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09-04-2012, 10:16 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 959
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V & H pipes
So, after 5 years and 70k the rear pipe broke! And man did it break! Almost to the point of falling off. There was a slight backfire and a pop and then just loud. Pulled the rear section off and it was only held by a 1/2" piece of metal. I cannot believe how thin the metal is in those pipes! Welded everything back up and then added 4 pieces of keystock lenghtwise as to give the repair some support. I guess V & H still doesn't believe they have a design problem of quality issue, but I do! I think the curve where it goes under the centre causes stress on the first bend and eventually it just breaks. I will be looking at some way of putting a exhaust hanger under there to help take some weight off the s bend!
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09-04-2012, 11:29 PM | #2 |
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Location: Stockton Iowa
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I put a heat shield in the center between the two curves so the back tire doesn't eat a hole in mine. I noticed the pitting right after I got the true duals on the Nomad. Ain't had any problems in 25000 miles, knock on wood, I use my head.
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09-05-2012, 12:24 AM | #3 |
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Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada
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They'll never admit theres a problem. I think a heavier gauge tubing would solve the problem for them.
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09-05-2012, 04:09 PM | #4 | |
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Quote:
__________ IntheWind '08 Nomad |
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09-05-2012, 04:34 PM | #5 |
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Location: Owasso, OK
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Yes, and no... to answer your questions. V&H knows about the problem and refuses to fix it. Many members here have had this same issue. The only real hope in keeping it from happening, and this is a "maybe it won't happen" kind of deal, is to mount everything loose first. Then starting from the back of the exhuast/bike, start tightening bolts and hangers. While doing this, wiggle the pipes so they will "settle" into place, then tighten some more.
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Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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09-05-2012, 05:31 PM | #6 | ||
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IntheWind, I had the same issue right after purchasing my '08 Nomad, and a quick Google search indicated this happened more often than it should. I recently emailed V&H about this same issue, in a very non agressive way:
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Rewind, At least ya got 70k miles out of yours! I don't know how the last set was installed, but this time, after getting the pipe welded/patched, I was very careful to make sure that there was no stress on the head pipe when I put it back on the bike. I *STILL* love the sound of these pipes! The price quoted for a new rear head pipe was around 70 bucks, FYI. Not a horrible replacement cost, but I'm hoping that I don't have to add this to a list of regular maintenance costs!
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Help a child, change the world! BACA Pretzel - Flyin' the highways in OK! '08 Vulcan 1600 Nomad - "Grace" Candy Fire Red/Metallic Diablo Black B.A.C.A. Member, Oklahoma Chapter VBA #02190 |
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09-05-2012, 09:16 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
___________ IntheWind '08 Nomad |
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09-05-2012, 09:54 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Stockton Iowa
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I had a V&H two into one on my 96, 1500 classic, that did the same thing. I found out that the baffle had a sealed end exactly where the brown stain you mention was on my bikes pipe. It was my guess this was the culprit, but I've never come across a posting that mentioned it before.
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09-06-2012, 09:26 AM | #9 |
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Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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I am not sure if it will work - but I think if one was to add thin strips of 1/16 - 1/8 metal lengthwise along the pipe where the has the weak point it would not break? I am wondering if the first bend is weak and the heat and vibration is the real culprit? I was at a Bike Club meeting last night and a buddy from the Hat stated his Harley which he put V & H pipes on had already broke a pipe and it's only 2 years old. They sold him another head pipe for $100 and sent him on his way. So, it appears it's not just Nomads!!
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09-06-2012, 10:20 AM | #10 |
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This is why I will not recommend V&H to anyone. I wouldn't buy their pipes for my Harley, even though there is no such issue with those bikes.
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09-06-2012, 10:43 AM | #11 |
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Location: NE Oklahoma
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Ditto. My Nomad came with the pipes already installed, and it's cheaper to fix than to go out and replace 'em... but I sure won't buy their products for any of my future rides, or recommend them to anyone either.
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Help a child, change the world! BACA Pretzel - Flyin' the highways in OK! '08 Vulcan 1600 Nomad - "Grace" Candy Fire Red/Metallic Diablo Black B.A.C.A. Member, Oklahoma Chapter VBA #02190 |
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09-07-2012, 12:22 PM | #12 | |
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Grand Prairie, TX
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Quote:
My weld job has held up over the last 7,000 or so miles.. fingers crossed. If it breaks again, I'm gonna go back to stock pipes and be done with it.
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09-07-2012, 01:32 PM | #13 |
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada
Posts: 35,387
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My repair has held up about 50k so far, and I agree that their customer service has a lot to be desired.
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09-07-2012, 04:46 PM | #14 |
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Does anyone a picture of the crack area - about to install a set(used) on mine and wanted to know if there was something to remedy like lik heat shields, etc?
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09-07-2012, 05:19 PM | #15 |
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There's a picture in post #12.
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