I removed the stock pipes and mufflers from my 2005 XL883c today and started to install Ultima drag pipes I ordered from Jireh cycles on eBay. When I started to pull everything together, I noticed that the combining ports on the new pipes are about 0.5 inches too far down the length of the pipes to line up with the combiner that is also the support mount for the pipes. (Not sure if this makes sense.)

the questions are: Do I need to use the combining ports on the new drag pipes or can I leave them open? Are these pipes jacked up? Do I need new pipes?

Logically, I don't think I HAVE to use the ports because if I was, for instance, installing short shots, there would be no combining port at all.

Help me Obi Wan.

 

Did you try loosening all the connecting nuts to the bolts to give some free play before checking the alignment? I'd do that first.


I would not run those pipes without them being mounted with the support bracket.

 

It is famously easy to fit an exhaust wrong! Even I've done it. Take your time to jiggle the parts together, don't tighten any bolts up, leave them all loose, to ensure the parts and brackets all fit just so, then tighten the various fasteners a little at a time. Sneak up on 'em, don't frighten 'em.....

 

I hadn't tightened anything up. But even with everything loose, it was easy to see that everything lined up except for the combiner ports. The header mounts, and support mounts line up perfectly, but that combiner port is still about a half inch too far down the pipe to fit over the nipple on the bike... I'll try to get some photos posted soon to explain.

 

I swapped out the correct model year pipes for one model year older (1986-2003). Installed them the other day, and started her up. WHAT A SOUND. I'll fab up some mounts to attach it to the stock exhaust support after my leg is done healing, but man, it sounds great.


I've also decided to do the rejet myself. There are a ton of forum entries that say going from a stock motor to drags+stage1 ac should only need a #45 or 46 jet. It's idling high in the vid, but I'd have to adjust that with the rejet anyway. you can hear it start to die when I push the choke in.

 

They sound ok but only make horespower in a narrow band ,hence "drag pipes" like in 1/4 mile
idles with choke but not without is a lean condition . idle speed with the choke is where you need to be but with the choke off
Too slow has a bad effect on oil flow. Pressure is meaningless on a sportster