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IH: Suspension

Swingarm (rear fork) Info

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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)

Parts Lists

Swingarm Part Numbers

Year ModelSwingarm Part #Notes
1952-1956 All K Models47504-52Replaced by 47504-52A (1957) 8), Replaced by 47504-52B (1961) 9)
1957-1960 Sportsters47504-52A 10)Replaced by 47504-52B (1961) 11)
1961-1966 XLCH
1961-1966 XLH		47504-52B 12)
1967 XLCH47503-67 13)Replaced by 47504-56B (1968) 14)
1968-1969 XLCH47504-56B 15)
1967-1972 XLH
1970-1972 XLCH		47504-67 16) Replaced by 47504-67A (by -78A catalog, 1981) 17)
1973 XLH/XLCH47504-73 18)Replaced by 47504-67A (1974) 19)
1974 XLH/XLCH47504-67A 20)
1975-1976 XLH, XLCH47504-75 21)
1977-1978 XL, XLCH47504-76 22)
1979 XL/XLCH/XLS47532-79 23)Square tube, with bearings
47549-79 24)Square tube, without bearings
1980-1981 XL/XLS47532-79A 25)Square tube, with bearings, replaces 1979 swingarm
47473-80 26)Square tube, without bearings, replaces 1979 swingarm
1982 XL/XLS47532-81 27)Square tube, with bearings
1983-1985 XL/XLS/XLX47532-83 28)Square tube, with bearings
Inner Bearing ShieldPart #Inner Bearing SpacersPart #Outer Bearing Spacer (R)Part#
52-56 K Models
57-81 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS		(2) 47519-5252-56 K Models
57-81 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS		(2) 47518-5252-56 K Models
57-E74 XL/XLH/XLCH		47517-52
L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS47517-74
Swingarm BearingsPart #Swingarm BearingsPart #
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/XLCHBearing 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 / NutPart #Pic
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 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 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
Bearing Dust ShieldPart #
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX(2) - (right) 41579-81
Pivot Bolt SpacerPart #
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX(left) 5716
Plastic Bearing PlugPart #
83-85 XLX(Left) 10040
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
2)
GA_Ironhead http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=185355
3) , 7)
Monte03 http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1985335&highlight=swingarm
4)
russzx6 http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1985335&highlight=swingarm
5)
MXHD55U http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1985335&highlight=swingarm
6)
Hopper http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1985335&highlight=swingarm
8) , 10)
1957 Spare Parts Catalog for all Sportster and K Models pg 38
9) , 11) , 12)
1961 HD Parts Catalog Supplement for Sportsters and KH Models
13)
1967 HD Sportster and KH Model Parts Catalog pg 50
14) , 15)
1968 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
16)
1970 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 49
17)
1954-1978 HD Parts Catalog -78A pg 111
18)
1973 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
19) , 20)
1974 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
21)
1975 and 1976 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplements
22)
1977 HD Sportster Parts Catalog Supplement
23) , 24)
1979 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 53
25) , 26)
1979-1981 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 71
27) , 28)
1979-1985 HD Sportster Parts Catalog pg 89
29) , 30) , 31)
GA_Ironhead http://xlforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=709634&page=5
32) , 33)
HD Service Bulletin #688 dated May 12, 1974
34)
photo courtesy of Ebay seller, Robison Motorcycles Link to Ebay Store
35) , 36)
photos courtesy of Ebay seller, Robison Motorcycles Link to Ebay Store
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Trace: • IH: Suspension