How much work/cash to put a bigger front wheel on my bike?

Question

If I want to pull the 16" front wheel from my Classic 900 and put, say, an 18"er on, do I have to change the rake or not? And if so, how would I know how much? And does that just require a different triple tree or a more extensive mod?

My understanding is that a bigger wheel makes the bike more nimble, but I don't know how I should go about doing it, or if it's worth the effort.

Answer 1

I know that a wider tire will effect handling in a bad way, as will adding rake.  Maybe a larger tire without changing the rake will work but I doubt it would be worth the time or money to do so.

Answer 2

Small wheel at the front makes the bike nimble ..  bigger makes it slow to turn... & yes changing the Dia of the wheel affects the handling..  You can compensate by getting offset triple trees made.. but they are not an off the shelf item..  & how much offset is something you would have to work out

I think you would need to make the rake more.. by enough to comensate for the extra 1" of ride hight at the front.. ( you maybe able to get away with the standard rake & trees )  but then you need to mount the front guard & most inportant the brakes??  this is not always an easy fix...   So im guessing its not worth the effort..

Answer 3

I think you need to give it more gas and the front end will feel taller at no expense.

Answer 4

Woozy,,,

You'd tear up a $1,000 Bill most likely

There's 18" tires which yield very little difference in overall diameter from the original 16"

Most sizes of 18" tire that you'd probably want to use ar about 1"~1.5" larger O.D

That's 1/2" to 3/4" raising of the front end.

(Half the diameter increase= amount of axle height increase)

I am Not 100% Certain on your bike,,,but am pretty sure you can slide the Forks in the triple clamps enough to compensate for that difference.

If You wanna quicken/light the steering a bit,,,,

and the fork tubes are indeed slideable in the clamps...

Try  1/2" and see if you like the feel.

Also run front tire at max psi,,,if your not already doing so.

That will sharpen it a bit.

I am Not familiar enough with the bike to make any tire reccomendations.

But different types/sizes  Tires can offer an improvement in the direction you want.

Little things also,,such as adjusting rear wheel as far forward as possible,,,,or stiffening rear suspension will speed-up steering response also.

Again,,,I'm not familiar enogh to know if such tweaks are even possible on a Vulcan?

I'd suggest asking at the Dealer's ,,,they are usually wise to that sorta thing.

Also,,seek any Vulcan Club or Owner's website-----those places usually have a few folks who are intimately familiar w/ the specific bike,,,and often have explored a variety of different options.

Bottom Line Fact is gonna remain  that the bike is designed as a Cruiser,,,,and it's characteristics are thus sorta "Genetic",,,built-in.

That's Not to say  the bike's handling CANT be sharpened up a bit,

But there WILL be a distinct limit on what improvements are useful/practical,,,,,and even "SAFE"

Nimble is Fine,,,,I 'bleive I'd be seeking same thing.

But ya Dont wanna build yourself a Tank-Slapper

Good Luck,,and be careful

Answer 5

The one problem I would have with this is that in most bikes the speedometer is attached to the front wheel.

The problem is that if you change the diameter of the front wheel the speedometer is no longer accurate (if you out a larger diameter wheel on the front the speedometer will give you a speed of less than you are actually doing if if is measuring speed by revolutions of the front wheel)

I would imagine that calibrating a speedometer is a nightmare and if you don't do it right you could be looking at a lot of hefty fines for speeding.