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View Full Version : Harley's and Spindle mount wheels...


Curly
11-08-2003, 09:30 PM
I've been watching the price of spindle mount wheels for some time now and it seems that they are pulling in the good buck. It got me to start thinking...and this sometimes is very dangerous. I ain't got the big $$$ but I am a machinist and usually make my own stuff.
I noticed that American and Halibrand had 12 spoke rims and Harley has a 13 spoke rim. Has anyone here every played with mounting a set of Harley rims on the old Ford spindles? If I remember correctly at one time an outfit used to convert Harley Hummer spoked wheels to fit the Ford spindle. I do not have a rim infront of me so I can't just start playing. I know that Harley uses a staright axle and uses a spacer to set bearing preload. I can figure out my preload. I can get 16" whitewall tires with the old style sidewall. I have a buddy that owns a polishing biz. and I think the load rating from a dresser is'nt that much different than what I've got on the front of my "almost a T-bucket PU". Does it sound feasable? What problems can you guys forsee. there has to be a reason why you don't see this being done. Every other time "I was the first to think of it" some one shows me of this other guy that did it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Unkl Ian
11-08-2003, 10:06 PM
Motorcycle wheels were not uncommon in early drag racing.Motorcycle tires might not offer the best handling for the street.

Luckypabst
11-08-2003, 10:24 PM
You might need to figure out some bearing trickery, most motorcycle bearings I've seen are for radial loads only where car bearings are for radial and axial loads. My point being that motorcycle wheels aren't designed for much side load (cornering).

Chris