Evo Dresser Swingarm Upgrade
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I suspect the tranny out of it will not fit the 84, as the twincams have a different way of fitting it to the engine. If you go to my Suspension Thump thread at #15 above there are links to a couple of articles on the swingarm swap (the only references to doing it I have found) which might shed light on doing the swap on an earlier bike like your 84.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Bungo,
I've owned my 1990 FLHS from new. Solo it was great. 2-up, especially fully loaded on that annual grand tour, it would always bottom out on bumps and thumps. Nothing I did to the darned thing would stop it! Follow the link in #15 above.
I resolved to do something about it by replacing the flimsy original swingarm with the much stronger later one, as the foundation for a pair of Ohlins rear shocks. I also have a True-Track Trackula handling kit to tighten up the handling.
I now have a bike that has yet to bottom out when we are not hanging about and rides so much better than before that it seems like another bike.
I've owned my 1990 FLHS from new. Solo it was great. 2-up, especially fully loaded on that annual grand tour, it would always bottom out on bumps and thumps. Nothing I did to the darned thing would stop it! Follow the link in #15 above.
I resolved to do something about it by replacing the flimsy original swingarm with the much stronger later one, as the foundation for a pair of Ohlins rear shocks. I also have a True-Track Trackula handling kit to tighten up the handling.
I now have a bike that has yet to bottom out when we are not hanging about and rides so much better than before that it seems like another bike.
(1). A Sportster about 12 years ago. (2) A Rented 2005 Road King from Orlando- Daytona.Fl. I havent therefore had much experience with Harleys,therefore Ive not been able to compare handling etc . If I had a ride on a Harley Dresser which had the S.Arm "modernised/upgraded" as per discussion I would probaby say.... "WOW what a difference.and it does seem like another bike"..Happy riding and thanks for all previous advice. Bungo.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Now lets really push the boat out! I have corresponded with Howard of Motorcycle Metal (source of my Ohlins and also writer of an article about the swingarm swap) about an Ohlins upgrade of the front forks. Howard is working on just such a solution, using Ohlins cartridges, but a snag is the way dresser forks are secured at the top yoke (triple-tree for other readers!). It is normal practice for the stanchions (upper fork tubes) to be supported inside the yoke, but dressers don't do that. Howard is working on a solution to improve support to the forks, as well as fit cartridges. I liken that to replacing the rear swingarm with a stiffer one - a genuine upgrade in design terms, as the foundations for the real development, which is replacing the old technology shock-absorbing with a superior modern version.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
I never had an issue with the swingarm but have been following your Ohlins thread, sounds like the way to go. I'll probably just replace the original cleave blocks (unless there is something better to use) and see how that and new shocks ride. I've already got relatively new Progressive springs in the front and removed the factory anti-dive. Keep up the r&d on these time machines. The info is greatly appreciated.
Scott
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
I've managed to put around 1,500 miles since the swingarm conversion. I must say the bike rides like a totally different bike now. Like others have stated...there is more vibration. I can deal with the little more vibration.
I used a caliper from 2005 model which works much better than the pre-2000 style. If I ever find a brembo caliper and rotor at a price I want to pay.....
I also like how you adjust the belt tension now.....the old way was crap.
Anyways, do the conversion.....you won't look back.
I used a caliper from 2005 model which works much better than the pre-2000 style. If I ever find a brembo caliper and rotor at a price I want to pay.....
I also like how you adjust the belt tension now.....the old way was crap.
Anyways, do the conversion.....you won't look back.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 2,159
From: Ohio
Havn't really noticed handling problems with my RK, a set of stiff Progressives and good tread seemed to take care of the uneasy feeling. I run with mostly light bikes and hear about it if I don't keep up so I accellerate hard out of corners.
Not saying there isn't a problem because I've heard the cracked swingarm syndrome and my bike isn't exempt from it, so definatley a fan of bigger is better and expecially in the structure department, this thread caught my attention and thanks to the members that do the research for improvement.
Not saying there isn't a problem because I've heard the cracked swingarm syndrome and my bike isn't exempt from it, so definatley a fan of bigger is better and expecially in the structure department, this thread caught my attention and thanks to the members that do the research for improvement.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
In 2 weeks it's been 1 year. Broke my pelvis, hip & back. Was told not to ride this year and have obeyed the docs. Now it is time to get one of these machines back in the wind. I've decided on the '84, it's got 111k miles and could use some freshening up.
I never had an issue with the swingarm but have been following your Ohlins thread, sounds like the way to go. I'll probably just replace the original cleave blocks (unless there is something better to use) and see how that and new shocks ride. I've already got relatively new Progressive springs in the front and removed the factory anti-dive. Keep up the r&d on these time machines. The info is greatly appreciated.
Scott
I never had an issue with the swingarm but have been following your Ohlins thread, sounds like the way to go. I'll probably just replace the original cleave blocks (unless there is something better to use) and see how that and new shocks ride. I've already got relatively new Progressive springs in the front and removed the factory anti-dive. Keep up the r&d on these time machines. The info is greatly appreciated.
Scott
Well done for getting back into shape yourself. I injured my back many years ago, so have trodden a similar path of recovery.
As for cleve blocks I strongly recommend using something else! IMHO the most complete replacement, which will give a serious upgrade in handling, is a True-Track kit. It will provide solid swingarm bushes, plus a rear stabilizer. They are HDF sponsors and may offer a discount.
An alternative solution is from another HDF sponsor, Motorcycle Metal. They provide an alternative solid bushing kit. Harley dropped the cleve blocks in the mid-90s, so there is no reason to keep on with them!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
As for cleve blocks I strongly recommend using something else! IMHO the most complete replacement, which will give a serious upgrade in handling, is a True-Track kit. It will provide solid swingarm bushes, plus a rear stabilizer. They are HDF sponsors and may offer a discount
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 18
From: SE Michigan
GR, good luck with that project. Sounds like you have already commited to a plan to eliminate the infamous "Bagger Wobble". Unfortunately for your choice of fix the problem does not lie with the swingarm but rather with the way and with what it is attached to the motor/tranny assy. Though the later swingarms are "beefier" starting in the early 2000's I think it is the famous wobble was not corrected by the MoCo unitl the 2009 models with upgraded motor mounts and isolator bushings. See the tech section of www.glide-pro.com for the skinny on this. He has short video clips where he holds the various parts up, indentifies the years they were in use and shows why the problem exists and what his kit does to correct it. Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've never had any issues with my swingarm but seeing how this bike has sat for almost 6 years I figure it's time to go thru the rear suspension and get up to date. Do the True-Trak bushings add any vibration while riding ? I "upgraded" my '05 swingarm with the Glide-Pro system and was not impressed with the increased vibes even though it did corner really well.
I have also deliberately removed the stabilizer link and ridden the bike to see if removing that made any difference. Again I could tell the difference in feel (and handling!) but not what I would describe as an increase in vibration, just a change in feel. This was all a couple of years ago and the bike feels quite normal these days.
You have to remember that Harley replaced cleve blocks with solid bushings on later evos, so your '05 has them. They are like a large self-aligning or spherical bearing. I love the way my bike feels and handles with its current improvements. There is no negative side to them!