too cheap true duals/
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: sarasota, fl
too cheap true duals/
There is a fellow on ebay selling his "kit" to convert stock pipes to true duals fo $70.00
Seems like you cut the crossover pipe in two places and insert plugs into each of the cut off ends. Put the heat shield back on and no one can tell.
This seems almost too easy - could it possibly work? How would you know if the backpressure was OK in each exhaust?
Seems like you cut the crossover pipe in two places and insert plugs into each of the cut off ends. Put the heat shield back on and no one can tell.
This seems almost too easy - could it possibly work? How would you know if the backpressure was OK in each exhaust?
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 768
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From: sarasota, fl
RE: too cheap true duals/
I sure as hell hope someone will read this and give good input. I have heard of the same thing Twohats mentioned but would be skeptical about trying it until I know more. if it was so easy no body would pay for true duals (or need to).
Supporter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,366
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From: Ozark, AL
RE: too cheap true duals/
I may be way off but here goes. While you would get the same configuration I don't think the performance would be the same. Most of the True Duals I have seen are not the straight pipes we have on our baggers but a "stepped header". I believe that the pipe diameter changes along the length of the pipe allowing for a better flow. The end result of cutting the crossover and plugging the hole would be about the same as knocking your baffles out with rebar. It's loud but the performance wouldn't be there. my .02 cents.[&:]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: too cheap true duals/
Your back pressure would pretty much depend on the mufflers, if you had any installed.
Here's a pic of my '78 FLH. The quality ain't that great, but the head pipes are stock but have been modified to make 'em into an old style lookin' 2 into 1, with the straight fishtail extension.
This was done similar to the method y'all are talking about. Where the left side pipe connected to the rear I brazed a GM freeze plug in. Could've done it without brazing as it was an expandable type. Next I had to cut the section of pipe coming from the rear head to the front pipe in two and grind out the restrictor that was in there. Then that pipe was welded back together and my 2 into 1 was complete. The heat shields covered up the weld.
What that kit does is provide you with two plugs, right? Head to an auto parts store and get a couple freeze plugs. Won't cost but a couple bucks. Cut the crossover pipe as close to the head, and as close to the front pipe as possible, but still leaving enough to install the freeze plugs. It'll work fine, and if you want a bit deeper rumble/more noise, get a different set of mufflers.
If you're running mufflers you'll have the needed back pressure. If you add straight pipe extensions then add a couple of these.
They're copper pipe reducers available at any hardware store. Put 'em in the head pipes just before the straight pipe extension. Then add these adjustable lolliepops for some back pressure.
Here's a pic of a lolliepop up my drag pipes.
You can tune the lolliepops to get the most out of 'em. There's a how-to down in the DIY section. It's titled something like Drag Pipe How-To.
Here's a pic of my '78 FLH. The quality ain't that great, but the head pipes are stock but have been modified to make 'em into an old style lookin' 2 into 1, with the straight fishtail extension.
This was done similar to the method y'all are talking about. Where the left side pipe connected to the rear I brazed a GM freeze plug in. Could've done it without brazing as it was an expandable type. Next I had to cut the section of pipe coming from the rear head to the front pipe in two and grind out the restrictor that was in there. Then that pipe was welded back together and my 2 into 1 was complete. The heat shields covered up the weld.
What that kit does is provide you with two plugs, right? Head to an auto parts store and get a couple freeze plugs. Won't cost but a couple bucks. Cut the crossover pipe as close to the head, and as close to the front pipe as possible, but still leaving enough to install the freeze plugs. It'll work fine, and if you want a bit deeper rumble/more noise, get a different set of mufflers.
If you're running mufflers you'll have the needed back pressure. If you add straight pipe extensions then add a couple of these.
They're copper pipe reducers available at any hardware store. Put 'em in the head pipes just before the straight pipe extension. Then add these adjustable lolliepops for some back pressure.
Here's a pic of a lolliepop up my drag pipes.
You can tune the lolliepops to get the most out of 'em. There's a how-to down in the DIY section. It's titled something like Drag Pipe How-To.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
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From:
RE: too cheap true duals/
You can't hardly even see the crossover on an '05 so why change it? The pipes are designed with the crossover in mind, and it is a big aid to performance. Leave it!
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: too cheap true duals/
ORIGINAL: mp
You can't hardly even see the crossover on an '05 so why change it? The pipes are designed with the crossover in mind, and it is a big aid to performance. Leave it!
You can't hardly even see the crossover on an '05 so why change it? The pipes are designed with the crossover in mind, and it is a big aid to performance. Leave it!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
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From:
RE: too cheap true duals/
Ahh, wasn't thinking of the touring bikes. But rather than mess around trying to cobble something, I'd just get Cycle Shacks. They're halfway reasonably priced, although I don't know why pipes for baggers have to be so much higher.
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