Silencer mounting bracket...
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 25
From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Silencer mounting bracket...
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)
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)
Last edited by Daedalus; May 24, 2018 at 04:11 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
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From: SWFL
It’s designed to join the support load between the two mufflers. The single clamp on one muffler doesn’t provide much support. It’s really designed just to seal the joint. By connecting the two you create geometry that increases support and prevents them from independently moving/shaking/rattling off.
Last edited by Mchad; May 25, 2018 at 06:26 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 25
From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
It’s designed to join the support load between the two mufflers. The single clamp on one muffler doesn’t provide much support. It’s really designed just to seal the joint. By connecting the two you create geometry that increases support and prevents them from independently moving/shaking/rattling off.
Thx MChad,
Thats what I thought at first as well, but with this bracket, one can, holding on for dear life on its wrist clamp, is supporting - or supported by - another one doing the same.
Today, I visited a dealer who had a different mounting bracket which looked a bit like this:
This one holds on to the frame or tranny while supporting both cans, this one makes sense to me.
Last edited by Daedalus; May 25, 2018 at 08:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,628
Likes: 3,389
From: Cental, MI
^ 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!!
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!!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 25
From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
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.
Last edited by Daedalus; May 25, 2018 at 09:07 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 25
From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
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...
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...
Last edited by Daedalus; May 25, 2018 at 09:21 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
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.
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.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 190
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From: Rotterdam, Netherlands
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.
Last edited by Daedalus; May 25, 2018 at 01:14 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Brighton, MI
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
Last edited by Yankee Dog; May 25, 2018 at 05:14 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 161
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From: Sydney, Australia
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.