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New Softail Swingarm on Older Softail

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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 12:57 PM
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Default New Softail Swingarm on Older Softail

I want to upgrade the rear caliper on my 89 springer softail to the 2000's 4-piston caliper like I did on my 79 low rider. It was very obvious it isn't a direct swap, so I bought this 2004 heritage softail swing arm. I was happy to see the shock mounts are similar, but the pivot bearings and spacer are totally different. To anyone who has done this before, is it as simple as putting the old bearings in the new swingarm? Is the groove for the retaining ring the same? Or am I looking at custom? Thanks in advance.



 
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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 01:45 PM
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I can't speak to Softail, but for the Dyna the only difference was the tab that locates and holds the caliper in place. If you can weld, changing the tab would be easier than changing the entire swing arm. But maybe on a Softail it is completely different.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2026 | 09:02 PM
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Bill, the tab is definitely different, but now that I am in Florida I don't have the means to fix that. I'm hoping it's a simple bearing swap, and I'll know when I take them apart soon. I'd still like to hear from anyone who's done this.
 
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