Broken Exhaust Bracket on Road Glide
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
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From: King George, VA
Broken Exhaust Bracket on Road Glide
The bracket shown in the pictures broke a week ago and I had it MIG welded back together. Now, just a week later the same bracket broke again.
I know this is a common problem on the baggers, left side only, but I need to fix this so it quits breaking. I know Zinotte's sells it for about $45, but I will just have another part that breaks.
I need a permanent fix. Any proven methods?
I know this is a common problem on the baggers, left side only, but I need to fix this so it quits breaking. I know Zinotte's sells it for about $45, but I will just have another part that breaks.
I need a permanent fix. Any proven methods?
Last edited by EasternSP; Apr 30, 2010 at 04:48 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
Take that back to whoever did the welding and show it to them - they were trying to protect your chrome, but didn't put enough heat into the joint to get adequate penetration. You will lose chrome (they should have ground it off the weld area to begin with) and you will need to paint the area to protect it.
Me? I'd replace the part, make sure the muffler is positioned correctly, and torque to specs. It may never break again, and $45 isn't much in the grand scheme of things........
Me? I'd replace the part, make sure the muffler is positioned correctly, and torque to specs. It may never break again, and $45 isn't much in the grand scheme of things........
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Mine lasted 40k. I replaced it with a new one. The parts guy said to check those brackets every once and a while that loose fasteners will cause excessive vibration resulting in bracket failure. I did not know this was only a left side issue. Is there any possibility that the left bracket gets more vibration? Just throwing it out there...
When I checked the other side it was loose. I was able to give the fasteners a turn to tighten them back up.
When I checked the other side it was loose. I was able to give the fasteners a turn to tighten them back up.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 1
I used another piece of steel - to replace the broken off lower piece. I had to bend it in a vice (tricky bending the angle). I made it long enough to attach the muffler and long enough to drill a couple of 1/4" holes and bolt it to the upper support piece. If you're not worried about the looks (can't see it very well anyway)...then you're good to go.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Mine broke at 3,000 miles. Fixed under warranty but I give 'em a tug as part of my pre-ride check and I carry some straps in the saddlebag for when it lets go on some road in the middle of nowhere.
Trust me -- I know how my luck goes.
Trust me -- I know how my luck goes.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: King George, VA
When the guy welded it, he did grind it back a bit to get good coverage. After it cooled, I painted it with silver Rust-OLeum. Looking at it closely under a magnifying glass, the break this time is very close to the first break and does go into the original break a little bit.
The bike has 38K on it now. I added the fat tire kit last summer and it only has about 5K on it. The saddlebag support bar never did line up quite perfectly with the bracket, so I would presume that adds some stress to it.
yeah, maybe a whole new part would be better.
The bike has 38K on it now. I added the fat tire kit last summer and it only has about 5K on it. The saddlebag support bar never did line up quite perfectly with the bracket, so I would presume that adds some stress to it.
yeah, maybe a whole new part would be better.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
....... mine went at about 30,000. Left side also. Service guy @ the dealer said it happens all the time on the baggers. They wanted $70 for the part. Whattaya do when yer ride's torn up in the service bay ?
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