FLTR Cracked Swing Arm - Harley Forum

rusirius7764 · #1 07-15-2009, 11:02 AM

I have a 2000 FLTRI and noticed before I took a 1200 mile ride that my swing arm craked thru and thru right where the rear axlex comes thru the swing arm, it was a clean break just as if it was cut with a saw. I called Harley and complained that there is no way that a swing arm should crack like that and they said the bike was out of warrany and I said I know thats not the point and they didn't even care to look at it, I have heard from other people they have seen this before. If this happened while I was riding I could have been severly injured or killed. So does anyone have a rear swing arm laying around that they would like to sell.

frisco-rigid · #2 07-15-2009, 06:14 PM

Hi Rus

I fully understand why you want to totally replace that Swing-arm, perhaps thinking that if it cracked/broke once it'll prob do it again, maybe in a diff spot,, but, just in case you wish to have it welded, I am here to say that I have welded on frames & frame parts alot while the sickles were still mostly assembled and so far there have been No probs after a good quality weld..

Just a little alternative thought..

Good luck..

rusirius7764 · #3 07-15-2009, 06:27 PM

Actually I did weld it and reinforced it on the top and bottom, so far so good. Thank you

unclepsycho · #4 07-15-2009, 07:50 PM

The only frames have had break are dirt bike frames... and that is from just plain abuse... too high jumps etc... I had 2 of them a few years ago... I called them..."fixit" and "breakit" my 2 favorite bikes. I broke foot pegs off... ripped the down tubes from the neck.... etc... just pick up the pieces, drag them back to the shop and weld them.

Like frisco says, a good weld will do it up just fine.

Glad you got yours fixed and running.

RKJohn · #5 07-18-2009, 06:59 AM

DO NOT TRUST THAT REPAIRED SWINGARM!
Thats a common problem with early evo touring bikes and has happened to a few of us. YES you can weld it up. I welded mine and its hanging out behind the shed. The metal is fatigued and now with heat applied it is weaker than ever. Check on companies that trike out touring bikes and get one from them cheep. Or Ebay
That worn out peice will worry you to death just thinking about it. It is NOT safe.
John

HarleyCruiser · #6 07-18-2009, 10:06 AM

If I remember right, there were a lot of problems with the older swing arms cracking (pre 2001). I know that the 2001 had a upgrade where the adjustment part was cast that I believe fits the older bikes and can be used as an upgrade replacement.
Someone else know more about this?

aceharleywrench · #7 07-18-2009, 10:51 AM

I have a swingarm off of a 2004 on my 99,but I upgraded to new brakes & wheels at the same time (1" axle) What a difference without the cleveblocs. (sp?)

unclepsycho · #8 07-18-2009, 11:55 AM

Hi there,
I am no steel expert, but have been welding since the mid 70's. I got no official training (other than high school), just learn as I go.
So, I wonder what the difference between a weld that repairs a crack, and the welding they do to assemble the swing arm at the factory?
Unless the swing arm goes thru a heat treatment to harden the entire piece after the assembly, then a repair weld seems no different to me.

Of course when welding two pieces together, the metal along side the weld is slightly weaker than the weld itself.

the dirt bikes I mentioned above were factory frames when they broke. After welding, that part of the bike did not break again, but another part broke.

Here's a theory, is the quality and make-up of the steel it self inferior? right from the foundry? Like re-bar is made up of junk steel all mixed with a lower quality than the steel they use for making sheet metal etc.
So maybe the steel selected for swing arms was a lower quality steel? made cheeper to cut costs?

I welded custom fabricated gates for at least 12 out of the 20 years I was in the Fence business. I have seen the quality of the plain ole round galvanized steel pipe fluctuate over the years. Some times we got a load of pipe in that was a littler harder, sometimes the pipe would be more flexible, and I would have to add bracing to the gate to keep it from flopping around.

Final thought: If you do not trust that part with your life... then by all means replace it.

HDDon · #9 07-19-2009, 01:14 PM

The first thing you have to do is try to determine why the part failed- poor quality material, poor workmanship, alignment, poor engineering,etc.. Once you can convince yourself that you and your love ones will be safe and sound you can proceed with a repair. One of the best methods of repair is to have a machine shop make a block of steel the same size as the internal dimensions of the swingarm at the break, the block should extend 3/4 to 1 inch on either side of the break. Drill a 5/16inch hole 1/2inch back on both sides of the break. Tap the block into one side of the swingarm and have the welder weld through the hole securing the block. Tap the block into the other side of the swingarm and repete. Now weld at the break securing the two sides and the block together.