Swingarm inspections
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Swingarm inspections
When's the last time either you or your mechanic inspected your swingarm condition?
For some added swingarm stability especially if you've hit 40,000 miles or more check out our bearing bronze bushings for all years. Your Harley repair manual indicates at 40,000 miles to check the swingarm condition and replace the isolators and thoroughly inspect the steel bearings for wear and tear on the later bikes and the cleve blocks on the earlier bikes 1980-2001. Don't forget to check the condition of the tranny case if the swingarm is apart.
Should you find you are in need of an upgrade or you have noticed that even though you have a True-Track unit on your bike you are starting to feel some movement in the rear - this is a good indication the current condition of the swing arm bearings are worn.
Questions? Give us a call at 818-623-0697
True-Track
For some added swingarm stability especially if you've hit 40,000 miles or more check out our bearing bronze bushings for all years. Your Harley repair manual indicates at 40,000 miles to check the swingarm condition and replace the isolators and thoroughly inspect the steel bearings for wear and tear on the later bikes and the cleve blocks on the earlier bikes 1980-2001. Don't forget to check the condition of the tranny case if the swingarm is apart.
Should you find you are in need of an upgrade or you have noticed that even though you have a True-Track unit on your bike you are starting to feel some movement in the rear - this is a good indication the current condition of the swing arm bearings are worn.
Questions? Give us a call at 818-623-0697
True-Track
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
My advice is that you may need to check more than this on your swingarm!
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
My advice is that you may need to check more than this on your swingarm!
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Have you checked with the Harley salvage outfits? A swing arm from a bike that was in a front end collision would probably be OK.
Good luck,
John
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
My advice is that you may need to check more than this on your swingarm!
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
My advice is that you may need to check more than this on your swingarm!
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Recently went to fit a new rear tyre and found a full thickness crack about 2/3 of the way around the swing arm on the left side about where the hole for the axle comes through and the nut tightens up. Talk about a shock??!! I immediately wondered what the consequences may have been if it failed on the road somewhere. Made me feel a little bit unwell!
This was on a 2000 model RKC with almost 90,000klms (about 55,000 miles). This is something that should never happen. I asked the question, but no luck with the motor company for a replacement.
Just a tip.
Good advice, but this is a known problem. There is an article on Hot Bike's website, also HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal has an article.
An upgrade, or solution to your problem, is to fit a post 2002 swingarm and rear wheel. I am actually doing just that as I write! The only problem is that we colonials seem to be dependent on the US trike market to supply the parts! I paid 50 bucks for a 2007 swingarm assembly (including wheel spindle and brake) and another 75 for a complete rear wheel, but shipping to the UK multiplies that a few times.
I have a thread Suspension THUMP where I am reporting on progress. I am also using the opportunity to fit Ohlins rear shocks from Motorcycle Metal.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
That's neat, well done! My bike has around 50k miles up, so hopefully is not in need of any repair at present, but I will check when I get to building the rear end (and the weather warms up a lot here!)
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
Not sure geezer glide. Unfortunately, I don't have a full history of the bike but thinking about the effect of a lowering kit and the place the crack was, that theory would really make sense.