V&H pipes

[redjay]

Hi, Have V&H cured their quality issues with the dual baggers or is it still an issue ? Did it affect only a few years of production or is it still happening (pipes splitting and having to grind inside the pipes to get the system on the bike). Thanks.

[ringadingh]

Ive had my rear pipe crack twice after 5 years. The second repair was a patch and it cured the problem for good. Only some have problems, I wouldn't let that stand in my way on whether or not to get them, they are pretty good overall.

Mine have over 32,000 miles now and no cracking, but I did have to grind them to slip the mufflers on.

I bought mine with them already on, but no prob at all since I've had them! I love the sound! Of course I like it loud, so I have the baffles cut in half!

[blowndodge]

They are obnoxiously loud!!

[cliff1600]

I have had mine for 3 years and 30,000 miles not a bit of trouble. I was the first in my area to get a 1600 in 2005 and took the gamble that the 1500 pipes would fit. I work next door to a HD dealer and trust me the V&H are not loud at all just the perfect sound.

[macmac]

They are probably still chaffy where the mufflers fits the head pipe, as a wild guess.. So you would likey have to run a dremel tool or a hand round file some.

I am not sure why some crack and some don't never having had the problem with 2 sets of these pipes, and one set used I can't get apart.

I believe some of the cracking is due to tightening parts before the system is mounted.

In other words no parts should be tightened before all the parts are mounted, and then pounded easy with the heel of the hand to vibrate the parts closer to a neutral stress.

If I could get the system I have apart, I would remove the pipe to muffler clamps for a cleaner look and pack the joints with antiseize...

There are several things you can do to tame down the noise, like mess about with how much glass packing to put in, and or adding roofing drip edge, which could work well for a long time.

[abqwolfe]

What would you recommend; Vance and Hines or Cobra pipes? I understand there would be popping or backfire with both and I understand opening up both ends of the bike, but could you get away with a K & N filter only, vs an intake mod?

[redeye]

Originally Posted by Chuck

What would you recommend; Vance and Hines or Cobra pipes? I understand there would be popping or backfire with both and I understand opening up both ends of the bike, but could you get away with a K & N filter only, vs an intake mod?

On my 2003 I have the V&H baggers & the K&N filter. No intake mods & no pinging on 91 octane, which may be due to my being lucky. I did not notice any performance improvement with the K&N tho......................-Rich

[rewindgy]

IMHO - I'd go Cobra's! Was not impressed with the Quality of the V & H's! Just my opinion however.

[macmac]

Which system to get is what ever you like. I believe V&H has better chrome over Cobra pipes I have seen, but then I never had any cobra pipes and the guys who have what I saw may not have done anything, and allowed them to rust..

As to preformance, well I'ld say you can do the exhaust, or you can do the intake, and not need a fuel modual, but it is un-wise to do both, and still not a fuel modual.

Some guys get away with it, but then they don't any extra ponies out if.

I am happy with a Caddman on one or both sides, currently right side only, V&H pipes and a TFI modual.

Right now it seems the only fuel I can buy is 87, at least locally.. So I still have good power and no ping.

Recently I ran to a dead stop, out of gas.. I didn't do it to test anything. I did it get out of a wild electrical storm. I made it home, but not to the gas staion exactly. But slossing what was left got me there.

I took on 4.2 gallons and showed 198 miles when i first stopped.. So my MPG's are pretty good considering I have done all 3 mods.

Mac, are you sure you didn't take on 5.2 gallons?

If I run my tank down to almost nuthin' I can take on 4.7; and I know the 1600 tank is larger according to the manual. Unless they put one honkin' big fuel filter inside the tank it shold hold more gas than a 1500. Not less.

[Scoot]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

They are obnoxiously loud!!

Only if you compare them to yours

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

They are obnoxiously loud!!

Thanks! :-*

They're not obnoxious. They sound great! You can clearly hear Nico's pipes as I follow him into the parking lot at Checkerboard Mesa, on part 3 of my Zion's Rally videos. It's at the end of this video:

Click Here for Part-3