Swingarm Bushings
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 2,621
From: NC USA
update
Looks like a lot of viewers on this one so thought I'd best update.
I was having a hard time deciding whether the improvements to the entire bike was partially from swingarm bearing upgrade or if most of the credit should go to a new tire. As mentioned earlier, I've ridden this bike a lot of years with new to bad rubber but always the same model of tire. I didn't convert to the later swingarm because I like to keep things as original as possible and didn't want to get into wheel or brake change overs. So I used a conversion made for the chore and new OEM isolators.
I've put about 500 miles on since since my last information post and without all the details, I'm confident in saying the bearing conversion really does what they claim! So many curves I've had to sit up, check up and reset in the curve from a bump or dip and now the back tire stays firmy on the road and bike handles like it should. High speed truck traffic, grooved concrete, all that, it just stays wherever you put it.
Neither the cleveblocs or the isolators looked bad in any way but apparently with about 90,000 miles on both, there was enough flex to make things testy in a bumpy curve or with violent wind currents from other traffic. So for anyone riding a lot of mountains, touring, high speed or trailering, I'd highly recommend a conversion from the rubber bushings of the swingarm.
I was having a hard time deciding whether the improvements to the entire bike was partially from swingarm bearing upgrade or if most of the credit should go to a new tire. As mentioned earlier, I've ridden this bike a lot of years with new to bad rubber but always the same model of tire. I didn't convert to the later swingarm because I like to keep things as original as possible and didn't want to get into wheel or brake change overs. So I used a conversion made for the chore and new OEM isolators.
I've put about 500 miles on since since my last information post and without all the details, I'm confident in saying the bearing conversion really does what they claim! So many curves I've had to sit up, check up and reset in the curve from a bump or dip and now the back tire stays firmy on the road and bike handles like it should. High speed truck traffic, grooved concrete, all that, it just stays wherever you put it.
Neither the cleveblocs or the isolators looked bad in any way but apparently with about 90,000 miles on both, there was enough flex to make things testy in a bumpy curve or with violent wind currents from other traffic. So for anyone riding a lot of mountains, touring, high speed or trailering, I'd highly recommend a conversion from the rubber bushings of the swingarm.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Glad you are happy, I told you so! The Racetech valves and Progressive springs made a big difference in my 39mm narrow glide as well. The crowning touch was the Progresive 418 rear shocks as the rebound is adjustable. Going to play with that a bit in a few minutes as it's on setting #2 and I'm bumping it up to 3 as a test. Got your PM and will get back with you on that tomorrow. This past week has been hell with appointments.
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