Exhaust welding
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,741
Likes: 17,591
From: Driftless Area
After I crashed my Shovel on my knee because of a texter, I discovered a welded mounting bracket that had broken off the exhaust pipe (the part that landed on my knee). I made a new one, but it had to be positioned perfectly to work, so I TIG welded it while on the bike. I was careful to cover the surrounding area with wet rags. I also worried about frying some electrics, but nothing came of it, and it has been good for 4 years now. Stronger that it was before, and covered by heat shields. There was no damage anywhere else on the bike.
If you have the option, I would recommend taking the pipes off though.
If you have the option, I would recommend taking the pipes off though.
Last edited by RHPAW; Oct 2, 2019 at 09:06 AM. Reason: added TIG to description
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,706
Likes: 22,726
From: Farmington ,MS
I would want to talk with the "custom exhaust shop" before letting them do it...because many exhaust shops doing stainless exhaust are still mig welding it, as apposed to tig which is superior...especially in the looks dept...
A few minutes on the phone should find you a local tig welder...don't hesitate to call machine shops...most have a tig welder on staff...
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,137
Likes: 51,477
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Really need to ween some of you guys off that dealer titty , most can't do anything that isn't a parts swap or read to them from a trouble code.
You can tig stainless to regular steel as long as it isn't a load bearing item , I use stainless rod for 90 percent of my tig work
You can tig stainless to regular steel as long as it isn't a load bearing item , I use stainless rod for 90 percent of my tig work
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,983
Likes: 6,124
From: Florida
I always worry about the "Y" on my bike...a couple years ago, I bought a complete my year take-off RK exhaust from Craig's for fitty bux, just to get the "Y" pipe. What can make the "Y" crack?...mine used to get red hot before the cam & race tune.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 6,621
From: Stafford VA
rk classic.
That was my take, also. 
Honestly, if we're just talking welding a stainless steel sensor bung into a stainless pipe, there's nothing particularly "exhaust" or "Harley" or anything else special about it.
Good welder will give you a nice, clean result. If he's particularly conscientious, he'll back-purge the pipe so the inside stays clean and there's less flow interference.
Honestly, if we're just talking welding a stainless steel sensor bung into a stainless pipe, there's nothing particularly "exhaust" or "Harley" or anything else special about it.
Good welder will give you a nice, clean result. If he's particularly conscientious, he'll back-purge the pipe so the inside stays clean and there's less flow interference.