I pulled the rear spoked rim and replaced the tire.

After reinstalling and before tightening the axle nut, there is about a 1/8" gap between inside of swing arm and the caliper bracket. About the same width as the caliper stabilizer bracket. I know that I didn't misplace anything.

I checked the service manual and parts manual and couldn't find a schematic that would help.

Facing the rear of the bike starting on left (sprocket) side and moving right, the axles pokes through:

swing arm
spacer
hub
caliper bracket
swing arm
caliper stabilizer bracket

Am I missing anything, or is the slight tension in the spring arm normal?

Bike is new to me and first Harley. Other bikes that I've had in past were pretty snug between the swing arms after everything was in place, which caused me to question whether there might be a washer/spacer missing in the config.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

There are two outer bearing spacers #41196-73, one used on each side of your hub and fit into the oil seals on each side of the hub.

It is #4 in the pic...



swing arm
spacer
hub
spacer
caliper bracket
swing arm
caliper stabilizer bracket

...and the pic is from HD factory service manual 1970 to Early 1978 FL/FLH 1200 and SuperGlide FX/FXE/FXS -1200 (PART NO. 994823-78), Section 2-10 if you have the manual.

 

Thanks Panz!

I'll pull it apart next week and check for the spacer.

 

If it is missing one J&P carries them but I believe only in pairs

 

Panz,

Do you know if the outer bearing spacer is held in place by the washer and retaining clip shown outside it in the diagram?

If not, it's possible that one or both could have fallen out when the wheel was taken to/from the shop that mounted the tire.

Thanks again for your help.

 

Nope, that part just slips into place on both sides of the hub when reinstalling the wheel. It is not necessary to mount the tire on the rim. And if you did not do the tire/rim install, I would definietly ask about the missing part.