Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
Ordered Hooker exhaust and stopped by the dealer to see how they looked today. This was the exhaust I wanted and nowI need to make a decision on returning them for another set, or choosing something else bytommorow (Wednesday)morning as everything else for my bike is pretty much in.
These are the pipes I got:
http://www.holley.com/data/products/...il%20duece.jpgthrough my Harley dealer from a large distributor most of you have probably used.
Here are the 2 and a half problems....
Exhaust has fine scratches all over, vey minor, but everywhere. They were packed in what appears to be prefitted foam and the paper protection around the foam seems to have come loose. It appears dirt got into the box and probably contributed to this by dirt and foam rubbing on the pipes in transit. Strikes me as poor packaging.
Alsoweird, the pipes have what appears to be a heat shield on them, even has clamps that look like they would be for removing the heat shields, except its welded on next to these clamps. Its the strangest, confusing thing I have seen in a while, otherwise, this would be a simple swap of the heat shields.
Finally,one of the gaskets was actually frayed like it was unrolling. Now, this is a quality control issue for sure, there was no excuse for a terribly frayed gasket to have packed in there.
So, anyone have any experience with Hooker headers? Do I give them one more shot or move on? I already have other exhausts I am looking at as backup.Thanks in advance for any insight.
These are the pipes I got:
http://www.holley.com/data/products/...il%20duece.jpgthrough my Harley dealer from a large distributor most of you have probably used.
Here are the 2 and a half problems....
Exhaust has fine scratches all over, vey minor, but everywhere. They were packed in what appears to be prefitted foam and the paper protection around the foam seems to have come loose. It appears dirt got into the box and probably contributed to this by dirt and foam rubbing on the pipes in transit. Strikes me as poor packaging.
Alsoweird, the pipes have what appears to be a heat shield on them, even has clamps that look like they would be for removing the heat shields, except its welded on next to these clamps. Its the strangest, confusing thing I have seen in a while, otherwise, this would be a simple swap of the heat shields.
Finally,one of the gaskets was actually frayed like it was unrolling. Now, this is a quality control issue for sure, there was no excuse for a terribly frayed gasket to have packed in there.
So, anyone have any experience with Hooker headers? Do I give them one more shot or move on? I already have other exhausts I am looking at as backup.Thanks in advance for any insight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,511
Likes: 3,951
From: Vermont
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
ORIGINAL: MajorGeek
Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
Sorry I cannot help with the exhaust though
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,457
Likes: 611
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
If you like the sound and look, I would stick with them. The scratches can probably be polished out with chrome polish. Get your dealership you purchased the pipes from to throw in a free gasket to replace the one that is damaged. I would think that would be a no brainer for them.
Hooker has been in business a long time. Every company has there share of QC issues from day to day. Doesn't make it right, but it does happen.
Hooker has been in business a long time. Every company has there share of QC issues from day to day. Doesn't make it right, but it does happen.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
In my opinion, for that much dough, I wouldn't accept them. It sounds like a returned item from another customer. A new unopened package should be shrink wrap sealed, free of dirt, packaging intact, and not scratched.
Maybe someone actually tried to install them???
I would want sparkling fresh new ones, but you do as you please of course...
JB
Maybe someone actually tried to install them???
I would want sparkling fresh new ones, but you do as you please of course...
JB
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
LOL, I realized just NOW that that was a great title to draw attention with, but it wasnt intentional 
I alsosearched the forums here before posting(always a risk searching for Hookers) and can not find anyone else with a problem but me, so I am chalking it up to bad luck and getting another set.
@Bigzed, that was what I told my dealer, probably just bad luck.
Thanks everyone.
I alsosearched the forums here before posting(always a risk searching for Hookers) and can not find anyone else with a problem but me, so I am chalking it up to bad luck and getting another set.
@Bigzed, that was what I told my dealer, probably just bad luck.
Thanks everyone.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 5
From: near Buffalo, NY
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
I originally ordered a set of Troublemakers for my bike. My dealer called me when they arrived and wanted me to come down andlook atthem.
They were scratched and the chrome wasn't perfect.
We sent them back and I ordered a set of V&H Big Radius.
They came in perfect.
I think the larger curve of the V&H looks much better anyway, and they sound incredible.
They were scratched and the chrome wasn't perfect.
We sent them back and I ordered a set of V&H Big Radius.
They came in perfect.
I think the larger curve of the V&H looks much better anyway, and they sound incredible.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
I ordered Hooker Troublemakers for my show/ride custom built softail. They also had scratches on them right out of the box!
I installed them, a big pain because you cant remove the heat shields and it made it a pain in the but to bolt them on. They sounded great, but when I lightly rubbed off some oil spray. the finish dulled! Also, they rode too high for my passenger pegs, passengers foot would rest on the pipe!
I purchased them through JC Whitney, they gave me a full refund! I won't buy Hooker's again!
zen
I installed them, a big pain because you cant remove the heat shields and it made it a pain in the but to bolt them on. They sounded great, but when I lightly rubbed off some oil spray. the finish dulled! Also, they rode too high for my passenger pegs, passengers foot would rest on the pipe!
I purchased them through JC Whitney, they gave me a full refund! I won't buy Hooker's again!
zen
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
RE: Neeed Hooker opinions by morning please?
I considered Troublemakers for my Deuce, but I did not like the heat sheild and I heard about problems others where haveing with the finish and installation was also a pain because they did not fit right. I ordered a set of VH Big Radius and couldn't be happier.
[IMG]local://upfiles/16111/2296D9BAF2E3489BA69C1031B047AE72.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/16111/2296D9BAF2E3489BA69C1031B047AE72.jpg[/IMG]
