Swingarm question?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 446
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From: SW Va..
Swingarm question?
I know this is the wrong section, but here goes.
Is there a way to check the swingarm bushings for wear or damage? When I'm riding and hit a bump, I get a thump from deep under my seat. It doesn't do it all the time. But when it does it's a pretty good thump!
Bike is a 05 FLHTC, with 20,000 miles. I was rear ended in August of 08. The bike didn't do this before I was hit. When I got it back from the dealer I noticed it. I am wondering if the bushings could be damaged from the wreck and the dealer missed them during the repair?
Thanks!
Is there a way to check the swingarm bushings for wear or damage? When I'm riding and hit a bump, I get a thump from deep under my seat. It doesn't do it all the time. But when it does it's a pretty good thump!
Bike is a 05 FLHTC, with 20,000 miles. I was rear ended in August of 08. The bike didn't do this before I was hit. When I got it back from the dealer I noticed it. I am wondering if the bushings could be damaged from the wreck and the dealer missed them during the repair?
Thanks!
Last edited by mtlakehog; Jun 9, 2009 at 05:47 PM. Reason: no hits in the tech section
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
I don't have the answer for you, but I'm curious about this also. Is it possible that the bushings have just worn out. 20K miles isn't alot, but...
Is the swing arm an easy rebuild for the do-it-yourselfer, or a dealer/indy only repair?
Is the swing arm an easy rebuild for the do-it-yourselfer, or a dealer/indy only repair?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Georgia
I took my rear wheel off, took the shocks loose at the swingarm and could move the swingarm left to right over 1/4". No question (to me) that the bushings were worn. My bike had 75K miles on it when I took it apart. I never did notice any wierd movement, knocks or uneven tire wear when I was riding even with this much "Slack". I'm going back with the "Glide-Pro" system to try to "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 2
Any chance it's your shocks bottoming out? I was having issues with bottoming and getting some noise when it happened. I change the shock oil out with 10wt and the improvement was outstanding. I haven't bottomed out since and the ride is much more stable. The shocks actually 'absorb' the bumps now.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: SW Va..
I'm running more air in the shocks than I did before the wreck. Was running about 10 psi solo, and 20-25 psi fully loaded. Now I'm running 15-18 psi solo. Also, I had lowering blocks on the back that I took off to try and help the problem with no improvement. How do you change the oil in the shocks?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
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I have had the same noise. I do not think it is me bottoming out, as I seem to have travel left. I haven't checked yet but am wondering if it is my sidestand banging.
Really interested in the answer to this one.
Really interested in the answer to this one.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 2
I'm running more air in the shocks than I did before the wreck. Was running about 10 psi solo, and 20-25 psi fully loaded. Now I'm running 15-18 psi solo. Also, I had lowering blocks on the back that I took off to try and help the problem with no improvement. How do you change the oil in the shocks?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Shock Oil Changing Thread
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 446
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From: SW Va..
Thanks caveman,
I will change the oil this weekend and see what happens. I hope this fixes it. I will check for movement on the swingarm while I'm at it. I would really like to put my lowering blocks back on the bike. I think it handles better with them on.
Thanks!
I will change the oil this weekend and see what happens. I hope this fixes it. I will check for movement on the swingarm while I'm at it. I would really like to put my lowering blocks back on the bike. I think it handles better with them on.
Thanks!