custom pipes?
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Estevan, SK Canada
custom pipes?
Iam wondering if anyone knows if anyexhaust manufacturers build pipes that accommodate the eIxtra 1" wider kicker cover on the baker 6 into 4 tranny. I want to do the upgrade but not before I have a confirmedreplacement pipes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: custom pipes?
grady,
I hope you can find a set of pipes for your bike.
I modified the set of pipes I was using to clearmy 6 into 4 trans.
I've never seen anyone in the aftermarket address this. Probably not a big enough demand.
If you are handy with a welder or have a friend who can do it for you, it isn't a big deal...unless
you want a chrome exhaust. THAT will cost you. I am not a big fan of chrome so it isn't an
issue with me. High temp. paint is an adequate finish for me.
I hope you can find a set of pipes for your bike.
I modified the set of pipes I was using to clearmy 6 into 4 trans.
I've never seen anyone in the aftermarket address this. Probably not a big enough demand.
If you are handy with a welder or have a friend who can do it for you, it isn't a big deal...unless
you want a chrome exhaust. THAT will cost you. I am not a big fan of chrome so it isn't an
issue with me. High temp. paint is an adequate finish for me.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Estevan, SK Canada
RE: custom pipes?
Thanks megawatt I appreciate any info. I have a buddy that actually put a slight dent in his pipe to accommodate the tranny and said I can try the pipes if I would like. I am concerned that this dent in the chrome will be its demise and was hopeful the pipes were being manufactured and chromed. Thanks again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: custom pipes?
Here's a pic of my bike (if I can do this correctly). The Shovel engine was long gone by the time I bought this thing from a salvage yard. I started with the stock exhaust off a 2003 Softail Standard (this includes the crossover/muffler mount), I was amazed at how easily it all adapted to my 1979 frame. When I switched to the 6 into 4 trans, I had to drop the front muffler 3/4" which meant both mufflers went down 3/4". I had to fab up the rear pipe with some tubing from a scrap exhaust in order to get it to clear over the top of the trans.
You could make, or have made, heat shield(s) and have them chromed to cover the "ugly" part of the modified pipe. If the chrome has cracked where it was modified, it will rust but you could hit the spot with some high temp. paint and the heat shield would hide it. I hope the "dent" in the pipe isn't too restrictive. You will probably want at least 1/4" clearance (exhaust to tranny), more would be better.
My take on the 6 speed (if you are interested) is that it took a while to get accustomed to stroking though so many gears. I'm favorably impressed by the quality of the Baker tranny.
Harleys have so much torque, six gears are really unnecessary but I wanted the overdrive. I believe I would be happy with a five speed with fifth as an overdrive, but I've never seen or heard of one. If you do buy one, I hope it serves you well.
There is another way to skin this cat but it would be much more time/money consuming. That would be to raise the transmission. I was unwilling to go that route but it could be done.
You could make, or have made, heat shield(s) and have them chromed to cover the "ugly" part of the modified pipe. If the chrome has cracked where it was modified, it will rust but you could hit the spot with some high temp. paint and the heat shield would hide it. I hope the "dent" in the pipe isn't too restrictive. You will probably want at least 1/4" clearance (exhaust to tranny), more would be better.
My take on the 6 speed (if you are interested) is that it took a while to get accustomed to stroking though so many gears. I'm favorably impressed by the quality of the Baker tranny.
Harleys have so much torque, six gears are really unnecessary but I wanted the overdrive. I believe I would be happy with a five speed with fifth as an overdrive, but I've never seen or heard of one. If you do buy one, I hope it serves you well.
There is another way to skin this cat but it would be much more time/money consuming. That would be to raise the transmission. I was unwilling to go that route but it could be done.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Estevan, SK Canada
RE: custom pipes?
That sled of yours looks awesome dude.I wouldshow youa snap of mine but apparantly the file is too large.Anyway, I'm using FLH pipes (both wrap around and below the kicker cover) on a '81 FXB mainly cause I like the look better. The top pipe is the problem cause of the bolt holding the kicker cover. I wonder if the stock FXB "over/under the the kicked cover" pipes like yours would solve my problemwhile still allowing the use of chrome drags?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: custom pipes?
grady,
Re. my bike, thanks man.
I'd like to see a pic of your bike if ya ever figure out how to do it. My son has to help me with resizing and attaching pics. I'm sure he rolls his eyes every time I ask for help because it is so easy for him.
Something I forgot to mention in my last post was that the Baker 6 into 4 tranny is actually about 1 1/2" wider than the stock tranny. I have a mostly stock 1976 FXE (my next project...someday) sitting next to the '79 for comparison.
I too, like the look of the rear pipe wrapping around the front of the trans. I had a '66 FL that had a set of staggered duals like that. The only drawback was that it forced the front pipe to be lower and might scrape on a hard right turn but that never happened on my set. The real big advantage of those pipes is that you can get to the trans fill and can work between the oil tank and tranny much more easily without having to remove the rear pipe for access. I'd try real hard to retain what you have and modify them as necessary as long as they don't wind up being too low and scraping because I do like that look a lot. I considered doing that with my current bike but I figured they would wind up being too low.
It sounds like you are going to have to modify a set of pipes and have them rechromed to satisfy your needs.
A little insult to add to the "injury" of the initial cost of the Baker tranny. Damn, they are expensive! Ya used to be able to buy a whole bike for the cost of that tranny!
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Re. my bike, thanks man.
I'd like to see a pic of your bike if ya ever figure out how to do it. My son has to help me with resizing and attaching pics. I'm sure he rolls his eyes every time I ask for help because it is so easy for him.
Something I forgot to mention in my last post was that the Baker 6 into 4 tranny is actually about 1 1/2" wider than the stock tranny. I have a mostly stock 1976 FXE (my next project...someday) sitting next to the '79 for comparison.
I too, like the look of the rear pipe wrapping around the front of the trans. I had a '66 FL that had a set of staggered duals like that. The only drawback was that it forced the front pipe to be lower and might scrape on a hard right turn but that never happened on my set. The real big advantage of those pipes is that you can get to the trans fill and can work between the oil tank and tranny much more easily without having to remove the rear pipe for access. I'd try real hard to retain what you have and modify them as necessary as long as they don't wind up being too low and scraping because I do like that look a lot. I considered doing that with my current bike but I figured they would wind up being too low.
It sounds like you are going to have to modify a set of pipes and have them rechromed to satisfy your needs.
A little insult to add to the "injury" of the initial cost of the Baker tranny. Damn, they are expensive! Ya used to be able to buy a whole bike for the cost of that tranny!
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: custom pipes?
ORIGINAL: grady
Iam wondering if anyone knows if anyexhaust manufacturers build pipes that accommodate the eIxtra 1" wider kicker cover on the baker 6 into 4 tranny. I want to do the upgrade but not before I have a confirmedreplacement pipes.
Iam wondering if anyone knows if anyexhaust manufacturers build pipes that accommodate the eIxtra 1" wider kicker cover on the baker 6 into 4 tranny. I want to do the upgrade but not before I have a confirmedreplacement pipes.
“I am wondering if anyone knows if any exhaust manufacturers build pipes that accommodate the eIxtra 1" wider kicker cover on the baker 6 into 4 tranny. I want to do the upgrade but not before I have a confirmed replacement pipes. “
I went down this road also but what I saw at first was not a problem with the Baker 6, it was the S&S 93 shovelhead I put in, you see S&S put a mounting on the right front side (ahead of the front cyl) for an evo type oil filter and I used that option, but in doing so no stock type exhaust pipes (FX) were going to fit along side that oil filter mounting, my independent dealer had a fix, exhaust for an FL since that type exhaust leaving the front port goes out front of the frame instead of almost straight down on the right side. See the attach picture.
As for the rear that was the surprise the same problem as you have, I didn’t get the kicker (
IMO too wide even w/o it) but have that cover it is a wide tranny, I needed to have someone add approx 1.5” to that rear pipe, in the attach picture you can see the rear heat shield, I will try to find a pic w/o the shield, you must get someone who knows how to do that type of weld with very thin medal !
Cycle Shack 1966 to 1969 FL / FLH exhaust pipes slash cut part number #PHD-113SS
grady, I wish you luck it can be done and I am very glad to others with this tranny !!!
cj
[IMG]local://upfiles/16813/90EFF9C7BAF44881923772BE72E0B449.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: custom pipes?
cj_slowdown,
Really nice work. Have you had any trouble hitting speed bumps or anything with the front pipe?
Do you have the high compression S&S engine or the lower compression engine. I've been very curious about the real world performance of both of their 93" offerings.
Really nice work. Have you had any trouble hitting speed bumps or anything with the front pipe?
Do you have the high compression S&S engine or the lower compression engine. I've been very curious about the real world performance of both of their 93" offerings.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: S.E.PA
RE: custom pipes?
ORIGINAL: megawatt
cj_slowdown,
Really nice work. Have you had any trouble hitting speed bumps or anything with the front pipe?
Do you have the high compression S&S engine or the lower compression engine. I've been very curious about the real world performance of both of their 93" offerings.
cj_slowdown,
Really nice work. Have you had any trouble hitting speed bumps or anything with the front pipe?
Do you have the high compression S&S engine or the lower compression engine. I've been very curious about the real world performance of both of their 93" offerings.
“Really nice work. Have you had any trouble hitting speed bumps or anything with the front pipe?”
No problems, to me the pipe doesn’t seem that low : - ) you see if you zoom up on the front pipe how it clears the oil filter hardware, believe me no standard FX pipe was going to fit, I was lucky someone at the shop remember how FL /FLH pipes ran in the late 60’s.
“Do you have the high compression S&S engine or the lower compression engine”
I picked the low compression, I just couldn’t get it out of my head the corn crap we are force to use, but if I had to do it all over again, I should have went for the twin plugging which is standard on the high compression model, you know the biggest downfall of the shovelhead is that hemi-head design, the dual plugging came out a little while after that, it’s more efficient and I am guessing it would get me a little more power and most likely little better mileage.
“. I've been very curious about the real world performance of both of their 93" offerings.”
Well coming from a 80 ci punched out a little over the years, approx 52 /53 hp (had it on the dyno, before pulling the engine) I really would have respect for the high compression model, I believe it has approx 10 rated hp more than mine, my LC it’s rated at 82 hp, let me tell you and believe this, having 30 more hp is noticeable : - ) very noticeable, I love the speed of my motor not to leave out how it pumps at idle, it sounds like any other shovel-hd going down the road, but when stopped at a light, some heads will turn.
If you ever have some time look over in this shovel forum a thread called S&S engines, I started it because I was looking for info on their motors but wasn’t too much on the shovel forum so I figure I will put down what I went through doing this updating to my ride, the address is
https://www.hdforums.com/m_1064448/tm.htm
Ride safe and won’t ask you how you like the Baker 6, I know you do : - ))))
cj
[IMG]local://upfiles/16813/CD7FBDB868EE4C42BE3806771C252A7D.jpg[/IMG]
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: custom pipes?
cj_slowdown,
I read your thread. Sounds like you had your share of hassles getting the bike back up again.
You have a nice looking bike and it sounds like you get out and ride it. I'm sure you squeeze every last bit of fun out ofit. 80 plus horsepower ain't nothin' to take lightly but I bet its a rush when you roll on the throttle.
Grady, I appologize for getting off topic on your thread. Any luck on your exhaust research?
I read your thread. Sounds like you had your share of hassles getting the bike back up again.
You have a nice looking bike and it sounds like you get out and ride it. I'm sure you squeeze every last bit of fun out ofit. 80 plus horsepower ain't nothin' to take lightly but I bet its a rush when you roll on the throttle.
Grady, I appologize for getting off topic on your thread. Any luck on your exhaust research?