I was thinking of changing my boring stock rims. I don't really want pay Harley prices. Is it possible to use car rim on the rear? Or does anyone know of some cheaper off brands?
rear rims
- Thread starter edveitch
- Start date
How about chroming the ones you have now??
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>edveitch</strong>
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<div class="message">I was thinking of changing my boring stock rims. I don't really want pay Harley prices. Is it possible to use car rim on the rear? Or does anyone know of some cheaper off brands?</div>
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</div>All of our Trinity Trike conversions use 14" or 15" standard automotive rims and tires. We chose the 5x4.5" bolt pattern which fits both Ford and GM's of various years. All of our rims are zero offset alloy wheels (half the weight of steel). From the pics I've seen and the numerous live trikes as well, most of our other friends in the business do similar things.<br />
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If HD used a standard automotive bolt pattern (and there are many different ones), you should have little difficulty coming up with automotive replacements. Just stick to the offset and the diameter of the stock rim/wheel combination.<br />
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Bob Witte<br />
<a href="http://www.TheTrinityTrike.com" target="_blank">The Trinity Trike</a>
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>edveitch</strong>
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<div class="message">I was thinking of changing my boring stock rims. I don't really want pay Harley prices. Is it possible to use car rim on the rear? Or does anyone know of some cheaper off brands?</div>
</div>
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</div>All of our Trinity Trike conversions use 14" or 15" standard automotive rims and tires. We chose the 5x4.5" bolt pattern which fits both Ford and GM's of various years. All of our rims are zero offset alloy wheels (half the weight of steel). From the pics I've seen and the numerous live trikes as well, most of our other friends in the business do similar things.<br />
<br />
If HD used a standard automotive bolt pattern (and there are many different ones), you should have little difficulty coming up with automotive replacements. Just stick to the offset and the diameter of the stock rim/wheel combination.<br />
<br />
Bob Witte<br />
<a href="http://www.TheTrinityTrike.com" target="_blank">The Trinity Trike</a>
I have a harley street glide trike, factory. I have four lug rims. I didn't know if four lug rims had the same bolt pattern.
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>edveitch</strong>
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<div class="message">I have a harley street glide trike, factory. I have four lug rims. I didn't know if four lug rims had the same bolt pattern.</div>
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</div>There are a number of four bolt patterns. Just measure the distance between the centers of two opposite lug bolts to find yours -- then go shopping. Stick with the same "offset" as your stock rims however. Offset is simply the distance (+ or -) from the verticle plane of where the wheel mounts against the hub. On a 6 inch wide rim, a zero offset would have the mounting plane exactly 3 inches from the edges. <br />
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<b>Bob Witte<br />
<a href="http://www.TheTrinityTrike.com" target="_blank">The Trinity Trike</a><br />
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>edveitch</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=54541#post54541" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">I have a harley street glide trike, factory. I have four lug rims. I didn't know if four lug rims had the same bolt pattern.</div>
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</div>There are a number of four bolt patterns. Just measure the distance between the centers of two opposite lug bolts to find yours -- then go shopping. Stick with the same "offset" as your stock rims however. Offset is simply the distance (+ or -) from the verticle plane of where the wheel mounts against the hub. On a 6 inch wide rim, a zero offset would have the mounting plane exactly 3 inches from the edges. <br />
<br />
<b>Bob Witte<br />
<a href="http://www.TheTrinityTrike.com" target="_blank">The Trinity Trike</a><br />
</b>
Ford bolt pattern most typically is a 5 bolt called 5 on 4 1/2 measuring from the center of one stud then skipping a stud measuring directly to the center of the next stud. The typical GM bolt pattern is 5 on 4 3/4 or sometimes 5 on 115 MM which is slightly larger than 4 1/2 but GM varys widely from year to year and model to model
Lehman used the 4 x 4.25 pattern brought forward from the late 80's to early 90's Ford fox bodied automobiles. These would be the Pinto, Mustang, T-Bird...etc. This is what the TG bolt pattern is....4 x 4.25(108mm). Wheels with this pattern can be found under every bush...EXCEPT they will not fit the TG because of the removable fenders due to the offset in the available wheels. (Yet another MOCO tactic to limit your possibilities.)
I think a lot of folks have been down this road and discovered the TG wheel as is.....is what you are stuck with. Fender and frame clearance is your problem.
I think a lot of folks have been down this road and discovered the TG wheel as is.....is what you are stuck with. Fender and frame clearance is your problem.
I had a set of rims made for my '41, It can get pricey, but there are plenty of companies out there that will build rims of any size, offset, bolt pattern, design etc....a couple companies come to mind.....Newstalgia Wheel and Stockton Wheel I could go back into my street rod Favorites archives if anyone is really interested. Wheel Vintque is another vendor
Did Crager chrome reverse on my Trog and not only looks good but covers the drum brakes.
You have a lot more options with the 5-lug hubs. The Lehman carry-over of the 4 x 4.25 to the TG is the problem. If you had the $ and wanted to pull the TG axles, you could do that and have the hubs re-drilled to an alternate (and modern) 5-lug pattern and you could find some wheels with the proper offset that would fit the TG.....if you're that desperate.
AND...you will have to have your rotors re-drilled as well, or find a set from another kit that would work.
AND...you will have to have your rotors re-drilled as well, or find a set from another kit that would work.
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