Arrrgh!

[Monkeyman]

Oh, c'mon! You KNOW V&H is known for the superior quality. And they stand behind each and every product they sell. I thought you had Rineharts on your Harley? (I sure wish they'd make a set for us Vic folks.) V&H is simply the best quality pipe out there, bar none! (I have to stop. I'm starting to get sick.)

Seriously, I have no idea how to help you but I hope you can get it fixed without too much trouble. Once you get them on, how about a sound bite?

[cnc]

Scott you could put the pipe in your freezer for awhile and then heat the flange.

[dshelly]

Can you remove the headpipe from the muffler? Then remove the headshields and slip the collar on the pipe from the other end.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Oh, c'mon! You KNOW V&H is known for the superior quality. And they stand behind each and every product they sell. I thought you had Rineharts on your Harley? (I sure wish they'd make a set for us Vic folks.) V&H is simply the best quality pipe out there, bar none! (I have to stop. I'm starting to get sick.)

Seriously, I have no idea how to help you but I hope you can get it fixed without too much trouble. Once you get them on, how about a sound bite?

Yes, I know, but I have not seen any complaints about V&H pipes on the Harley forums. I have Rinehart slipons, I am trying to replace the headpipes.

Originally Posted by cnc

Scott you could put the pipe in your freezer for awhile and then heat the flange.

That would work if I had a gigantic freezer, Norm.

Originally Posted by dshelly

Can you remove the headpipe from the muffler? Then remove the headshields and slip the collar on the pipe from the other end.

Nope, it's a one-piece assembly.

I've about got the old system fully installed.

[cnc]

Ok, got any place that sells dry ice near you? Put the end in a bucket of it while you heat up the flange, or even try sticking it in a bucket of ice cubes for a while.
Guess it was a close fit before it was chromed.

[dshelly]

If V&H doesn't have a solution for you let me know, I can make you a custom collar if you want. I have a guy that does chrome for me too or you could have a shop down there chrome it. Good luck.

[Sin City Stan]

Scott, dry ice and ovens aside. It should have fit out of the box. A big fail for V&H QC Dept. if it exists.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by Sin City Stan

Scott, dry ice and ovens aside. It should have fit out of the box. A big fail for V&H QC Dept. if it exists.

You are absolutely right Stan. We're just looking for a solution that is less hassle than returning it to V&H for an exchange.

[plumber63]

That looks so close to fitting. I would think you could tap it on with a wooden block and hammer.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by plumber63

That looks so close to fitting. I would think you could tap it on with a wooden block and hammer.

Tried that, but thanks.

[jandreu]

Hum..is it just me or something is not right here. If the flange slips over the pipe then it will not hold the header to the motor. The flange has to slip onto the header from the bottom and the flange secures the header to the exhaust outlet. If it slips over the top of the header there's no way to hold it secure.

[cactusjack]

No, the flange slips (or is supposed to) over the end of the pipe, then a circlip (split ring) is put over the bell at the end of the header pipe. That's what keeps the flange from coming off the end of the pipe. See my photo of the flange, there's a lip machined into the face? That's what fits over the circlip.

[cnc]

Read one of Scott's original post, once you slip it over there is a large circlip that you put on the flange that prevents it from coming off.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Since AZ did away with mandatory motorcycle emission testing last year, I decided to replace my stock header pipes to get rid of the catalytic convertor that cooks the back of my right leg. I ordered a set of V&H Power Duals from Fuel Moto and Fedex delivered them yesterday. So i started replacing them this morning.

I removed the stock exhaust and then did some detailing with the pipes off as it allows me to get to areas that are nearly impossible to clean with the pipes on. Then I installed the heat shields on the header pipes. I got to the step in the instructions where you slip the exhaust flanges over the new pipes and one of pipes is too large for the flange. They aren't split flanges like on a Kawasaki, they slip over and then you install a circlip which keeps the flange from coming off the end.

So now I am stuck. I need my bike this week because I have a training class in downtown Phoenix and if I ride the bike I can use about 27 miles of HOV lane, and it is much faster and better than driving my truck.

I will probably have to reinstall my stock exhaust tomorrow and then take up the issue with V&H on Monday. They are probably going to have to send me a new header assembly, because I don't have a magic flange stretcher.

When are you going to learn?

[dank]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I don't see this as a "Harley problem". It's a V&H problem.

Let me get this straight, you are asserting that it is V&H's problem that Harley designed a bike that cooks your leg such that you have to replace the pipes?

How much of the Kool-aid did you drink, Scott?


But hope you can get it resolved quickly. Really is a bummer when a part like this is not correctly designed.