Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Swingarm Swap

Old Apr 7, 2012 | 09:43 AM
  #1  
maineultraclassic's Avatar
maineultraclassic
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 5
From: Biddeford, Maine
Default Swingarm Swap

A friend of mine wants me to swap his stock swingarm out for a chrome one on his Fatboy.

How hard of a job is it to do this?

I'm very capable working on the bikes, but I haven't done a swingarm swap yet.

Any help or hints would be great.

Thanks,

Steve
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2012 | 09:54 AM
  #2  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

Well once you get the tire off only have to un mount the shocks and pull the through bolt and the mud shield. I would replace the bushings also.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2012 | 10:36 AM
  #3  
NC D'LUXE's Avatar
NC D'LUXE
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
Default

You'll be able to handle it. As soft already said, remove the rear tire, shock bolts, and the pivot bolt for the SA is pretty much it. If you have the tool you can swap out the bearing (sorry, didn't mean bushing lol) from the old SA or install new ones.
 

Last edited by NC D'LUXE; Apr 7, 2012 at 01:35 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2012 | 11:17 AM
  #4  
suiii15's Avatar
suiii15
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
Default

Not a hard job, it's the prep work that takes the time.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2012 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
Tom84FXST's Avatar
Tom84FXST
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,706
Likes: 22,726
From: Farmington ,MS
Default

Pretty easy job. The Softail swingarms don't have bushings, they have spherical bearings...which are unlikely to be worn out, unless the bike has been subjected extremely sandy/gritty conditions...and a simple visual inspection will show if they have any wear.

 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2012 | 08:11 PM
  #6  
maineultraclassic's Avatar
maineultraclassic
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 5
From: Biddeford, Maine
Default

Yeah, I was told to have the dealer install new bearings in the new swingarm. Then after that it's a pretty easy job.

Steve
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sidewind75
Dyna Glide Models
6
Mar 2, 2014 06:57 AM
goats
Softail Models
4
Sep 11, 2013 09:38 PM
boatwake
Touring Models
10
Sep 24, 2012 08:51 AM
bdr
Touring Models
2
Sep 16, 2007 05:57 PM
cst010
Sportster Models
6
Jun 4, 2007 04:20 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:39 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE