I would imagine that the lowering blocks will be removed in order to reduce the stress to the swing arm also.

 

have the swingarms broke on the brake side or just the pulley side????? mine broke on the pulley side.... seemed like the axel spacer should have been larger in outer diameter(maybe a large washer between it and the swingarm).....my swingarm was kinda bent inward toward the axel adjuster..... the brake side looked perfect (brake caliper holder rests against the swingarm on that side) .... if lowering blocks were the problem, then why did it just break on the pulley side???

 

Swingarm arrived yesterday (thx again Dan)...

Took it to a friend who works at a machine shop and we discussed some ways to add some strength to the area above/around the axle. I left it with him and he said I should get it back tomorrow.

So. here is the current plan.


I have to order my swingarm bearings on Monday from Rick at Custom Cycle Engineering. I believe I am also going to order the Tour Trac triple tree set-up. In doing this (seemingly crazy) suspension upgrade, I will also need to grab the 'wear' parts for the fork rebuild, likely some steering head bearings and I am being told by a few people that I should grab the Gold Valve Emulators from RaceTech. Popular opinion seems to be that it's useless to rebuild the forks without 'fixing' the vavle (or lack thereof) problem. While I am waiting for the suspension parts to arrive...the reinforced swingarm will go to my powder coater to get refinished.

Here are my issues.

1. This is going to be a WAY bigger job than it needs to be (my own fault).

2. I want to powder coat my frame.

- My current (cracked) swingarm is/was color matched to my frame and I still have enough of the original powder left to do the frame (currently OEM black) and the new swingarm.

- BUT - I have never taken on a task quite this entailed. Not that I can't handle it...but it seems like a BIG challenge.

A few things that would be listed in the 'CONS' column:
- No stand to put the motor on during removal time.
- Additional parts cost (not sure what is required to be replaced in a 'routine' motor pull)...I was NOT expecting to do all this now, so I am WAY in trouble with the Wifey.
- Bike will be down longer.
- It seems like a HUGE undertaking.



In the 'PRO' column:
- It would look SO slick with the frame color matched.
- I can hide all the wires.
- The bike will already be (albeit partially) disassembled for the other work.

Or. I could just powder coat the swing arm black and have it on the road a few days after my parts arrive.


Thoughts?

P.S. - While my bike is 'down' I can ride my Dad's Ultra Classic if I really have the need. So I won't be totally missing-out on ride time.

 

I would remove the lowering blocks.
Strengthen the new arrival swingarm.
Make the swingarm look good..conceal the work-up..powder/paint /whatever looked good.
Maybe update the swing arm bushings with aftermarket.
Replace rear shocks with something that rides well.
Then i would ride.
If possible post a picture of completed/welded swingarm.

 

As far as your forks are concerned, include new bushings and seals for your CCE kit, as you will be completely stripping them. IMHO forget the Emulators, I have a set in another bike and they may as well not be there. Instead contact fabrik8r and ask if he still makes his modified Ricor Intiminators and use them with single-rate springs. That set-up gets good reviews on HDF.

 

I would just beef up the new swingarm, coat it, and call it a day.

But seeing how this is thread is heading, I'll not be surprised to see a post soon like,

"... and that is how I fit a 120R and turbo in the frame which was right after I got all my gold leaf Painted parts back from 5150..."

Good luck no matter you do. lol. Pretty cool someone hooked you up with a near free part to help you out. Love this place.

lp

 

Well...

Not sure a 120R and turbo are on the list...but the day isn't over yet.

I did order some stuff from CCE (spherical swingarm bearings and the Tour trac triple tree/forks), and hit up amazon for things from Race Tech (Gold Valve Emulators) - No offense intended GRBrown...but I keep hearing they make a substantial difference when the right spring/settings are used.

Swingarm isn't done quite yet...which is fine since I really doubt if my parts are going to arrive by the weekend (plus I have to work on Saturday). I'm told the metal is all cut and will be welded on today or tomorrow. It will go to the powder coater the following day. I decided to just go with 'factory black' for now.

I can wait until next winter to disassemble to powder coat the frame.


More updates are coming...

 

Powder coating the frame is a serious job.
Hopefully you will be going soon.

 

hey there jumpman ive had that problem happen twice first on my 99 now on my 2001 both ultras Harley covered the first one but the second was on me im not one to sit around so I engineered an awesome fix for that problem im a fabricator and welder by trade I do have a swingarm that came off my current bagger that has been repaired the swingarm on the same bike as of right now has the same fix absolutely NO problems even doing 3000rpm launches let me know if you are interested in the one I have or repairing yours or even talking you thru fixing it Jim

 

Now I have something else to think about. I have the lowering blocks on my 95 and have been considering going to shorter shocks. I ride solo and weigh 155, not aggressive, and never bottom out. Thanks for the information.