Exhaust leaking.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 8, 2018 | 04:55 PM

TomcatCV62

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 1,508

Likes: 238

From: Illinois

Exhaust leaking.

Hey guys, first time I’ve ever changed mufflers out and went to new slip ons. This is only my second new Harley. I bought Tab slip ons with the zombie baffles. They sound excellent, really woke up the bike. It’s cold as heck here but when I started the bike and it sounded so good, I wanted to ride it so I went to the gas station to fill up the tank. When I got home, I noticed some condensation on the garage floor......so is started to get worried. What happened is, when I started the bike I saw condensation dripping from my left pipe where the slip on was attached to the stock header. I figured that it needed that sit farther back on the head pipe so I loosened everything and pushed it in more. When I started the bike, I saw the condensation dripping from the clamp area again.

My question is, is this normal? It can’t be, what do I do? I also noticed that the stock pipe on the left side sat further back than the right. Never had this happen and I’m slightly worried. Anyone have any info? Thanks.

Apr 8, 2018 | 05:18 PM

purpledeuce

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 3,672

Likes: 643

It could be possible, but to play it safe I would replace the muffler clamps and be sure they are torqued to spec

Apr 8, 2018 | 05:22 PM

TomcatCV62

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 1,508

Likes: 238

From: Illinois

Yep, torque setting is 38-43 ft lbs. new clamp I bought from the dealer on Friday. I read that the clamp must be on the slits on the pipe...... also might want to buy some copper permeated for mufflers....... blah, pain in the buttocks.

Apr 8, 2018 | 07:45 PM

purpledeuce

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 3,672

Likes: 643

It is a pain, but it’ll get right quickly. Before tearing into it again, get her running, squirt some water on the connection and see if it bubbles. Or try a lit match near the connection and see if it blows itself out. Those will determine if it is indeed a leak

Apr 8, 2018 | 09:58 PM

SomeOld Biker

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 760

Likes: 273

From: Olympia, WA

When I put my Thundercone slip-ons I started the bike and held my finger as close as possible to the clamp area and felt a little air escaping so I tighten the clamp up until I felt no more air. Be careful not to burn your finger! Don't ask me how I know.

Apr 8, 2018 | 10:41 PM

texaswiz

Banned

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 1,036

Likes: 67

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomcatCV62

I do not know if it is "normal" or not but mine does it too. It is just normal condensation that occurs from hot pipes and cold weather. Ride more and worry less.

Apr 9, 2018 | 04:17 AM

Oz Dan

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 494

Likes: 220

From: Qld, Australia

It’s normal, at least on cold start. Mine does it too. There is no leak on mine. For what it is worth, my dealer did say, when I asked about this too, that all their bikes with open pipes and headers do it ....it’s especially noticeable in humid hot weather, like we get most of the year in Queensland.

Last edited by Oz Dan; Apr 9, 2018 at 05:32 AM.

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

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

Apr 9, 2018 | 06:20 AM

TomcatCV62

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 1,508

Likes: 238

From: Illinois

Thanks Guys. I removed the left side pipe..... again. Tightened the clamp and still had drops of water\condensate leaking from the clamp area on the left pipe. I think I will go to the Harley dealer this week to buy a new left side clamp and some of that copper permatex to place on the pipe before I put the slip on back on, for the 3rd time. This doesnt really bother me that much because Im learning...... And I really love to mess with the bike. By the way, the Tabs sound incredible on the bike, man it really wakes up the sound. I imagine with proper headers and a tune, it will be better.

Apr 9, 2018 | 09:05 AM

#10

Steve N,

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 532

Likes: 211

From: Armstrong, BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomcatCV62

I totally agree about the Zombies. I just installed them on mine, and figure it's about the best investment so far. It's actually starting to sound like a Harley (IMO). I think you're right about going with a new clamp. Once used, the spline on the bolt tends to bind up. Although it feels tight, it might not be. Sliding the left one further on to the pipe probably won't benefit, but placing the clamp almost flush with the end of the slip on will. Because the Bam Sticks were pretty loose on the head pipe to begin with, I used my channel locks (with some foam for protection) to pre-bend the slotted tabs in slightly for a tighter fit to the pipe and less work for the clamp. As far as the left side sitting further back on the pipe, this is normal. From what I've read and seen, mount the right side as far forward as it will go, and then mount the left side (further back) to line up with the right.

Enjoy your Zombies,,, I know that I sure do.
Steve