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I picked up a beat up 2018 Iron a few months ago. Working on bringing it back to life. I was looking at the swingarm where it mounts to the frame and it looks like I'm possibly missing a bearing. See Pic. It looks like the axle is just sitting there. Can somebody confirm? It's hard to tell with the pictures in the service manual. Thanks
The isolators, rear engine rubber mounts do not have the hole for the swing arm axle placed centrally. As you picture it is offset for some reason I don't know.
As long as the swing arm has no play side to side it is good.
Can't comment on the swing arm issue except to say, if there is no free play, and it operates smoothly (take off the wheel, shocks to allow maximum movement) then go with it. Someone who has the same model may be able to visually confirm.
It looks like it's missing something but looking on Ronnies microfiche under frame and rear fork it only shows a bearing and retainer clip and indicates X2 required (so one for each side i presume) but there is no rubber bushing or anything missing from yours from what I can see. You would think the bearing would center the bolt in the hole, I would peak in there and see if there is a bearing on both sides.
What I think you will find is part 19 in my second link is long enough to butt up against the swing arm. The part has a flange on it to secure it to the isolators on the left side of the bike.
Earlier bikes had a bolt that you put in on either side now it is a long bolt that goes all the way through, part 9 in the first link.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Mar 14, 2019 at 11:41 AM.
It's an auction buy from Copart which I won for ridiculously cheap. The only damage I found was the dented gas tank, exhaust, and bent shocks. Engine has 902mi and runs perfectly.The swingarm is perfectly straight as the rest of the frame but seeing that axle just threw me off. I'm going to go to the dealership and see what the new ones look like, but you guys are probably right. It just may be an offset design. Thanks for the input, fellas!
Other side seems to be offset towards the front of the bike as well:
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Swingarm Axle
