Table of Contents
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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)
Bearing Locknuts (1952-1981)
1952-1956 K Models & 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH
Right Bearing Locknut (47515-52) 11) | |
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L1974-1981 XLH/XLCH/XLS
Parts Lists
Swingarms
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Year Model | Swingarm Part # | Notes |
1952-1956 All K Models | 47504-52 | Replaced by 47504-52A (1957) 14), Replaced by 47504-52B (1961) 15) |
1957-1960 Sportsters | 47504-52A 16) | Replaced by 47504-52B (1961) 17) |
1961-1966 XLCH 1961-1966 XLH | 47504-52B 18) | |
1967 XLCH | 47503-67 19) | Replaced by 47504-56B (1968) 20) |
1968-1969 XLCH | 47504-56B 21) | |
1967-1972 XLH 1970-1972 XLCH | 47504-67 22) | Replaced by 47504-67A (by -78A catalog, 1981) 23) |
1973 XLH/XLCH | 47504-73 24) | Replaced by 47504-67A (1974) 25) |
1974 XLH/XLCH | 47504-67A 26) | |
1975-1976 XLH, XLCH | 47504-75 27) | |
1977-1978 XL, XLCH | 47504-76 28) | |
1979 XL/XLCH/XLS | 47532-79 29) | Square tube, with bearings |
47549-79 30) | Square tube, without bearings | |
1980-1981 XL/XLS | 47532-79A 31) | Square tube, with bearings, replaces 1979 swingarm |
47473-80 32) | Square tube, without bearings, replaces 1979 swingarm | |
1982 XL/XLS | 47532-81 33) | Square tube, with bearings |
1983-1985 XL/XLS/XLX | 47532-83 34) | Square tube, with bearings |
Swingarm Related Parts Lists
Bearing Spacers / Shields
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1952-1956 K Models 1957-1981 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS | Inner Bearing Shield | 47519-52 |
Inner Bearing Spacer | 47518-52 | |
1952-1956 K Models 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH | Outer Bearing Spacer (R) | 47517-52 |
L74-81 XLH/XLCH/XLS | Outer Bearing Spacer (R) | 47517-74 |
Swingarm Bearings / Bushings
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Year Model | Bearing(s) | Notes |
1952-1956 K Models 1957-E1974 XL/XLH/XLCH | 47521-52 (original) | 2 required. Timken: Race 17520, Bearing 17580 35) |
Bearing Kit 47550-74 (updated) | Bearings are shorter than original. Can't mix new parts with original parts Click Here for more information |
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L1974-1981 XLH/XLCH/XLS | 47521-74 | 2 required. Timken: Race 11520, Bearing 11590 36) |
1982-1985 XL/XLS/XLX | 47083-81 | Left side bushing |
47082-81 | Right side bearing, 2 required. Timken: Race LM11710, Bearing LM11749 37) |
Bearing Locknut Lock-plate (R)
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Bearing Locknut Lock-plate (R) | Part # |
52-56 K Models 57-81 XL/XLH/XLCH/XLS | 47525-52 |
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(#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 |
Pivot Bolt / Nut
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Swingarm Pivot Bolt / Nut | Part # |
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 |
Axle Adjuster and Fork End Covers
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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 |
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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) |
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Fork End Covers | Part # |
79 XL/XLCH/XLS | (2) 47554-78 |
79-85 XL/XLCH/XLS/XLX | (2) 47554-73 |
Bearing Dust Shield
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Bearing Dust Shield | Part # |
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX | (2) - (right) 41579-81 |
Pivot Bolt Spacer
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Pivot Bolt Spacer | Part # |
82-85 XL/XLS/XLX | (left) 5716 |
Plastic Bearing Plug
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Plastic Bearing Plug | Part # |
83-85 XLX | (Left) 10040 |
Passenger Footpeg Bracket
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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 |