The thing in the picture... I just went from a V&H disaster to an original exhaust setup, and this bracket was included.

To me, it doesn't make much sense. The headers are bolted to the engine/tranny assembly (I've got a Dyna), while the slip-ons are clamped to the headers. This bracket just connects one slip-on to the other, it does not improve support to engine/tranny because its not mounted to it. Basically, in my eyes, besides adding weight, it also ensures you'll loose both mufflers in cases where you would have lost one.

So the stupid question is, do I really need it?
(be gentle)

 

 

 

^ That Bracket above looks suspiciously like the Original [shovelhead] mount to the Rear Frame Donut... Even if you Had a Donut... Don't use it... It will ruin your exhaust system... Ask me how I know!!!
The Only system I ever had work without the Bracket that ties the two Mufflers together, is very Lightweight mufflers [mine happen to be 65-A's]
and pay particular attention to the Mounting points on Engine and Trans... even tie those together...
I never had any Luck running without the two Stock [ish] mufflers tied together!!

 

Thanks for that!

I think know what you mean. The 2nd bracket I showed is conceptually the same as the one I saw at the dealer, but physically different. The one I saw ties the bracket (holding the mufflers) to the bracket that is holding the upper muffler, which makes sense. I understand I can't use the 2nd (ish) bracket because I would tie a moving exhaust assembly to a stationary frame, which is asking for trouble.

Can you elaborate a tad on this one? I'm afraid I lost you for a sec there.

So even though they only tie both mufflers together, you are saying I should use the bracket shown in the OP, right? No trying to be thick, but my English is a bit rusty

 

Finally found the correct picture. To be clear, this is the exact system I have:


It also shows a bracket (21) with no support to the engine/tranny assembly. 24 is the bracket bolted to the tranny and holding the upper can.

This is the one I saw at the dealer:


Here, the bracket holding the cans (15) is bolted to something else as well.

At first I thought I was missing a peace of the exhaust system. Since it seems to be complete, I think I'll leave it at that and mount the bracket anyway...

 

Do you have the number 20 bracket in the diagram of your system?
You need it to support the front header pipe/muffler. I believe it bolts to the engine just under the cam chest.
The number 24 bracket supports the rear header pipe and muffler.
In the other diagram bracket 15 not only holds the mufflers it is the exhaust crossover for the system.
In that system the mufflers have a little port that connects to that bracket for the crossover pipe using the gaskets (number 24 in that diagram).
On your stock system the crossover is two sections of pipe coming off the header pipes that connect together.

 

Yep, got nr 20 too, although its a little different from the one on the drawing. Mine also keeps the impulse cable - coming from the nose cone - in place.

 

Yes, you need number 20, 21, and 24 to secure/support each of the header pipes and mufflers like Mchad mentioned. Remember you can only attach pipes to something on engine/trans because the engine and exhaust moves due to the rubber mounts. You want the pipes to move with the engine all in one package. Anything in the exhaust system fixed to the frame is a no no because the engine moves and the frame don't. YD

 

That muffler bracket you have will work fine, as long as you have #20 in your diag to support the front header and #24 to support rear.
Mine has a 94Dyna has a different setup as show in the pic, as long as you support the exhaust system to the motor/trans and not the frame you are fine.