Archive for the Harley Exhaust category.
Mar 29
I have a 1993 Harley Davidson Softail Custom. I found screamin’ eagle pipes for a 1986 and up Harley Davidson Softail Heritage. I’m trying to find out if these pipes are compatible on my bike. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.
They SHOULD work just fine, the Customs & Heritages use the same header and brackets, it’s just the mufflers that were different. Are the pipes on-line? Can you send a link so I could see them, just to be sure?
The older Screamin Eagle pipes were not that great for performance, they sound ok, but the baffle design isn’t much better than stock. You would actually get better sound and performance out of a simple set of Cycle Shack pipes from Drag Specialties.
Feb 24
The motorcycles military history dates back as early as 1913. In fact General John J. Pershing used a Harley Davidson motorcycle to pursue the famous Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa, in 1916. By 1917 roughly two thirds of Harley Davidsonâs production went to the military. World War 1 saw approximately 20,000 Harleyâs pressed into military service with that number rising to 90,000 in World War 2. These motorcycles played many parts in wartime, from mostly being used for communications, transportation, and limited combat to tactical assault missions in World War 2. This along with the regular wartime motor pool produced thousands of men trained as mechanics.
At the end of World War 2 a large number of these returning GIs went into business using their newly learned mechanical skills. Most went into the automotive repair business, however, a large group focused on the motorcycle side of the business. A lot of these returning soldiers turned to hot rods and motorcycles seeking the thrill they had experienced in wartime. The huge surplus of military motorcycles provided a readily available, and cheap, marketplace for these thrills seekers. From the very beginning these new bikers started modifying the big, heavy, utility oriented and styled military motorcycle, removing parts and accessories not absolutely necessary for starting, riding, and stopping the motorcycle.
Saddlebags, windshields, big bulky headlights, and mirrors were removed. The mirrors and lights were replaced with newer and sleeker styles. The old flat floorboards were replaced with forward foot pegs. Front fenders were removed and the rear fenders were either removed or cut down, leaving just enough to accommodate a passenger over the rear tire. The large, original front tires and gas tanks were removed and replaced with much smaller ones. Exhaust systems were replaced with straight pipes. All of this was done mostly to make the bike lighter for street and dirt racing. The big leather and spring suspended saddle type seat was replaced with a smaller padded seat to allow the rider to ride lower on the bike. The âsissyâ bar or custom backrest became standard equipment. The custom, and chopper type motorcycles, as well as, the biker lifestyle were born!
The end result of all of this modification of the military motorcycle was an entire industry catering to this phenomenon. Chop shops and custom bike builders sprang up all over the country. A person could bring in a stock Harley Davidson motorcycle to one of these shops and, depending on how much money they wanted to spend getting the desired look and style, ride out with a completely customized or totally chopped bike. All removable parts are removed, including the engine and transmission. The original frame is then cut, or chopped up, and welded back together resulting in a lower and longer frame. This method of customizing led to the bikes being called choppers. Chopper builders have in large part favored fat rear tires, a rigid looking frame, and an original or replica air cooled v-twin engine. Performance and custom, usually chromed parts, are then added. The chopper inevitably has a long, or raked, extended front fork. Springer and Girder front-ends were the forks of choice to accomplish this raked look. These front ends are still widely used. Although these bikes are somewhat less responsive to handling and have a heavier feel at slow speeds and on curves they actually handle better than their stock front-end counter parts at higher, or cruising speeds.
Choppers have maintained a loyal following and legends in the building of these motorcycles have evolved. One shining example is Jesse G. Jamesâ West Coast Choppers. Mr. James has been successful in producing, and branding, his own style of unique and very expensive chopper style motorcycles. Many chopper and biker related businesses have also came into being. These include everything from the merchandising of motorcycle riding apparel and custom parts and accessories to bars and clubs catering to the chopper and other biker enthusiasts
Bronnie Vaughn
http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/a-brief-history-of-the-chopper-motorcycle-693072.html
Feb 21
Can anyone tell me if they have installed a set of BUB Jug Huggers on a harley vrod. if so do I have to purchase a bracket seperately to attach the pipes to the bikes frame?
Everything should be in the package for a specific application.
Feb 18
Note…this will NOT work on California bikes, they have built-in Catalytic Converters that can not be removed.
You will need new exhaust gaskets for the cross-over pipe/exhaust bracket. I forget the actual size of the muffler outlet and don’t have a bike at home to measure, I think it’s either 1-7/8 or 1-3/4, this is the size hole saw you will need, and a can of WD-40.
With the muffler ON the bike, look at the muffler outlets, you will see where the baffle ASSEMBLY is welded in. You will need to cut through that weld with a hole on a drill, using LOTS of WD-40 as lube and coolant as you drill. Once cut through, remove the mufflers from the bike and use a long steel rod to beat the baffle assembly out, stick the rod in through the front of the muffler and drive it out the rear. Install new gaskets in the muffler for the cross-over tube and reinstall and tighten clamps.
You "can" get away with no remapping with JUST this change, but it is HIGHLY recommended to add a hi-flo air cleaner and remap the injection. If you change the air cleaner, you HAVE to remap. You will get MUCH, MUCH better performance, and the bike will run cooler.
There is not enough room here for me to add my suggestions for tuning…..email me through my profile here with your regular email address and will can tell you more…..
PROPER TUNING IS ESSESNTIAL FOR TWIN CAMS……ESPECIALLY THE 07-UP O2 SENSOR CONTROLLED INJECTION!!!!!
Feb 17
Are you a biker? Do you own a Harley? Ever met with a motorcycle accident on the road? Do you have proper pairs of boots to protect your feet while you’re motorcycling on the freeway? Buy one, because safety comes first.
The better the pair of motorcycle boots, the better the chances of keeping your feet intact, since accidents can lead to severe injuries to the feet and possible amputations.
Harley Davidson motorcycle boots come in varying designs and types and are made out of the best quality materials and have the highest standards. The feet are well protected from any accident when you wear the boots. We guess you’d rather wear the boots rather than lose that foot of yours!
The Harley Effect
Harley Davidson’s a fashionable brand that can always make heads turn on a normal road! These boots are stylish, trendy, and a sure attention grabber! If you’re looking for comfort and style, Harley Davidson motorcycle boots are the perfect companion while driving. They look wonderful, and they are thick enough to save your feet from the super-hot exhaust pipe! If you’re driving in the summer, these boots will help you keep them away from the wrath of the sun! Professional bikers and Harley Davidson owners usually advise bikers to wear these special boots. Boots are available for both women as well as men and if you go online to the Harley website, you’ll have a large variety.
We’ll tell you what safety features you can expect in Harley boots:
ÂThey are for rough use and are very tough
ÂThey provide a really safe protection for your feet during accidents.
ÂAre long lasting
ÂHave soles that never slip and have good ankle protection and support
ÂHave toe sliders that help you while putting on the shoe
ÂAre for aggressive riding purposes
ÂGreat styling, unequalled quality and superb performance
ÂAvailable at great prices
Harley Davidson motorcycle boots are a great add to your set of clothes and are a must buy if you own a Harley Davidson motorbike. Enthusiasts have been satisfied by this product and are always in great demand, and can be found in several colors to match that bike of yours!
Harley Davidson Boots: Safety Features and Importance
These boots not only act as a shield, shielding your feet from injury, but are usually comfortable enough to wear all day and are very durable as well.
Most Harley Davidson boots are waterproof and can be worn while riding the bike even in rainy weather. This waterproofing helps the feet from getting wet or developing fungal infections of any kind. The boot also helps keep the ankle in one piece by having plastic pads and padding to keep the anklebones intact incase you fall over in the plight of an accident. These anklebone pads add to the comfort and are flexible so that you can adjust it according to the comfort you want to have while driving.
Remember, Harley Davidson believes your feet are more expensive than those bikes! That’s why, Harley Davidson believes in protecting the feet from any ill effects of motorbike accidents. So next time you are going biking, don’t forget to don your brand new pair of Harley Davidson motorcycle boots and maybe a stylish leather motorcycle jacket so you’ll look like a biker dude! After all, happy feet are all we need!
Dona Rosa
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/benefits-of-harley-davidson-motorcycle-boots-715911.html
Feb 15
EDIT…To add to "Just Me"’s response….to SOME degree, he has some vaild points,…."punching out" baffles, as he said, sounds like crap…HOWEVER….the STOCK HD exhaust system, with CUT out baffles, is actually one of the BEST performing exhaust systems on the market!!!!……and they do sound great, low RUMBLE at idle, nice BARK when cracked open…
Email me through my profile here with your regular email addy and I will tell you specifically HOW to PROPERLY remove the baffles and what else need done….this IS done commonly with good results.
Include year and model of bike…is it a CALIFORNIA bike???…..Cali models CAN NOT have the baflles removed….built in catalytic conveters.
Feb 13
I just replied back to your email….
Jan 26
hi all.
ok so i have a burn mark of some sort on my exhaust (chrome)
i think its where the NYLON cover was put on when the pipes were still too hot.
so now i have a burnt on mark on there and i cant get it off!!!
i use autosol to polish my chrome… and have tried autoglym… but it wont come off!!!
i have thought of a brillo pad but that would scratch it surely???
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!
need it off by tomorrow afternoon lol!!!
i live in uk… so needs to b something i can buy here.
I know this sounds wierd for a Harley…BUT….
Find a local HONDA motorcycle dealer. Go in and ask for a can of Honda Spray Polish and Cleaner.
Spray it on heavily and let sit sit for about 30 minutes or so. Spray some more on a soft cloth and then using some force, scrub off the melt mark.
I have been working on Harleys for about 20 years, my brother has worked for Honda for over 10 years and turned me on to the Honda Polish a long time ago. It is amazing how well this stuff works.
It’s the only polish I use on my HD’s. Safe for all surfaces and leaves a great shine.
Jan 16
Just bought a 2008 HD 1200 sportster. I don’t care for the stock exhaust and love the "Screaming Eagle II" that some of the neighbors run. However, they don’t make them any longer. Does anyone know of something sounding close to these. I am told the new "Screaming Eagle I" does not even compare. The "Python" is way too loud.
E-bay has several Screaming Eagle II for "Softtail". Does anyone know if these will work on my 2008 1200 Sportster. Called the dealer and they can’t seem to answer even when I provide the part number.
Yeah thanks to the EPA Harley quietened down their exhaust. A good slip-on that I have had good luck with at work are the Vance & Hines Straightshots HS Slip-ons. They are only $280 and have a great sound to them and have great quality. They are going to be similar to the Python (might as well be the same exhaust), just take care cruising in your neighborhood in the late/early hours and you should be fine. Most people have been ok changing out these pipes without doing any tuning to the motorcycle (enough tuning built in to the new fuel injection to handle it), but a Hi Flow Air Cleaner and some form of Tuning to rich-en up the bike will work wonders for that engine.
I do prefer the Thunderheader 2-1, but not everyone likes the look of them.
Jan 7
I have done some insane research in that respect. but with all the options out there i am confused. i must say the three exhausts that deserved my attention where the following:
Thunder header, Bassani 2:1, and the supertrapp 2:1. do you think there r more muscular exhausts systems out there. please hit me with you insight
Two of the best systems I have dyno tuned are the ThunderHeader (but VERY LOUD) and the V&H Pro-Pipe (Sounds GREAT…not too loud, not too muffled).
For STREET use…you want maximum mid-range TORQUE, the V&H Pro-Pipe delivered more USEABLE mid-range torque than the ThunderHeader that produced more top-end HP.
Experimentation with the Pro-Pipe’s stock (street) baffle and the competition baffle found that the street baffle with HALF (2 rows, every other row) of the outlet holes blocked off by ordinary hose clamps, delivered a 4 ft/lb increase in torque in the mid-range.
Remember this though, your bike has O2 sensors, so you will need a pipe with O2 sensor fittings on it, or to have them welded on….
below are some tips on tuning injection systems, clips taken from other answers…..
The answer about checking your plug color is WAY WAY WAY off!!!!…those days are LONG GONE!!!……The ONLY way to tell if you are running PROPER is to use an exhaust gas analyzer and air/fuel ratio meter…ON a DYNO…..this will show, at EVERY RPM, what a/f ratio makes the most power. Todays engines run lean on FUELS WITH ADDITIVES THAT GIVE FALSE PLUG COLOR READINGS.
DO NOT….DO NOT……change the HEAT RANGE of the PLUGS!!!!!!……this will affect the performance of the ECM and injection by changing the temp readings by the ECM
Carbs are ANCIENT technology and no where near as fine tuneable as injection…injection, on a dyno can be dialed in PERFECTLY for max performance….AND….fuel economy combined at EVERY RPM……Carbs can’t…PERIOD!!!
"punching" out your baffles will do NOTHING for performance…..one of the BEST performing systems for HD’s …IS….the stock exhaust with the baffles REMOVED. You do this by using a hole saw to cut out the weld at the end end of the muffler and then use a long steel rod to knock out the baffle ASSEMBLY from the housing, leaving a straight through glass pack, the stock headers with the bracket/crossover tube is the key to this system’s performance, use Samson Torque Cones and Screamin Eagle Flat-Style Exhaust Gaskets to help increase exhaust gas velocity……Email me through my profile and I can send specific instructions how to do all this…there is a proper squence!!!
The stock ECM is NOT relearn capable, it will only self compensate under the extremely NARROW parameters by which it was programmed…it does this by the use of O2 sensors….NEVER EVER eliminate the O2 sensors!!!!!
V&H Fuel Pack, Ness Fuel Controller….are junk!!!……….Read below……..it is answer to another similar question regarding injection tuning, also included is info on oil to help run COOLER…cooler + better performance…….Due to the EXTREMELY LIMITED mounting space for add-on "piggy-back" fuel controllers on a Softail…..I HIGHLY AND STRONGLY recommend the Sreamin Eagle Super Tuner…..it is only software that reprograms the ECM with nothing needing to be mounted to the bike. The Super Tuner will allow for infinite adjustments to the air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, rev-limiter, acellerator pump feature, engine decel enleanment to eliminate exhaust popping, etc.
And to make it run BETTER & COOLER…….here is some info on proper tuning……..an answer to a previous question……
DO YOU HAVE A HI-FLO AIR CLEANER AND PIPES ON THE BIKE???…..IF SO, DID YOU HAVE THE ECM REMAPPED BY HD OR HAVE A SUPER TUNER OR POWER COMMANDER ON IT????………..THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!
HD’S ARE SET UP TO RUN VERY VERY LEAN DUE TO EPA REGULATIONS!!!!!!! RUNNING LEAN CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT!!!!!!……..THERE ARE OIL JETS THAT SQUIRT OIL ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE PISTON TO COOL THE PISTON…..THIS HEATS UP THE OIL……….RICHEN IT UP, THE PISTON WILL RUN COOLER….THE OIL WILL RUN COOLER.
Even if the bike is COMPLETELY STOCK…….have HD do a Stage 1 download to the ECM……if you have a Power Commander or Super Tuner on the bike……….get it dyno TUNED…..it will increase your performance and make the engine run OPTIMALLY………………her… is some info about "downloads compared to the Super Tuner…….
You want the Screamin Eagle SUPER TUNER!!!!…….and have it Dyno TUNED…..don’t sttle for just having the base map loaded. The difference between being tuned and a base map is like night and day. The base maps are just that…a base to which to work form. Every engine is as individaul as we are as humans, they each require a little finesse and tuning to make them perform optimally. The Super Tuner will also allow for easier tuning for any future upgrade you may make.
A Stage 1 download is nothing more than a GENERIC map from HD that is "ok" for all bikes….this is CRAP!!!……the Stage 1 download was specifically made for a HD with Screamin Eagle Mufflers and Air Cleaner……not all mufflers (or complete exhaust systems) flow exactly the same and not all Air Cleaners flow exactly the same…meaning, if you change ANYTHING on the exhaust and intake that the Stage 1 was not designed for, it wil not work as well…..like I said every engine is DIFFERENT.
As far as power output goes….it will vary as to what components are used and how well it is tuned….but on an average from completely STOCK to an upgrade of exhaust/air cleaner, super tuner, about 12-15 horsepower……..At how many miles did you start running synthetic? You should never run synthetic until at least 2500.
Which Power Commander was installed….the O2 eliminator ( DO NOT USE THIS!!!…THE O2 SENSORS ARE THERE FOR A REASON….O2 eliminators should ONLY be used for RACING applications!!!!) or the new PC 5 w/ wide band O2 sensors? (The WIDE BAND IS THE BEST fuel controller on the market for Big Twins….BUT requires a fair amount of room to install it along with extra room needed for the add-on ign control module), did you have the separate ADJUSTABLE IGNTION MODULE AND/OR AUTO TUNE MODULE (09-newer) installed also….this will HELP ALOT!!!!….the HD Super Tuner is good, but it runs narrow band O2 sensors (i like these for Sportsters because there is no module to install and conceal)…..BUT it does have ignition adjustments the PC doesn’t have by itself (have to add it extra with the PC5).
Either way, it sounds like you need to have the bike properly tuned….if they just simply loaded a map….that is NO GOOD…a map is just a starting point for proper tuning.
You air cleaner…did you mean BIG SUCKER???…if so good choice…..the Screamin EEagle air cleaner is way better than stock HD…..but does not hold a candle to the DEEPER K&N filter Ness uses……GOOD CHOICE.
