So the last major upgrade that I have been wanting to do forever on my bike has been ordered- got some Vance & Hines Big Shot Longs one the way! Once those are done up, I want to get some bigger saddlebags (will help having the rear pipe down a bit lower).

So with that, as always, I have questions...

First- since I am going to have the pipes off and the clutch cover exposed, do I go easy clutch or not? Should I/Shouldn't I, pros of having and cons of having.

Second- Caveats or gotchas on installation? Anything I should keep in mind, special tools I should get, etc.


Any and all suggestions is much appreciated! I will be doing pictures with the install as I did for my mini-apes.

 

It's recommended you use new gaskets where the head pipe meets the cylinder. Sometimes I reuse them if there not to chewed up, but it's an inexpensive part.

 

You don't have to, but the snap ring pliers for removing/replacing the flange ring may be something you want. Depends on how patient or mechanically inclined you are. Gaskets as said above, but I've have had my exhaust on and off including changing from Longshots to Big Shots Long without new ones.
An extra set of hands is also nice, but not necessary.

 

The new pipes come with new gaskets and I snap ring pliers from when I did my mini-apes. Thanks for the heads up

More?

 

Pretty easy install, I've had them on my Slim for a few months. An extra pair of hands can be helpful, but not needed. +1 on the new gaskets and pliers and I used anti-seize on head bolts. I prefer the quiet baffles as they remove a raspy high tone and seem to deepen the overall note. YMMV. Improved seat of pants dyno and the tone is awesome! Some droning at times, around 70mph, is a minor annoyance.

 

I have the FP3 that I got when I purchased my slip ons...so remap will be a snap

 

I was leery about how easy or difficult it was going to be when mounting up a pipe that has the head pipes attached to each other, but found it to be pretty easy, actually. I will say to make sure the flanges are rotated/oriented properly and they don't move too much as you mount it up. It is amazing how stuck something can get that a moment before was flopping around like a leaf on tree.