Swingarm Bushings

[dmillsr3]

I have the '87 Electra Glide with the dual-pivot pen cleavebloc bushing setup. I am in the process of removing this to install the rear end for the trike.

I see a number of "conversion kits" for this setup. Does anyone have experience with these? Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

What is the exact issue you are trying to solve ?

 

[dmillsr3]

What is the exact issue you are trying to solve ?

This is a poor design at best. The bushings and pivot have been in there rusting and deteriorating for 29 years. I am able to get the right side bushing and pivot out, but not the left, even with heat and force. I will need to design and and and extractor to get it out. I don't see the point in going back with a stock version of this design when there are multiple conversion kits out there.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

This is a poor design at best. The bushings and pivot have been in there rusting and deteriorating for 29 years. I am able to get the right side bushing and pivot out, but not the left, even with heat and force. I will need to design and and and extractor to get it out. I don't see the point in going back with a stock version of this design when there are multiple conversion kits out there.

Harley-Davidson has an issue to solve. If you ever rode an early Softail with a solid mount engine you would understand that vibration like this would be unacceptable in a touring bike. These swingarm bushings do one thing for a two wheeler and something different for a trike that uses a swingarm as the basis of their suspension. When you convert to a trike there are twisting forces that create great strain on the pivot shaft and the transmission case that it attaches to. These type bushings absorb the twist somewhat as do the rear engine mounts (biscuits) that are housed in the frame connectors.

If you are having difficulty getting the shaft out of the swingarm and the back of the transmission case soak it with WD40 and try driving with a punch or you might have to drill from both sides:AGGHH:. If you can get the pivot pin out out of the swingarm and the rear of the transmission, you will more than likely discard the swingarm in trike construction. I would however replace the swingarm bushings and pin as they have become unusable.

There are other modifications that you should do to the frame depending on the conversion type or kit you should choose.


http://www.vtwinmfg.com/webapp/wcs/s..._141420_141423

 

[dmillsr3]

Harley-Davidson has an issue to solve. If you ever rode an early Softail with a solid mount engine you would understand that vibration like this would be unacceptable in a touring bike. These swingarm bushings do one thing for a two wheeler and something different for a trike that uses a swingarm as the basis of their suspension. When you convert to a trike there are twisting forces that create great strain on the pivot shaft and the transmission case that it attaches to. These type bushings absorb the twist somewhat as do the rear engine mounts (biscuits) that are housed in the frame connectors.

Thank you for the information. After re-reading this again, the bulb lit up. The conversion kits are all designed to eliminate the rubberized bushings and replacing with good hard steel. I think you are saying the conversion kit is not what I need on a trike conversion. I should use the OEM style bushings, to keep the flex, but replace the three piece pivot shaft with a solid one piece.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

left you a pm