Cracked header pipes
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Cracked header pipes - 5/14/2008 9:19:18 AM
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Neil
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Anyone have any issues with the header pipes (stock) cracking. I have had the pipe crack in the same area twice now. This time it has cracked on both sides. It is cracking at the joint where the rear pipe enters the front. The first time it cracked on the outside. I had it welded and it has cracked in the same spot just behind the weld and on the inside near the frame. I am begining to wonder what is stressing this area so much. I have VH basic slip ons and SE air cleaner. No big HP engine or anything else. Any ideas? Thanks.
Neil
RDMC
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/14/2008 10:56:17 AM
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Northside
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Do you ever back up and park at a curb? One cause of this problem is parking with a muffler resting on the curb and your bikes weight pushing up on the left side pipe. That'll cause the pipes to crack at the "Y".
Just a thought.
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 6:17:00 AM
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Neil
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No I have not parked up against the curb but good thought. This is the junction on the right side of the bike where the front and rear pipe meet. The first time it cracked I thought it might have been from installing the slip ons. I did have to work hard at getting the right side pipe on and off and thought I might have pushed down too hard on it. But now that it has cracked again and in two places i think someting else is causing it.
Neil
RDMC
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 6:21:26 AM
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caspr2
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The Y pipe has always been crack prone. Anytime you see one on e-bay grab it up because either you or someone you know will need it.
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08 FLTR
SE 110
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D and D FatCats
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 6:30:39 AM
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IM744
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It looks like you are from up north. We tend to see this problem in the winter when we ride in the cold and then the pipes heat up. It seems to be just a temp change issue that is inevitable. the Y pipe is notorious for this.
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 7:42:03 AM
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harpoon
Posts: 206
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Yup I certainly have seen it. This winter I was replacing my bars and cable. The clutch cable makes you drop the exhaust to change it out.
So low and behold this is what I found when I took the heat shield off.
Thumbnail Image
 Attachment (1)
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Harpoon
2003 Road King Classic
GunMetal Pearl
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 8:01:44 AM
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Zimbob
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From: Grottoes Va.
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caused by heat and stress. the motor is rubbermounted and moves around, the rear end of the exhaust does not move that much, something has to give. Some guy's i know have the same problem, except they wash their scoot as soon as they get home from a ride, actually heard one of them crack, just something to think about.
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2007 Road King Classic - new project
2002 sportster 883R/1200 - traded
1985 Honda VF700S - wore slam out
1969 Triumph TR6R - wore slam out
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 8:23:51 AM
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Neil
Posts: 153
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Harpoon,
Thanks! That is what mine will look like when the two cracks meet. I am glad to know that I am not the only one with the problem. A budy of mine has the stock set up he is going to give me for short money (he switched to Rineharts). When I get the funds together I think I will be switching to the duals I was thinking about. Thanks again guys this forum is the best!
Neil
RDMC
www.roaddawgs.com
< Message edited by Neil -- 5/15/2008 2:12:36 PM >
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 9:26:27 AM
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harpoon
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Nope, had no idea it was cracked and would never had known if I didn't have to take the exhaust down. Never heard any loud noise from that section. But from what I hear this is fairly common. I had a local Custom Muffler shop give it a quick weld and I was back in business.
Harpoon
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Harpoon
2003 Road King Classic
GunMetal Pearl
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 9:54:33 AM
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SaltyBagger
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That's a very common failure point and why I went to a Fulsac true dual exhaust. I had the pipe welded once and it only lasted a month or so. The Fulsac was was cheaper than a new pipe from the dealer.
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Andy
1988 FLHTC - it ran until I took it apart. Now I put it back together and it runs again. Damn!
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 10:13:18 AM
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IRideMineEverywhere
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Mine had a 3" crack at the "Y" exiting the rear cylinder. Didn't get any louder but I could definitely smell a leak somewhere... Didn't want to screw with getting it welded and just went to V&H true duals.... I've talked to my local dealer and Indy about the problem and they both said it was widespread. Dealer also said it was covered under warranty for replacement.....
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'04 FLHTC 60K miles
Stage I
Vance & Hines Big Shot True Duals
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 1:03:15 PM
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Neil
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Unfortuneately my bike is way out of warranty. Eventualy I will add a set of true duals, most likely VH to go with my slip ons. At this point I have two freinds that replaced their exhaust with Rineharts so I have two sets of pipes to go through before I need to replace the whole thing. The only thing is I hope I can get the nuts off the studs without any problems...
Neil
RDMC
roaddawgs.com
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 1:58:14 PM
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dowork08
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i havent see the stock pipe crack but man i had my bub 7's pn my 08 look like it was going to melt it was so hot and red
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/15/2008 3:15:06 PM
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dgriffith
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While you are down there looking at that crack on the pipe look at the mounting point just down the pipe. If that mount gets loose it will put stress on that joint, causing it to crack. Mine had less than 5,000 miles and 3 months old when it broke. The person on the assembly line must have omitted torquing the nut on mine, it was gone. Almost 2 years later, 24,000 miles, no crack, no noise. Something to check.
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/16/2008 4:48:47 AM
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harpoon
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This stuff is the best and will get any nut off.. Except your own, it stings quite a bit. don't ask me how I know. LOL
PB Blaster
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Harpoon
2003 Road King Classic
GunMetal Pearl
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RE: Cracked header pipes - 5/16/2008 4:51:52 AM
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harpoon
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Sorry for some reason the pic didn't post for you to see.
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Attachment (1)
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Harpoon
2003 Road King Classic
GunMetal Pearl
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