Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Engine Mount Confusion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 06:21 PM
  #1  
Huggerbugger's Avatar
Huggerbugger
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
Default Engine Mount Confusion

The rear of the engine (via the trans) mounts to the pivot arm. Why the rear isolator?
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 07:19 PM
  #2  
Reindeer's Avatar
Reindeer
Supporter
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 851
From: Suburban Mpls, Minnesota
Supporter
Default

It's gotta attach to the frame somehow...maybe I don't understand your question.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 07:32 PM
  #3  
Huggerbugger's Avatar
Huggerbugger
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
Default

It attaches to the frame via the transmission. The rear isolator doesn't support the engine like the front isolator does.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 08:41 PM
  #4  
O-Town D's Avatar
O-Town D
Road Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 69
From: Bay Area, NorCal
Default

The swingarm is attached to the tranny case as you noted. The isolator is attached to the back of the tranny case and to a plate that is welded between the Dyna's rear "downtubes."
~
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 08:44 PM
  #5  
Huggerbugger's Avatar
Huggerbugger
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
Default

Exactly. I don't understand the design concept. Essentially, the rear of the engine is hard-mounted. Why the isolator?
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 08:54 PM
  #6  
crusader1xxx's Avatar
crusader1xxx
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
Default

Actually it doesn’t, go back and read a few of tincupchalice’s posts on the subject. The swing arm is connected to the transmission, it doesn’t touch the frame.

The only connection to the frame is the top shock mounts.

Think in in terms of sections. The frame is one section and the power train another...

The frame includes the front forks, front wheel, gas tank, rear struts & rear fender and all that is attached.

The power train would be the motor, transmission & rear swing arm and everything attached to those items including the exhaust.

The reason for the rear rubber mount, is to help the power train. If it was ridged it would be breaking transmission cases.

The reason the FXR handled so much better was that the swingarm was part of the frame, not the power train....
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 09:59 PM
  #7  
Huggerbugger's Avatar
Huggerbugger
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
Default

Went out and looked at it again. I see that the swingarm pivot bar is only attached to the transmission and not welded to the rear downtubes. Hmmmm. So the connection to the frame at the rear of the engine is the isolator. Hmmmm.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 10:07 PM
  #8  
F86's Avatar
F86
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Default

Originally Posted by Huggerbugger
Went out and looked at it again. I see that the swingarm pivot bar is only attached to the transmission and not welded to the rear downtubes. Hmmmm. So the connection to the frame at the rear of the engine is the isolator. Hmmmm.
Bingo.

And hence: Alignment... Stabilizer... etc.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 10:13 AM
  #9  
cggorman's Avatar
cggorman
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Huggerbugger
Went out and looked at it again. I see that the swingarm pivot bar is only attached to the transmission and not welded to the rear downtubes. Hmmmm. So the connection to the frame at the rear of the engine is the isolator. Hmmmm.
Yup. Not a great performance solution. Kinda like building a house on a foundation made of gelatin. They tried to limit lateral movement with the design of the isolators but it's less than ideal.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 11:17 AM
  #10  
Huggerbugger's Avatar
Huggerbugger
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
Default

I guess I'm just not comprehending the design philosophy. Even my expert Indy did a double-take when he first saw it. Why would you attach the engine to the swing-arm?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:17 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE