Pipes and Warranties
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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From: So. Cal.
Pipes and Warranties
So, I have an 08 Fat Bob and I have been wanting to install pipes for a better sound. I live in So. Cal. the land of environmental overkill and I found a place nearby with the best prices on V&H pipes I have yet seen. I decided on black Big Shots, placed the order for 566.00 and went to a local dealer for gaskets. I had a discussion with a counter person about the pipes and after she made sever calls to HD and V&H we determined that HD will not install the pipes nor will they continue my warranty or extended warranty should any engine problems develop. This is because of the newer motors with catalytic converters and smog laws. V&H does not put "Cats" in there pipes yet. So I cancelled the pipes order, they werent too happy when I told them all this. I guess the bottom line here is this, according to HD, with the new smog laws the way they are and new ones coming, if one changes or has someone circumvent the smog system on a "catalyst" motor, you risk the loss of your warranty should any problems arise. I was also told that "cats" are coming for racing bikes very soon as well as are smog certificates on bikes at least here in CA.
This spoiled my whole day.
Perhaps y'all knew this but it is news to me!
Happy Holidays!
This spoiled my whole day.
Perhaps y'all knew this but it is news to me!
Happy Holidays!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: NY
I have VH Short Shots installed by the dealer when I purchased bike. The dealer said to save the OEM pipes if there were ever an issue. This should not be a problem. Did you check with the dealer that sold you the bike ?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 709
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Kalifornia
I'm in Kalifornia too and recently went through this. Bottom line as I see it....Harley does not like to see full exhaust systems installed on their bikes. Period. Now, if you're off warranty or just don't care about your warranty they'll even help you buy them.
I put Rush slip ons on my bike. Everybody's happy. The state is barking at our heels...no doubt about it. So...do not throw out your stock mufflers as you may need them in the future....and by the way....they are slip ons.
I put Rush slip ons on my bike. Everybody's happy. The state is barking at our heels...no doubt about it. So...do not throw out your stock mufflers as you may need them in the future....and by the way....they are slip ons.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,729
Likes: 7
From: Republic of Texas
I'm in Kalifornia too and recently went through this. Bottom line as I see it....Harley does not like to see full exhaust systems installed on their bikes. Period. Now, if you're off warranty or just don't care about your warranty they'll even help you buy them.
I put Rush slip ons on my bike. Everybody's happy. The state is barking at our heels...no doubt about it. So...do not throw out your stock mufflers as you may need them in the future....and by the way....they are slip ons.
I put Rush slip ons on my bike. Everybody's happy. The state is barking at our heels...no doubt about it. So...do not throw out your stock mufflers as you may need them in the future....and by the way....they are slip ons.
I believe you may be wrong about the first paragraph. You can buy new bikes off of the showroom floor all day long that already have the V&H Big Radius or Short Shot pipes installed and they include a full factory warranty just like the bikes with the stock exhaust. Hell, most dealers ask when you take delivery if you would like them to go ahead and install a set of V&H pipes before you take the bike home. The story I heard from the dealer down here was that HD will only warranty an engine if you are running stock exhaust or V&H. Any other exhaust will void the warranty. That is where common sense comes into play. Install and run the pipes you want to. If you ever have to take the bike in for service or need warranty work just reinstall the stock exhaust before you take the bike to the dealer.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 73
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From: So. Cal.
Here in the So. Cal. area, all the "new" bikes are with factory stock head pipes with cats and slip-ons. I have SE slip-ons which look great but added little to the sound. Yes I could re-install the stock pipes in a pinch but then what about the efi adjustments? The dealer I last spoke to said he hadnt heard of any engine problems due to pipes but have from fuel efi mod devices. He said they can cause electrical problems. I dont really know except this is CA and folks here are very retentive about their air and water. I may look into some different slip-ons since they are after the head pipes and cats. Then only noise issues will be there.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 336
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From: Northern Calif.
i was in the local hd shop on friday discussing this same issue. if there is a warranty issue put the stock pipes back on before it goes in the shop. the mechanic i talked with also told me that hd will honor the motor warranty if any upgrades to the motor are made within 60 days of new bike purchase, if they do the work. i was qouted almost 1k in labor (w/ dyno) to have pipes, stage1 a/c and efi adj with the se download.
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