Bagger wobble solved!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Very interested in this "routine maintenance repair" as well. Unfortunately I have a sickness that wont allow me to leave well enough alone. I called Aroura looking for a distributor local to me, and to find out if this bearing is available in stainless, because the application is not "sealed", even though the ball in this particular model is. Anyway, no it is not available in stainless, and "they have no influence to change it because this particular product is produced overseas". Sorry to burst bubbles, but this is not made in the USA. It is still a fantastic improvement over OEM specs, I'll probably buy it. I can't think of a good mechanical reason why a spherical bearing is used in this application, once the shaft goes through both bearings they no longer "wobulate" as the spherical design is intended; a true plain bearing or even rollers would be better suited, there is no requirement for a spherical function in this application. Must be simple manufacturing economics, cheaper to build this way, the trade off is a short life sloppy swing arm pivot.
Very interested in this "routine maintenance repair" as well. Unfortunately I have a sickness that wont allow me to leave well enough alone. I called Aroura looking for a distributor local to me, and to find out if this bearing is available in stainless, because the application is not "sealed", even though the ball in this particular model is. Anyway, no it is not available in stainless, and "they have no influence to change it because this particular product is produced overseas". Sorry to burst bubbles, but this is not made in the USA. It is still a fantastic improvement over OEM specs, I'll probably buy it. I can't think of a good mechanical reason why a spherical bearing is used in this application, once the shaft goes through both bearings they no longer "wobulate" as the spherical design is intended; a true plain bearing or even rollers would be better suited, there is no requirement for a spherical function in this application. Must be simple manufacturing economics, cheaper to build this way, the trade off is a short life sloppy swing arm pivot.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
So I guess the next question would be is there a plain or roller bearing with the correct dimensions to work in this application? I am going to purchase a pair of the Aroura bearings from Motion Industries if it is as good as it gets. If I were to use a roller bearing I would definitely prefer it to be a sealed bearing or be able to have a seal installed to shield it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
$tonecold, I just ordered 4 so holler if/when you need them, $14.99 each should be in on Monday, but I wont be back in town till the 6th. I asked them about stocking them but not interested, first call they ever had for them, for any application.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
Jason, can you post the contact info for where you ordered your bearings please? I'm interested in this for my 07 Road King. I figure with your FCS and Modified Ricor intiminators on my bike I may as well go all in and do the swingarm bearings and the sta Bo bushings.
From what I have read on this thread if I do the bearings and sta Bo bushings I should be able to ditch my Tru-track ? Is that correct ?
From what I have read on this thread if I do the bearings and sta Bo bushings I should be able to ditch my Tru-track ? Is that correct ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Jason, can you post the contact info for where you ordered your bearings please? I'm interested in this for my 07 Road King. I figure with your FCS and Modified Ricor intiminators on my bike I may as well go all in and do the swingarm bearings and the sta Bo bushings.
From what I have read on this thread if I do the bearings and sta Bo bushings I should be able to ditch my Tru-track ? Is that correct ?
From what I have read on this thread if I do the bearings and sta Bo bushings I should be able to ditch my Tru-track ? Is that correct ?
Thanks Jason, I'm back to Oregon on the 1st, will be back the 17th, so will contact you then.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Maybe I missed it, but don't see in this thread how you folks are coming up with the alternate bearing numbers - do the companies mentioned know what you need?
Refurbishing my old Tour Glide this winter, and swing arm is on the list, but it doesn't have spherical bearings anyway. I replaced the spherical bearings in my 04 sportster this past summer, were so tight with the wheel and shock off, had to push the swing arm down. Bearings were lined with crud; cleaned off, looked ok, but had noticeable side play. Couldn't find aftermarket replacements, so got the German made ones from Harley, and they had almost as much side play as the old ones. Bike handles fine, but if I could find a tighter replacement, would put them on next tire change.
Dry spherical bearings with no seal seems to be a poor choice in such an exposed area. I covered up the exposed sides with red tacky grease, but that won't keep crud out forever. I've used spherical bearings with seals in aircraft; it can be done.
Refurbishing my old Tour Glide this winter, and swing arm is on the list, but it doesn't have spherical bearings anyway. I replaced the spherical bearings in my 04 sportster this past summer, were so tight with the wheel and shock off, had to push the swing arm down. Bearings were lined with crud; cleaned off, looked ok, but had noticeable side play. Couldn't find aftermarket replacements, so got the German made ones from Harley, and they had almost as much side play as the old ones. Bike handles fine, but if I could find a tighter replacement, would put them on next tire change.
Dry spherical bearings with no seal seems to be a poor choice in such an exposed area. I covered up the exposed sides with red tacky grease, but that won't keep crud out forever. I've used spherical bearings with seals in aircraft; it can be done.
