frame is bent):

[rickierockit92]

so here is whats going on.. bought a 64 duo glide and 51 hydra glide. 64 was assembled. 51 is not. these questions are regarding the 1964 panhead duoglide. i dis-assembled it to just go ground up with it the way i wanted and this is what i came across.. the frame is bent. or different. or has been f****d with. the first two pictures are of the frame without the swing arm looking at it from the rear. as shown in the pics.. the frame looks bent or different. maybe the dimensions i'm looking at are for a different year duoglide? the manual and bike has kinda been hacked from previous owner): the left side from a rear view is straight as the right seems bowed or bent out. but in diagram of dimensions both sides in the picture are bent out.. but my bottom dimensions are off by at least an inch..the last two pics are of the axle which would go through the swing arm and when in all the way, it does not fit flush. it can not thread in all the way as the pictures show..that must be off as well.. but not by much. but if the left side was bowed out and not straight then the axle would definitely not fit. im scratching my head on this. im 21 years old and new to the panhead life.. if someone.. anyone.. could throw me some advice or help i would appreciate it! along with if it was to be bent.. ways to go about fixing it. i would assume heating it and bending it back or whacking it back. but do not wanna lose strength of the frame. (who knows if it even is bent) like i said maybe wrong diagram for another year. thanks for the help. p.s. if i was to tighten down the swing arm axle nut it would not pull that side in enough to make it fit would it?..

[UPSROD]

What is the date code on the top motor mount? My '58 frame is like that and I have seen an early '59 the same way! Neither of the ones I have seen appear to be messed with, you would think the swing arm would not fit right.

[rickierockit92]

What is the date code on the top motor mount? My '58 frame is like that and I have seen an early '59 the same way! Neither of the ones I have seen appear to be messed with, you would think the swing arm would not fit right.

located on the frame right? would the number start out with the same number year it is.. like if it starts out with 58.. is it a 58?

[UPSROD]

It is on the top motor mount... will be a letter and a number or a number and a letter like A8, 9C etc.

[Panacea]

On my 64 the oil tank bracket bolt holes are 7 5/8" center to center.(Just above the swing arm) Mike

[Panacea]

Outside to outside on the swing arm brackets is 8 1/16"

[Huck]

Be easy uncovering the numbers, they'll disappear if your not carefull.

[Bigincher]

If and when you find yourself thinking about using a torch to heat up the frame to bend it---- DON'T.

[rickierockit92]

On my 64 the oil tank bracket bolt holes are 7 5/8" center to center.(Just above the swing arm) Mike

the rear of your 64 frame look like this one?


does that frame seem bent or is that normal?

[rickierockit92]

If and when you find yourself thinking about using a torch to heat up the frame to bend it---- DON'T.

if it is bent.. what do you recommend?

[Cotten]

rickierockit92!

It got bent cold, so bend it back cold.

Heat destroys the metal's "memory".

Frankly, we haven't established if it is actually "bent".

.....Cotten

[rickierockit92]

rickierockit92!

It got bent cold, so bend it back cold.

Heat destroys the metal's "memory".

Frankly, we haven't established if it is actually "bent".

.....Cotten

the education is what im looking for, thanks!

[RUBONE]

Your frame may not be bent at all. The axle is not intended to butt against the frame lug. It sets the pre-load on the bearings and is held in position by the lock tab on the right side. Without the swing arm and bearings in place and adjusted you have no idea what is going on. Modify it at your peril...

[58flh]

Rickierocket93----Find the Date on the upper motormount,--Get yourself some HD-SERVICE MANUALS!--There are ways of checking the frame to see if its in SPEC.!--BUT you need MANUALS for your tear bike!---(NEVER HEAT IT!)---Use the K-BASE on this site to help you answer any questions that may arise!.Take your time,& ALWAYS ASK A QUESTION if yer not sure of something!---GOOD-LUCK----RICHIE

[UPSROD]

If a bent frame was the cause of the swing arm bolt not seating all of the way in, the lugs would not be parallel and you wouldn't be able to screw the bolt in at all.