V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 1
From: Central Fla
V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
I want to install a set of V&\\;H Big Radius pipes on my '05 NT. \\; Since the HD dealership is so $$$, I thought I would install them myself, then take the bike in to the deal for the jet kit, etc. \\; Are they easy to do???
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Also, other than the jet kit, what else needs to be done to the bike after the install? \\; Anything I can do on my own?
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Thanks!!!
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Also, other than the jet kit, what else needs to be done to the bike after the install? \\; Anything I can do on my own?
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Thanks!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From:
RE: V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
Get a good penlight and pick and be sure you remove all of the old gasket from the heads. \\; After a few years installed it blends in with the metal and without a sharp light and pick you will never be able to pluck it out. \\; On my '99 Softail, I was sure that nothing was there until I started picking at the where it should have been. \\; Be sure to torque the pipes to the head before torqueing the muffler ends (just leave them loosely attached until the head connection is correct). \\; You probably will need a swivel socket to be abe to torque the head connections. \\; Use blue lockite on the pipe supports. \\; Wipe them down completely with alcohol before starting the engine or you will have fingerprints engraved forever in the chrome. \\; Just take your time and you will be ok.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
RE: V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
You can download the installation instructions from V&\\;H's website. Read them over and made sure you have the right tools. if you get half done and your missing some tools you will hate yourself. Also just read the steps carefully to make sure it is something you think you can do.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 801
Likes: 2
From: The Sunshine State
RE: V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
You can install them yourself. Just be patient as some of the others have advised you. Hardest part is getting the pipes positioned properly. Tighten the head bolts and rhen tighten them again after you have ridden the bike a few miles.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Your Mas House
RE: V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
HAha.... I just went thru the same dilemma! Either pay the stealership $$$$$$$ to do it, or install my exhaust myself. And I'm no wrencher. I just asked around with Buds and people online and did it myself. Luckily my download map I had was equal to the pipes I installed. A few things these members have already said is oh so true!!!
1. check the old exhaust gaskets carefully and watchout!!! They're quite sharp!!!!
2. WIPE DOWN the exhaust after you install it really good.
3. re-check the bolts after a few miles. I didn't have a torque wrench.
4. Use the blue loctite on the brackets. It comes in a red tube... but it's the blue loctite
Took me about 1 hour to remove my old system and install my new exhaust. And It was the first time I EVER did this.
Good Luck!
1. check the old exhaust gaskets carefully and watchout!!! They're quite sharp!!!!
2. WIPE DOWN the exhaust after you install it really good.
3. re-check the bolts after a few miles. I didn't have a torque wrench.
4. Use the blue loctite on the brackets. It comes in a red tube... but it's the blue loctite
Took me about 1 hour to remove my old system and install my new exhaust. And It was the first time I EVER did this.
Good Luck!
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Dardanelle Arkansas
RE: V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
The allignment is critical. Torque the head bolts per the V/H instructions and after about a 100 miles torque them again. Pay special attention to the way you are instructed to put on the heat shields. The clamps can be a real pain if not positioned correctly.( Make sure you can get to the clamp screws from sitting next to the bike from the upper of the pipes. \\; Do not tighten the heat shields completely until you have them lined up correctly. \\; Set the pipes on a towel or a sheet and mark thier correct position before you install the pipes.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 411
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From:
RE: V&H Big Radius, easy to install?
ORIGINAL: Gators05NightTrain
Thanks for the great \\;\\\\\\;info!!
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Jzabel, beautiful bike you have!!!
Thanks for the great \\;\\\\\\;info!!
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Jzabel, beautiful bike you have!!!
thanks...she's goinng thru a change right now...new paint job. \\;
 \\; Hopefully by end of the summer she'll be done and I'll post up the pics. \\;