I am also considering doing this, I wonder if we have to loose the fender, and what other obstacles we may encounter, if you pull it off, shoot me an email and or post some pictures.

thanks for the link,i am also turning my 86 savage into a chopper.http://www.design-cycle.com/design2003/designhome.asp.this is a link to a custom frame builder,and this is a kink for really cool old school invader mags.http://www.macleodmanufacturing.com/wheels.html.   send me a pic of your chop if you have one.  mario

I called Buchanan's Spoke & Rim today and found out the following:  First of all they do not chrome, nor paint your old parts.  Second here is the quote breakdown to have them build a 21 inch front wheel for us using an existing savage front hub.

$148 cost of front 21 inch rim
$  89 labor
$  88 spokes and nipples
-------
$325 TOTAL

That is a bit too pricey for me, since I want it either all chromed or painted as well.  I may try to find an already built wheel.  Question, do we have to use the existing hub, can we just go out and but a 21 inch wheel?

I had not contacted Buchanan Spokes. Your are right that is too darn much. Even if I laced the wheel myself it would be over $250 with shipping. Now I have seen 21" front wheels in Harley catalogs. The spoke count is wrong for a Savage. Now I have even seen complete 21" wheels(hub included) in the Harley catalogs however I don't know if they could be made to work. I worry abou axle diameter and mounting the front disc brake. I had even considered going without a front brake. Really old school but I think I have chickened out on that idea. If you learn more keep us updated.

Now to add more mud to the water, or maybe solve our dilema.  What if we were to put on a springer front end on the bike.  So we buy an American Springer front end, then buy an American front wheel, then buy an American front disk break set... and whala we are out $1,000 if we're lucky, and our 21 inch front wheel problemm is solved... or is it?, maybe we just relocated the problem, 'cause now we are trying to mount an american 1 inch diameter fork stem inside our who knows what size Japanese head tube.  Thought I would just mix it up a bit, lol ~ Gregski

Also there is a mechanical disadvantage to be considered if the savage disc brake is to be used. A taller wheel is equivalent to putting on a smaller disc. Been there. The Savage brake is sorta marginal to begin with. It is only a single cylinder, if a dual cylinder could be fitted then it would likely be OK tho.

An alternative, if you just want a larger tire:  You can mount up to a 110/90-19 (stock is 100/90-19) tire.  To do this, you would have to slightly modify the front fender so that it stands up a little higher.  Do this by elongating the four screw holes where the fender attaches to the forks.  Then you can raise the fender just enough to have adequate clearance.  I did this when I wrongly ordered the 110 tire and couldn't send it back.  I kinda like the bigger tire look.