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[SneakyPete]

pieces and parts

Duane, great tutorial and photos.  You said you were going with the Sta-bos too.  Have you used them before?  If not, curious to know if they make a difference and if they induce vibration to the frame.  My feeling is that you need to replace the stock rubber spacers which will have the same effect.

That's a fine tool you invented, maybe we can get a group of site members to contribute covering the cost and send it around for them to use, just like the alignment tool!  I'm in for $1.     

[porthole]

going with the Sta-bos too.  Have you used them before?  If not, curious to know if they make a difference and if they induce vibration to the frame.  My feeling is that you need to replace the stock rubber spacers which will have the same effect.

Pete - first time for the Sta-Bo's. It has been long enough since I last rode teh bike that unless the vibration was bad I might not notice it.
I did replace the rubber bushings

That's a fine tool you invented, maybe we can get a group of site members to contribute covering the cost and send it around for them to use, just like the alignment tool!  I'm in for $1. 

You big spender  you 

[porthole]

OK, got the 100 mile road test in.

Aside from replacing all the related swing arm wear parts I added a set of Sta-Bo bushings and removed the Ride Str-8 stabilizer. It will not work with my current oil pan.

I also aligned the drive train using the "alignment tools" we group purchased.

I don't know if the alignment helped. The front engine mount was dead on and the upper link was about 1/8" off (just a guess).

The bike does handle better and the rear suspension feels "tighter" - more in control.

Doing four things at once means i don't know if it was a single item or a collective change.

Either way, it is good.

[Ironhorse]

Well I'm right behind you. I'm in the process of swapping out the swing arm on my '01 to the later style swingarm. I'm having the polyurethane bushings installed as well. It already has a Ride Str8 on it now. It should all stiffen the rear end up.

[porthole]

The one road that use to make me nervous I haven't been able to test yet. Was on it yesterday but was "following"  ........................

Nothing special just an uphill, decreasing radius, highway entrance with a bit of a washboard thrown in for good measure with a real nice twist the throttle and go highway entrance.

[Ironhorse]

Well I got mine back a few weeks ago and finally have something to report here.

Like I said I changed out the old "Box Style" swing arm for a '02 and later style. Instead of reaming out the tranny case, I used a conversion kit from "Motorcycle Metal". It's just like the Sta-Bo in that it is a poly bushing set up that allows the use of the OEM pivot shaft. The shop had to modify and cut down the Ride Str8 bracket to make it clear the newer swing arm. The bike feels real tight and stable. Today I had it out doing 85 and there were breezes and gusts. Even on the uneven crappy roads of LA the bike was firm with no movement. My ONLY complaint is that the floorboards feel "buzzy" at times, but that is supposed to break in after 500 miles. Either that or you get used to it by then.

Mark

[Twolanerider]

Well I got mine back a few weeks ago and finally have something to report here.

Like I said I changed out the old "Box Style" swing arm for a '02 and later style. Instead of reaming out the tranny case, I used a conversion kit from "Motorcycle Metal". It's just like the Sta-Bo in that it is a poly bushing set up that allows the use of the OEM pivot shaft. The shop had to modify and cut down the Ride Str8 bracket to make it clear the newer swing arm. The bike feels real tight and stable. Today I had it out doing 85 and there were breezes and gusts. Even on the uneven crappy roads of LA the bike was firm with no movement. My ONLY complaint is that the floorboards feel "buzzy" at times, but that is supposed to break in after 500 miles. Either that or you get used to it by then.

Mark

Doing it this way you need the new bushings (Sta-Bo or other) to mate the newer swing arm to the old smaller shaft, the swingarm itself, axle and axle hardware and wheel bearings.  Anything else?  Do you know of a particular difference between the Sta-Bo bushings and the parts you chose that made the decision between the two?

[Ironhorse]

Doing it this way you need the new bushings (Sta-Bo or other) to mate the newer swing arm to the old smaller shaft, the swingarm itself, axle and axle hardware and wheel bearings.  Anything else?  Do you know of a particular difference between the Sta-Bo bushings and the parts you chose that made the decision between the two?

Twolane,

That was about it. You can either purchase a new rear caliper or have your other one bored out which is what I did. The axle hole in rear wheel may also need enlargening and a spacer. I think the Motorcycle Metal and Sta-Bo bushings are pretty much the same. Some folks have posted that they are indeed the same but I can't say for sure not having seen the Sta-Bo set up. The only reason I went with these is becasue I found them at a good price.

Mark

[Twolanerider]

The only reason I went with these is becasue I found them at a good price.

Mark

Thanks Mark.  I've got a swingarm, axle, caliper and wheel bearings here already that will sometime this spring go on the old 2000 Road Glide.  Just realized still need to pick up a newer set of spacers.  Had forgot about those until right now.  Something else to add to the pile.

I'd only seen the Sta-bo parts to make that transition.  Good to know the only difference between the options was just a good price.  Would've been disappointed to have purchased the others and then find there's some significantly better option.

[Ironhorse]

TwoLane,

I picked up the ones from Motorcycle Metal from a rider in another forum. He bought them and then decided to ream out his tranny case instead. He said it was a BAD decision as he butchered up the hole even with a quality boring tool. So he sold me his set for $150.00.

On a separate note, are you still running the M&M FI on your 2000 SERG?

[Twolanerider]

On a separate note, are you still running the M&M FI on your 2000 SERG?

Sure am Mark.  Had a couple of M&M bikes in years past and a few friends over the years that I've helped tinker on their own have had Marelli bikes also.  So I'm decently familiar and don't mind it.  Relatively simple system realy and nothing special to maintain.  Having an excellent tuner close by that does a great job of tuning M&M with a Power Commander helps too.

[Ironhorse]

Update.

After finishing up the Solvang GTG Ride I do believe the Poly-Bushings are breaking in. The floorboards and seat are less "buzzy". It was pretty pronounced for a while, so much so that I could barely keep my feet on the highway pegs at freeway speeds. However now a slight buzz is only noticeable at about 40mph and that should work out over time too. The rear is firm and held well in the corners. Greg and I hit some pretty soft tar snakes on our way to Ojai for lunch. I had the bike leaned over in a curve and both tires hit tar snakes at the same time. The whole bike "hopped" a bit but I do not think I experienced any lateral swing arm movement. I'd say the new swing arm, poly-bushings and modified RideStr8 bracket are doing their job.

Mark

[moscooter]

 
While I did not read every entry here,  I am aware and appreciate the concerns about stability with the Tour models and that some have had serious problems.  I had no such problems with my 2001 RK Classic,  but if I had updated prior to the (new frame design),  I would have opted for one of those after-market devices to help eliminate the "sway" that can become lethal in some situations.

I will say that so far with the new 2009 Ultra classic SE that I now have..........the front end seems lighter than my RK was and it's about 170 pounds heavier.  Haven't really rung it out yet,  but I think they (HD) made great strides in correcting those problems with the new design.

[grc]

Original frame design, 1979.  Finally got it right, 2009.  Yup, sounds about right for the MoCo.

Jerry