fitting a bigger front wheel rim

[dave]

Firstly I would like to say hello to everyone. I`am a new member to the club but not biking.
My question is this, can I fit a 3.50" X 21" rim with a 120/70/21 tyre to my 2002 Night Train & can I keep the standard mudguard?.
My reason for asking this is I`am riding right to the edge of the front tyre & have had a slide or two, so would like to fit a wider front tyre.
Thanks in advance to your replies

[chopper]

Simple answer is yes you can, but before you spend your penny's on a new rim it is possible to fit a 120 to a stock wheel, buy the tyre and try it out first. I have run both a 3.50 rim with a 120 and the stock, both using stock front guards and never had any problems.

[dave]

Thanks Chopper, I think I will have a 3.5 rim rather than squeeze a 120 tyre onto a stock rim. Did you find it slowed the steering down with the wider profiled tyre?

[Dave_Scott]

Why not fit a 19" wheel, they have a wider tyre

[45Brit]

personally I'd say the 19" wheel would be the best bet if you were going to change the rim. The narrow 21" tyre simply isn't sufficient for a bike the size and weight of a Big Twin. The wider tyres are just a 'best of a bad job' solution.

you won't lose any significant ground clearance by doing so and there are a whole range of rim sizes and tyre sizes and types available.

there are complex mathematical reasons why a 19" wheel is better than a 21" but suffice to say that it will sharpen the handling and improve braking, all other things being equal

[chopper]

Originally Posted by dave

Thanks Chopper, I think I will have a 3.5 rim rather than squeeze a 120 tyre onto a stock rim. Did you find it slowed the steering down with the wider profiled tyre?

cant say it ever slowed the steering down, felt alot better into corners, but remember its a harley not a R1 its never gonna feel fantastic!

Best thing i ever did to my front end was changing the fork springs for a set of progressive ones, incredible improvement

[Moby_Duck]

I fitted a 16" spoker & fat boy guard to the FXST and along with progressive springs it works a treat, much better handling and road holding. Took a short time to get used to the different feel though.
Improves the look also i think.


MD

[Monkeybrain]

Moby,

You got any photo's...

[telboy]

tryed out a 16" on me nighttrain for a while,

but i changed it for a 19" cast wheel

which i'm a lot happier with and looks a lot nicer,just need to sort the springs now

[dave]

Thanks to everyone for all the info, I have done a bit of research on different wheel sizes & will be going to go with the 19" set up as 45Brit says,better tyre choices etc.
Also going with progressive springs & fresh fork oil to tighten the front end
up, guess I`m to used to my D##### monsters handling,I dont want to throw the train on the floor thro over exuberance