FYI......I've never done this before so feel free to chime in if you have any thoughts or I'm missing something.
Bike..........81 shovelhead.
Project.....inspecting swingarm and shocks after 30 years.
Swingarm is tight.
No lateral movement at all.
Thats good right?
Preload is "0".......it drops like a rock!
So, unless Im wrong, all I gotta do is tighten the pivot bolt till till the swingarm drops slowly......right?
And luckily there is a zirc fitting.
Would you totally remove the swingarm anyway just to have a look at the bearings?
Or, since its tight, grease it and leave it alone?
Regarding the shocks......is there

a way to tell what brand they are?
I dont see any markings at all.
​​​all.
And should I decide to just get new ones, can anyone suggest ones that are fully covered?
I just installed Legend Revo-As on my 2010 RK but don't wanna spend a grand on the shovel.
It's now become my occasional play bike.
Anyway........that's where I'm at..
Any and all input is appreciated.

 

Tighten and grease, don't fix what ain't broke.

Shocks look OEM, but that doesn't mean they are...your choice is limited if staying with covered shocks. I didn't, I put Hagons on and couldn't be happier.

 

Yeah......that's what I figured.
As for shocks........it started out as a Lowrider with open coil shocks.
Sometime in the 80's I had the covered ones put on by an Indy shop but never found out what they were.

 

You will need to remove the covers to determine what kind/brand they are.

 

 

Two old clutch plates and some 3/8" all thread, poor boys way.

 

That's a great vid man.....tx!
I didn't know you could remove the cover.
I thought it was factory sealed or something!!
That's great!
Maybe I'll just put on new covers.
Those shocks have worked just fine.
Tx again!

 

Thank AJ for that one.

 

OOPS!
Thanks AJ!
BTW........looks like I'll need new shocks anyway.
The rubber is all cracked in the mounting holes..
Any shock suggestions are appreciated..
And they'll have to be covered.

 

Bushing are replaceable, bitch without a press but doable. Some of the OEM correct guys would know where to find replacement inner shock itself, reuse everything else. Aftermarket depends on what want, ride or correct looking. Used to be some decent under $200 available but haven't looked for several years. Shovel need a heavier spring rate than later year bikes like evos so you have watch that.