Exhaust install
Exhaust install
I bought a Sawicki speed shop exhaust for my 2014 Street bob after installing I noticed a bad exhaust leak around the heads/flange both front and back. You can definitely feel the air flowing out without blocking the end of the pipe. What did I do wrong? Do I need new gaskets? I didnt use the stock snap rings/c-clips due to the pipes having one built in.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 94
Likes: 18
From: Long Beach
I bought a Sawicki speed shop exhaust for my 2014 Street bob after installing I noticed a bad exhaust leak around the heads/flange both front and back. You can definitely feel the air flowing out without blocking the end of the pipe. What did I do wrong? Do I need new gaskets? I didnt use the stock snap rings/c-clips due to the pipes having one built in.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 1,068
From: Ohio
If you didn't replace the exhaust gaskets when you installed the sawicki I'd start there. Make sure the clips are inside the groove in the flange when you torque them down. Its possible to tighten it down with one of those clips sticking out but you'll bend the hell out of the clip and it'll never seal.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 926
Likes: 135
From: Central, NJ
Did you remove the original gasket and replace with a new one? When I did my exhaust I knew I needed to replace the gasket but I almost missed it because it was so thin and blended into the motor. At first I thought there was no OEM gasket because it was difficult to actually see it.
I did not replace the exhaust gaskets but am planning on stopping by the Harley dealer tomorrow for new ones. I didnt think about it until after me and my old man was talking it over.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
Get new gaskets. Also look for the bolt tightening sequence online. There's a pattern that you are supposed to use. I can't remember what it is offhand.
Also, make sure you get it tightened at the ports before you tighten down the mounts.
Also, make sure you get it tightened at the ports before you tighten down the mounts.
Will do. And I might as well ask but Ive searched and searched and cant find anything on it. I did not use the snap rings that keep the flange on due to seeing other exhaust with the same style as the Sawicki where it bolts up to the head not needing them due to the design. Ive tried to install them just Incase and I cant fit it over the end of the head pipe. So if somebody that has a Sawicki or has installed one has some info on the snap ring that would be awesome.
Last edited by TylerFXDB.; Sep 21, 2018 at 08:47 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
Well, now you did it. I had to go find the manual. 
Install lower nut on front cylinder finger tight.
Install upper nut on front cylinder and tighten to 9-18 inch pounds.
Tighten lower front nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
Tighten upper front nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
Install rear UPPER nut finger tight.
Install rear lower nut and tighten to 9-18 inch pounds.
Tighten rear upper nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
Tighten rear lower nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
I don't know if you'll need that retaining ring with your pipes or not. I've never seen the design. Common sense though tells me that you will. In order to install it, you are going to need a set of snap ring pliers. Circlip pliers I believe is the proper name for what you need.
Install lower nut on front cylinder finger tight.
Install upper nut on front cylinder and tighten to 9-18 inch pounds.
Tighten lower front nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
Tighten upper front nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
Install rear UPPER nut finger tight.
Install rear lower nut and tighten to 9-18 inch pounds.
Tighten rear upper nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
Tighten rear lower nut to 100-120 inch pounds.
I don't know if you'll need that retaining ring with your pipes or not. I've never seen the design. Common sense though tells me that you will. In order to install it, you are going to need a set of snap ring pliers. Circlip pliers I believe is the proper name for what you need.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 529
Likes: 36
From: WV
Just remember...when installing the exhaust you are working in INCH pounds with the torque wrench.