• 1957-1985 Swingarm Pics and Information
• 1957-1978 Swingarm Assembly

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⁾

• 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⁾

• 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⁾

Inner Bearing Shield	Part #	Inner Bearing Spacers	Part #	Outer Bearing Spacer (R)	Part#
52-56 K Models 57-81 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS	(2) 47519-52	52-56 K Models 57-81 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS	(2) 47518-52	52-56 K Models 57-E74 XL/XLH/XLCH	47517-52
				L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS	47517-74

Swingarm Bearings	Part #	Swingarm Bearings	Part #
52-56 K Models 57-E74 XL/XLH/XLCH	(2) 47521-52 Timken: Race 17520 Bearing 17580 29)	82-85 XL/XLS/XLX	(left) (1) 47083-81
54-E74 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH	Bearing Kit 47550-74	82-85 XL/XLS/XLX	(Right) (2) 47082-81 Timken: Race LM11710 Bearing LM11749 30)
L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS	(2) 47521-74 Timken: Race 11520 Bearing 11590 31)

• 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. ³²⁾
• 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. ³³⁾

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

Swingarm Pivot Bolt / Nut	Part #	Pic
54-81 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS	47511-52
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX	41568-81A
Pivot Bolt Nut	Part #
52-56 K Models 57-E74 XL/XLH/XLCH	47512-52
L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS	47512-74	34)

Bearing Locknut
1952-1956 K Models & 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH
47514-52 (Left)
47515-52 (Right) 35)
L1974-1981 XLH/XLCH/XLS
47514-74 (Left)
47515-74 (Right) 36)

Axle Adjuster	Part #
54-78 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH	Axle Adjuster (2) 39985-52
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS/XLX	Axle Adjuster (2) 41570-77

Axle Adjuster Nuts / Washers	Part #
54-78 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH	Inner Axle Adjuster Nut (2) 7753 (5/16“-24 NF x 17/64” x 1/2“ hex)
54-78 KH/XL/XLH/XLCH	Outer Axle Adjuster Nut (2) 7744 (5/16”-24 NF x 3/16“ x 1/2” hex)
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS	Washer, (2) 6324W (5/16“ x 11/16” x 3/32“)
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS	Locknut,(2) 7725 (5/16”x24 x 11/32“ x 1/2” hex)

Fork End Covers	Part #
79 XL/XLCH/XLS	(2) 47554-78
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS/XLX	(2) 47554-73

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

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

Plastic Bearing Plug	Part #
83-85 XLX	(Left) 10040

Passenger Footpeg Bracket	Part #
83-85 XL/XLS	(2) 50615-83
83-85 XL/XLS	3/8“ Lockwasher for Footpeg Bracket (2) 7045
83-85 XL/XLS	3/8”x16 2“ Knurled 9/16” Socket Head Screw (2) 855 for Passenger Footpeg Bracket