Broken swingarm
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,231
Likes: 6,168
From: Black Hills
Broken swingarm
I know this has been covered before but it can't hurt to bring it up again. If you feel the need to be a jackass and start ripping on the thread just move on. It might help someone avoid an injury.
I had read the threads about cracked swingarms here in the past and forgotten about them. My buddy has been having a stability issue with his bike for the last year. We talked about what it could be - tires, neck bearings, pivot shaft bushings. He had it to a couple shops, one replaced the neck bearings but the wiggle/wallow issue was still there. On the way back from Sturgis it got really bad. He took it to the dealer when he got home and they found the swingarm was cracked at the axle.
The repairs were more than his budget allows, so he brought it over here and I tore it apart last night. Long story short, when I removed the axle the right side of the swing was completely seperated. The only thing holding the right side in place was the shock and belt. There was a layer of dirty, oily sludge coating the swingarm and I suspect the crack was not visible or it might have been seen earlier.
Anyway take a look at these photos and check your swingarm if you are having any stability issues.
I had read the threads about cracked swingarms here in the past and forgotten about them. My buddy has been having a stability issue with his bike for the last year. We talked about what it could be - tires, neck bearings, pivot shaft bushings. He had it to a couple shops, one replaced the neck bearings but the wiggle/wallow issue was still there. On the way back from Sturgis it got really bad. He took it to the dealer when he got home and they found the swingarm was cracked at the axle.
The repairs were more than his budget allows, so he brought it over here and I tore it apart last night. Long story short, when I removed the axle the right side of the swing was completely seperated. The only thing holding the right side in place was the shock and belt. There was a layer of dirty, oily sludge coating the swingarm and I suspect the crack was not visible or it might have been seen earlier.
Anyway take a look at these photos and check your swingarm if you are having any stability issues.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Southern IN.
Daayyuuummm!!!!..........
Is this a tour'n model? what year?(nephew has an 09 SG) He's very lucky this thing stay'd, and did'nt fly all ta hell @ hwy speed.....damn'st thing i've ever seen.....so there are other's that have had this happen? As bad as this 1?? 
Is this a tour'n model? what year?(nephew has an 09 SG) He's very lucky this thing stay'd, and did'nt fly all ta hell @ hwy speed.....damn'st thing i've ever seen.....so there are other's that have had this happen? As bad as this 1??
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,231
Likes: 6,168
From: Black Hills
The scoot is a '96 FLHT with 80K on the clock. The swingarm is tube steel. This does happen more times than I'd like to think it does...
Here's another link I saw about the same thing in the touring section tonight
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...swing-arm.html
Here's another link I saw about the same thing in the touring section tonight
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...swing-arm.html
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
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 Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
I think if mine broke, I would fish plate it & weld it. If you bought a new one, You should still fish plate it.
Does this scoot have a lowering kit on it? If it does, take it off & re set to factory so this won't happen again.
Does this scoot have a lowering kit on it? If it does, take it off & re set to factory so this won't happen again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
It's hard to tell because of all the dirt, but is the axle block missing? The axle block fits inside the swingarm and the axle passes through it. It helps to keep the swingarm from distorting (crushing) when the axle nut is torqued to spec. It looks like it is either missing in the second and third pic, or possibly an improvised part may have been in there?
Tech23
Tech23
Last edited by Tech23; Aug 22, 2010 at 02:29 AM.