Removing Swingarm on 79 Ironhead

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 20, 2008 | 09:51 AM

Broken Leg Rider

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 887

Likes: 1

From: New Orleans

Removing Swingarm on 79 Ironhead

Anyone know if you can get the swingarm off without pulling the engine on a 79? There is almost no clearance between the swingarm bolt and the engine on the left side. Is there a special tool, or will a skinny wrench do the job?

My back tire is wobbling, and I can wiggle it back and forth. The freedom is in the swingarm bolt.

Am wondering what usually wears in there (I see there are roller bearings and races). Never had to deal with a bad swingarm before.

Last edited by Broken Leg Rider; Oct 20, 2008 at 10:35 AM.

Oct 20, 2008 | 06:57 PM

mojo2go

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 351

Likes: 0

From:

The nut on the left side of the engine has a tab that sits in a slot in the primary case. Have you tried turning the bolt out? Usually the nut will stay put and not spin. If you can see it turning as you loosen the swingarm bolt, it means you're going to have to pull the engine. Most likely the bearings are done for as they only wear in a small area and after washing the bike or it gets rained on the grease washes out and they dry up.
Another thing that could have happened is that someone removed the pivot bolt before and did not get it started straight in the nut.

Oct 23, 2008 | 10:14 AM

Broken Leg Rider

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 887

Likes: 1

From: New Orleans

Got the swing arm off. Bearings are shot and have dug out the swing arm races so badly that the swingarm is junk. Too bad cause otherwise it was in excellent condition. New swing arm is $450 at Harley. Ouch. Guess I am lucky that they have one. Then come the bearings, races and pivot pen. In 79, Harley changed the swingarm to accomodate the disk brakes, then in 81 changed it again. That makes it rather hard to find a decent used swing arm.

I obtained this 30 year old bike with 29,740 miles on it, and swingarm service was probably never performed. Am wondering how to avoid this in the future. Does the swingarm need to be removed and re-packed on a regular basis? Certainly so, yet what is a good mileage number for this work?

Makes me wonder about my big twin too. Harley should have done this on the 10,000 mile service - but who knows.....

Oct 23, 2008 | 12:24 PM

sqdealgeorge

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,854

Likes: 20

From: Eagle River WI

Aren't the bearing races pressed into the swingarm? Are they mangled so bad that they ate into the swingarm steel ? unreal!

Oct 23, 2008 | 12:54 PM

Broken Leg Rider

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 887

Likes: 1

From: New Orleans

Yep. That's what happened. I guess you go 30,000 miles in 30 years without any maintenance on the swingarm, this is what happens!

Oct 28, 2008 | 08:21 AM

Broken Leg Rider

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 887

Likes: 1

From: New Orleans

Turns out Harley does NOT have any stocked swing arms for the 79 XLH. All they say is that it's "Obsolete", even though it shows good when you look it up. Meaning they would preffer we all junk our old baby's and buy something new. Have been looking for a swing arm in usable condition, 79 or 80 only will fit.

Anyone out there have one sittin on a shelf? -

Otherwise it's a hard tail in the making. Eck.

Oct 28, 2008 | 08:38 AM

sqdealgeorge

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,854

Likes: 20

From: Eagle River WI

Try Nick's Custom Cucle in southern NJ 888-895- 2652 Nick had acres full of HD parts Don't know if nick is still with us his daughter runs the show Be careful in dealing with anyone but Nick 79 sporty parts are a rare breed If he is no longer maybe pics of the swingarms available can be sent