Hello All

I like the look of the 21" front wheel, ever since I saw my first one on a chop in Easyriders way back in the 70's.

Now I have got a 21" wheel (nearly new and cheap), I would like to fit it and a wide glide 6 degree rake set up to my Sporty in place of the fitted stock yokes (triple trees) and 19" wheel.

I've allready fitted the yokes and tried the old wheel in place, there doesn't seem to be much difference between the two setups (looking wise I mean, I haven't been on the road yet) I have all the engineering bit sorted but I'm in two minds about the character differences of the two wheels.

Does anyone have a 21" front wheel and are happy with the setup?

Has anyone changed from a 19" to a 21" and are happy..........or not?

Has anyone changed from a 21" to a 19" and are happy..........or not?

Any feedback most welcome............

Thanks

I'm about to switch from a 21" spoked wheel to a 19" spoked wheel on my '06 xl1200c. I went and sat on a 1200 Low with the spoked wheel option...looks great and it just feels easier to move around and lift off the jiffy stand.

No other changes to the bike so it has to be the tire. I also like the look of the 19" wheel and more rubber.

aren't the front forks shorter?

I have both a 19" and a 21" wire wheels for my sportster
and I switch back and forth, everytime I need a new tire.

Anyway I do feel a little better with the 19" but not a lot.
I have the 21" on now with a Avon Venom X and it feels as
good as a 19" with a stock Dunlop.
YMMV

Your biggest change will be the front end and the rake and
longer forks you may need.

well you may not believe this but a 21 inch wheel is smoother running than a 19" because of the difference in the broader radius, no way would I go down on wheel size, if i was to go LOW, I would get the front lowered or buy 2" shorter fork tubes, I trade my 19" spoke wheel, single disc, for a 21 any day.

Thanks Guys

Well here's a before and unfinished after, like I said I've just slotted it together for the photos I haven't finished yet fitting the 21" wheel so here's a work in progress first before......
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4950&stc=1&d=1132788676

......and after

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4951&stc=1&d=1132788676

I don't think there is a great deal of difference but before I started I checked what the resulting "trail" would be at this link...
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/advchoppercalc.html

thanks again for your input

Now I know how the photo bit works I'll post some more later if your interested, with the 21" wheels and new handlebars that have yet to arrive.

sorry about the double posting (links and thumbnails)

I just went from a 19" alloy to a 21" spoked with a ME 880 tire. I have only done about 10 miles on the new setup, but it doesn't seem to handle any differently, on first impression. Looks much better though ;)

There's a few other threads where the 21-to-19" suggest that the breaking and cornering is better with the 19". But the 21" better absorbs bumps and potholes. You should be avoiding potholes anyhole.

I've got metzelers' on the 21". My 19" is powder coated and waiting for the tire to be mounted. Considering its snowing now, I may have to wait till the winter thaw in January to test it out.

how much did it run to have your rims powder coated? i'd like to have my rear, and possibly stock front, done this winter.

i wish the roads did not suck up here .....els i would have got the 21

I switched from a mag 19 to a 21 off a wideglide with an Avon Venon. Not sure how it handles in the curves but the steering feels alot lighter. The stock tire and rim weighed alot moe than the new setup. Looks alot better in my opinion.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b57/chuckactor/front-pb.jpg

Chuck

how much did it run to have your rims powder coated? i'd like to have my rear, and possibly stock front, done this winter.

Wasn't the laced wheel. I bought a 13 spoke off ebay dirt cheap. Powder coating and sand blasting was around $50 for the wheel (as I was already having other parts done). Dropped them off at DareDevil Chopper's.

I switched from a mag 19 to a 21 off a wideglide with an Avon Venon. Not sure how it handles in the curves but the steering feels alot lighter. The stock tire and rim weighed alot moe than the new setup. Looks alot better in my opinion.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b57/chuckactor/front-pb.jpg

Chuck
nice ride chuck

Thanks alot.

i put a 21" spoke wheel on my 79 sporty in place of the 19" mag wheel last winter. i didn't notice much difference, maybe turned easier with the 21" but that's it. the difference in looks was fantastic though. go for it man. 21" front wheels look great on just about anything.

Thanks for the feedback guys, 21" it is then, will post piccies when I set it up.

I went from 19" to a 21" about 10 years ago. I didn't like the grip of the skinny tire so I didn't run it very long. I didn't really want a 21 in the first place but wanted the spoke hub. The whole 21" wheel only cost a little more than just the hub so I thought WTH. Now they have wider 21s that are 120/21. If I went back to a 21 that's what I'd try.

After I dumped the 21 I laced a Sun 18" 2.75 rim to the hub. Now I switch between the 18 and the stock 19. Handling is a little better with the 19.

I took off the 21" spoke and went to a 19" mag with dual disks. There is only about 1/2" difference in the diameter but I did get the wider tire mounted on the 19".

I like the looks and the cornering/braking of the new setup, so if someone is in need of a near takeoff 21" wheel/tire, just PM me and maybe we can work out a deal..... :smoke

I own a roadster and prefer the 19". I have ridden a custom for several hundred miles and found the front wheel hard. It felt like the tire is too small for the rim and picks up every imperfection in the pavement.

I have a buddy with a custom that wants to switch out to 19" for the same reasons I found. With a 21" there is less tire to protect the rim incase of large pothole or whatever you hit.

If I had the money I would actually get a nice spoked, Alum rim/hub, setup in 18" front and rear. Sweet!

Carl
'06 1200R Cafe Sportster

I got the 21" laced profile wheel and I like the look and do my best avoid potholes but Birmingham roads sux big time I don't know wth their doing with our tax dollars.

I have a fairly Stock 1997 Sporty S model 1200( visually modding over this winter tho). Just got my Weld Chopper style rims in. Decided to go with the 21 inch front as well. Put the ME 880s on. Altho, for the front, I sorta wish I went with a 100/90, as apposed to the 90/90.

Maybe I will try the 100/90 after this front wears out. As well, hoping that 21 gives me a bit of height, giving that lower rear end illusion. hehhhe I love the rear adjustable shocks and don`t wanna lose them. The look of lowering is appealing.

If anyones got some more pics with the 21 inchers on the front, please by all means post away. :0)

I have a fairly Stock 1997 Sporty S model 1200( visually modding over this winter tho). Just got my Weld Chopper style rims in. Decided to go with the 21 inch front as well. Put the ME 880s on. Altho, for the front, I sorta wish I went with a 100/90, as apposed to the 90/90.

Maybe I will try the 100/90 after this front wears out. As well, hoping that 21 gives me a bit of height, giving that lower rear end illusion. hehhhe I love the rear adjustable shocks and don`t wanna lose them. The look of lowering is appealing.

If anyones got some more pics with the 21 inchers on the front, please by all means post away. :0)
Here is what mine use to look like with 1200S shocks and a 21". It has a 19" on it now.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j176/twolaneblacktop/100_1288.jpg

Love the way the 21" wheel looks on bikes.

Hey! That doesn`t look bad at all. Thx for the pic.