HarleyTechTalk

A friend has an 04 electra glide that needs tires. Can he put a 150 on the rear he has a 130 now and it is skinny.

He can, if he spaces the rear pulley with some washers.  1 or 2 washers just enough to clear the belt.

I put a 140 Dunlop on a 03 Ultra Fit right on Bigger tire, more tread, heavier load rating.

   .... and that's the max with a close fit to the belt.

I got a 140 on my 99, that is what the dealer put on last time (I take the wheel in)  I was scared it wouldn't fit but it did without a pulley spacer.  However on mine the pulley is already pretty close to the rubber boot on the left shock.  I don't know how much of a spacer I could get by with.

Put on a 140. What will the 150 get that the 140 will not?

The 150-80-16 will most likely have a lower load rating and for sure will not get the mileage.   He should use. 140 or Mu85b16

   .... and it still looks fairly beefy if that's what he's after. 

I ran 150 rear tires on my '04 for over 80, 000 miles, 2 up fully loaded no spacers required, no problem and comparable mileage to the smaller tires. Except for when Metzler started producing tires in Brazil. Undersized, weak sidewalls, poor mileage no matter what air pressure.

Just replaced a 150/80-16 on my 04 RK. Fitment was not a issue, no spacing required.

04 has a narrower belt and pulley than 03 and earlier. No spacer required.

Istarted to run the 150 on my 2000 r-king ,had to put a pingel#62051 pulley spacer on it and trim the belt cover a little. Only problem when you backup the belt will want to rub the belt gaurd-not a problem. On the wifes 06 r-king didn't have to do a thing. great mileage and super good handling.

another consideration of a wider tire is the taillight wire can touch and be worn away and the brake/directional lights stop working.

I have run a 150/80-16 77H rear tire on my 2002 FLH for years. I did change to a 2004 1 1/8" belt but have seen them on 03 & earlier with the 1 1/2" belts with the rubber removed from the back of the lower belt guard.

The 150's with the 77 load rating (908 lbs) are the same as the 140 tires. Make sure to get the reinforced rear tire with the 77 rating.