I've got an 09 XL1200L, and i came across a decently priced set of Vance & Hines Straight Shots that will fit (off an 05) but the new pipes do not have holes to plug my O2 sensors in.

can anyone recommend the best type of bung to weld on the pipes for my O2 sensors?
(I'll sweet talk someone who does welding on base to do it for me)

Both bungs have to be the angled type. I'm not sure if i need mild or stainless steel, I'm figuring stainless but thought it would be a good idea to ask the community first.

 

If your pipes have heat shields I'd just get the cheapest steel bungs you can find then paint over the welds. You can get the bungs from Jegs or Speedway Motors pretty cheap.

 

I've kind of answered my own question, did some searching around and found a few good forum posts (some on other forums so i won't link them here)

heres the jist of what i found:

need a O2 weld nut (bung) that is 18mm thread with a 1.5mm thread pitch
best look will come form stainless. but it shouldn't really matter.
your local **insert auto parts store or cycle shop here** should have them
Mig weld is a must unless you have superhuman skills with stick
Use a wet rag over the chrome parts that will show on outside of exhaust if you are worried about bluing (usually not a problem though)
Run a tap through the threads otherwise you will probably bind your O2 sensor up.
apply some anti seize (dont get it on the tip of sensor)
you can use some high temp paint to protect from rusting, apparently there are some "galvanizing" paints out there that work really well for this. also some "cold galvanizing" coatings are out there...

sorry if this seems kinda long winded, but i figured i may as well post up my results since i spent an hour searching.

 

^ solid plan. it's what i'm gonna do.

 

If you get a fuel management unit for your bike you won't need the O2 sensors...

But it sounds like you have a good plan either way.

 

Not necessarlly true. I guess it depends on which unit you get. I believe the SEPST still uses the O2 sensors.

 

Right. That's why I didn't state a brand name...so, it is mostly true.

 

i was planning on picking up a vance & hines fuelpak. as far as i know it still needs the O2 sensors with it.

 

im runnin a set of pipes for 04-06 on my 48, for reason of cleaner install,
made sure i got a fueler that didn't use the o2.
would be easy to change out fueler than start welding bungs.

 

If i had any experience welding exhausts i'd do it myself, but the most i've ever welded was about 1/2 mile of seams in the bed of a triaxle dump. and that was over 10 years ago.

I agree that it's probably easier to change to a fueler that deletes the o2 sensors,

FYI i ended up getting a set of V&H straight shots with o2 bungs on ebay for 350 shipped, the guy that was selling me the non o2 pipes hasn't responded back and i figured at that price i may as well buy new.