Safe to bore Trans Case for 3/4" Swingarm Shaft?

[OldFLTRider]

I have a 2001 Roadglide that is sometimes loaded heavily with tourpak, raingear, jackets, wife, etc.  I've never had any wobble at speed but have had some strange things happen while making slow sharp turns while heavy, particularly in the Blackhills.  I want to do something about it before riding season and have gathered everything to convert to the late model swingarm with spherical bearings.  I had intended to bore/ream the swingarm shaft hole from 5/8" to 3/4".

A recent post I found implied that this plan might not be safe due to the amount of metal remaining in the swingarm shaft area after enlarging the hole.   

Is there sufficient meat there to do this safely or should I look at using some 5/8" id to 3/4" od bushings instead.  If there is enough metal to bore, I think the larger shaft might add to the rigidity of the system.  I've never heard of anyone breaking the tranny after doing this but maybe someone else has. 

Thanks in advance for the feed back.

[Billy]

There's plenty of material there to bore it. I did mine a couple years ago on a '00 flht. I used a 3/4" spotfacing tool with a 5/8 pilot on a 1/2" drill motor with the tranny in the frame, ended up with .002 clearance on the 3/4 pivot shaft where the old 5/8 had .015 slop. It made a noticeable positive difference in the bike's stability and handling.

[OldFLTRider]

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. 

[Donairplane]

I did the same 4 years ago, not a problem. Much better ride!! 

[OldFLTRider]

Thanks for the input.

[canknucklehead]

There's plenty of material there to bore it. I did mine a couple years ago on a '00 flht. I used a 3/4" spotfacing tool with a 5/8 pilot on a 1/2" drill motor with the tranny in the frame, ended up with .002 clearance on the 3/4 pivot shaft where the old 5/8 had .015 slop. It made a noticeable positive difference in the bike's stability and handling.

What does a 3/4 spotfacing tool with a 5/8 pilot look like? Where do I get one?

[Paniolo]

Or you can do what I did on my '01 and go with a polybushing kit from Motorcycle Metal. It allows you to keep the OEM shaft and tranny hole and upgrade to the later swingarm. It's an option if you don't want to bore it out.

[Ajayrk]

For this tool you make the pilot any size you want.

http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/38745/nm/4_Flute_Aircraft_Counterbores_Spot_Facers

Other C'Bores & Pilots

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHI?PMSECT=0000000535


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[Billy]

Here's the tool I use, left to right; 5/8 pilot, 3/4 spotfacer and shaft extension: