1984 Softail swingarm
1984 Softail swingarm
I am looking for a new swingarm for my 84 FXST. I was able to find a 87 FXST swingarm and was wondering what would keep it from working on an 84. Does anyone have any input?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
I don't think it will work without some fabrication....
They share the same part number with a different year suffix: 1984 is #47537-84 and the 1987 is #47537-86. Often, the same main part number, with a different year suffix could mean just a vendor change or minor improvement to the same part, but in this case I think it means an actual part change.
I compared the pictures in the online parts finder. You can see some obvious differences in the way they are built.. They have different axle mount/adjustment types, and use different rear tire splash guards. The 84 version also looks to have an additional horizontal support bar in front of the rear tire portion on the swing arm. That's just what I could tell from the pictures on the parts finder. There could be even more differences.
It's obviously not a Plug n Play swap.
I don't remember the year that the softails changed their shocks. I know with the early softail shock types, it's really hard to find replacements. If this swing arm change reflects that change too, it could mean totally different shock mounts.
I wouldn't buy the '87 swing arm, unless I could bring it to the bike and compare mounts and measurements, and be willing to do some metal fabrication, and/or also switch to '87 axles/adjusters.
Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing...
They share the same part number with a different year suffix: 1984 is #47537-84 and the 1987 is #47537-86. Often, the same main part number, with a different year suffix could mean just a vendor change or minor improvement to the same part, but in this case I think it means an actual part change.
I compared the pictures in the online parts finder. You can see some obvious differences in the way they are built.. They have different axle mount/adjustment types, and use different rear tire splash guards. The 84 version also looks to have an additional horizontal support bar in front of the rear tire portion on the swing arm. That's just what I could tell from the pictures on the parts finder. There could be even more differences.
It's obviously not a Plug n Play swap.
I don't remember the year that the softails changed their shocks. I know with the early softail shock types, it's really hard to find replacements. If this swing arm change reflects that change too, it could mean totally different shock mounts.
I wouldn't buy the '87 swing arm, unless I could bring it to the bike and compare mounts and measurements, and be willing to do some metal fabrication, and/or also switch to '87 axles/adjusters.
Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing...
Those odd shocks are what got me in this mess. My bike was bouncing like a pogo stick so I bought a set of those narrow body shocks that no one likes, the only match I could find for a 4 speed Evo, and cross threaded the rear left mounting bolt that goes into the swingarm. Can't get in there with a tap because the frame is in the way. I figured if I was going to pull the swingarm I wanted to get it cleaned up and strip the years of paint and rust off it, then thought if i could find something I would just swap it out. doesn't seem anything is ever be easy with this girl.
