Swing arm part numbers

Classic short-frame models

Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby JerrryR » Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:24 am

Hi Kevin,
All the chainguards crack where you described. Here's what I think, not necessarily what is correct. 52 through 55 had the boss drilled for the long chainguard near the pivot point. These did not have the threaded boss on the right hand inside about halfway back on the swingarm. After this my theories get iffy. Some will have the inside threaded boss for the short chainguard but will not have the boss drilled for the long chainguard, others will have both the threaded boss for the short chainguard and the long chainguard boss drilled to accept either. My thought is the swingarms starting in 56 did not have the boss for the long guard drilled and at some point the factory drilled them so it could work for any version, early or late? I went back and looked at your original post, something caught my eye. You say that you bought a frame for a 65-66 XLCH. These two model years will have distinctly different frames. Which year are you doing? Post a picture of the frame you acquired if you can. In particular the area under the seat casting. On another note check the underside of the kickstand boss to see if it is starting to crack as well as inspect the rear downtubes where the enter the top and bottom castings, these points are prone to cracking. The correct swingarm should cost you between $20 and $40 at a swap meet. If you can't find the correct one let this group know, they are plentiful.

Swing Arm Early & A 002.jpg
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Swing Arm Early & A 004.jpg
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Sun Mar 05, 2017 4:39 am

Thanks again JerryR, the swing-arm was posted on Ebay as 65-66 but the boss numbers tally with a '66, as do the numbers at the neck. I will definitely check those areas you mentioned and I will commit heresy by reinforcing the side-stand lug. It is still in transit from the United States of Ebay. Cost including transport to my city is about $800 U.S which I can live with considering my location. The swing-arm has straight tubes which indicates pre-67 and could be from anytime between 57-66. It does not have a tab for the stoplight switch. It has a threaded hole for a chain-guard near the shock mount. When I'm finished it will also have a mount at the forward lug; providing a 3 point attachment. I am 10,000 miles away on the far north east coast of Australia so bargains at swap meets aren't possible. The swing-arm cost $43 U.S. and $95 U.S. postal charges. Yea, I had to sit down to steady myself on the postal fees.
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby EKHKHK56 » Sun Mar 05, 2017 8:24 am

I think you have a Jan 1956 frame. Is the top motor mount frame bracket cast iron, or fabricated steel?
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:20 am

Erik you just made the hair on the back of my neck stand up...I was born in Feb 56.....and to be honest if this frame is the age you say then it is far too important to simply use as a base to build a mid 60's "Bitza" (Bitza, Aussie slang for "bits of this and bits of that"....a hybrid amalgamation of compatible parts). I can't confirm the top engine mount section of the frame until it arrives...I think it is fabricated steel, not cast, see photo.
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby JerrryR » Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:30 am

Hi Kevin,
Based on the picture of your frame neck, your frame is a January of 66 frame not a January of 56. The small threaded hole on the right hand side of the neck casting first appears with the 1959 model year. In addition a January of 56 K model frame would not have the "ridge" running vertically from the front gas tank mounting holes on the neck.
Good luck with your project,
JerryR
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby DaveC » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:49 am

The K Model version of the long guard (P/N -52) is one I haven't seen in my collection of the later (67 to 69 XLCH) long guards. I checked my -67 Parts Book and they mistakenly call for the short -56 chain guard on the 67 XLCH. The earliest of publicity photos of the 67 show the long guard. The 67 XLH got a totally new guard in 1967 that was lengthened for XLCH application in 1970. I believe the reason for the 67 guard switch was to provide some chain break or loose chain whip protection for the spot welded flange and possibly thinner wall -66 "lunch box" oil tank introduced in 66. There is a slim chance that HD did use some "left over" -52 guards on the early 67 CH's, but I doubt it. Converting a "late-52A" to "early-52" is fairly straightforward if one is so inclined. But that's what we are all about, picking fly poop out of the pepper. I have a bunch of the shorter guards that hare cracked horizontally between the upper and lower rivets on the forward swing arm mount. I believe that eventually all of the short ones crack in this manner. I removed the brace, stop drilled the crack and welded it back up. Some metal work was required before re riveting. You can also take a long (67 and up), cut it back and rivet the earlier short guard front mount to it.

I recall some discussion on the evolution of swing arms from 52 to 69 for kick start bikes (straight legs, no kink, 1" shorter) but I can't find it.
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby sportsterpaul » Tue Mar 07, 2017 11:10 pm

OK, so what part number are the two lower chain guards in the picture? They are the same, I have two, but not sure what they fit. I think I will put one of them on my 1977 XLCH. Top one is off my 1954 K-Model rolling chassis.

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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 8:42 am

The two lower guards are probably 60308-72, fitted to XLCH '72-'78, they look identical to a mid '70's XLCH....the XLH version has the same profile but shorter. I had a '74 XLCH and I recently saw one on a local bike....they usually crack at the forward mount and get replaced with aftermarket bling.
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby EKHKHK56 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:04 am

OK not a 56 K frame if you say soJerry! :D plus I see the fab steel top mount. But I see -56 on the neck. I thought there was a -58 neck for 58 and up?
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby sportsterpaul » Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:26 am

probably 60308-72, fitted to XLCH '72-'78,

Thanks Keven56, that makes sense, although don't ever remember it being on my 77, its good to know I have the correct one.
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