So, last night I finally started installing the goodies I was fortunate to get this past Christmas. Finally you may ask? Well, we have a new baby that arrived on 12/1 and with a 2.5 year old to boot, things are crazy around here.

Anyway, I started with the tappet block cover...no problem. Then onto the chrome head bolt bridge...no sweat. Then came the engine/transmission interface cover part number 66532-07, went on without a hitch, but then I noticed something. What is the gap in between the rear and top covers all about? Oh sh*t, that must be there for the stock exhaust crossover...wtf?

So, now I am debating if I should leave it or take it off and do something else. Sometimes it amazes me that you pay top dollar for these machines and these parts and they allow gaps in the finish product. For instance, the very noticeable and very ugly gap in the stock exhaust heat shield at the front header....come on, for real?

Anyway, what do you think I should do....leave it or take it off?

 

Yes, the gap is there for the stock exhaust. When I got the part for my 07, I fortunately caught that before mounting it and my dealer let me return it. (I had true duals also) Cant blame them for that, it pretty much needs to be there for the stock exhaust.

I put this on instead:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US

Im pretty sure I've seen an aftermarket part like the one you have specifically made for use with true dual exhaust, but I cant remember who makes it.


The gap in the header heat shield was fixed in 09'.

 

Check out Kuryakyn #7877, for true duals. Couldnt tell if its the same 3 piece set as Harley but for 169 bucks it should be.

 

I guess I should have looked into this a little more, I just assumed based on the photo in the parts catalog that there was no issue. My beef with this sort of thing is this....why would you manufacture a high quality part like this and have it be incomplete? If by testing the thing, they found that there was no room because of the crossover pipe, then why push the part out the door of the design room? Being in the architectural business, we never push something to the point of being incomplete....always provide a solution that is finished, and if cost is an issue, then find another solution that provides the same appearance. Now, in HD's defense, they don't offer true dual exhaust systems, so why should they fix the gaping hole between these parts?