Exhaust upgrade to 2021 Road Glide Limited
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 641
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
On my 2020 Road Glide Limited, I put the S&S Grand National mufflers w/o the db. reducers, and the S&S Stealth air cleaner assembly, Bike sounds and runs great, and bonus, by getting rid of the huge factory airbox, the engine gets more airflow around it and runs cooler.
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 78
Likes: 23
From: Northern Virginia
Had a tough time installing the Mk45s. The problem pertains to the right side. When attempting to slide the muffler onto the back of the cat, the fit was very snug (more so than the left side was) so precise alignment, along with some room to wiggle the muffler up and down a bit to get it to slide into place, was what I needed. Unfortunately, the body of the muffler ran into the axle nut, preventing me from getting the proper alignment.
I solved the problem with a friend's help. He put all his weight on the bike to compress the rear suspension, which moved the swingarm far enough out of the way for me to line the muffle up and wiggle it into place (using just enough WD-40 to allow me to rotate the muffler when it was on the headpipe). They are fully installed now, and they look and sound great. I have not test-ridden it yet, however, and I am a little concerned that the swingarm might come into contact with that right-side muffler if the suspension rebounds enough.
I'm guessing that riders of other Harley touring bikes that are sold with shorter suspensions (like my previous FLTRXS) probably don't have this complication during installation. My experience may imply a fitment issue specifically with the FLTRK. We'll see what the test ride reveals.
I solved the problem with a friend's help. He put all his weight on the bike to compress the rear suspension, which moved the swingarm far enough out of the way for me to line the muffle up and wiggle it into place (using just enough WD-40 to allow me to rotate the muffler when it was on the headpipe). They are fully installed now, and they look and sound great. I have not test-ridden it yet, however, and I am a little concerned that the swingarm might come into contact with that right-side muffler if the suspension rebounds enough.
I'm guessing that riders of other Harley touring bikes that are sold with shorter suspensions (like my previous FLTRXS) probably don't have this complication during installation. My experience may imply a fitment issue specifically with the FLTRK. We'll see what the test ride reveals.
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 78
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From: Northern Virginia
I'm wondering, since you're also using a 4.5"... how close is the right-side axle nut to the body of your muffler? Unweighted, I can't quite slide my index finger into the gap between the nut and the indentation in the muffler. I'll admit, I did not check this distance on the stock setup (because it didn't occur to me until after the difficulty I experienced installing the right-side muffler), so I don't know if I am a lot closer than I was before or not. I've not been able to test-ride it yet, but I'm curious (concerned?) that the nut will collide with the muffler with enough rebound.
HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
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I'm wondering, since you're also using a 4.5"... how close is the right-side axle nut to the body of your muffler? Unweighted, I can't quite slide my index finger into the gap between the nut and the indentation in the muffler. I'll admit, I did not check this distance on the stock setup (because it didn't occur to me until after the difficulty I experienced installing the right-side muffler), so I don't know if I am a lot closer than I was before or not. I've not been able to test-ride it yet, but I'm curious (concerned?) that the nut will collide with the muffler with enough rebound.
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 78
Likes: 23
From: Northern Virginia
Yes, I do... on both sides, the hardware at the end of the rear axle kind of sits in that dent, but the right is closer than the left. After the trouble I had installing the muffler on the right side, I am concerned it might be closer than stock, and possibly too close to avoid a collision on a suspension rebound. That said, I'm taking into account that (1) I've only made that observation with the bike unweighted, (2) I have not test-ridden it since the install (nearly impossible to believe, I know... they sound awesome), and (3) these are the first slipons I've even installed myself.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
My understanding of US warranty laws is that in order to void your warranty they have to prove that your modifications caused the problem. They could probably claim any number of engine issues were do to a non HD tune and then it would be back on you to prove otherwise, but if you use their tune they're going to have a hard time claiming your exhaust pipes caused a problem. I haven't looked into this. It's just common internet claims. Research it before you buy into it, but it seems pretty legit from what I can tell.
however, most of the slip ons mentioned in the this thread, s&s, v&h, etc. are epa compliant so no worry about your warranty. as long as you keep the epa compliant catalyst head pipe.
of course, one could always get 'that one dealer' that is a total dick and wants to void the powertrain warranty with just slip ons, so one can never say never.
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