HarleyTechTalk

Installed a 21 inch front wheel on my Road King and have noticed on the back side of the fender heat generated while riding is messing up my paint. Was told the 21 would fit fine with no issues but that's not the case. Anyone else had this issue and what did you use for a spacer?

It depends on the size of the 21" tire. some have taller sidewalls.

Quote from: Ohio HD on April 19, 2017, 09:08:18 AM
It depends on the size of the 21" tire. some have taller sidewalls.

Profile will make a big difference, and going to 21" will mess up ABS

When using the 21 with OEM fender, you had to drill the rear fender bolt hole to larger size to gain clearance at the rear of the fender from the tire.

  +1

Did that with no issues, and mine hasn't messed up the ABS system for the last 5 years.

It's a 96 Road King so no issues with ABS and I'll try drilling out the rear mounting hole a little and see if that works. By chance anyone know what size drill bit? Thanks everyone for the help

There are adaptor brackets out there, FBI, Performance Machine, Etc, but they get spendy

3/8" drill bit will work fine, just one size bigger than the holes are from the factory.  Push the fender away from the wheel when tightening.

I guess I wouldn't like having the rear of the front fender being held higher by a larger than the bolts, hole. A hard bump and that fender could come down on the tire, could make for a pretty interesting situation if the front wheel locks for a second. At minimum it cold burn your paint off at the tire contact.

Took a guys bike for a ride that was brought in, he had a front fender mounted to his springer front end. But mounted as fixed, didn't move with the front wheel. I hit the front brakes, collapsed the fender down on the tire, then the wheel locked, and wouldn't release until the speed of the bike came down. Yeah, that was fun. Smoked his custom paint right off the fender too. He cried about the paint. I said F$%@ YOU!