True duals? Benefit?
True duals? Benefit?
Or is it just a "coolness" thing. I'm going to start on my exhaust pretty soon and I picked up some slick vintage fish tail tips.
The Vance & Hines exhaust it had is all busted up and I'm going to run a single pipe down each side of the bike. The duals I've seen for purchase keep the front & rear pipe separate. Since both heads share a single carb, it seems that it should be important to keep both pipes similar in length if they're separate but most beneficial to run a cross-over pipe or balance tube. Has anyone running true duals been able to tune without compromise to keep each cylinder copacetic?
Thanks in advance.
The Vance & Hines exhaust it had is all busted up and I'm going to run a single pipe down each side of the bike. The duals I've seen for purchase keep the front & rear pipe separate. Since both heads share a single carb, it seems that it should be important to keep both pipes similar in length if they're separate but most beneficial to run a cross-over pipe or balance tube. Has anyone running true duals been able to tune without compromise to keep each cylinder copacetic?
Thanks in advance.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
A buddy has a 2001 Heritage he wanted true duals installed on.
After checking a few dealers that suggested he not go that route, one told him they would install them if that's what he wanted.
They explained the the power loss is why the other dealers suggested otherwise.
I'm guessing it's the radical bend in the rear pipe that accounts for the loss.
P.S. This happened a few years ago. They would just take his money and do it now I bet.
After checking a few dealers that suggested he not go that route, one told him they would install them if that's what he wanted.
They explained the the power loss is why the other dealers suggested otherwise.
I'm guessing it's the radical bend in the rear pipe that accounts for the loss.
P.S. This happened a few years ago. They would just take his money and do it now I bet.
Cool. I imagine it was to keep the rear cylinder from running too lean because of the backpressure difference since the pipes will differ so much in length. I'm going to do them like the ones I did on my Shovel.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
That looks like it'll work without the loss in power.
It surprised me watching on TV top named builders making sets of pipes.
I figured they measured them to get the correct length needed and it looked like they just made them up to fit the look they were going for.
It surprised me watching on TV top named builders making sets of pipes.
I figured they measured them to get the correct length needed and it looked like they just made them up to fit the look they were going for.
lol, yeah. All for the looks & sound! I measure the backpressure on all pipes I make. I could actually tune a pair of true duals equally but they'd sound funky.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
I was told prior to the install that there would be a 10-15% loss by a technician that I trust. But the true dials sound great and I like the look. SJ Ron
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
The V & H pipes that were on it when I got it LOOKED like duals but were in fact X-piped for performance.
Last edited by mreed; May 18, 2011 at 11:11 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
True duals? Benefit?
I just installed Samson True Duals on my 04 Heritage. I bought the ones
with baffles because I heard many people say without them you lose
torque due to loss of back pressure.
Well they are definitely quieter and I like the sound of them without the
baffles better but I got a very noticeable gain in mid range power which
really surprised me.
For you Young Guns I can fully understand your wanting the sound over
horsepower. If I was younger, I'm 67, I would do the same! My 2 cents.
with baffles because I heard many people say without them you lose
torque due to loss of back pressure.
Well they are definitely quieter and I like the sound of them without the
baffles better but I got a very noticeable gain in mid range power which
really surprised me.
For you Young Guns I can fully understand your wanting the sound over
horsepower. If I was younger, I'm 67, I would do the same! My 2 cents.