Removing mufflers , whats the trick??
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 642
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
RE: Removing mufflers , whats the trick??
I went a slightly different route when taking off the stock mufflers.
Didn't want to damage them, I don't like using lubricant on something that's gonna be hot later (not that I won't if needed, just don't like smoke).
Loosened the clamps, and used the bracket that holds them together to beat on witha rubber mallet.
4screws total, 2 on each muffler, loosened all 4, took 2 off one muffler, used the end of the bar as a battering ram, 1st muffler popped of, reattached thebracket to second muffler, same process.
Some of the best tools are right in front of your eyes.
Just a hint, and don't ask how I know, when you put your new mufflers on, get them tight while bike is cold. Don't try to tighten them up after you ride and warm the up. If you didn't get the bolts tight enough the first time, let bike cool. (Yeah, I went brain dead, it happens)
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 12
From: Greene County, MS
RE: Removing mufflers , whats the trick??
Hmmm....I'm getting ready to remove mine to put on new slip-ons. I hope mine aren't too hard to remove. I don't want to damage them in the process.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
RE: Removing mufflers , whats the trick??
ORIGINAL: low06
I had screaming eagles put on at the dealer. when i went to change out to vance and hines i had a hell of a time getting the s-e off. turned out each one was riveted on. now why'd they go a do that?
I had screaming eagles put on at the dealer. when i went to change out to vance and hines i had a hell of a time getting the s-e off. turned out each one was riveted on. now why'd they go a do that?
Yeah, slip-ons can slip-off. The torque on the muffler clamps for my Wide Glide is 60 ft lbs. My metric buddies laugh that I torque my muffler clamps, or that they even have a torque value, but those two clamps are the only thing holding the mufflers to the bike. I even check to see if they are tight before every ride with a wiggle check...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
RE: Removing mufflers , whats the trick??
If they are stock mufflers, you shouldn't have any rivets. I removed mine 3 times and never had an issue. But if you loosen the clamps and they won't budge, use a strap wrench and it may not hurt to use some penetrating oil/WD-40 as well.
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Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Tonganoxie Kansas
RE: Removing mufflers , whats the trick??
This is what I did. I have had mine off a few times. Loosen the muffler clamps. There is a bar that connects the two mufflers together. On the top muffler remove the inner bolt (closest to the muffler clamp and loosen (justa little) the one on the end of the bar. Remove the two bolts on the lower muffler. Now swing out the bar and you can use it for leverage for rotating the top muffler back and forth to walk off the muffler. Reverse the process for the lower muffler. Works like a charm! Good luck.
