FXR Swingarm Pivot

[PaulW]

My swingarm pivot shaft looks like its firmly welded to the cleveblocks. Anyone know if its possible for me to remove the engine and then remove the tranny and swingarm as a unit so that I can get it pressed out?

[SJC69]

Yes you should be able to remove the engine by separating the gearbox then remove the gearbox with the swinging arm.

It all depends on what you want to achieve.

Taking the engine out is a big job if you just want to replace the cleveblocks or swinging arm.

It is possible to pull the insides of the cleveblock out with the spindle leaving the remaining part still in the swinging arm.

What type of pivot have you, single spindle or the two sleeve nuts joined with studding?

Have you tried lots of penetrating oil and then turning the spindle, this will destroy the cleveblocks by the way if the inside turns with the spindle as it will make them leak their silicon filler.

Depending on what you wish to achieve brute force and pulling the inside out of the cleveblock may be the best way forward.
You most likely will also have to get new rear rubber mounts as these will take all the bashing to pull out the sleeve bolts.

It works, I have done it!

Remember when you put it all back together to use lots of a never seize type lubricant on the spindle.

[PaulW]

SJC. Thanks. Hadn't occurred to me that I might be able to tear the old cleveblocks to bits. I'll give it a go. Don't think they've been changed since new so I'm assuming they're pretty badly corroded. I've got the old three piece pivot which also has a reputation for giving up the ghost. I've got to tear it down completely to get the frame recoated so may have to try getting the tranny/sw'arm out in one hit anyway. Do you think there's enough room for manoevure?

[SJC69]

If you are doing a full strip, I would think there will be enough room to get the gearbox out with the swinging arm.

This is what you then will end up with!



I had the sleeve bolts joined with a stud so had to bash the rear rubber mount steel back to get the sleeve bolts out, they just pulled the inside out of the cleveblocks.

[PaulW]

Thanks again Steve. Looks like plenty of space to me.

[grbrown]

If you are tearing that lot apart you should consider fitting solid bushes in place of the cleveblocks, to improve handling.

I have used TrueTrack, but there are alternatives, such as described at:

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...ii-update.html

Read the TrueTrack website, even if you don't use their products, as they provide a good description of the benefits of using such things. Turn up the volume first!

TRUE-TRACK Lore

Sta-Bo:

Products

[PaulW]

Thanks Graham, may well treat myself once I've got the bugger apart!

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by grbrown

If you are tearing that lot apart you should consider fitting solid bushes in place of the cleveblocks, to improve handling.

A properly set up FXR is already one of the finest handling HDs ever made. IMO any 'investment' in handling on a stock FXR should be limited to replacement of tyres and shockers, plus upgrading the fork springs. Anything else is simply a waste of money.

However, the Evo baggers use a similar frame to handle a lot more weight and do indeed benefit from anything which stiffens the set-up.

[grbrown]

Ming,

I have been studying this topic at some length! It will require a carefully written piece to explain it fully, but any Harley will benefit from a variety of handling improvements.

As a Buell owner I know the advantages of three engine stabilizers. Harleys have only two (except my Glide which will shortly have three!) and Dynas have only one (except my wife's which also will soon have three).

The rear rubber engine mounts and cleveblock bushes conspire to introduce a degree of flexibility into the rear of the engine/gearbox unit, which can be solved by the use of a stabilizer kit such as that made by TrueTrack. Do look at their website!

There are several brands of similar devices, but only TrueTrack of those I have come across make a kit for Evo Glides. I believe they will shortly have a UK agent, so we won't have to buy in from the US, as I did recently.

[SJC69]

I am posting this piccy of this advert simply as it shows a really good picture of the FXR cleveblock set up and one of an alternative bearing type.