Ironhead Help installing rear wheel.

[M109R]

My friend and i went to install my rims tonight and came across a road block.The rims I bought are off of a 1982 sportster,my bike is a 1980.The problem that I am having is the bracket on the 1980 is to thick and the rim will not fit.The brake set up on the 1982 appears to be a totally different set up.If any body has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

[cybrdyke]

M109R- you are correct, the swing arm and the brake caliper and bracket for the 82 are completely different from the 80 models. Someone might have a solution for you, but I just wanted to confirm your thoughts.

[M109R]

Thank you for your answer.Would a 1982 swingarm solve my problems?

[IronMick]

I fitted later year [i do not know what year] wheels on my 1980. The front was straight on with no problems. For the rear i had to grind some metal from the brake side to get it to fit.

If you can post a pic of the brake side of your wheel i can see if it is the same as what i have, and indicate where i ground it off.

I am talking mag wheels. Are you working with spoke wheels?

[Panther]

Originally Posted by IronMick

I fitted later year [i do not know what year] wheels on my 1980. The front was straight on with no problems. For the rear i had to grind some metal from the brake side to get it to fit.

If you can post a pic of the brake side of your wheel i can see if it is the same as what i have, and indicate where i ground it off.

I am talking mag wheels. Are you working with spoke wheels?

IronMick, hey I'm helping M109R with his bike, he is sound asleep by now so I'll answer this question. We took the spoke wheels off, and went to mag wheels. The front went right on nice. The back will not go on because of the bracket that hold the caliper in. This is the
front wheel.

[IronMick]

That front wheel looks the same as mine. The rear is probably the same also. Post up a pic of the brake side of the rear and i'll see.

[Panther]

Originally Posted by IronMick

That front wheel looks the same as mine. The rear is probably the same also. Post up a pic of the brake side of the rear and i'll see.

We will post on Sunday, but yes the rear wheel is the same. The bracket that hold the caliper wraps around the back side of the swing arm, and the shaft goes through it. That is how it holds to the bike.

[Panther]

IronMick I just went to your gallery, and yes they are the same wheels that we have from an 1982 HD.

[IronMick]

My recollection is: the sprocket side fit with no problem. On the brake side the rim of the hub stuck out too far. We ground it down to fit.

We ground it in about three stages, test fitting as we went along. Near then end of the grinding process we had to take care not to go too far. We only left a very small amount - maybe 1/16th inch; just enough to keep the wheel away from the brake mount.

I'll see if i can get a useful on-bike pic of the result and post it a little later on today.

EDIT: Here are a couple of pics. When you install the brake rotor the rim of the hub sticks out too far. The red in the pics shows it ground off so that it sticks out only a small amount.

[Panther]

Originally Posted by IronMick

My recollection is: the sprocket side fit with no problem. On the brake side the rim of the hub stuck out too far. We ground it down to fit.

We ground it in about three stages, test fitting as we went along. Near then end of the grinding process we had to take care not to go too far. We only left a very small amount - maybe 1/16th inch; just enough to keep the wheel away from the brake mount.

I'll see if i can get a useful on-bike pic of the result and post it a little later on today.

EDIT: Here are a couple of pics. When you install the brake rotor the rim of the hub sticks out too far. The red in the pics shows it ground off so that it sticks out only a small amount.

IronMick, here are some photos for your review as well.