Switchback Duals
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
One of my father's bikes is a '98 FLSTS Heritage Springer with a spare exhaust system. He says he is putting it on his 05 FL-Dyna project bike and expects no real problems with the fit behind the rear cylinder. He is going to use an H bracket similar to your design; right side connected to tranny cover, left side to primary cover with a cross brace connected to the rear isolator.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
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From: South of Mordor
Chop- I think the issue with this setup is 1) you would have to relocate the coil 2) you would have to isolate the heat from the pipe so it would effect the stuff in the electrical box, but before you figur all that out 3) I don't think the exhaust would clear through the aread behind the rear cylinder unless you bent or modified the pipe going through this area. If you could get it to clear then I think this same area would make a good location to also installed a support braket to help keep the weight and stress off the exhaust/cylinder mount.
I have contacted V&H's in the past about going this way and they gave me a price for the crossover pipe that would run through here, i think it was only around $50-$60, a hell of a lot cheaper then the complete exhaust which makes it more fisable to toy around with without braking the budget.
I have being toying with this idea for a long time, first I wanted to do this with my old sporty, then when I picked up the Bob. I just don/t have the space to start tearing apart my bike to toy around + I ride way to much to have the bike down for more then a week at a time.
[quote=SURFOR Chop;9370826Eureka ... that may be the solution right there ... just make a crossbar that would accept both right and left Softail brackets ...[/quote]
Maybe something like this (slightly modified to account for the belt/guard). Might even be able to use it with the cross under exhaust provided it can support the weight of the exhaust pipes!
I have contacted V&H's in the past about going this way and they gave me a price for the crossover pipe that would run through here, i think it was only around $50-$60, a hell of a lot cheaper then the complete exhaust which makes it more fisable to toy around with without braking the budget.
I have being toying with this idea for a long time, first I wanted to do this with my old sporty, then when I picked up the Bob. I just don/t have the space to start tearing apart my bike to toy around + I ride way to much to have the bike down for more then a week at a time.
[quote=SURFOR Chop;9370826Eureka ... that may be the solution right there ... just make a crossbar that would accept both right and left Softail brackets ...[/quote]
Maybe something like this (slightly modified to account for the belt/guard). Might even be able to use it with the cross under exhaust provided it can support the weight of the exhaust pipes!
Last edited by blueangel73; Feb 10, 2012 at 06:14 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
I tend to disagree with your objections ... although I haven't gotten out the measuring stick and caliper to check the specifics down to the last detail ...
I don't think the heat factor by the fuse / electrical box will be that much greater ... maybe a little, but not enough to screw anything up in there ... the whole assembly is only inches behind one of the hottest parts of the bike as it is--the rear cylinder head ...
... maybe add a half inch of fiberglass insulation to the fuse box cover and call it good if it is that great of a concern ... also, aren't the fuse panel and the ECM in the Softail surrounded by boiling oil ...?
The coil is just about the same place on the Dyna and the Softail ... unless I am mistaken ... it could be mounted slightly more inboard on the Softail ...
... but, even if the Dyna coil is an obstruction, one could move it to the position where the stock horn is ... I suppose it depends on how motivated one is to do this ...
... see, for example forum member nkauf21's thread here ... https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...elocation.html
I really like your concept for the dual bracket ... very nice ... just need to make sure it doesn't weigh you down too much ... maybe bore some holes in the crossmember ....
I don't know what is keeping you from pulling the trigger on this and proving to the world (or hdforums at least) that it is do-able ... go ahead on wit' yo' bad self ....
R/
'Chop
* * *
... just think how great those 'cholos' would look on your sled ...
I don't think the heat factor by the fuse / electrical box will be that much greater ... maybe a little, but not enough to screw anything up in there ... the whole assembly is only inches behind one of the hottest parts of the bike as it is--the rear cylinder head ...
... maybe add a half inch of fiberglass insulation to the fuse box cover and call it good if it is that great of a concern ... also, aren't the fuse panel and the ECM in the Softail surrounded by boiling oil ...?
The coil is just about the same place on the Dyna and the Softail ... unless I am mistaken ... it could be mounted slightly more inboard on the Softail ...
... but, even if the Dyna coil is an obstruction, one could move it to the position where the stock horn is ... I suppose it depends on how motivated one is to do this ...
... see, for example forum member nkauf21's thread here ... https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...elocation.html
I really like your concept for the dual bracket ... very nice ... just need to make sure it doesn't weigh you down too much ... maybe bore some holes in the crossmember ....
I don't know what is keeping you from pulling the trigger on this and proving to the world (or hdforums at least) that it is do-able ... go ahead on wit' yo' bad self ....
R/
'Chop
* * *
... just think how great those 'cholos' would look on your sled ...
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; Feb 10, 2012 at 10:50 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I wasnt trying to say that the idea of using the cross-over pipe is a bad idea; in fact I totally agree that it would be an awesome way to install the Softail true-duals on a Dyna.
What you stated about the heat issue make since, I didnt take into consideration the electrical components being surrounded by all the oil heat on a Softail, mainly because I have never owned one and thought that the battery was the only thing in there.
I guess the coil just looks to be a little closer to the primary cover to me, I dont know if it is or not. Guess I figure that one out when I fit a pipe or see that someone else has.
As far as the bracket idea, I took your idea and just modified it a little. I think some ź thick aluminum welded together to achieve that dimensions needed while using as little material needed could be light enough and strong enough to achieve the required bracket.
I have also looked at the Bassani Hutch system because it is routed a different way. After a few calls with Bassani about fitment, they told me that with a little modification to the head pipe coming off the front cylinder (it would have to be tightened up some, closer to the cylinder because the pipe would vibrate against the down tube of the frame), there was no reason that they could see as to why this system wouldnt work on a Dyna outside of the hanger we have been disusing. And with the pipes all blacked out (contrast wise) these could look really good.
And yes those Cholos would be awesome.
When I have the time and money, hope fully sometime soon I will be pursuing it!!
What you stated about the heat issue make since, I didnt take into consideration the electrical components being surrounded by all the oil heat on a Softail, mainly because I have never owned one and thought that the battery was the only thing in there.
I guess the coil just looks to be a little closer to the primary cover to me, I dont know if it is or not. Guess I figure that one out when I fit a pipe or see that someone else has.
As far as the bracket idea, I took your idea and just modified it a little. I think some ź thick aluminum welded together to achieve that dimensions needed while using as little material needed could be light enough and strong enough to achieve the required bracket.
I have also looked at the Bassani Hutch system because it is routed a different way. After a few calls with Bassani about fitment, they told me that with a little modification to the head pipe coming off the front cylinder (it would have to be tightened up some, closer to the cylinder because the pipe would vibrate against the down tube of the frame), there was no reason that they could see as to why this system wouldnt work on a Dyna outside of the hanger we have been disusing. And with the pipes all blacked out (contrast wise) these could look really good.
And yes those Cholos would be awesome.
When I have the time and money, hope fully sometime soon I will be pursuing it!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 21
From: Kennewick, WA
Only issues I came up with while drooling over a heritage with true duals is the transmission cover and the shift lever location. I think the Dyna trans will make it necessary to mod the rear pipe to clear these items.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
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From: Seattle, WA
Rick
You're saying you don't think the clearance in the area I circled in red has as much space for the pipe to transit through as the Softails ...? I'd think it would be easy enough to determine ... the pipe is 1-3/4" diameter and there is practically NO space on either side of the Softail pipe as far as I can see from the photo ...
(Even assuming you put the bent shifter rod in lieu of the straight one to remove that obstacle ....)
Too bad we couldn't get one of the pipe makers to find a willing test subject to put the question to a test and prove conclusively once and for all ... seems like from the interest it is generating here, it might expand the market for pipes they're already making for Softails by simply adding a bracket adapter for Dynas ... it could possibly expand their market quite significantly for not a lot of additional costs ....
R/
'Chop
* * *
Just went out to the garage and snapped a few photos ...
... what I said above might apply to the '06 and later Street Bobs, but I don't think I'll be able to do this conversion ... maybe if I was able to replace the transmission top cover with a different style and replace that oil hose with a hard brass line that is routed a little tighter against the surface of the transmission ....
... don't think it would work with my oil filler cap where it is currently located ... would have to investigate the options for the transmission top or look at the other type of dual where the front pipe goes to the left side ....
You're saying you don't think the clearance in the area I circled in red has as much space for the pipe to transit through as the Softails ...? I'd think it would be easy enough to determine ... the pipe is 1-3/4" diameter and there is practically NO space on either side of the Softail pipe as far as I can see from the photo ...
(Even assuming you put the bent shifter rod in lieu of the straight one to remove that obstacle ....)
Too bad we couldn't get one of the pipe makers to find a willing test subject to put the question to a test and prove conclusively once and for all ... seems like from the interest it is generating here, it might expand the market for pipes they're already making for Softails by simply adding a bracket adapter for Dynas ... it could possibly expand their market quite significantly for not a lot of additional costs ....
R/
'Chop
* * *
Just went out to the garage and snapped a few photos ...
... what I said above might apply to the '06 and later Street Bobs, but I don't think I'll be able to do this conversion ... maybe if I was able to replace the transmission top cover with a different style and replace that oil hose with a hard brass line that is routed a little tighter against the surface of the transmission ....
... don't think it would work with my oil filler cap where it is currently located ... would have to investigate the options for the transmission top or look at the other type of dual where the front pipe goes to the left side ....
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; Feb 11, 2012 at 01:19 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
Okay ... stopped by the dealership at lunchtime ... (even snapped a few pics ... will post later as I cannot post from this computer) ... I am almost dead certain that the rear headpipe will fit an '06-later Dyna ... I compared the space behind the cylinder of the Heritage Softail Classic to Street Bob and Super Glide Custom ... there is NO reason the pipe should not fit ...
Now ... the '05-earlier Dynas would most likely not be able to fit the pipes due to the shape of the Transmission cover, the oil return hose and the oil filler obstructing the space ... I am kind of thinking that one could get the exhaust kits and piece together a rear exhaust head pipe for the '05 and earlier that would fit through that space ... but, based on the photos I posted earlier ... I believe that particular pipe would not fit the '05-earlier Dynas ....
R/
'Chop
Now ... the '05-earlier Dynas would most likely not be able to fit the pipes due to the shape of the Transmission cover, the oil return hose and the oil filler obstructing the space ... I am kind of thinking that one could get the exhaust kits and piece together a rear exhaust head pipe for the '05 and earlier that would fit through that space ... but, based on the photos I posted earlier ... I believe that particular pipe would not fit the '05-earlier Dynas ....
R/
'Chop
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; Feb 11, 2012 at 04:22 PM.