By loosening the heat shields it provides plenty of space to get the slip ons off the crossover/"interconnecting tube".

If you go to the Vance & Hines website they provide detailed instructions for installing slip ons. See link below.

http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/s.../slipons/16839

 

^^^^^^^^
Don't do this.

I replaced my muffers two weeks ago and I think it is easiest and safest to:
- Remove the heat shields
- Unplug the 02 sensors on the right side of the bike and ensure the that they are free from the clamps (but leave them attached to the exhaust pipe)
- Take the nuts off at the cylinder head
- Take the bolts off at the interconnect bracket
- Take off that crown-screw thing and clamp
- Remove the pipes and wrestle with getting the mufflers off the pipes away from the bike

It isn't that big of a deal to re-attach the pipes. I'm a novice mechanic and I did it. Just take your time.

 

Good thread discussion.

And I'm just getting prepared to replace the Screaming Eagle II's with stock slip-on's on my "new" '06 883/1200C. The service manual hasn't arrived but this seems so simple a job.

Leaving the head-pipes in place appears to have more than one benefit:

The head-pipes are least likely to get scratched.

The weight of the bike helps you by holding the other end while you struggle with the (much lighter) muffler.

You might avoid needing to replace the cylinder exhaust gaskets (or freshly broken bolt).

It's simpler.

 

I know that many have done it with the pipes attached, but I thought that the only risk in the process would have been me putting any pressure on the bolts at the heads, since that's not what those bolts were designed to do. That risk was easy for me to eliminate, since I had a second set of hands (wife) to help me twist the mufflers off the pipes.

Good luck in your install.

 

I've run into a problem. The previous owner took some aggressive turns and demolished the nuts on that bottom brace. What's my best option. Hacksaw off the old nuts, purchase new hardware?

 

NO!

Grab them with vise-grips.

 

Got em off with the vise grips. Dude, you said that I totally slapped my head. Cheers.

 

Happy to help.

 

Takes less than 30 minutes to remove and install slip ons. Take off the heatshields, loosen the flange bolts, remove 4 bolts that secure the slip ons to the cross over tubes. Spray some WD-40 where the slip on slides on the header pipe. Lift the pipe away from the crossover tube *mine has one* twist and pull. My rear came off effortlessly and the front was slightly harder. Twist and pull. Wear a good set of gripping gloves. I put one hand on the muffler and the other on the header pipe.

Make sure you buy some new crossover tube gaskets before the project and be careful not to damage when you install your pipes the are kinda fragile.

 

Will the black SE slip-ons fit my 2005½ 883R?
The catalog says they only fit '07 & newer.
Do I just need to plug 02 sensor holes?