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HELP...please!! V&H install problems

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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 09:51 PM
  #1  
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Default HELP...please!! V&H install problems

I bought the V&H Short Shots (staggered) for my 08 HD Rocker. I got the front/lower pipe installed with luck and a little elbow grease but the rear/upper pipe is a no go so far. It will either install to the mounting bracket OR the exhaust port NOT both. I tried to follow the directions but that had me attaching the mount bracket to the pipes before installing them to the exhaust ports and that was a no go as well. I was able to get one bolt from the pipe to the bracket and 2 bolts in on the pipe flange but it just didn't feel right. I really had to work that in to get just that done...i really felt like I was doing more harm (stripping bolts) than good, so I took the pipe back off and decided to research.

I double checked the part numbers on the box and the V&H website and they all match up...I just cant imagine the one pipe going in and the last one not fitting at all. Its as if the pipe isn't bent the way it should be for my Rocker. I re-installed the nuts back on the port bolts just to make sure that I didnt strip anything and they went on just fine. Is this something that I should have HD do for me as they have all the required tools, or should I just keep trying? Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated.

I have an appt on the 6th for a dyno run but only one pipe installed.

I have installed, myself, the SE Heavy Breather and just got my SE Super Tuner Pro in the mail. My intentions were to bolt everything on...take my tuner/cable in to HD and have them tune and dyno it...I am at a loss right now.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 01:26 AM
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m i k e's Avatar
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try again tomorrow
dont get to pissed
i had some pipes from some a-hole com[pany who claimed" those should fit"
and did not fit worth a chit right part number & everything
its possible the pipes are machined wrong you might be doing nuthing wrong
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 06:08 AM
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When I was a kid, we used to play with metal puzzle rings. The Short Shots are similar but they will go on. There is a finesse to it which is difficult to put it into words. You just need to take your time. I can say that I've found that the exhaust flanges need to be positioned on the pipes a certain way or they will cause the pipes to bid.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 07:07 AM
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I've installed a few V&H pipes for myself and my brother and discovered that you need to make sure that you leave the first pipe pretty loose while you install the second one so that you can line everything up correctly. Once you've started your bolts/nuts, then you can start your torque sequence. Don't get flustered... take a step back and breath. Good luck!
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 07:17 AM
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Sometimes, just sometimes, the dealer can get things done that we can't.

I bought an engine guard for my Sportster a few years back and I bet I spent three hours trying to get that thing to line up correctly...it was just a no go for me. I finally said screw this and packed the whole thing up on the bike and drove down to the dealer. One of their guys had it on in about a thirty minute wait.

It was the best $25 I ever spent.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 07:50 AM
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The rocker has a different part number than other softails. You probably know this but I'm just checking.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 07:57 AM
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Finesse is the absolute correct word. I had kind of roll them on in a way that made no sense to me what so ever.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 11:14 AM
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yea i talked to the HD dealer thats doing my dyno on thurs and he said yea those are the pipes that are near impossible to get in...which wasnt at all encouraging. he said that it'd be about 90 bucks to get that pipe in, 45.00 on the half hour.

maybe i should do a temp install to get it up there and have them go over with it with a fine tooth comb. it just doesnt feel right having to reef down on those nuts as bad as i did when installing the pipe...more to come.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 11:15 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by CCgolfer
The rocker has a different part number than other softails. You probably know this but I'm just checking.

that was the very 1st thing that i verified when having the problems...i got thrown off with the CVO stuff but my rocker is not a CVO and the part numbers from the site and the box that they came in all match up...whew!!
 
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 11:16 AM
  #10  
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how important is the proper torque on these flange bolts? i know on both sets of pipes ive exceeded the recommended torque values...not by choice.
 
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