cutting swing arm to get real low
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Upstate ny
cutting swing arm to get real low
iv seen a few pics of people cutting the top tube of the swing arm 2 inches. and changing the mouting for the rear brake
i have a 05 softail deluxe that is getting torn apart this winter and before i send the swing arm out for chrome i want to do this
any pics or info would be great. i searched for awhile and cant find any info.
thanks
i have a 05 softail deluxe that is getting torn apart this winter and before i send the swing arm out for chrome i want to do this
any pics or info would be great. i searched for awhile and cant find any info.
thanks
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I modified mine.. You can only get about 3/4" more drop out of it. And keep it rideable. Keep the rubber bump stop!! You have to cut the swing arm tube that contacts the bump stop. I cut it in half and then welded a plate into it. Then you have to shave the sides of the swing arm because it will hit the oil tank if you don't.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Tinley Park, IL
hit up www.chassisdesigncompany.net in Cali, quoted me around $400 to chop it up to get 2"... he said its quite a pain in the a%% to do but he's done a few. He said it sounds easy but you have to take into account once you modify it to go 2" lower the belt clearance to the arm is gone. He changes it so you have clearence
another option is to move the shock mount but like fireman said the arm will be in the oil tank, so notch the tank or a round tank.
another option is to move the shock mount but like fireman said the arm will be in the oil tank, so notch the tank or a round tank.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I don't have any pics of what it looked like before. But I had to also trim the rear fender to not hit the upper belt guard. And if you notice any other air ride bike will have about 3/4" to 1" clearance between the rear fender and upper belt guard.
Here is another bike with air ride all the way down with stock swing arm. I also added 1" to the fender. If he modified the swing arm this would not clear. So there is other options to make the bike look lower.
Here is another bike with air ride all the way down with stock swing arm. I also added 1" to the fender. If he modified the swing arm this would not clear. So there is other options to make the bike look lower.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 1
From: Texas
You can't go any lower than what I have. The tire will eat into the PCM. Mine barley touches my plastic PCM mount. I ride mine daily and I am telling you don't go any lower unless you want to spend a lot more money into moving things around.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 394
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From: Tinley Park, IL
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 7
From: Buffalo
Fireman: Thanks a lot, that's a huge help. Do you think you'd run into any clearance issues with chain final drive? Also, how close is the top of your tire now in regards to your fender when slammed?
Last edited by Branner; Jan 26, 2013 at 12:23 PM.