For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

[John M.]

I have a question, how rare is it, to completely disassemble a 39 year old Factory assembled rear end, and not have one stripped bolt, or need a Breaker bar to crack one loose.

I'm amazed I didn't have to torch something off and used nothing more than a 3/8" rachet to dissasemble.

How lucky is that?

[Alan D.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

Just doing same on my 64 with same results, however one nut on brake plate needed a vice grip so its now junk.

[John M.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

I guess it just boils down to the amount of Rust your dealing with.

I'll take it and run with it.

[Alan S.]

Re: For those of you who have disassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

Hi John,
You must feel pretty good!!!
I don't remember for sure, but I don't think I broke or twisted anything off either. In the picture you can even see the original french locks in the baggie.
I wish you continued GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan

[Timothy B.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

John, The frame on your car looks great, virtually no rust, we should all be so lucky. I like the Harley, is that a road king? My wife will not let me get one...

[Stephen L.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

Car needs to be from a southern climate. Mine came apart the same way. In fact all the weld slag is still on the frame. I dipped it and maintained the slag.

One of the benefits of living in a southern climate free of snow and salt!!!!

Photos: Frame and parts after chemical stripping and then new paint.

[John M.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

John, The frame on your car looks great, virtually no rust, we should all be so lucky. I like the Harley, is that a road king? My wife will not let me get one...

It's an Ultra-Classic stripped down to look like a Street Glide.

I sold it though, don't really miss it.

This is the one I miss. 39 Chief.


On the Rear Suspension, the only thing I'm worried about is re-installing the Trailing Arms with Shims.

Any advice?

I'm going to duplicate the amount of Shims originally in the rear and hope I can limp it up to a shop that can align it. (if I can find one that has a Guy Old enough to remember how to work on them).

[Dick W.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

John, I also love the Indians, was a bike ahead of it's time. It is a shame that the vertical twin and poor management killed them.

[Timothy B.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

John, Don't be worried about the trailing arm shims. Take note of the shims on the inside and try to install the same amount there on both sides and then take up the remaining space on the outside until the last shim taps in LIGHTLY. When you torque the bolt all will be well.

Use slotted shims and tuck them down into the frame, so alignment is easy. Bounce the car and back it up down drwy to set the suspension and drive rear wheels up on some floor tile. You can set camber with a level because the tile will let tires move while weight is on suspension.

Toe needs to be done at shop but you can get it closer than you think by being creative. Look in archives as there may be info from past discussions.

[Alan D.]

Re: For those of you who have dissassembled original 39 year old Rear Suspension.

Doing some cleaning on the rear susp parts and some may like to see whats left of the primer, in yellow. Was expecting to see more of a green flavor similar to the cage, but this is the original stuff. Note primer on arm only, not the spindle bearing housing or brake backing plate.
Understand the bolt holding the shims must be tourqued with car on ground and rocked to settle things out first.