Before I start, I did do a search but did not find an answer I was comfortable with on the forum.

I am considering changing the pipes on a '99 Ultra. How many out there have done the job themselves and are do you have any pointers? Can I do it at home and save $ versus paying a dealership? If I do it myself I would have to invest in somesort of mapping devise to retune from what I understand. Is this fairly straight forward?

 

If it is just pipes, then there is no need for any mapping. I just changed my slip ons. It was two 1/2 inch bolts under the saddlebags and one 9/16 bolt where it connects to the exhaust pipe. That is fairly easy.....take you bags off and you will see how easy. Don't pay the dealer any more than you have to

 

Tuco069;

If you're talking about just changing the mufflers, that's extremely easy.

If you're talking about changing the whole system, that gets just a little more involved. Can you clarify what you're intending to do?

Bryon

 

Blue locktight, and socket wrench, since it's a 99, maybe a little WD40, let it sit a little and twist the muffler right and left and pull it straight out.

 

At this point I just a little more sound. The pipes are stock. Changing the slip ons would be no problem. Recommendations?

 

Nothing to it (even for me - That's saying something).

Cheap & wonderful? SuperflowMufflers.com

I'm tired of typing about them - So I blogged about 'em recently: http://johnscrip.com/html/blog_files...w_mufflers.php

Slight recommendation - Having someone on the bike to steady it isn't a really bad idea if it takes some yerking (yanking/jerking) to get them off. A chunk of 2x4 and a hammer could come in handy also.

 

Just be sure to clean them very thoroughly with alcohol before starting the engine. Any smudge or fingerprint that is on the pipe prior to starting will be there for the life of the chrome once the pipe gets hot. Also, make damn sure the slip on is sealed and wait at least 24 hours for it to cure before starting the bike. If there is the slightest pin hole enough gas will get out to blue or discolor the chrome on the muffler.

If your bike would look good with black pipes you might want to look into ceramic coated Samson true duals. The V&H (and most other black systems) come with a ceramic coated heat shield. They look and sound great but the left pipe heat shield placement will be closer to the side cover than the stock pipe.

True duals will require a remap.

 

Like the look of black but need to stick with chrome. I'll look into the superflows, thanks! Guess I have some reading to do before making my mind up. My vrod has screaming eagle slip ons, any other note worthy brands you know about/recommend?

 

Yeah it's not a hard job to do for the slipons. Get a manuel if you don't have one already and save the money. The whole system is pretty easy also, it's just some more things to take off to make room to get the front pipe off.

 

I recently put some Wild Pig slipons on my RK and am really happy with them.
Got them from ebay for cheaper than most, about $175 for the pair.
Great sound at idle and accelerating but not too loud on the highway.
I recommend them for the money.