Topic: Softail swing arms... (Read 3660 times)

Blackjack · « **on:** August 10, 2009, 02:01:50 pm »

When I bought the Softail I have, it came with a spare swinger.

This is the later one with the cast axle slots and side plates not like the fabricated one on the bike.

I'd like to lower the rear, so the cheap ass way to do this is to cut the shock mounts off the swing arm, raise the rear of the arm 2" without moving the shock mounts, and re-attach the mounts to the arm.

Since I don't want the bike off the road for more time that is necessary, here's the question. Does anyone know for definite that the later arm will fit the early frame? I don't have bearings in the later arm so those will have to swap too.

What I want to do is make a jig, alter the arm I've got, and then just fit it without trial fitting it first to keep the down time to a minimum.

Anyone?

Lightnin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2009, 04:35:00 pm »

i am not certain

the simple way is to measure from the bottom of the frame to the center of the pivot...... then measure from the inside of the boomerangs and then the outside of the extra swingarm at the pivot.....then the center to center of the pivot to axle adjuster

be careful when you lower it as the travel is already short..... you will need to preload the shocks to help it stay off the bump stops.... in doing this, you will still hit the stops, but it won't be such a jarring ride

Blackjack · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:41:15 pm »

Chopping up the spare arm means I can always swap it back if it's a nightmare.

Trouble is, to take half way accurate measurements, I'd need to take the wheel out, and that's hakf way to taking the arm out by the time you got the bike on the stand and what have you...

Dave · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2009, 09:46:40 am »

shorter shocks or a lowering kit would be the easier method... but to answer the question.. " will if fit ", theres no reason it shouldnt bearings/bushings included..

Blackjack · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2009, 08:15:33 pm »

Quote from: Dave on August 11, 2009, 09:46:40 am

shorter shocks or a lowering kit would be the easier method... but to answer the question.. " will if fit ", theres no reason it shouldnt bearings/bushings included..

Not necessarily. I'd have to come up with the money to buy any of that stuff.

Dave · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2009, 10:08:22 am »

i understand.. often times is more available than cash.. no problems with that.. i know that drill well .. if i had the simple lowering stuff i'd give it to you.. i dont do much softy work.. & what i do the owners like to spend..

Blackjack · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2009, 10:44:55 am »

Dave,

I'll mod the arm and fit it. That'll keep me occupied and pass some time.

While I'm at it, I'll shoot some pics and what have you.

Then I'll write it up and sell the article to a mag.

I'll end up with a lower bike and get paid for it.

That ought to cover a set of raked cups.

I'll fit the raked cups. That'll keep me occupied, and pass some time.

While I'm at it, I'll shoot some pics and what have you.

Then I'll write it up and sell the article to a mag.

I'll end up with a raked bike and get paid for it.

See a pattern emerging here?

Dave · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:09:23 pm »

i had thought you might make an article of the swing arm job.. that worked out will.. z-man has 3 degree trees on sale for 110.00 a set.. same ones i used on my lil' grey evo.. if you need help beating the high prices over there dont hesitate to speak up.. make sure we see pics. of the arm gig..

Blackjack · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2009, 01:43:09 am »

Quote from: Dave on August 15, 2009, 03:09:23 pm

i had thought you might make an article of the swing arm job.. that worked out will.. z-man has 3 degree trees on sale for 110.00 a set.. same ones i used on my lil' grey evo.. if you need help beating the high prices over there dont hesitate to speak up.. make sure we see pics. of the arm gig..

Roger.

Wilco.

Lightnin · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2009, 07:01:06 pm »

and on a softail to lower it you put on LONGER shocks, and run the preload a bit higher

its easiest to see with the fender off how it works at the top of the swingarm... there really isnt much travel in the first place... its something like a 4-1 ratio that the shocks work in, which is much higher than a standard shock.....

Dave · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2009, 02:50:02 pm »

i believe vulcan enginneering has a really nice set of raked cups.. posibly in stainless.. they give me dealer cost if that will help..2 article.. each on lowering opposite ends of the bike.. cool you could do the swing arm article & announcethe coming of the next.. you got a plan..

Blackjack · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2009, 04:48:54 pm »

Quote from: Dave on August 15, 2009, 03:09:23 pm

i had thought you might make an article of the swing arm job.. that worked out will.. z-man has 3 degree trees on sale for 110.00 a set.. same ones i used on my lil' grey evo.. if you need help beating the high prices over there dont hesitate to speak up.. make sure we see pics. of the arm gig..

You got a before and after for that grey Evo?

Or any bike come to that...

Dave · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2009, 09:53:06 am »

there was no before .. it was a custom bike that i built myself.. heres the bike.. 33 deg. neck rake.. plus 3 deg. trees.. stock neck rake would be 30 deg. on that type frame..

Blackjack · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2009, 01:12:22 pm »

Nice.

Just trying to get a feel for the difference that they make visually.

Probably ought to take a pic of the bike and rake it 3 degrees huh?

Rummaging through some of my Eagle boxes* I came across a crappy set of factory pullback risers, chrome's all bubbled, but I put 'em on anyway. Feels better, but I haven't done any miles on it yet.

*Eagle boxes = boxes of crap that you've unbolted from Harleys over the years, usually adorned with a scroll bearing the legend "Ride to Live, Live to Ride" and a bad picture of an Eagle...

Lightnin · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2009, 05:45:01 pm »

the stock softail, or wide glide for that matter, really the "FX" frame will use a 3* tree..... from the factory..... the "FL" frame uses a 0* tree

Dave · « **Reply #15 on:** September 04, 2009, 01:39:33 am »

yep dyna wide glides use a 3 deg. from the factory..

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