I've got a real issue to get your experienced views on...

I changed out the exhaust system on my 05 Ultra to the Reinhart True Dual System the other evening. During disassembly you couldn't help but notice that the rear "Y" pipe was severely cracked not more than 1" from the cylinder, right below the flange. Total length of crack, a whopping 3 3/8"!

As we all know FI TC88s are already lean enough. Could this crack cause enough of a problem with fuel mixture to do damage to the piston and valves?

I've got 22,000 mi and still have 1 1/2 yrs left on warranty.

I swapped out the exhaust primarily because I was sick and tired of having a beautiful scooter with a muffler that looked like someone went after it with a torch. IMHO the problem could have a much more sever consequence than just blued mufflers.

The dealer and I are having a meeting on this one this afternoon.

 

How was your bike running prior to installing the Rineharts. If it made it run leaner than the factory settings you would have noticed a real change in performance.

 

Ran like a scalded dog. I had absolutely no problems with performance. The bike was set up with SE Air Cleaner and SE Download (lowest level) along with Screamin' Eagle Slash Cut Mufflers. It gives me all the performance I need.

I have 3 big rides scheduled for the summer and I really don't want her layin' down on me in Nebraska or Montana.

 

If the bike was running good with not much decel pop or backfiring you are probably OK. This cracking of the Y pipe has been a common problem with the baggers. They had a fix a few years ago but apparently it is coming back. My buddy just found a crack in the same area on his 2000 Roadking. I've never heard of anyone damaging their motors because of this. Go ahead and talk to your dealer but I bet he tells you the same thing. Have them document the problem so that you are covered in the future.

 

I just went out and fired her up. No more popping on decel. It popped quite a bit before I changed the exhaust. As I stated earlier, they tried to ignore the blueing 3 times in the past. I felt then that the FI was too lean. Unfortunately, it cost me $800.00 to find what I perceive to be the real issue.

It's going to be kind of hard to ignore the part while it's layin' on his desk. Time will tell.

 

yes cracked pipes are common on baggers and I too have never heard of damage being caused to engine as a result. not sure why this happens maybe because of heat anb viberation. With my setup I cut the y-piece off and turned it into a 2-1 system,bike runs fine.

 

Just got back from the dealer after bringing in the header and discuss the matter. Talk about the "deer in the headlights" look. I'll probably end up turning this into a "federal issue" with HD.

I talked with the best mechanic at the dealership and he assured me that it "probably hasn't harmed anything" on the TC88 but in on earlier engines it would burn the valves.

I noticed on your bike Roadtrain, the left muffler is still chrome, not blued. Mine started blueing at about 3k mi. This issue has been on going for 18,000 mi. it's about time to put it to bed as far as I'm concerned. Either HD stands behind their warranty or they don't. We shall see.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my scooter. We're havin' so much fun with it, it ought to be illegal.

As to the reason for the cracking, the "T" at the rear cylinder is manufactured by an extrusion process typically called "T-Drilling". They drill a small diameter hole in the tubing, insert a rotary swaging tool, and extrude the metal out to make the fitting. The problem is the wall thickness of the tube is reduced thus creating a weaker wall thickness. It may not be that the process is so bad but the tubing is going to loose structureal integrity if it's out of spec. thus a premature failure. Financially it's a much cheaper part to manufacture than a welded joint. As long as it lasts 24 mo. it's your problem, not theirs. Plus look how many of us change out to true duals anyway.

 

Ok the reason the muffler shows no blueing is because the motor does not run lean. I have 3 Twim Cams and 1 Sportster [carb] models and all my bikes motors are modified as soon as I bring them home. Iam not interested in warranty or having dearlers mess with my bikes. As bikes come from factory they are lean and the last thing you want is a overheating new engine, one of the symptoms is bluing of mufflers. I take delivery of a new Streetbob next month which has fuelinjection, I will not let the dealer even start the bike as I have the SERT to install once the bike is home which will be on a trailer. I dont believe there is any question on all motors coming from factorys these days running lean. Just my way of being satisfied with my bikes my money.

 

I took a little spin yesterday afternoon to checkout the the new exhaust. You would think after 20K mi you would notice any change in performance. I may have to go ahead and dyno the bike to be sure of the output. The sound is so much different than the SE pipes it's like a totally different bike. The SE Mufflers barked so load when you cranked the throttle that they may have viven me the sense more torque when it wasn't really there. The Reinharts are much quieter than the SE mufflers. It may truly be that I lost a little low end torque. At 3k rpm it still hauls A$$. I may have to go up to the SERT. A little extra power when you need it, never hurts.