Are Mufflers Supposed to be Even?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,069
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I would recommend NOT cutting anything ... however, I would suggest that you ensure that the mufflers are fully engaged with the head pipes ( you might find that one hasn't slipped on all the way ) .. and if they are on and still uneven try using a short piece of 2x4 placed on the end of the "longer" side ( of course loosen the inlet clamp first ) and give it a couple of "love taps" you will probably find that this resolves your dilemma ... God Luck!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 35
From: South Carolina-First to secede and hopefully the next.
I would recommend NOT cutting anything ... however, I would suggest that you ensure that the mufflers are fully engaged with the head pipes ( you might find that one hasn't slipped on all the way ) .. and if they are on and still uneven try using a short piece of 2x4 placed on the end of the "longer" side ( of course loosen the inlet clamp first ) and give it a couple of "love taps" you will probably find that this resolves your dilemma ... God Luck!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs
I had the same issue when I installed my slip-ons. Drove me bonkers!!
After an hour of "tapping" them and getting nowhere fast I loosened the heat shields on the headers and low and behold they slipped right up into place.
It is worth a shot.
After an hour of "tapping" them and getting nowhere fast I loosened the heat shields on the headers and low and behold they slipped right up into place.
It is worth a shot.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
I'm almost certain the mufflers were offset from the factory. I remember noticing it not long after I bought the bike, but thought maybe it was just the way it looked while leaning on the stand. After I removed the bags to take out the two rear mounting bolts. I noticed the right side bracket bar was almost centered in the rubber mount, while the left bracket bar had more bar showing behind the rubber mount than in front of it. This leads me to believe the left side muffler has been offset rearward since day one.
When initially pushing in the left side muffler. I did give it a "love tap" with the palm of my hand. It seemed to have a sound and feel like it bottomed out. When I noticed it was still offset, I gave it another tap. With the second tap. I saw the crossover move/flex, so I didn't tap it again. After snugging everything down, I remeasured and got about .5" difference. I guess I can live with that for now since I plan to buy and install a different head pipe in the near future. Although, I may try the heat shield adjustment just out of curiosity.
Question:
Right now my muffler clamp is right at the edge of the muffler pipe. On the other side of the clamp is the edge of the heat shield. Anyone know if any part of the heatshield is supposed to go under the muffler clamp?
When initially pushing in the left side muffler. I did give it a "love tap" with the palm of my hand. It seemed to have a sound and feel like it bottomed out. When I noticed it was still offset, I gave it another tap. With the second tap. I saw the crossover move/flex, so I didn't tap it again. After snugging everything down, I remeasured and got about .5" difference. I guess I can live with that for now since I plan to buy and install a different head pipe in the near future. Although, I may try the heat shield adjustment just out of curiosity.
Question:
Right now my muffler clamp is right at the edge of the muffler pipe. On the other side of the clamp is the edge of the heat shield. Anyone know if any part of the heatshield is supposed to go under the muffler clamp?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 1
From: Madison, WI
I'm almost certain the mufflers were offset from the factory. I remember noticing it not long after I bought the bike, but thought maybe it was just the way it looked while leaning on the stand. After I removed the bags to take out the two rear mounting bolts. I noticed the right side bracket bar was almost centered in the rubber mount, while the left bracket bar had more bar showing behind the rubber mount than in front of it. This leads me to believe the left side muffler has been offset rearward since day one.
When initially pushing in the left side muffler. I did give it a "love tap" with the palm of my hand. It seemed to have a sound and feel like it bottomed out. When I noticed it was still offset, I gave it another tap. With the second tap. I saw the crossover move/flex, so I didn't tap it again. After snugging everything down, I remeasured and got about .5" difference. I guess I can live with that for now since I plan to buy and install a different head pipe in the near future. Although, I may try the heat shield adjustment just out of curiosity.
Question:
Right now my muffler clamp is right at the edge of the muffler pipe. On the other side of the clamp is the edge of the heat shield. Anyone know if any part of the heatshield is supposed to go under the muffler clamp?
When initially pushing in the left side muffler. I did give it a "love tap" with the palm of my hand. It seemed to have a sound and feel like it bottomed out. When I noticed it was still offset, I gave it another tap. With the second tap. I saw the crossover move/flex, so I didn't tap it again. After snugging everything down, I remeasured and got about .5" difference. I guess I can live with that for now since I plan to buy and install a different head pipe in the near future. Although, I may try the heat shield adjustment just out of curiosity.
Question:
Right now my muffler clamp is right at the edge of the muffler pipe. On the other side of the clamp is the edge of the heat shield. Anyone know if any part of the heatshield is supposed to go under the muffler clamp?
Do not cut anything.
The mufflers should be on the headpipe just past the slit in the compression ring of the muffler. Basically a bit more than the clamp width.
It is likely one muffler may slide on farther than the other.
Don't slide it on crazy far.
Just make them even as long as the slit in the front of the muffler is covered on the inside by the incoming pipe.
Unless you are one really tough dude, you should not be able to bother the crossover at all if it was still bolted on.
And these are handy for those muffler inlets that are not smooth or just too tight. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MER...U87?Pid=search
Last edited by WI Bob; Dec 24, 2012 at 08:55 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: machesney park il
The best way to checkk is with a stright edge large enough hold on right side muffler and long enough to reach left muffler end caps..just like checking 90 deg. angle.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
OK... I just pulled off the left muffler and crossover heat shield. Put a very light film of oil inside the muffler inlet and reinstalled. There is no doubt the muffler is bottomed out on the crossover. It's as far as it will go. I tightened everything back up and reinstalled the heat shield. I measured again from the axle to the end of the muffler. I Also measured the mounting bracket from the rubber block back to the end of the flat bracket. I'm now at about .25" difference. This is close enough for me. If it's still bugging me in the morning, I'll loosen the right muffler and pull it rearward .25" to match the left side.
I really appreciate everyone's time and help with this. Merry Christmas to all.
I really appreciate everyone's time and help with this. Merry Christmas to all.
