Custom Cycle Engineering Swingarm

Custom Cycle Engineering Swingarm Solutions for Harley-Davidson

Few brands have spent as long studying and solving the handling quirks of classic Harley-Davidson Touring and FXR motorcycles as Custom Cycle Engineering (CCE). Founded in 1967 by Randy Smith, a true pioneer of the Harley aftermarket, CCE has spent decades engineering precision solutions that address the real-world performance shortcomings of stock components. Their swingarm retrofit kits represent some of the most thoughtfully engineered suspension upgrades available for vintage and classic Dresser riders.

The Problem CCE Set Out to Solve

Owners of 1980–2001 Harley-Davidson FLT Touring models and FXR bikes know the frustration well: the stock Cleve Bloc-style swingarm bushings introduce unwanted flex, rear steer, and sluggish suspension response. CCE directly targeted this weakness with their swingarm conversion and retrofit kits. Rather than a band-aid fix, these kits replace the stock pivot hardware with precision spherical bearings — a fundamentally superior approach to managing swingarm movement.

Spherical Bearing Technology at the Core

The engineering heart of CCE's swingarm kits is the switch from rubber-style Cleve Bloc bushings to spherical bearings at the swingarm pivot. As CCE designed them, these bearings greatly reduce stiction at the swingarm pivot, delivering a quicker reaction time to road inputs and negating lateral and torsional movement in the swingarm. The result is more precise tracking, improved rear-end compliance, and a more confidence-inspiring ride — especially at highway speeds where Dresser-style bikes spend most of their time.

Two Retrofit Paths for Classic Touring and FXR Riders

CCE offers two distinct swingarm upgrade paths for owners of 1980–2001 FLT and FXR motorcycles. Their flagship FLT/FXR Swingarm Conversion Retrofit Kit allows installation of the improved 2002–2008 Dresser-style swingarm onto earlier frames, bringing late-model rear suspension geometry to classic bikes. A second kit focuses on the spherical bearing upgrade alone, allowing riders to retain their existing swingarm while still gaining the handling benefits of precision pivot bearings. Critically, neither kit requires modification to the transmission housing, keeping installation accessible to home mechanics and independent shops alike.

Made in the USA, Engineered for Real Riders

Every CCE swingarm kit is made in the USA — a standard the brand has upheld since its founding. The kits are designed to be practical: community feedback from real Harley riders consistently highlights how straightforward the installation process is, with many experienced home builders completing a full retrofit in an afternoon. CCE's swingarm products fit a wide range of models, covering 1980–2001 Harley FLT/FLHR/FLTR Touring variants as well as 1982–1994 and 1999–2000 FXR models.

Whether you are battling chronic rear steer, worn-out pivot bushings, or simply want to modernize your classic Dresser's handling characteristics, CCE's swingarm solutions offer a proven, precision-engineered answer. Explore the full lineup of swingarm kits and retrofit hardware, or browse the complete Custom Cycle Engineering catalog for fork tubes, triple trees, motor mounts, and more.