Issue with my Python slip-on's
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Stage IV
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4
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From: Seal Beach, CA
Issue with my Python slip-on's
Hey everyone,
So, I have a 2012 Street Glide. When I bought it, it already had the Pythons on it. The problem I'm having is the left pipe fits perfect, no issues. The right one on the other hand is loose and has been that way since I bought it. When I took the slip-on off I saw that there was a metal sleeve on it but didn't wrap around the pipe completely. So, I tried one (a wrap) that was thicker and wrapped completely around the header pipe, which worked for a little while but it's still loose which is causing my bike to backfire when I shift. I haven't taken off the left one but I imagine it will be no different then the right one was when I first found the pipe was slipping. So, what do I do? Is there an adaptor that upsizes from the header pipe to fit the slip-on?
So, I have a 2012 Street Glide. When I bought it, it already had the Pythons on it. The problem I'm having is the left pipe fits perfect, no issues. The right one on the other hand is loose and has been that way since I bought it. When I took the slip-on off I saw that there was a metal sleeve on it but didn't wrap around the pipe completely. So, I tried one (a wrap) that was thicker and wrapped completely around the header pipe, which worked for a little while but it's still loose which is causing my bike to backfire when I shift. I haven't taken off the left one but I imagine it will be no different then the right one was when I first found the pipe was slipping. So, what do I do? Is there an adaptor that upsizes from the header pipe to fit the slip-on?
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Seal Beach, CA
That sounds exactly like the issue I'm having, because the sleeve I replaced it with should have been more than enough to take up the slack. So I was looking online and and found adapters that are wider on one side and more narrow on the other, like a pipe adapter for plumbing. Thanks for your feedback!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,210
Likes: 11,336
From: San Diego, CA
So, I have a 2012 Street Glide. When I bought it, it already had the Pythons on it. The problem I'm having is the left pipe fits perfect, no issues. The right one on the other hand is loose and has been that way since I bought it. When I took the slip-on off I saw that there was a metal sleeve on it but didn't wrap around the pipe completely. So, I tried one (a wrap) that was thicker and wrapped completely around the header pipe, which worked for a little while but it's still loose which is causing my bike to backfire when I shift. I haven't taken off the left one but I imagine it will be no different then the right one was when I first found the pipe was slipping. So, what do I do? Is there an adaptor that upsizes from the header pipe to fit the slip-on?
Without pictures to see what you are talking about, I would say that the prior owner tried to fit a muffler to his head pipe that was the wrong size....
The M8 mufflers have different inlet diameters. The right side muffler has a larger inlet than the left side muffler. Maybe the prior owner tried to "adapt" a set of M8 mufflers to this Twin Cam???
FWIW..
I have never seen an "adaptor" for a muffler to attach to the wrong size head pipe... I have seen exhaust clamp gaskets. They are usually used at crossover pipe connections. You have one at your crossover pipe connection (or did have one as OEM). Those connections, however, are designed to use that gasket. The Harley mufflers I have seen are not...
Below is a pic of a muffler connection for a Harley. All the mufflers I have dealt with had a connection like this...
It is designed to be able to expand slightly, fit over the head pipe snugly, and then clamp down/seal on the head pipe via the muffler clamp. These types of connections that are the correct size, can leak if not done correctly, or are old/bent/warped from multiple removals.
I would think it would be very difficult to use a "sleeve" between this type of connection and the head pipe, and expect it to seal...
If I am wrong, I will surely be corrected....
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 14, 2025 at 09:11 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,610
From: san antonio
How about measuring the ID of the slipons and the OD of the header pipe outlets to know what he is dealling with?
Unless the OP gets the proper fit for the side he is having a problem with, the connection will never be stable.
Unless the OP gets the proper fit for the side he is having a problem with, the connection will never be stable.
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