Swing arm part numbers

Classic short-frame models

Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:28 am

Hi, I bought a 65-66 XLCH frame on ebay, and it has all the correct distinguishing features you guys have explained in your frame literature on this site. My problem is finding the correct swing-arm for the XLCH frame. I know it remained the same length from 54-69. I don't want to end up with the longer one from the 67 and later XLH. The swing-arms on ebay all have a 5 digit number that is different to the 5 digit technical info on this site from 52-early 70's and the info in my factory parts manual from 54-78. For example numbers shown on this site or the HD catalogue are 47503-67 (XLCH) or 47504-52B (56-66 XLH/XLCH) or 47504-67 (XLH) and it all makes perfect sense. But the swing-arms I am coming across on ebay have the number 47550-52 or 47550-52B or 47558-52 and that would suggest they are correct for an XLCH but confusing the issue further is one swing-arm with the number 47550-62 which came off a 1976 Sportster and the -62 at the end just puts my head in a spin. Why are the catalogues listing 47503 / 47504 but these swing arms have 47550? How did the factory leap from 47504-52 in a catalogue to 47550-52 and 47558-52 on a part?
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Swingarm from K model Santa cru.jpg
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby EKHKHK56 » Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:48 am

Hi Kevin. The part number in the book is probably for the entire swing arm. The individual castings that are part of the swing arm will have their own casting numbers on them with the year of their first appearance. Erik K
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby mikeslemmon » Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:52 pm

cast or stamped numbers on the part a re not always the same as the part number
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Sun Feb 26, 2017 7:24 am

Arrrggghhhhhh can anyone PLEASE advise me how to identify which swing-arm I need for a 65-66 XLCH frame? Not only am I as dim as a broken 6 volt tail-lamp bulb,......but I am across the globe in north eastern Australia, so far from major cities I make Indiana Jones look like a city slicker. Does anyone know the length? An identifying feature?
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby strong56KH » Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:07 pm

The one you need is 19-1/8" long and has straight tubes. In 1967, the XLCH swing arm had a tab welded on the right side for the new stoplight switch. So you don't want the one with the stoplight tab. The casting number should be 47558-52 on the bottom side of the front casting. Mark
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby mikeslemmon » Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:50 pm

also a lug on the right side for a short chain guard
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby EKHKHK56 » Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:24 pm

Also quick note. Yes It will have the short straight tubes and corresponding short chain guard, mount tab. The early 52K swing arm is same length, same casting number on the front, but has long tubes and shorter rear castings and has the long -55 chain guard mount tab close to the fulcrum. Your swing arm falls in the 56-66 era. 55 and 54 K had the long chain guard still. Hope this helps :D Erik K
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:05 am

Thanks to those who have commented and given me the benefit of experience. I think I have found the correct swing-arm. I have compiled this comparison for others to use. Could Admin add this to both the technical literature on Frames and to the technical literature for Swing-arms?
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Swing-arm comparison.jpg
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby sportsterpaul » Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:58 am

Thing is, I have both swingarms in my parts stash, and the one with the brake switch bracket is also longer by a bit. So are your photos scaled to make them look the same length? If Dave, said admin, wants pictures, I can take them of these two, including side-by-side so the length difference is obvious.
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Re: Swing arm part numbers

Postby Kevin56 » Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:29 am

The photos are not to scale, I morphed them into one pic to show the difference between the bent tube version and the straight tube version, that was my main concern.
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