

If you go chain drive and remove a lot of the bullshit in the wheelwell you could go 180 easy. Just run the right size rim.

There's a whole bunch of pictures and posts about 170/70-16 Shinkos on the Sporty here: http://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/968344-lets-see-your-170-rear-tire-on-the-sporty.html

I had been thinking about it as well and see if it fits a sportster custom.

interesting read, i must have missed that!

Essentially im working with a 1990 chain drive sporty. What confuses me is all the info being for 2000 and up models. I always wonder if the swing arms are different. The main saving grace in my situation is that im running an aftermarket fender and custom solid struts (that ill make) so i can sort out the height to suit tyre. What I am most worried about is the tyre hitting the chain or swingarm. Can i space the sprocket out with shims? Is that something people do, safely? Stock 5.5" ( i believe) shitty spoke rim.

Reading that, the questions that pop to mind are: why the shinko in particular for the swap? how wide on the front and what different in swingarm between 1990 and late 2000's.

The Shinko isn't really a 170. It narrows in a lot when mounted. It also has a nice rounded shoulder which gives
It heaps of clearance for belts and guards.

I really liked them but my erm "aggressive" riding style meant they lasted about 3000kms.

Get some measurements of your bike and I can compare them to my 2012 if you want.

I wonder if a 150 commander would look the same? That is the choice i was going to go with prior to the suggestion. Pity the shinkos dont seem to last, are they that soft? Ill get some measurements tomorrow and post back. Thanks for offering.

they probably do last mate, I just ride my sporty like I stole it.

yeah let me know, happy to help with the measurements.

If you do some spirited riding and do bit of touring, Michelin Pilot Roads are beautiful for that.
All my previous bikes had some series of Pilot Roads. They are soft on the edges and harder down the middle. So in corners you get awesome grip and riding long miles you don't sacrifice the tyre's life. They also have brilliant wet grip. I however was not a fan of their Pilot Sports for motorcycles. Do have Pilot Sports on one of my cars though.

Theres no other way to ride a bike, is there?

212mm or so inside to inside for the swingarm. Measured just before the "U" part is welded on. Either i bite the bullet and buy a 170 shinko or a 150 commander. I just wanted it to look fat as possible.

I remember seeing these in the shop for something ridiculous like $300 the pair. Pity they werent the size i needed. Considering they are more a sport bike tyre, do they fit any differently to say a michellin commander?

That measurement on mine is 240mm which is way wider. Tons of room before hitting the swingarm. The rear guard and belt will hit first anyway.

I'm running the Avon cobra 150/80/16 at the moment, which is really 162 shoulder to shoulder measured with calipers.

What about front tyre? Fender aside as i can modify it. Who has run wider than 100 on a standard front with 19" wheel?