1964 Swingarm identification

Information about the identification and numbering of frame, motor belly, transmission and other parts
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FabKevin
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1964 Swingarm identification

#1

Post by FabKevin »

I've done some searching through the site already, but I cannot determine what I need to look for to make sure I use a correct swingarm for my frame. It is a '64 frame, and I have (3) round swingarms to choose from. I am not restoring the bike, but I would prefer to use the correct one (if I have it). Is there a simple way to make sure I use a correct one?
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#2

Post by PanPal »

try reading this thread

swingarm identification
FabKevin
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#3

Post by FabKevin »

Thank you PanPal. I saw that thread, bit for some reason I cannot view the pictures? Maybe I can post the three that I have, and someone will be able to tell. I am not clear on where the breather hole would be, and is the left casting/axleplate the one that will separate them?
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#4

Post by Bigincher »

Welcome, Kevin.
Post pics of all three swingarms, and you will get a definitive identification on them.
We have a member here, 'Rubone', who is a walking talking HD encyclopedia.
And 'Speeding Big Twin' has made a life study of identifying parts via stamps and hallmarks, as well as other features.
I'm sure there are others, sorry to not mention everyone.
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#5

Post by hplhd »

Kevin, aside from the swing arm issue i would just like to thank you for the quality work you do and the parts you put out. good to see you here.
panhead
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#6

Post by panhead »

You can't see the pictures because they were externally hosted and apparently removed.
FabKevin
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#7

Post by FabKevin »

I don't have a host site for pictures, so I can't post. But I did re-read the thread a few times and I have a swingarm that meets this criteria:

It has a grease fitting on the bottom/rear side of the pivot tube
It has a breather hole in the front right side of the pivot tube
It has (2) horizontal ribs on the left axleplate
It has "2" cast into the top of the pivot tube
It has "14-N" cast on the bottom
It has an oblonged bearing pocket from getting dropped at some point :roll:

With this, I am dating it at a 63 or newer? I guess that is correct then?

And, thank you for the votes of confidence in my work. I appreciate it.
panhead
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#8

Post by panhead »

I don't have a host site for pictures, so I can't post.
You don't need a host to upload pictures: How to add a picture/attachment to your post
FabKevin
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#9

Post by FabKevin »

Well, thank you very much Panhead! Here are the pictures:
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RUBONE
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#10

Post by RUBONE »

That is a '68-'72 swingarm with a fairly high die number.
FabKevin
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#11

Post by FabKevin »

Thank you very much, Rubone. I have another swingarm just like that one with "H28" on the left axleplate, and I believe it came from a 1970 frame (not sure it was original to that frame, but that is what it was on).

I also have this swingarm and I acquired it with the juice drum also shown. It doesn't have a grease fitting in the pivot tube or any ribs on the left axleplate. The drum has 41409-58A cast into it:
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RUBONE
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#12

Post by RUBONE »

That is an early swingarm, and could be one of several types. What does the inside of the left axle plate look like?
and that is a late '58-'62 brake assembly, narrow shoe type first style with cast drum.
FabKevin
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#13

Post by FabKevin »

Thank you Rubone, and Merry Christmas. I'll send a pic after tomorrow.
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#14

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Kevin, welcome to the forum. Yes, the left axle clip helps a lot with ID of these swingarms. As of 63 models, two reinforcement ribs were added outside the left clip. (I’ve even seen a couple of late-62 Pans with the two ribs but I don’t know if the swingarms were original to the bikes.)

Your first swingarm looks the last type made. Bruce Palmer’s 37–64 second edition says it would be 68 to 72 judging partly by how close the lower rib is to the brake anchor stud hole. But I may have to look further at that 68–72 span. Anyway, inside the left clip you may find forging number 47614-58B and these -58B swingarms have production run numbers beginning about the low-H20s so with your run number looking like H33 (?) we may be able to knock out a couple years, perhaps leaving 70–72 as the possible range. (I can’t be sure about it though and I’m still compiling a chart with all this info. So far I have examples of run numbers through H42.)
Also inside the left clip you may find a hallmark and die number. The hallmark is an A inside what looks like a jar. I’ll guess the die number may be about 15?

Outside the R-H clip you may find forging number 47606-58. Nearby there may be a hallmark consisting of the letter Q with WF inside it. Above that there may be a die number and I’ll guess it is at least mid-50s? Maybe higher?

Grease fitting is in the usual position under the pivot tube housing and appears normal size. It was introduced as of 62 models and is mentioned in the 59–69 H-D SM although for reasons unknown the SM shows the fitting on top and that seems incorrect. Also be advised that some 61-earlier swingarms have a grease fitting installed by owners or others and sometimes they are larger than normal H-D size.

The single breather hole (pressure release hole) is interesting. Palmer’s 37–64 first edition said one hole was drilled in the bottom of the pivot tube housing for 63–72 but he contradicts that with his second edition by saying there are two holes drilled in the ends of the housing. I have several examples showing two holes and my impression is they started out in the end sections as per the photo below:
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I think they moved closer to each other at some later stage, leaving them near the outer edges of the centre section as per the next picture:
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Other things you mentioned were 2 cast into the top of the pivot tube and 14-N on the bottom. Numbers on top go from 1 through at least 4 but I haven’t worked them out yet. I don’t know what 14-N indicates. Some have 4-N and some look like 4-H but I haven’t worked those out either. All these markings however, including the 2 on top, are so far only showing up on the -58B swingarms.

Re the swingarm you posted a single photo of, is the forging number on top of the pivot tube housing? And can you post pictures of both sides of its left axle clip please.

Re the swingarm with run number H28 on the left clip, photos would be good but H28 may be consistent with the 1970 frame it came from. The left forging number should be 47614-58B. I’ll guess the die number inside is 13 or 14?
Outside the R-H clip I’ll guess the die number may be about 50?

Also can you confirm the forging number on the pivot tube housing of all three swingarms. I think they will all have 47556 58. (As opposed to 47558 58.) Thanks.
Eric
FabKevin
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Re: 1964 Swingarm?

#15

Post by FabKevin »

Thank you very much Speeding Big Twin. Yes, all three have 47556 58.

Here is a picture of the inside of the left axleplate on the earliest swingarm I have, which I believe came with the late '58-'62 juice drum assembly I have. I think I will run that swingarm and brake assembly, since none of the swingarms I have are correct for '64, and the drum appears to be earlier also. I'm enjoying learning about these things. The bike I am building is going to be a rider and far from a restoration.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge base with me.
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