[Chuck1073]

Thinking of making this winter's project a 21" front wheel with wrap fender. I'd like to leave the rake alone and simply change out the wheel.
Not sure if anyone offers a wheel that will allow me to use the stock rotors. Also. what are the ride implications? Will this drastically change the handling characteristics of the bike? As it is now (a 2015) the bike handles really well.

Any advice?

 

[! rock103 !]

From my understanding your ABS won't work properly without going to a larger diameter rear wheel when installing the 21" front. It will also change the riding characteristics a bit, especially without changing rake and trail. Speak with some of the techs from the brand of wheel you expect to go with for their recommendations and knowledge. They've done the research and will be a much more accurate resource of information.

 

[Reccerick19]

But it will look really cool ?

 

[idkgfy]

I have 2013 but I love my 21" no ABS issues and no handling issues I would do it again. I was told buy a couple of guys that build bikes that a big key to any of the wheels or rake kits is to keep a good or fresh tire on it when it starts to drive like shit change the front tire. The new site won't let me post pics.

 

[idkgfy]

21"

 

[09Sharknose]

I have a 21" front with a matching rear that is stock size. No handling or ABS issues. Most wheels come with matching rotors as a package "deal".


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[Helmwurst]

I just installed my wheel/tires I had on my 2011. Went out today with a group, as soon as I hit -55 mph , the abs light came on and stayed on until I shut it off . Next time I got on it , abs flashed normal and went off. Soon as I hit -55 it came back on. When I got home started reading up and everything pointing to buying a frickin 200$ Thunder max abs thingy. Are you kidding me. Coastal closed until Monday. Will call Jason to get the scoop. Saw some guys at Fayetteville putting on front wheels and they had some magic box they were adding to abs bikes, but do not remember who they were.
I like the look and the ride. No handling issues. My sizes are 120/70/21 & 200/55/17

 

[09Sharknose]

I just installed my wheel/tires I had on my 2011. Went out today with a group, as soon as I hit -55 mph , the abs light came on and stayed on until I shut it off . Next time I got on it , abs flashed normal and went off. Soon as I hit -55 it came back on. When I got home started reading up and everything pointing to buying a frickin 200$ Thunder max abs thingy. Are you kidding me. Coastal closed until Monday. Will call Jason to get the scoop. Saw some guys at Fayetteville putting on front wheels and they had some magic box they were adding to abs bikes, but do not remember who they were.
I like the look and the ride. No handling issues. My sizes are 120/70/21 & 200/55/17

What is the stock rear size on your 2011. Maybe your ABS is messing up because you DID change from the stock rear size.


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[James]

Thinking of making this winter's project a 21" front wheel with wrap fender. I'd like to leave the rake alone and simply change out the wheel.
Not sure if anyone offers a wheel that will allow me to use the stock rotors. Also. what are the ride implications? Will this drastically change the handling characteristics of the bike? As it is now (a 2015) the bike handles really well.

Any advice?

I would give a few of the upstanding and trusted wheel companies a call and discuss your options. I know Drew from hog pro frequents and sponsors this site. I would call him first. I also had good service from wanaryd when I was looking for a 21". I would just plan to get rotors, they look so much better especially when you are already spending 12-1300 on a wheel and tire.

 

[! rock103 !]

The abs works off rotational ratio between front and rear wheel. Of you increase the size of the front, it's a no brainer that you'll need to increase the rear to stay within ratio spec for abs to work properly. Info to support this can be found on legitimate wheel manufacturers sites. Of course older model bikes without abs won't have an issue. That should be obvious... As I said in my original post, contact the wheel manufacturer with your application to include bike year and abs. This has even been discussed elsewhere on this forum.

 

[09Sharknose]

21" Front Wheel - Yay or Nay?

The abs works off rotational ratio between front and rear wheel. Of you increase the size of the front, it's a no brainer that you'll need to increase the rear to stay within ratio spec for abs to work properly. Info to support this can be found on legitimate wheel manufacturers sites. Of course older model bikes without abs won't have an issue. That should be obvious... As I said in my original post, contact the wheel manufacturer with your application to include bike year and abs. This has even been discussed elsewhere on this forum.

Maybe it's your choice of words, or maybe those wheel sites are talking about old ABS technology, but I've always read that ABS on bikes works by sensors that measure the speed of your wheels, send the data to your bikes computer, which calculates when your wheels are about to lock up and consequently prevents it or them, as they work independently as well as in tandem, from doing so.

Older bikes would be at least 6 years old. My bike is a 2013, but my 2009 had ABS and a 21" wheel as well with no issues. The system works within a range and has plenty of room for error.

If your conclusion was accurate, all of HD's Touring bikes would have the same size wheels or would have to be recalibrated when different wheel size options were selected. I.E. adding a 19" agitator to your 2010 road glide.........


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[09Sharknose]

I would give a few of the upstanding and trusted wheel companies a call and discuss your options. I know Drew from hog pro frequents and sponsors this site. I would call him first. I also had good service from wanaryd when I was looking for a 21". I would just plan to get rotors, they look so much better especially when you are already spending 12-1300 on a wheel and tire.

The rotors are oftentimes what the wheel sensors use to gauge the speed of the wheels. That's what the slots are for.


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[Spazz]

2015's have encoded wheel bearings for the abs... same deal in my 14SGS

 

[09Sharknose]

2015's have encoded wheel bearings for the abs... same deal in my 14SGS

That's not exclusive to the Rushmore bikes. HD showed up to the ABS party so late that all of HDs ABS bikes use these. That's why when you purchase wheel packages, you generally see "add $XX for ABS bearings".

The poster above with the ABS light that won't go out more likely has a problem with bearing installation than wheel size ratio.


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[Helmwurst]

My speed ratio is 7.6% , this should not have caused an issue. My concern is they were sittinging the garage for about 5 weeks before the switch over, that maybe one of the bearings had lost some of it magnetism??? Is that possible? I would think if that were the case, the light would have come on right away. May end up taking to the dealer and have it scanned before I drop $$$ on a correction box. I don't understand their (HD), calculation factors. The system should be calibration wheel speed from when you start rolling up to to the 30-35 mph turn on point. Did not have this issue with the non interlinked ABS.
Thanks for the input.

 

[09Sharknose]

21" Front Wheel - Yay or Nay?

If it was placed anywhere near another magnet, it may be damaged.
The ABS bearings do not like other magnets.

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[Chuck1073]

Interesting thread guys. Thanks for all of the info. I did talk with Mike at FTD Customs. They recommend the Thundermax Trackmax box. It fools the ABS sensors into thinking that the larger wheel is a 19". Looks like I will be going with a 21" after all.

 

[Helmwurst]

Got some info today from a tech at a very large dealer. Seems that with the interlinked abs and larger front wheels, that they use the PM ABS Sensor rings to cure the +50 MPH light setting. I pulled down the Tech Bulletin and you remove the HD ABS Bearing and replace it wwith a standard 0071-6205 bearing and the PM Sensor Ring. I have not gotten a price on that fix yet.

 

[Helmwurst]

ABS Error

Update - Today Sunday 10/18
Pulled ABS codes and found C1027 - Rear wheel speed signal intermittent. Reset code and pulled off rear wheel/tire. Found a nick in the bearing face that I don't know where it came from. Grabbed the stock wheel/tire and switched it out. Took it out on the road and ran up and down the road running 90+ and did several types of stopping combinations and the ABS light never came on. So, need to run out this week and pick up a new set of bearings for the rear wheel.
2nd Issue, wobble. Did not notice it at all except when I would hit the 30mph crosswind today. So, just guessing here for now. Wheel with damaged bearing will be taken back to tire mounting place for some spinning on the balancer to see if there is addition issue, like tire not straight or wheel bent.

 

[rg_dave]

I ran a 21 front with a 17 rear on my '09 streetglide for lots of miles. no issues at all. PM recalled them and sent me a brand new set. Coastal Moto was fantastic and sent me a set of new rotors so I won't have 70,000 mile rotors on my new set of wheels. I cannot say enough positive about their customer service. Putting them on the RG this winter. I think the issues with calibration are with the bikes with linked brakes. Thats the first I've heard of it. Several of my friends with older bikes (older than '14) run the same size wheels as I did.