IH: Suspension

Swingarm (rear fork) Info

Sub Documents

A number of 1972 Sportsters were produced from November 1, 1971 to March 29, 1972 without the (3 position) stake operation performed on the rear left side fork bearing lock nut (47514-52). Bearing pre-load (which should be kept at 1-2 pounds) is controlled by the left and right (47515-52) bearing lock nuts. The affected VINs were (3A or 4A) 18748H2 to 33040H2. This safety defect prompted a recall of the affected bikes with the dealer being required to remove the rear fork for inspection and stake any of them that were done previously at a rate of $7 reimbursed labor and handling. 1)

Removing the Swingarm

  • Follow the procedure in your FSM to remove the swingarm. However, if you can do it without removing the staked nut on the left side is best. It serves to center the swingarm in the frame and you can bung up the threads on that nut really easily. 2)

Swingarm Swaps

  • Pre-1979, only the 1977 XLCR had the box arm with Disc. 3)
  • 1979 - 1981 had the box arm with disc and it will fit pre-79 frames. 4)
  • A 79-81 swing arm will bolt on a 72 frame. Things to consider when changing swingarms are master cylinder placement, operation and the fact that the 79-81 swing arm shock mounting will change the angle of your shocks. 5)
  • Consider if you even want a disc on the rear. It won't work any better than the drum, which is already powerful enough to lock up the wheel. Put your effort into improving the front brake if you want to stop better. 6) You would do better by adapting a later 39 MM Evo fork for brakes and handling. 7)

Bearing Change, 1952-1956 K Models / 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH

Bearing Kit (47550-74) (replaced the single bearing part # 47521-52) contains 2 bearings which are 0.100“ narrower than the original bearing dims used in Sportsters up to February of 1974. The kit also contains a new pivot bolt nut (47512-74), bearing locknuts (L - 47514-74, R - 47515-74) and an outer spacer (47521-74) - clearanced for the new bearings. 8)

Caution: Parts must not be intermixed on a complete rear fork pivot shaft and bearing assembly. Correct bearing clearance and specified fork bearing preload cannot be obtained with intermixed parts. Correct bearing preload is essential for satisfactory operation and proper motorcycle handling. 9)

Pivot Bolt / Nut (1952-1981)

L1974-1981 Sportster Rear Fork Pivot Bolt Nut 47512-74

L1974-1981 Pivot Bolt Nut 47512-74 10)

Bearing Locknuts (1952-1981)

1952-1956 K Models and 1957-1981 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS Bearing Lock Nut Lock Plate

Locknut Lock Plate (47525-52) 11)

1952-1956 K Models & 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH

Left Bearing Lock Nut (47514-52) 12)
Right Bearing Locknut (47515-52) 13)

L1974-1981 XLH/XLCH/XLS

Left Bearing Locknut (47514-74) 14)
Right Bearing Locknut (47515-74) 15)

Parts Lists


Swingarms

Year ModelSwingarm Part #Notes
1952-1956 All K Models47504-52Replaced by 47504-52A (1957) 16), Replaced by 47504-52B (1961) 17)
1957-1960 Sportsters47504-52A 18)Replaced by 47504-52B (1961) 19)
1961-1966 XLCH
1961-1966 XLH
47504-52B 20)
1967 XLCH47503-67 21)Replaced by 47504-56B (1968) 22)
1968-1969 XLCH47504-56B 23)
1967-1972 XLH
1970-1972 XLCH
47504-67 24) Replaced by 47504-67A (by -78A catalog, 1981) 25)
1973 XLH/XLCH47504-73 26)Replaced by 47504-67A (1974) 27)
1974 XLH/XLCH47504-67A 28)
1975-1976 XLH, XLCH47504-75 29)
1977-1978 XL, XLCH47504-76 30)
1979 XL/XLCH/XLS47532-79 31)Square tube, with bearings
47549-79 32)Square tube, without bearings
1980-1981 XL/XLS47532-79A 33)Square tube, with bearings, replaces 1979 swingarm
47473-80 34)Square tube, without bearings, replaces 1979 swingarm
1982 XL/XLS47532-81 35)Square tube, with bearings
1983-1985 XL/XLS/XLX47532-83 36)Square tube, with bearings


Swingarm Bearings / Bushings

Year ModelBearing(s)Notes
1952-1956 K Models
1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH
47521-52 (original)2 required. Timken: Race 17520, Bearing 17580 37)
Bearing Kit 47550-74
(uses L1974 bearings)
Bearings are shorter than original.
Can't mix new parts with original parts
Click Here for more information
L1974-1981 XLH/XLCH/XLS47521-742 required. Timken: Race 11520, Bearing 11590 38)
1982-1985 XL/XLS/XLX47083-81Left side bushing
47082-81Right side bearing, 2 required.
Timken: Race LM11710, Bearing LM11749 39)

Bearing Spacers / Shields

1952-1956 K Models
1957-1981 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS
Inner Bearing Shield47519-52
Inner Bearing Spacer47518-52
1952-1956 K Models
1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH
Outer Bearing Spacer (R)47517-52
L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLSOuter Bearing Spacer (R)47517-74

Bearing Locknut

Bearing Locknut
Year ModelLeftRight
1952-1956 K Models & 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH47514-5247515-52
L1974-1981 XLH/XLCH/XLS47514-7447515-74

Bearing Locknut Lock-plate (R)

Bearing Locknut Lock-plate (R)Part #
52-56 K Models
57-81 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS
47525-52
(#10)Bearing Retention:
Lock-Plate Screw / Washer / Lockwasher (R)
Part #
52-56 K Models
57 Sportster
1187
52-56 K Models
57-63 XL/XLH/XLCH
(#10 x 3/8” self tapping) 2657
52-56 K Models
57-59 Sportsters
(#10×13/32“) External tooth shake-proof lockwasher 7220
53-63 K Models
57-63 XL/XLH/XLCH
5/8” Lockwasher 7072
L72-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS(10-24 x 1/2“) Pozidriv fil head (R) 1198
L72-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS(#10) Lockwasher (R) 7069
54-81 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS(5/8”) Bearing Lockwasher 7022

Bearing Dust Shield

Bearing Dust ShieldPart #
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX(2) - (right) 41579-81

Pivot Bolt / Nut

Swingarm Pivot Bolt / NutPart #
54-81 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS47511-52
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX41568-81A
Pivot Bolt NutPart #
52-56 K Models
57-E74 XL/XLH/XLCH
47512-52
L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS47512-74

Pivot Bolt Spacer

Pivot Bolt SpacerPart #
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX(left) 5716

Axle Adjuster and Fork End Covers

Axle AdjusterPart #
54-78 KH/XL/XLH/XLCHAxle Adjuster (2) 39985-52
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS/XLXAxle Adjuster (2) 41570-77
Axle Adjuster Nuts / WashersPart #
54-78 KH/XL/XLH/XLCHInner Axle Adjuster Nut (2) 7753 (5/16“-24 NF x 17/64” x 1/2“ hex)
54-78 KH/XL/XLH/XLCHOuter Axle Adjuster Nut (2) 7744 (5/16”-24 NF x 3/16“ x 1/2” hex)
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLSWasher, (2) 6324W (5/16“ x 11/16” x 3/32“)
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLSLocknut,(2) 7725 (5/16”x24 x 11/32“ x 1/2” hex)
Fork End CoversPart #
79 XL/XLCH/XLS(2) 47554-78
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS/XLX(2) 47554-73

Plastic Bearing Plug

Plastic Bearing PlugPart #
83-85 XLX(Left) 10040

Passenger Footpeg Bracket

Passenger Footpeg BracketPart #
83-85 XL/XLS (2) 50615-83
83-85 XL/XLS3/8“ Lockwasher for Footpeg Bracket (2) 7045
83-85 XL/XLS3/8”x16 2“ Knurled 9/16” Socket Head Screw (2) 855
for Passenger Footpeg Bracket


1)
HD Service Bulletin #636 dated April 27, 1972 pg OC-403
8) , 9)
HD Service Bulletin #688 dated May 12, 1974
10) , 13) , 15)
photos courtesy of Ebay seller, Robison Motorcycles Link to Ebay Store
11)
photo courtesy of Ebay seller, Sum-body's Harley Parts, Link to Ebay Store
12)
photos courtesy of Deep South Cycles, Link to Ebay Store
14)
photos courtesy of Ebay seller, Sum-body's Harley Parts, Link to Ebay Store
16) , 18)
1957 Spare Parts Catalog for all Sportster and K Models pg 38
17) , 19) , 20)
1961 HD Parts Catalog Supplement for Sportsters and KH Models
21)
1967 HD Sportster and KH Model Parts Catalog pg 50
22) , 23)
1968 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
24)
1970 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 49
25)
1954-1978 HD Parts Catalog -78A pg 111
26)
1973 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
27) , 28)
1974 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
29)
1975 and 1976 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplements
30)
1977 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
31) , 32)
1979 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 53
33) , 34)
1979-1981 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 71
35) , 36)
1979-1985 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 89
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