Going completley thru a 1976 FLH. I owned the bike in the 90's, but my ex took it in our divorce. After 15 years, I got it back a month ago.

I pulled off the swingarm to replace the bearings and was surprised to find the pivot bolt barely hand tight. After installing new bearings/races/seals in the swingarm, I went to install it. Barely more than hand tight and the pivot bolt stripped loose.

I ordered the over-size, self-tapping pivot bolt from J&P. It worked perfectly, and was an easy fix. This may be an old trick to some, but just wanted to share for everyone else.

 

You're lucky too ... I've seen the swing arms crack where/when the bearing races are pressed in.

 

this can be heli coiled also, or welded up and tapped which i've seen done along time ago, but i think it is some weird size.

 

I say pics or it is just fantasy!

 

That is really good info. I didn't know they made such a thing. I have a stripped upper shock stud on my '84 Sporty. The stud is welded in, not threaded like my Shovel. Any ideas on repairing that?

 

One of mine stripped. It torque specs are high, 130 Ft/P I believe. I just bought one off eBay and put a heftier nut on it to bite more threads.

 

some pix.