16" GL1200 front wheel darkside conversion

[arbalest]

Has anyone done this for sidecar use?

[ericheath]

Meaning, put the smaller, wider rim/tire on a 1000/1100 bike?

Someone else may remember, but I don’t recall a direct swap unless you swap the 1200, triple tree, forks and down. It involves a few changes for speedometer.

Others have taken a spoked early 75-77 hub and spoked a 3” 16” Harley rim to it.

[Track T 2411]

If you're asking about installing a rear mc tire on the stock front rim, you might send a PM or email to (member name) Ken L. IIRC, he has or had one on his 85...

[Sidecar Bob]

I wouldn't. There is no advantage in mounting a car tire on the front wheel and unless you seriously reduce the trail the wider tire will increase the steering effort quite a bit.

[pidjones]

I wouldn't. There is no advantage in mounting a car tire on the front wheel and unless you seriously reduce the trail the wider tire will increase the steering effort quite a bit.

Darkside on the front usually refers to mounting a wider rear tire on the front, often for sidecar use or in combination with a car tire on the rear (known as "double dark side"). Sometimes the GL1800 folks refer to running a bias tire on the front as darkside, also.

[Sidecar Bob]

I wouldn't want any wider front tire than necessary, whatever type of tire it is.