I have a decatted head pipe on order. Should be in next week. I would like to change this out myself. How difficult is this to do? I have ordered a service manual, but is there somewhere on the online to find step by step instructions to do this. Wanting to learn to wrench on my own bike. If there are any tips from anyone that has done this before would be great.

 

What year bike? On my 13 it takes about 20 minutes including taking the mufflers off. I've found it easier to remove the heatshields first as they get in the way when attaching to the heads.

 

This job is not that hard and the service manual is always a good reference. Things you may need;
1. Replacement exhaust gaskets for the heads, originals can sometimes be reused but they are cheap so have them on hand, find out whether stock or SE gaskets fit your pipe, the Fuel-Moto pipe takes stock, not SE.
2. Crossover pipe gasket, again best to have on hand but may be able to reuse original.
3. Some WD-40 to help remove mufflers
4. Rachet extension bar and swivel for getting a socket on the exhaust bolts at the heads
5. If you have 02 sensors mark the front and rear wires so you get them on right during reassembly
6. Take your time when fitting the new pipe in place, when you can get all four exhaust nuts started onto the head bolts tighten them in steps while watching that each bolt properly snugs up the flange and pipe
7. Wipe off all fingerprints from the chrome before starting so that they dont leave permanent marks
8. On first start move your hand close to the joints to feel for exhaust leaks before the pipes get hot

 

+1 on the new gaskets. Loose fit everything before snugging it all up really helps with misalignment. Check the manual for the correct torque and use a torque wrench. Check and re-torque if needed after your first ride.

 

Simply Simply.....just be careful with exhaust Flange( head) bolts. Put never seize on them when you put it back together. I would put everything back on loose and align front pipes and tighten as you go. Very easy and believe it or not fun. Take your time. Not to be too nosy but what do they charge for decatting a pipe. Just did a couple for friends and no charge but wondered if they were worth doing.

 

Pretty good disassembly instructions (as part of the install instructions) here: http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/t...lsystems/17931

 

20 minutes to;

-remove saddlebags
-remove 4 muffler bolts and 2 torca clamps
-remove mufflers which usually require a decent amount of wrestling
-remove right side floor board assembly
-remove right side cover and unplug O2 sensors then cut their ties
-loosen or remove heat shields as suggested
-remove the front and rear exhaust port nuts
-remove head pipe
-install new exhaust port gaskets

-repeat for installation of new pipes

OP its not a 20 min job, especially if its your first time. Not too hard though but you may get hung up a few times trying to figure it out.

 

if you ordered new head pipes they should come with new gaskets. be prepaired though if it dont. but it should only take realisticly since you havent done it before maybe an hour. biggest thing i would remember is once you have them on go ride the bike get the pipes heated up then retighten your header nuts once the bike has cooled off.and im not sure but do you need a tuner when you decat the pipes or not ? i would check into that.

 

and if you are using a stock head pipe that has been decatted, do not get the SE gaskets. They don't work as well with stock pipes as the regular gaskets. I tried the SE gaskets the first time figuring they would be better but I could not get my rear cylinder sealed. I always take one of those long butane lighters and check for leaks after starting. Good luck.

 

You will need to also get a long extension, preferably 6" or longer 1.4 drive, and a universal socket too because it will be the only way to get to the upper and lower nuts on the front pipe due to the frame being in the way. I have done this on my bike about 4 times in the last 8 months due to various mods.