Hi there - a while ago I was doing a repair on my 2015 Sportster and had to replace the swing arm shaft and pivot bolt.
The 2015 model uses a bolt which goes trough the entire frame (as opposed to two separate bolts on the side) part number 47500005 in other words.

Now just today I realized I I have attached the bolt the wrong way around - i.e. nut and washer are on the right side of the bike and they are supposed to be on the left. Can anyone think of any reason I should reverse it ? I mean the rear fork is symmetrical when it comes to the attachment points so I think it should not matter which direction the bolt goes but just wanted to check what you think

 

For a bearing to work you don't want something pressed hard against both the inner and outer. So long as that is the case I cannot see why what you have done should be a problem.

 

All you have done is put the bolt in the 'other' way around, of the two options available! On some models owners fit the rear wheel axle the other way around, to make it easier to remove. Check to see if there is a disadvantage to doing it your way and if not then carry on. My older Glide has a double-ended stud that does the same job, however inevitably one nut comes off, leaving the nut on the other end, making it similar to a bolt. Doesn't matter which way I put it back together.

 

Good evening,

I have a 2013 Sportster and the swing arm bots are working their way out on both sides. Is it as simple as tightening it up? What would cause them to do that? Seems like maybe some lock tight might help keep them in but not sure if I can remove them put the lock tight on and just screw them back in. Do I need to put it on a stand, remove the weight somehow? Just want to make sure I don't make something simple into an expensive repair.

Thanks

 

The FSM for a 2008 bike that has a bolt in from either side calls for them to be tightened to 60 - 70 ft-lbs (81.4 - 95.0 Nm) and no Loctite.

If you want to take the bolts out for Loctite I would get the bike upright on a stand just taking the weight with the wheel still on the ground and do one side at a time.

It is all part of servicing and vibration has probably been the cause. Just need to go round the bike regularly and check all nuts and bolts.

 

Thanks Andy,
I just screw them back in using the correct torque and will keep an eye on them.

 

See the gap between the swing arm and frame in both pictures. The bolt seems snug up to the arm. Is this normal? I don’t feel any wobble when riding.

When I looked other pictures the bolt was not snug like this so I am thinking it is fine.

 

The bushes/bearings in the swingarm should be in contact with the swingarm pivot shaft (item 15) that runs through the engine isolators.
Engine mount:
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?Type=13&make=hdmc&a=984&b=9&c=0&d=20 13%20XL%201200C%201200%20CUSTOM%20(CT)%20ENGINE%20 MOUNTS
Swingarm:
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....ND%20DEFLECTOR