FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Updated 4/4Pics
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Updated 4/4Pics
Here are some pics of my removal of the stock pipes and installation of the new V & H Big Radius with a custom made bracket by one of our members (Rocketman69)...
Here is a pic of the bike with the stock pipesjust before I began the process of taking them off...
Here is a pic with the pipes removed....
I'm waiting on the bracket to arrive tomorrow (according to UPS) and hopefully complete the install. It will be nice to fiinally have some real sound out of this machine. I installed the SE high flow A/C late last week.
The bike looks so much better with the stockers off. It really opens up the back wheel and swingarm with the BR installed. A few members have already installed them and they look strong. I'll document this with more pics as soon as the bracket arrives.
By the way, with only 560 miles on her, do you think I need to replace the gaskets at the heads? They look prettydamn good.
Here is a pic of the bike with the stock pipesjust before I began the process of taking them off...
Here is a pic with the pipes removed....
I'm waiting on the bracket to arrive tomorrow (according to UPS) and hopefully complete the install. It will be nice to fiinally have some real sound out of this machine. I installed the SE high flow A/C late last week.
The bike looks so much better with the stockers off. It really opens up the back wheel and swingarm with the BR installed. A few members have already installed them and they look strong. I'll document this with more pics as soon as the bracket arrives.
By the way, with only 560 miles on her, do you think I need to replace the gaskets at the heads? They look prettydamn good.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 545
Likes: 4
From: Kansas City, MO via Millington, MI
RE: FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Pics
Looks good John. I gotta say, I LOVE the chrome teardrop pieces on the rear of the frame. How were you able to get at the rear O2 sensor plug? I had to remove the battery and battery tray to get to the plug as there just wasn't enough room to reach my fat little hands under the oil tank.
As far as the gaskets are concerned, I've had my pipes off 3 or 4 times now, and haven't had any problem with the factory gaskets at all. You should be fine leaving them. Just make sure once everything is installed that you don't have any leaks around the header.
You can go ahead and remove the two studs in the rear where the factory bracket was bolted up too, as the new bracket uses bolts included in the V&H kit.
The only real difference between the V&H instructions, and using my bracket, is that you need to install the heat sheilds on the pipes first, then install the rear pipe. DO NOT tighten it down, just put it in loosely. Then put the bracket on the rear pipe using the top set of holes (obviously) and again, don't tighten it. once the two bolts that hold the rear pipe to the bracket are in place, install the two bolts to hold the bracket to the frame of the bike. Then install the front pipe, and carefully tighten everything making sure to keep the alignment of the pipes square. Should be a snap.
Let me know if you have any problems.
-Gib
As far as the gaskets are concerned, I've had my pipes off 3 or 4 times now, and haven't had any problem with the factory gaskets at all. You should be fine leaving them. Just make sure once everything is installed that you don't have any leaks around the header.
You can go ahead and remove the two studs in the rear where the factory bracket was bolted up too, as the new bracket uses bolts included in the V&H kit.
The only real difference between the V&H instructions, and using my bracket, is that you need to install the heat sheilds on the pipes first, then install the rear pipe. DO NOT tighten it down, just put it in loosely. Then put the bracket on the rear pipe using the top set of holes (obviously) and again, don't tighten it. once the two bolts that hold the rear pipe to the bracket are in place, install the two bolts to hold the bracket to the frame of the bike. Then install the front pipe, and carefully tighten everything making sure to keep the alignment of the pipes square. Should be a snap.
Let me know if you have any problems.
-Gib
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
RE: FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Pics
Gib,
I did not feel like taking the battery out, so I just wiggled a crescent (I know, no one uses these) wrench as I did not have a 7/8 or 22Mm wrench available. I was barely able to get the jaws on the sensor bolt, but somehow made it happen.
Are there any other instructions with the bracket that I need to be aware of? Anything coming with the piece? Thanks for the heads up on taking the bolts off, as I was not sure if I needed them or not. I'll start with the rear as you mentioned and give it a go. Keep close to this thread as I may be sending you somem PM's if I get stuck!!!
Thanks,
John
I did not feel like taking the battery out, so I just wiggled a crescent (I know, no one uses these) wrench as I did not have a 7/8 or 22Mm wrench available. I was barely able to get the jaws on the sensor bolt, but somehow made it happen.
Are there any other instructions with the bracket that I need to be aware of? Anything coming with the piece? Thanks for the heads up on taking the bolts off, as I was not sure if I needed them or not. I'll start with the rear as you mentioned and give it a go. Keep close to this thread as I may be sending you somem PM's if I get stuck!!!
Thanks,
John
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 545
Likes: 4
From: Kansas City, MO via Millington, MI
RE: FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Pics
John, I was in such a hurry to get the brackets out to everyone since it took so much longer than expected, that I didn't have time to take pictures and make up my own set of instructions. It's pretty self explanitory though. Just shoot me an email if you have trouble.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From:
RE: FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Pics
Nice pics silverdawg
I am going the same route, so I will probably be refering back to this thread often, post more pics as you go.
I wonder what the distance is from the factory exhaust to the oil tank equals,and then the difference when you install the br's.
you know that vh siad that was one of the issues they had, saying is going to bake the paint on the oil tank. also said the pipes were touching the hard oil lines, but i dont remember rocketmans touching the oil lines.
i really like the frame inserts you installed.
I am going the same route, so I will probably be refering back to this thread often, post more pics as you go.
I wonder what the distance is from the factory exhaust to the oil tank equals,and then the difference when you install the br's.
you know that vh siad that was one of the issues they had, saying is going to bake the paint on the oil tank. also said the pipes were touching the hard oil lines, but i dont remember rocketmans touching the oil lines.
i really like the frame inserts you installed.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 927
Likes: 17
From: Spotsylvania, VA
RE: FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Pics
Silverdawg, Thanks for the pics, the scoot is looking good. Mine will be getting done next Friday. I like the frame inserts also. I think the last time I looked for them there were two different types you could get. Do you know which ones yours are? They just went on with double sided tape right?
gadawgsfan, I contacted V&H. Initially they told me about the oil tank, but after a second call they said the only issue was the bracket.
gadawgsfan, I contacted V&H. Initially they told me about the oil tank, but after a second call they said the only issue was the bracket.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From:
RE: FXCWC Exhaust Upgrade...Pics
thats good to know,i just need to find the best price i can on the pipes,and i found out a little bit ago from doc1 that the power commander will not work on these bikes, because there is no place to mount the unit,oh well something else to wait on for our bike i guess.
someone on here posted some pics of their rocker and it had chrome switch housing,levers,etc.. and i cant find the pic again, i was wanting to ask them what the part number for that kit was, my dealer told me that the kit in the book will not work on the 08 models because hd changed something about the way it mounts or the size or something, i cant remember, although you can buy it all seperate for about $110.00 more than the kit,i think they just want more money
someone on here posted some pics of their rocker and it had chrome switch housing,levers,etc.. and i cant find the pic again, i was wanting to ask them what the part number for that kit was, my dealer told me that the kit in the book will not work on the 08 models because hd changed something about the way it mounts or the size or something, i cant remember, although you can buy it all seperate for about $110.00 more than the kit,i think they just want more money