Metalsport & Vee Rubber Install
On a cold and grey morning, our buddy, Russel Collins, called us and wanted to know if we were interested in shooting a tech article on a set of Metalsport Wheels going onto his buddy’s 2012 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. When we were hipped to the fact that they were Metalsport’s Dallas Wheels in 21×3.25-inch front and 17×6.25-inch rear, we were intrigued. Russel then told us that the wheels were to be shod with a set of 120/70/21 front and 200/55/17 rear Vee Rubber tires. How could we say no? The Metalsport Dallas is a nine-spoke custom 2-D machined wheel with either a full-chrome or black and silver contrasting machined finish.
The rather smart-looking wheels are available in 18-, 21-, 23-, 26-inch sizes and yes, even in the mammoth 30-inch variety. Vee Rubber has been making tires for other types of motorized vehicles for a very long time. With the testing we have done, we have found that Vee Rubber’s tricked-out touring tires to mount, ride, and wear very well. Once the parts were all rounded up and the date was set, we took the bike to none other than Matt Cortez Cycles. We anxiously hung back with a camera while the extensively educated man did his handywork. What you see before you is the outcome.
Matt started the wheel swap by removing the rear brake caliper from the H-D Road Glide.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The mufflers were loosened, and the rear axle was slipped out of the stock wheel and swingarm.
Photos: Dave Singrey
Matt then mounted the Vee Rubber tire onto the rear Metalsport wheel.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The 21-inch Dallas wheel then got the pleasure of being wrapped in Vee Rubber.
Photos: Dave Singrey
Both wheels were inflated to Vee Rubber’s designated psi and checked for balance.
Photos: Dave Singrey
With the stock wheel out the boys from Matt Cortez Cycles nudged the new wheel into place.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The belt was slipped onto the pulley and the brake caliper was bolted back into place.
Photos: Dave Singrey
Matt started the 17- to 21-inch wheel swap by carefully taking off the bike’s front fender.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The frontend’s axle clamp was removed and set aside for future use
Photos: Dave Singrey
H-D’s pretty plain-Jane stock wheel was removed from this bike and was never to be seen again.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The big and beautiful 21-inch Metalsport Dallas wheel was then slid safely into its new home.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The OE 1-inch axle was greased up and inserted into the frontend and new wheel.
Photos: Dave Singrey
Matt and company reinstalled the front fender and tightened it to factory specs.
Photos: Dave Singrey
The dual brake calipers where bolted up, checked for proper alignment, and torqued as per the Harley handbook.
Photos: Dave Singrey
And we were done! This photo proves that a big bad set of custom cut wheels can do wonders to the looks of any stock bagger.
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Photos: Dave Singrey
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