Articles

240 Phat Tire for the Roadliner/Stratoliner done

Together with Cycle Image, Frankenstein has developed a 240 conversion for the Roadliner / Stratoliner. After looking into multiple options for billet wheels and the lack of support from all major manufacturers to come up with a setup for the Roadliner, I got the commitment from Cycle Image to make a prototype based on the specs I supplied. The 240 setup for the Roadliner is rather straight forward. No modifications to the swingarm or belt drive system are required, as long as the wheel is centered inside the rear swingarm. A custom widened wheel got welded up from a stock one and finished in famous Cycle Image show quality chrome. The stock wheels with their 12 round spokes simply looks killer in show quality chrome. None of the billet wheel manufacturer offers round spokes as they are too expensive to machine. In addition to the rear wheel getting widened, it also got enlarged from 17 inch to 18 inch. That allows for the installation of a Metzler 240, a great tire, with great handling and a decent long life. I have been using this make on several Roadstar Warrior projects with great success. (As always click the images to see the full size 1024 versions of all shots)

The setup keeps the stock front and rear pulley as well as the hub and rear break system in place. There are modifications to the rear fender as well as the belt guards required. The rear fender requires a cut to remove some portion. As the fender was heading to custom painting I also folded in the edges along the entire length of the fender to create some extra clearance. The only other thing to know is that the assembly of the rear end has to follow a different procedure than stock. The rear break caliper has to be removed from the bracket and the wheel has to be installed with the caliper in place. Once the wheel sits in its final position the caliper and break pads can be slid over the break disc. The reason for this is that the widened rim would interfere with the caliper when you try to slip it over in one piece. Once installed the rear changes its appearance instantaneously. While the stock 190 tire looks pretty decent on the bike, the custom 240 gives it an absolutely killer look. The wide tire does not seem to fit into the tipped fender but has plenty of clearance even when ridden two up. When combined with the Corbin Fleetliner Bags the entire rear transforms to a massively wide, yet very well flowing combination that draws tons of looks no matter where you head. In addition to being wider the larger wheel also shows off its chrome very nicely from all sides. The low profile Metzler 240 gives the bike a very custom, almost hotrod look. In regards to handling the Roadliner 240 combination are as if they were made for each other. There is practically no difference in handling between stock and the 240 and the limit lean angle of the Roadliner / Stratoliner never gets the 240 tire beyond its optimal running radius. The tire hooks up very well, even at the heaviest take offs and I am looking forward to the extend milage compared to the stock tire. Thew stock tire only lasted some 3000 miles before the markers where flat. Very similar to my custom Warriors that always had the same problem. On the Warriors the 240s are good for 8-12k so I expect similar performance.