Are Mufflers Supposed to be Even?
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Shaconage
Are Mufflers Supposed to be Even?
I just installed CVO SE take-off mufflers on my Ultra and the left side seems to stick out about 1" longer than the right side. I'm sure the muffler is on the cross-over all the way and don't want to put anymore pressure on it. I seem to remember noticing my stock mufflers were a bit uneven, but never paid much attention to it.
Is it normal for one side to protrude out further than the other side?
Thanks
Is it normal for one side to protrude out further than the other side?
Thanks
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
they should be even, easiest if the bike is upright to see the difference
1 check that the header didn't get tweaked when you wrenched off the old mufflers
2. do not measure using the saddlebag guards for reference, they can be uneven, check from the wheel axle.
3. you can pull the right side back, as long as you have a good seal there ( new Torca clamps? they deform with use)
4 have someone help you spot that the mufflers hang down symetrically before tightening the clamps
and the mufflers are on the correct sides ? usually there is a depression on the rt side muffler for clearance
mike
1 check that the header didn't get tweaked when you wrenched off the old mufflers
2. do not measure using the saddlebag guards for reference, they can be uneven, check from the wheel axle.
3. you can pull the right side back, as long as you have a good seal there ( new Torca clamps? they deform with use)
4 have someone help you spot that the mufflers hang down symetrically before tightening the clamps
and the mufflers are on the correct sides ? usually there is a depression on the rt side muffler for clearance
mike
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
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From: Shaconage
When I took off the stock mufflers, I noticed the rubber mounted bracket on the left side was not as evenly spaced in the rubber mount as the right side. This leads me to believe the stock mufflers were a bit offset too. Not sure how to correct it.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
they should be even, easiest if the bike is upright to see the difference
1 check that the header didn't get tweaked when you wrenched off the old mufflers
2. do not measure using the saddlebag guards for reference, they can be uneven, check from the wheel axle.
3. you can pull the right side back, as long as you have a good seal there ( new Torca clamps? they deform with use)
4 have someone help you spot that the mufflers hang down symetrically before tightening the clamps
and the mufflers are on the correct sides ? usually there is a depression on the rt side muffler for clearance
mike
1 check that the header didn't get tweaked when you wrenched off the old mufflers
2. do not measure using the saddlebag guards for reference, they can be uneven, check from the wheel axle.
3. you can pull the right side back, as long as you have a good seal there ( new Torca clamps? they deform with use)
4 have someone help you spot that the mufflers hang down symetrically before tightening the clamps
and the mufflers are on the correct sides ? usually there is a depression on the rt side muffler for clearance
mike
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
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From: Twin Cities, MN
I have had issues where that slit in the intake end of the muffler (the slots that allow you to tighten it snug) will have a burr on it that hangs up on the header pipe no allowing it to get completely on. I have had to pull them off and and using a rounded file remove the burr and smooth it out. Slid on fine after that.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
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From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
They should be very close to even. An inch is way too much. Things to check:
-Check to see that the cross-under pipe is totally seated in the header. It's easy not to get this joint totally seated.
-Check the bracket holding the cross-under pipe to the transmission. Make sure that the cross-under pipe is fitting snugly and properly in that bracket and that the bracket bolt is tight...don't over tighten that bolt though.
-Use silver anti-seize (available from the auto parts stores) on the outside of the header where the pipes slip on and also on the inside of the muffs where they slide on. The anti-seize will act somewhat as a lubricant to help you slip them on all the way and later, make it easier when you remove the mufflers down the road.
This with what has been suggested so far should help you find the issue.
-Check to see that the cross-under pipe is totally seated in the header. It's easy not to get this joint totally seated.
-Check the bracket holding the cross-under pipe to the transmission. Make sure that the cross-under pipe is fitting snugly and properly in that bracket and that the bracket bolt is tight...don't over tighten that bolt though.
-Use silver anti-seize (available from the auto parts stores) on the outside of the header where the pipes slip on and also on the inside of the muffs where they slide on. The anti-seize will act somewhat as a lubricant to help you slip them on all the way and later, make it easier when you remove the mufflers down the road.
This with what has been suggested so far should help you find the issue.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Shaconage
They should be very close to even. An inch is way too much. Things to check:
-Check to see that the cross-under pipe is totally seated in the header. It's easy not to get this joint totally seated.
-Check the bracket holding the cross-under pipe to the transmission. Make sure that the cross-under pipe is fitting snugly and properly in that bracket and that the bracket bolt is tight...don't over tighten that bolt though.
-Use silver anti-seize (available from the auto parts stores) on the outside of the header where the pipes slip on and also on the inside of the muffs where they slide on. The anti-seize will act somewhat as a lubricant to help you slip them on all the way and later, make it easier when you remove the mufflers down the road.
This with what has been suggested so far should help you find the issue.
-Check to see that the cross-under pipe is totally seated in the header. It's easy not to get this joint totally seated.
-Check the bracket holding the cross-under pipe to the transmission. Make sure that the cross-under pipe is fitting snugly and properly in that bracket and that the bracket bolt is tight...don't over tighten that bolt though.
-Use silver anti-seize (available from the auto parts stores) on the outside of the header where the pipes slip on and also on the inside of the muffs where they slide on. The anti-seize will act somewhat as a lubricant to help you slip them on all the way and later, make it easier when you remove the mufflers down the road.
This with what has been suggested so far should help you find the issue.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
Ok... I leveled the bike on the jack and measured from the axle. Looks like there's slightly more that a .5" difference. The more I look at it, the less it bothers me. I may try to loosen the right side an pull it out a bit. If nothing else, I'll just remove the bumper since that's it main reference for the offset. 
Thanks to everyone for the help.
Thanks to everyone for the help.