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I have a 2010 streetglide and wondering is the swingarm supposed to move up and down (without shocks attached) freely like fall from its weight or have some resistance?
Side to side is tight no play, Was just wondering about the up and down movement. I always thought it should fall from its own weight. I too have seen some slowly fall or essentially stay put, just want to know others thoughts.
I wouldn't worry about it. The main issue is how the swingarm bearing is designed. There is enough tolerance in the parts that the swingarm can bind a little. Read the SM and you'll see where the issues are.
While apart definitely replace the rubber mounts. You need to take the shocks apart in order to see if they are original or repop. 78 FX modes used shocks that were made by Gabriel (Canada)
Two old clutch plates, some all thread rod, a couple nuts and washers and you have your tool for taking apart the shocks
And get something like this to check your preload once the parts are assemble and mounted
Last edited by panz4ever; Aug 3, 2024 at 04:31 PM.
Short version, pop your caps (19) both sides, and check your torque values on the axle nuts (12).
Hence back up one side nut with stationary socket on wrench, then use socket on torque wrench on other side.
Just a note, but nuts are loctite in place, so often better to just back out the nuts to break the loctite bond on one side (which ever side breaks free), install new loctite, and then torque to spec, since will tighten both side as the same time.
As for bike being a 2010, and god only knows when the last time the bearings were cleaned and lubed, would go the extra step to pull the rear swing arm, to check the bearings (6) and bearing inserts(14), as well grease the hell out of the axle (9), since it does ride through the rear channel of the trans, that if not greased up correctly,can cause corrosion problems and excess wear of the tran channel it runs through. https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/jKwAA...s/s-l1600.webp
Those bearings are self lubricating.. It is in the manual to check the torque on the pivot axle but if it were loose the swingarm would flop..
I suspect that Panz scrolled past the thread he meant to reply in and got this one by mistake.. This thread is over a year old.. I do like his spring compressor tho..
Shouldn't move real easy, you want a bit of preload. The older non iso mount swing arms uses a fish scale to set the preload. Rubber ones should be on the stiff side or things can twist under load not being solid to the frame.
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Swingarm movement
