2012 Wide Glide 2-1-2 to 2-1 Conversion
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Herndon, VA
2012 Wide Glide 2-1-2 to 2-1 Conversion
I have a 2012 Wide Glide on order and want to put on slip ons when she arrives. Rather than just replacing the two mufflers (that would be too easy!), is there a manufacturer out there that makes a kit to convert the 2-1-2 collector into 2-1 and allow the use of a single muffler? I want to reuse the header pipes and the heat shields as I love the tommy gun slots. But in my ideal world, I would replace the collector with a 2-1 and use a single slip on. Oh, and I'd like it to be upswept for maximum ground clearance. This question is applicable also to Fat Bobs as they use the same exhaust.
I know what you're thinking: just buy some 2-1 Fat Cats or something similar. I do plan to replace the pipes, AC, cams, and fuel mgmt, but want to wait until the 2 year warranty is up so as not to void it. At that point, I'll do Stage 1 and 2 at the same time and have it dyno'd. In the meantime, if a 2-1 conversion is not available, I'll just get some black Rush or V&H slip ons, paint the heat shields black to match, and drag the hell out of the lower muffler on right handed turns (I do like the twisties) until the warranty is up.
I know what you're thinking: just buy some 2-1 Fat Cats or something similar. I do plan to replace the pipes, AC, cams, and fuel mgmt, but want to wait until the 2 year warranty is up so as not to void it. At that point, I'll do Stage 1 and 2 at the same time and have it dyno'd. In the meantime, if a 2-1 conversion is not available, I'll just get some black Rush or V&H slip ons, paint the heat shields black to match, and drag the hell out of the lower muffler on right handed turns (I do like the twisties) until the warranty is up.
Last edited by prattbratt; Oct 10, 2011 at 09:28 AM. Reason: General edit
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 497
Likes: 4
From: Navarre, FL
Check this out! He is on this forum...8541hog. He does some good stuff and gives step by step instructions. http://www.8541hog.com/pipes.shtml
Not a conversion but we do offer a 2:1 for the 2012.
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/blackdynafull.html
Here is a link for wideglide slip-ons. Fitment is 2010-2012.
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/blackdyna08_10.html
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/blackdynafull.html
Here is a link for wideglide slip-ons. Fitment is 2010-2012.
http://www.rushracingproducts.com/blackdyna08_10.html
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
I have a 2012 Wide Glide on order and want to put on slip ons when she arrives. Rather than just replacing the two mufflers (that would be too easy!), is there a manufacturer out there that makes a kit to convert the 2-1-2 collector into 2-1 and allow the use of a single muffler? I want to reuse the header pipes and the heat shields as I love the tommy gun slots. But in my ideal world, I would replace the collector with a 2-1 and use a single slip on. Oh, and I'd like it to be upswept for maximum ground clearance. This question is applicable also to Fat Bobs as they use the same exhaust.
I know what you're thinking: just buy some 2-1 Fat Cats or something similar. I do plan to replace the pipes, AC, cams, and fuel mgmt, but want to wait until the 2 year warranty is up so as not to void it. At that point, I'll do Stage 1 and 2 at the same time and have it dyno'd. In the meantime, if a 2-1 conversion is not available, I'll just get some black Rush or V&H slip ons, paint the heat shields black to match, and drag the hell out of the lower muffler on right handed turns (I do like the twisties) until the warranty is up.
I know what you're thinking: just buy some 2-1 Fat Cats or something similar. I do plan to replace the pipes, AC, cams, and fuel mgmt, but want to wait until the 2 year warranty is up so as not to void it. At that point, I'll do Stage 1 and 2 at the same time and have it dyno'd. In the meantime, if a 2-1 conversion is not available, I'll just get some black Rush or V&H slip ons, paint the heat shields black to match, and drag the hell out of the lower muffler on right handed turns (I do like the twisties) until the warranty is up.
It is a very simple mod if you can TIG or have access to someone that can. I have built a few of these and since the head pipes are stainless, using a 304/304L stainless pipe for the extension works very nicely. No need for any kind of coating, just polish the SS as I have in my sig pic.
The 3" pipe will form to the oval shape of the collector on your stock headpipe.
Feel free to PM if you would like more info.
I get my sales pitches in when I can but we are mainly here for tech support and providing useful information to the community. There can be so much poor information and advice out there, sometimes it's nice to hear it straight from the horses mouth.
Ryan
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Herndon, VA
@ Rush: a big THANK YOU for your reply. I agree with Zig Zag 2010 and also appreciate when vendors reply to threads. Very helpful IMO.
@ 8154hog:
I live in Korea in a high rise apartment, so I dont have access to welding equipment (plus I dont weld anyway). I think I could find a shop around here that could do that kind of work pretty cheap, although I would start by buying a set of used pipes so I dont screw up the originals!
One question I have is with regarding the catalytic converter. The link in your post above to your web site shows that you removed the catalytic converter. Will that cause any problems passing emissions (I will be demobilizing back to VA next summer)? Can the CC be left in the collector?
Another question is with regard to the adapter and muffler you fabricated. Id like to use an after-marked muffler (Rush, V&H, etc) as I'd feel better about me not screwing up the airflow, performance, etc if I tried to make one. I don't want to screw up a brand new bike that will still be getting broken in. Is it any harder to make an adapter to fit an aftermarket muffler?
Finally, if I wanted to make the muffler an upswept design, that would have to be accounted for in the adapter. However, by changing the basic configuration from 2-1-2 to 2-1, the mounting bracket on the slip-on won't match the mounting points on the bike. Any thoughts on how to make an upswept 2-1 aftermarket slip-on mate to the bike? I think I'd have to have a mounting bracket fabricated and welded to the slip-on (or can the existing one be relocated?) . The more I think about it, the more complicated it's becoming, so I think this exercise is pointing me back to just keeping the 2-1-2 collector and installing slip-ons and not worry about ground clearance until I replace the pipes.
@ 8154hog:
I live in Korea in a high rise apartment, so I dont have access to welding equipment (plus I dont weld anyway). I think I could find a shop around here that could do that kind of work pretty cheap, although I would start by buying a set of used pipes so I dont screw up the originals!
One question I have is with regarding the catalytic converter. The link in your post above to your web site shows that you removed the catalytic converter. Will that cause any problems passing emissions (I will be demobilizing back to VA next summer)? Can the CC be left in the collector?
Another question is with regard to the adapter and muffler you fabricated. Id like to use an after-marked muffler (Rush, V&H, etc) as I'd feel better about me not screwing up the airflow, performance, etc if I tried to make one. I don't want to screw up a brand new bike that will still be getting broken in. Is it any harder to make an adapter to fit an aftermarket muffler?
Finally, if I wanted to make the muffler an upswept design, that would have to be accounted for in the adapter. However, by changing the basic configuration from 2-1-2 to 2-1, the mounting bracket on the slip-on won't match the mounting points on the bike. Any thoughts on how to make an upswept 2-1 aftermarket slip-on mate to the bike? I think I'd have to have a mounting bracket fabricated and welded to the slip-on (or can the existing one be relocated?) . The more I think about it, the more complicated it's becoming, so I think this exercise is pointing me back to just keeping the 2-1-2 collector and installing slip-ons and not worry about ground clearance until I replace the pipes.
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Hey Ryan, send me a PM to let me know why I should buy those 2 into 1's in black!!
I've also got a 12' DWG...right now it has V&H Slips but obviously I'm wanting a full exhaust and have heard from many that 2 into 1 is the more-route!
(Sorry if I'm thread stealin...)
Steve
I've also got a 12' DWG...right now it has V&H Slips but obviously I'm wanting a full exhaust and have heard from many that 2 into 1 is the more-route!
(Sorry if I'm thread stealin...)
Steve
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
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From: Ogden, UT
What you want to do can be done, just find someone that can do nice TIG work and explain what you want.
If you are going to find a take-off set of pipes why would you keep the cat? As for using 1 slip-on, do some research on the inlet size for different units, then size your collector accordingly. If you are reducing the pipe from 3" just make it short.
If you are going to find a take-off set of pipes why would you keep the cat? As for using 1 slip-on, do some research on the inlet size for different units, then size your collector accordingly. If you are reducing the pipe from 3" just make it short.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, Suffolk County
I really like the stock exhaust set up on the Wide Glide but wanted to do something different. I gutted the stock mufflers and replaced them with a set of Big City Thunder Baffles. I then sent the exhaust out to be Ceramic Coated. Here is the results....