Replaced 21" Wire with 19" Cast Wheel (pics)

[Dubfire]

There have been plenty of other threads on this subject so I won't go into too much detail. The main problems I encountered were:

(1) Removing the bearing race from the cast wheel. This shouldn't have been necessary because the wheel was bought as having had "new bearings last year" :frownthre BS. A lip behind the bearing race prevents the race from being knocked out from the opposite side. Eventually I had to pay to have the surface of the race built up with weld so that it could be seen from the opposite side of the hub.

(2) Mounting the brake disc. The shim (spacer) between the hub and the disc on the wire wheel is not required on the cast wheel. If you use the shim, the disc will foul on the lower caliper bolt (I found this out the hard way!)

(3) Installing the cast wheel. The wire wheel comes out easily, but the brake caliper and the two nuts which hold the fender to one of the fork sliders must be removed to allow the fatter 100-90-19 tyre on the cast wheel to pass.

Before:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/mdubfire/100_PANA-P1000721_P1000721.jpg

After:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/mdubfire/castwheelrhs600x400.jpg

[Big_Baazzoo]

I like mags, too. I guess I like the look of spokes, I just hate to clean them, and they rust if you don't take vigilant care of them. Looks great!

[Malc_F]

I like it better with the mag, nice!

[Dubfire]

I like it better with the mag, nice!

Thanks Malc. I wish I'd bought a 1200S and saved myself a lot of work, but at least I've now got a Custom that handles something like.

Thanks Big Baaz

[Malc_F]

I didnt know what I was buying Baz, it was a total fluke I got this S, I bought it on the looks and the colour LOL! Im glad I did though.

But theres got to be something really great about getting a bike, and making it your own as well aint there? Your sporty is one of a kind?

[Dubfire]

It's Mike, Malc but not to worry, I was just thanking the other member who replied to my thread!

And you are right, it is good to personalise your bike, it's one of the things that make Sportsters great.

[66ssman]

I have considered doing the same to my '05 1200C. Now that I've seen the results, I may stop considering and start doing. Is the overall height the same between the 21" and 19"?

[Malc_F]

It's Mike, Malc but not to worry, I was just thanking the other member who replied to my thread!

:o how thick am I! :laugh

[Dubfire]

I have considered doing the same to my '05 1200C. Now that I've seen the results, I may stop considering and start doing. Is the overall height the same between the 21" and 19"?

With the Avon Venoms which I am using I estimate the difference in overall wheel diameter to be about 3/4", so the front end would be 3/8" lower. (The fender is still in the same position so you can see from the pic the difference is not that great.) I have also raised the fork tubes through the trees about 3/4" to further lower the front end. (Progressive fork springs raised the front slightly by eliminating sag)

The original 11 1/2" shocks have also been replaced with 13 1/4" shocks. The bike looks more level and handles much better.

This is how the bike looked before the suspension mods:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/mdubfire/1200C01.jpg

[milmat1]

I think I'm gonna go with a solid wheel myself, Cant keep these darn spoked wheels true. And they tend to increase the Wobble at high speeds.
The solid wheel should be a little more stable i hope.

Yours looks great now dude !!

[ReddTigger]

I think I'm gonna go with a solid wheel myself, Cant keep these darn spoked wheels true. And they tend to increase the Wobble at high speeds.
The solid wheel should be a little more stable i hope.

Yours looks great now dude !!

if you're going to go with the 19" cast wheel, Might I make a suggestion..

110/90-19 what a world of difference in looks and a slight improvement in performance..

100/90-19 on the left, 110/90-19 on the right..

http://i38.tinypic.com/fwuezr.jpg

[thatbikerguy]

Looks better with the Mag!!!!

[mjbogrand]

There have been plenty of other threads on this subject so I won't go into too much detail. The main problems I encountered were:

(1) Removing the bearing race from the cast wheel. This shouldn't have been necessary because the wheel was bought as having had "new bearings last year" :frownthre BS. A lip behind the bearing race prevents the race from being knocked out from the opposite side. Eventually I had to pay to have the surface of the race built up with weld so that it could be seen from the opposite side of the hub.

(2) Mounting the brake disc. The shim (spacer) between the hub and the disc on the wire wheel is not required on the cast wheel. If you use the shim, the disc will foul on the lower caliper bolt (I found this out the hard way!)

(3) Installing the cast wheel. The wire wheel comes out easily, but the brake caliper and the two nuts which hold the fender to one of the fork sliders must be removed to allow the fatter 100-90-19 tyre on the cast wheel to pass.

Before:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/mdubfire/100_PANA-P1000721_P1000721.jpg

After:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/mdubfire/castwheelrhs600x400.jpg

I think it's a good looking bike either way:clap
:tour:smoke