When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
New to softtails. Currently working on my 09 night train and happen to notice my swing arm looks a little off I can’t tell if it’s just the way it’s designed or not? Top view Left side Right side
That was the next thing I was gonna look at. The previous owner converted the bike over to chain drive. It looked like the chain at one time was rubbing the tire, i also noticed the right side axle adjuster wasn’t even touching the spacer too. Tire doesn’t have any uneven wear besides the middle. I haven’t been able to ride it to see how it rides since I bought it with a blown engine
That was the next thing I was gonna look at. The previous owner converted the bike over to chain drive. It looked like the chain at one time was rubbing the tire, i also noticed the right side axle adjuster wasn’t even touching the spacer too. Tire doesn’t have any uneven wear besides the middle. I haven’t been able to ride it to see how it rides since I bought it with a blown engine
That's an important bit of information....
IMHO.... A blown engine with a chain drive screams that swing arm could have been (probably was) subjected to large shock & torque loads....
Just on that info alone, anything in the driveline that even appears to be out of spec.... I would disassemble, inspect, measure, replace worn/out of spec parts, and then reassemble...
hattitude - I’m still tossing around the idea on converting back to belt drive if I can find all the parts I’m still up in the air. I picked this bike up for $1,300 the rear head dropped a valve into the piston but luckily didn’t go through, the bike had a S&s big bore kit with a set of Andrews 60h cams. But I’d really like to figure out this rear swing arm
hattitude - I’m still tossing around the idea on converting back to belt drive if I can find all the parts I’m still up in the air. I picked this bike up for $1,300 the rear head dropped a valve into the piston but luckily didn’t go through, the bike had a S&s big bore kit with a set of Andrews 60h cams. But I’d really like to figure out this rear swing arm
I've never had to remove the swing arm on any of my four softails (one EVO & three Twin Cams). Nor have I ever noticed anything while riding, or during my service inspections, to make me feel something wasn't right with them. So I have no personal expertise to share....
I will admit the one pic doesn't look too good, but pics can be funny... the perspective, angle, etc can make them look different from reality...
What I DO know is that people usually go through the trouble of converting to a chain drive because of HP mods, torque increases, and/or riding habits... They do it because they fear a drive belt won't hold up to their build/use/habits....
With that knowledge, then buying a chain drive bike with a big bore kit that has a blown engine, and seeing a possibly tweaked swing arm..... I would be opening the Factory Service Manual, taking that swing arm off, checking every part, each step of the way. I'd be looking for damage and to ensure each part is within spec. Then I would meticulously put it back together so I would know it's right....
You have a project there, but it seems to be a fun one.... That is if you enjoy working on bikes like I do...
Good luck and report back with your progress....
Last edited by hattitude; Jan 20, 2023 at 01:32 PM.
[QUOTE=hattitude;21032288
What I DO know is that people usually go through the trouble of converting to a chain drive because of HP mods, torque increases, and/or riding habits... They do it because they fear a drive belt won't hold up to their build/use/habits....
[/QUOTE]
Agree 100%
PLUS in this case it was required for that wider than stock tire
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Swing arm question
