Front end length vs wheel size

[JonSparrow]

What is a good combo front end vs wheel size?
I would like a normal straight stance. Not lifting the front of the bike up.
I was thinking a -2 under with a 19" wheel.
Would a -4 under go with a 21" wheel?
Bike is a hardtail if that matters.
Factory rake.

Thanks

[Natehate]

i like 22 over with a 10" wheel.....


MORE INFO please
type of bike with details, what kind of hardtail?
what size rear wheel
what style tire makes a difference too
information is king

[JonSparrow]

It's a 76 Shovelhead. 1980 fx frame with a Paughco hardtail. Rear is a 16" wheel. I will be buying new tires front and back so I'm open to suggestions.
This is all new to me. My other bike is a dyna so I'm not used to things like this.

[JonSparrow]

Right now it has a 21" wheel in the front. 16" in the rear. 26" front end.
I think I'll keep the same wheel and tire size.
This is how it sits now. I just want it to sit level with a springer front end. So I'm guessing a stock length 23" would get me that stance?

[JBinNC]

Depending on how the hardtail is configured, getting the bottom rails of the frame level is a nice look, BUT your cornering clearance can all but disappear. Believe me, a low big twin is no fun to ride with everything scraping on even the gentlest of turns. A springer just slightly shorter than your present front end would probably do nicely.

Jim

[AndyNZ]

What is a good combo front end vs wheel size?
I would like a normal straight stance. Not lifting the front of the bike up.
I was thinking a -2 under with a 19" wheel.
Would a -4 under go with a 21" wheel?
Bike is a hardtail if that matters.
Factory rake.

Thanks

Don't go under on the front end, all it will do is drop the front of the frame low (so not level) and cause you to pick up pegs when cornering or scrape the frame rails over bumps.

Here is my Shovelhead with +2" over springer, 21" front wheel with 2.75" Avon speedmaster, and 16" rear with Avon SM2 rear tyre for reference.

[Guest]

Depending on how the hardtail is configured, getting the bottom rails of the frame level is a nice look, BUT your cornering clearance can all but disappear. Believe me, a low big twin is no fun to ride with everything scraping on even the gentlest of turns. A springer just slightly shorter than your present front end would probably do nicely.

Jim

Solid advice there. I have a stock length springer that sits my rails level and i still scrape on even the most mild of bends. Its a bit of a pain

[JonSparrow]

Awesome. Thank you so much andynz. Much appreciated.

Thanks sugarcubes as well and everyone else.

[howardellis]

These will be useful to share with you. 26-inch wheels: Because of their small diameter, 26-inch wheels are durable and often popular io games. This size was first introduced by American bicycle manufacturers. The size is determined by the diameter of the braces, if you measure the tires as well, the wheel diameter of 26 inches has an exact size of about 26.2 inches.