Fat Boy Wheels - Harley Forum

1996Fatboy · #1 11-21-2007, 06:47 PM

I was wondering if my wheels can be modified.

1st- Can they be powder coated or painted and retain the finish?

2nd- The new wheels have 50 caliber holes in them, can the old wheels be hand drilled at the circular indentations without interfering with the structural integrity?

3rd- I have heard of a company that customizes these types of wheels, do any of you recall the name of it?

Thanks to all of you for your time and patience. I have asked a lot of questions and so far all of the information I have received has been beneficial and appreciated. Again, Thank You!

96

hotrodsporty · #2 11-29-2007, 12:04 AM

I have heard, but dont know for sure, that any drilling, laser cutting, water jet, or cnc maching on these types of wheeels will weaken them. But dont qoute me on that

#3 12-02-2007, 01:51 AM

The engineering fact is that any drilling, etc. WILL weaken the wheel. However, what must be determined is will it still be safe...someone versed in making the appropriate material stress/strain calculations could tell us...or the wheel manufacturer might be able to supply the type of material and the thickness dimensions of both the older and newer wheels...if they are the same then having holes machined in the old wheels will still be safe with the acceptable safety margin the manufacturer designed the newer wheel to...

hotrodsporty · #4 12-02-2007, 02:21 PM

I hate to be negative, but I highly doubt you will find a manufacturer, who will tell you to go ahead and machine a wheel. Nobody is going to take the liability that comes with a descision like that without doing the work themselfs. sorry.

#5 12-03-2007, 11:44 PM

Concur with that!! Even if it did turn out to be perfectly safe (same materials, forming process, dimensions, etc.) that pesky liability would be too great for any corporate lawyer to advise their manufacturer client to accept...life in our litigious world!