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21" front wheel tutorial

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farmboy

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Dec 13, 2014
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OK, just turned 14k on the Witch and the rear tire is almost down to the wear bar. So I'm thinking new tire or tires, and maybe new wheels while I'm at it. Or just have the existing ones powder coated to go with the theme. I know that powder coating the existing wheels will be way cheaper but what's the fun in that. So here's the question.
Other than looking cool is there any performance ( handling ) gain or loss to a 21" front wheel. I know some of you guys and gals are running 21" fronts with the standard rear wheel. Is there any handling issues using the stock rear and would going bigger help even out the handling issue. Or is there a different fix? Would there be a fitment issue going bigger in the rear? And who doesn't like spending another $600-$1000 + on something you can't see.
I'm all ears,
Thanks fb
 
I talked to Jeff at Coastal Moto about the 21" front with a 200 rear. He has the tricks and tips. I got different opinions from every HD dealer I talked to about the rear. They all said 180 is the widest to go so things don't rub. Everyone pretty much agreed that there weren't any issues with a 21" front, with the riser, and stock rear.
 
Go for it. I might have gone 21 up front if I wasn't already fighting for every bit of ground reach.
I think the 21 is all about looks. It isn't going to improve the ride, but it isn't going to ruin it either (with the tricks right).

The powdercoating option would look great on your bike, too.

Benefit of spending the moola on new wheels is that you can do the project in your garage without any down time- as opposed to having the bike on a lift while you send the wheels out to get PCd. Unless you plan this over the winter...
 
SGS Mark said:
I talked to Jeff at Coastal Moto about the 21" front with a 200 rear. He has the tricks and tips. I got different opinions from every HD dealer I talked to about the rear. They all said 180 is the widest to go so things don't rub. Everyone pretty much agreed that there weren't any issues with a 21" front, with the riser, and stock rear.
Click to expand...

Mark, thanks for the input. As soon as I get some tread on the rear we'll have to meet up at the Hays House, have some chicken and go for a ride.
 
Mandrew said:
Go for it. I might have gone 21 up front if I wasn't already fighting for every bit of ground reach.
I think the 21 is all about looks. It isn't going to improve the ride, but it isn't going to ruin it either (with the tricks right).

The powdercoating option would look great on your bike, too.

Benefit of spending the moola on new wheels is that you can do the project in your garage without any down time- as opposed to having the bike on a lift while you send the wheels out to get PCd. Unless you plan this over the winter...
Click to expand...

Mandrew, I thought you might have gone with the 21 when I saw you post the pic of your old front. I get the reach thing though. I know what you mean about no down time on a new set. Then I suppose I could get a little back selling the old set.
I was hoping if I dropped the back one off at Shauns on a Monday I could get it back by the weekend. Then I'd do the front in a couple months and have him do my forks also. So what ARE the right tricks
 
That is true, if you plan ahead with Shawn, your down time will be minimal.
 
When I was considering a 21" wheel upgrade I was told that I needed to go with a 18" rear by both the HD Dealership and another rider because of the ABS. Don't know if it was fluff from the dealer to get me to spend more money, but that's what I have heard from several folks. Anybody else heard the same?


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farmboy said:
Mark, thanks for the input. As soon as I get some tread on the rear we'll have to meet up at the Hays House, have some chicken and go for a ride.
Click to expand...

Yes Sir, sounds like a plan. However...as soon as we get these beans in I'm headed to FLA for the winter. Gonna extend my riding season! HA!
 
I know there was a couple threads on here a while ago about not getting the ABS to work with different sized wheels. I think someone makes a plug and play module for that now that fixes it. Can't remember what it' called.
 
21" front wheel tutorial

21" front wheel tutorial

t8ness said:
When I was considering a 21" wheel upgrade I was told that I needed to go with a 18" rear by both the HD Dealership and another rider because of the ABS. Don't know if it was fluff from the dealer to get me to spend more money, but that's what I have heard from several folks. Anybody else heard the same?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I changed my front to a 21" and had issues with the light flashing and when I had the harness installed....all good!! If you need specifics, lmk and I will get it for you. If I recall, it was about 200.00. On my 2014 SGS, I also had to get some fender bracket extensions....not sure if it was due to the RC wheel or the new PM forks?!? However, there was no clearance between the wheel and fender....50.00 for brackets!! All good now!!



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zbeast08 said:
I changed my front to a 21" and had issues with the light flashing and when I had the harness installed....all good!! If you need specifics, lmk and I will get it for you. If I recall, it was about 200.00. On my 2014 SGS, I also had to get some fender bracket extensions....not sure if it was due to the RC wheel or the new PM forks?!? However, there was no clearance between the wheel and fender....50.00 for brackets!! All good now!!



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

And all you did was change the front wheel to 21" and left the stock rear? Have you tested the ABS?


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