If you're planning about slapping the 26 harley front wheel on your own bagger, you most likely know it totally changes the look and feel associated with the bike. It's one of those modifications that turns a standard Harley-Davidson into a "big wheel bagger, " and let's end up being honest, it's the total head-turner. Yet making that leap from a share 19-inch or even a 21-inch wheel up to a 26 is the massive commitment that involves more than just swapping out there a couple of bolts.
I've seen plenty of guys jump into this without realizing what they're obtaining into. It's not just about the "wow" factor at the local bike night time; it's about how the bike sits, exactly how it leans, and how much function you're willing in order to placed into the front end. If you're for the fence, let's breakdown the reality of running a wheel this big.
Why Most people are Addicted With the 26-Inch Look
There's something about the particular proportions of a 26 harley front wheel that just works with the heavy bodywork associated with a Street Slip or a Street Glide. It floods out the area below the fairing flawlessly. When you see a well-executed huge wheel bagger, this looks aggressive, stretched out, and custom made from every position.
It's definitely a declaration piece. Most people start their modification journey with piping or bars, nevertheless a 26-inch wheel may be the moment your bike stops being a "Harley along with parts on it" and starts becoming a "custom construct. " It provides the bike the high-end, show-quality aesthetic that you just can't obtain with smaller diameters. Plus, it provides you a great deal more real property for cool designs, whether you're in to the classic chromium look, a murdered-out black finish, or even a complex contrast cut.
It's Not only a Bolt-On Part
Here is the particular part where several people get a bit of a reality check. You cannot—and I indicate are unable to —just take off your stock wheel and slide a 26 harley front wheel into the stock forks and call it a day. When you tried, the particular wheel would strike the frame, the triple trees would certainly be all incorrect, and the bike will be borderline unrideable.
To create this work, a person have to "rake" the front end. This means changing the angle of the forks so the wheel sits further forwards. Most riders go with a "bolt-on" rake kit or even, for an even more permanent and steady solution, a cut-and-weld neck job. The particular rake kit usually includes new triple trees that are usually machined into the angle. This particular keeps the trek of the bicycle within a safe range so you don't get that terrifying speed move or "flop" whenever you're looking to change at low speeds.
What sort of 26 Harley Front Wheel Changes the Ride
Let's talk about the hippo in the space: the ride high quality. If you're utilized to a stock bicycle, a 26 harley front wheel is going to feel different. Is definitely it worse? Not necessarily, but it's definitely distinct.
The bicycle will feel the bit more "planted" on the highway because of the increased gyroscopic impact of the larger wheel. However, you'll see that low-speed moves, like U-turns in the parking lot or even pulling into the tight garage, require a little more muscle. Mainly because the wheel is taller, your center of gravity adjustments slightly, as well as the "trail" measurements are very different compared to stock.
If you setup your rake correctly, you can actually get the bicycle to handle surprisingly well. Some guys even claim their particular 26-inch setups monitor straighter than their particular stock wheels. Yet if you inexpensive out on the particular rake kit or skip the suspension system upgrades, you're going to feel every push in the street. Speaking of suspension, most people suggest heading with a reduced front suspension or even air trip to keep the particular bike level.
The "Hidden" Costs of Going Large
Buying the particular 26 harley front wheel alone is generally just the particular tip of the iceberg. Once you have got the wheel, you realize you will need a number of other stuff to make it work and look right.
First, you need a fresh fender. Your stock fender is created for a very much smaller tire, therefore you'll need a "wrap" style fender that follows the curve from the 26-inch rim. Then there's the tire by itself. 26-inch motorcycle wheels aren't as common as standard dimensions, so you'll most likely be looking at brands like Vee Rubber or Shinko, and they also can be a bit more expensive.
Don't forget about the brakes. Most individuals managing a big wheel want to show away from the rim, therefore they'll in order to a single-sided brake brake disc setup. This requires obtaining a larger 13-inch or even 18-inch rotor and a high-performance caliper in order to make up intended for the loss of the 2nd disc. If your bicycle has ABS, a person also need an ABS bearing or even a recalibration module therefore the computer doesn't freak out because the wheel is spinning at a different rate than the back.
Choosing the particular Right Wheel Style
When you're looking at a 26 harley front wheel , the style options are basically endless. This is usually where you may really let your personality show.
- Chromium: This is the traditional choice for the reason. It jumps against almost any paint job and gives the bike that "jewelry" appearance.
- Comparison Cut: These wheels are often black with machined aluminum accents. These people look modern, entail, and a little bit more "street" compared to chrome.
- Solid or Speech: Some guys love the appearance of a fat-spoke wheel, while others want a 3D precision machined wheel that appears like a piece of commercial art.
What ever style you select, make sure you're purchasing from a reputable manufacturer. Since the wheel is so large, any slight imperfection in the casting or machining will be amplified at eighty mph. You would like something that's been load-tested and developed especially for the pounds of a heavy touring bike.
Maintenance and Durability
One point people don't talk about enough is how a 26 harley front wheel affects your maintenance schedule. Because the tire has the much thinner sidewall than a stock wheel, there's less "cushion" between road plus the rim. This means you have got to be extra careful with potholes. Hitting a nasty hole at velocity can bend a big aluminum rim much easier compared with how it would the smaller, meatier wheel.
You'll also want to maintain a close vision on the tire pressure. Since there's much less air volume, even the small drop within PSI can change the particular handling significantly. Plus, because the car tire is thinner, you will probably find yourself replacing this a bit even more often than a person would a stock tire. It's a small price in order to pay for the particular style, but it's something to keep in mind in the event that you're a high-mileage long-distance tourer.
Could it be Right with regard to Your Bike?
At the end of the day, installing a 26 harley front wheel is about what you want your bike to represent. If you're a hardcore corner-carver who spends every single weekend scraping floorboards within the mountains, a 26-inch wheel might not be your best friend. It's a little more work in the twisties, and you lose a few of that nimble feeling.
But, if you value the culture of custom baggers, if you enjoy cruising the coastline, and if you need a bike that stops people in their particular tracks every time you park, then the 26-inch path is incredible. It transforms the silhouette of the Harley into something that looks like this belongs on the magazine cover.
Just remember: do it right. Don't cut sides around the rake package, don't forget the fender, and make sure your brakes are usually up to the task. When a big wheel bagger is set up correctly, it's one particular of the coolest rides on the planet. When it's done poorly, it's a headache. Perform your homework, discover a good store if you aren't working on the project yourself, plus get looking forward to a whole lot associated with attention every time you hit the particular starter button.