Motorcycle Repair: Y2K Wheels on 1998 FLHT, timken roller bearings, thunderstar wheels

Question
QUESTION: Mike, I want to put Harley Thunderstar wheels on my 98 FLHT, I know that the bearings have to be changed to accommodate the 98 smaller axles, what else has to be done. The wheels I ordered from Chicago Harley came without bearings, so bearing part numbers would help.
         Thanks
         Phil Cutler
         Tucson, Az.

ANSWER: What is the part number of the wheels you bought?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mike,
       The part numbers are: Front wheel:43575-08
         Rear wheel:43780-08
I ordered these wheel numbers because they were for 2000-2007 touring models, the closest I could come to my 98 FLHT. Chicago Harley also sent along the inner bearing spacers, it looks like the rear axle is still the smaller of the two. I won't be able to use the front one they sent because it's for the thicker axle, hopefully I can use the spacer from my 98, if not I can have a new one machined easily. How about outer spacers? Will everything line up with the old ones or are new ones required.
         Thanks,
         Phil Cutler
         Tucson, AZ.

Answer
The problem that you are going to run into is your bike takes timken roller bearings and the wheels you have take sealed bearings, so what you are going to have to do is some spacing. You can probably use the front wheel if you can locate a sealed bearing for your axle size, or you can have an axle made to fit the bearing. The outside spacers are different for the new wheels, so once you have the bearings fitted, then you will have to space the wheels and measure what outside spacers you need.
Happy holidsys
Mike