OK, just learned the hard way how not to change your mufflers! evidently my 3/8 wrench was a wee bit too small and the bolts were a wee bit too tight. Bleed like a stuck pig, old mufflers still on, hope I didn't strip the bolt heads. It's off to the parts store tomorrow to get a longer 3/8 wrench.

 

Bikes are knuckle busters, no doubt about it. Got so tired of walking back into the house I now just keep the band aids right in the garage.

 

wife walked in and saw the blood and asked if I needed to go to the hospital. Said no, auto parts store for better wrenches.

 

Hell...... I keep an entire first aid kit handy. Need it constantly!

 

A six sided socket will probably work better than any open or closed end wrench. It has much less of a tendency to slip and cause injury to you or damage to the bike or fastener.

Jake

 

When I first yanked the stock exhaust off my bike I soon discovered how sharp the cooling fins were. I didn't bang my knuckles, but did a nice job of shaving a bit of skin off removing the rear clamp... Didn't feel much pain, but bled pretty well.

 

Bart, I took the stock mufflers off and then put the Screaming Eagle on. Those six bolts that have the 3/8 head are a PITA. When you put them back one muffler will go on easy as you can get to them. The second one is where the problem is, trying to get the last two bolts (top muffler) started. BTW a good 3/8 rachet wrench is worth the price. Good luck if you are putting slip-on back.

 

Save the skin wear some Mechanix Wear gloves. They are great.

 

Yep, found the flexible ratcheting wrench's. Worked great on the two that were not as striped. The other two in the hardest spots I used a socket set that is designed for the bolts that get rounded. Worked better. Only took an hour with swivel head and lots of cussing. Getting the old ones off was easy, they slid right off, I only have 5000 miles on it so no rust. Added a bit of gasket sealant and put the new ones on. Test drive and man it sounds great, not too loud, but like a Harley! I may need to torque the top down a bit more though. How do you tell if the exhaust is leaking around the seal?