You won't like this, but you could stop drill it with a 1/8" bit. That will stop the cracking. That is common practice (under certain conditons and component dependent) in aircraft repair and jet engine exhaust.

 

I'll do it to prevent it from spreading...it's ruined already so a small hole won't make it look any worse.

Where should I drill, middle, end?

 

Both ends of the crack. Make sure that you get the end of the crack. It would be better to be a hair past the end of the crack and have it crack into the hole than to have crack extending past the hole. That would do no good. The hole relieves the stress and prevents further cracking. You could try a 3/32 bit if you wanted a slightly smaller hole, but it may not be as effective. Also use some finess on the drill, as I would guess the metal is thin plus your drill bit could walk on you trying to drill a curved surface.

 

Understand all, thanks. I've got an email in to spfabrication for a looksee as well. I live near their shop and think they may be able to make a more permanent repair to get me through.

 

I heard back from V&H. They said I can call and buy a new sheild. I opted to go the JB Weld route.

When I went to take the shield off I found the hose clamp broken at the rear and the other was loose. Also found another crack on the other side. It leads me to believe that truck tread I hit last week may have done more damage than just the jiffy stand.

Anyway, the repair seems to have worked. I rode it today and checked it after...no cracks in the epoxy.

I am talking with spfabrication about something cool to replace the whole thing now. I thought I was done with mods for a while, but this has presented a new opportunity.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

Already? That is fairly new.

 

11 months, 12K miles. Warranty is only 90 days. Wouldn't expect it to cover this anyway.

 

Being hit with a truck tread glad that's all that got broken.you might be able to get someone to tig weld it from the back side and since its black just repaint it.

 

I used to have the same pipe on my fatboy, 3 yrs no issue. But I had the chrome version tho, sorry to hear that. The headshield is gonna be $150 at least.

 

i used solder awhile back to fill in dents. seems to work without heat being an issue.