New Front Wheel/Tire

[Darth]

Put a new front wheel/tire combo on my wife's Sportster Champion Trike today. It originally had a 21 inch spoked wheel with a skinny tire that did not handle well. Upgraded to a nice new chrome 19 inch cast wheel with a 110/90/19 Metzler 888. Much better ride and improved handling, plus IMHO a better look. Here are before and after pics...


With the original 21 inch spoked wheel with a skinny Dunlop tire...


With the new 19 inch cast wheel and Metzler 888 tire...

 

[pcombe]

I agree it does look better.

 

[Darth]

It actually handles better. Overall, there is less than a 1/4 inch difference in overall height between the two. The 21 had a short sidewall, where the 19 has more sidewall area which is more forgiving on rough pavement.

If you look closely at the pics, you can see that the clearance between the fender and the tire in each picture isn't that different.

 

[Papa Zook]

Looks good Gary. The trunk/backrest looks comfy as well and I'm sure the little lady likes having the extra space to haul her girl gear. Thats a real nice Champion kit too...bet you got a good deal on it.

 

[Darth]

Thats a real nice Champion kit too...bet you got a good deal on it.

Such a good deal I may be looking at another one soon! orag:

 

[roadking2]

I think the narrow/tall tire looks OK, but functionally, it would seem to be lacking. I'm a function over form guy. I guess that's why I never cared for stretched out choppers, low slung bikes and many other things that seem to be the flavor of the day as far as customs goes. I like what you did and if it were my trike, I probably would have done the same. If the ride and handling improved, you did the right thing in my opinion. The front wheel is a much better with the rear to.