Seeking some advice. I have already sent a note to Fuel Moto but trying to fix this today.

I have the 2-1-2 ceramic headers installed on my 13 road king, got about 600 miles on them.

I ran into a problem yesterday while getting my 1k service done at Whits Harley in Winchester VA.

They stated the front exhaust header was bumping up against the bracket for the rear brake and causing damage.

I have included a few pictures, but basically the harley mechanic told me there should have been an after market bracket with the header pipes to prevent this.

I came home, still have the original packaging for the 2-1-2, looked through the box and I did not have any bracket that shipped with my pipes. Sure enough I looked at the instructions and it did reference a "fuel moto bracket".

Not sure what to do here but I told the mechanic I would fix it after getting with you guys.

Do you have any advice?

I tried loosening up the header bolts and pulling the pipes away from the front brake bracket, however, as soon as I tighten the header bolts down again the pipe goes right back to about 1/16" (maybe closer) of an inch from the bracket. There is some damage to the header pipe because of this.

 

I seem to have same problem on mine. please post the fix

 

I don't have this problem. I have a good 1/4" of clearance. I wonder what the difference is. My bike is a 2012 Ultra and the head pipe is the non coated stainless steal Jackpot 2-1-2.

 

I can't tell by the picture but I think you have it installed wrong. I would take it off and start over again.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using IB AutoGroup

 

I tend to agree. OP. can you post some more PICs for us to look at. If this was the standard everyday Fuelmoto pipe? That pipe should fit with NO issues.

What exhaust gaskets did you use? The tapered stock or the SE flats?

 

I will add some more pics asap.

My bike was brand new so I was able to use the stock gaskets. I do have some new ones (standard) just in case I had to take the pipes back off... but you know whats NOT fun, I went to take them off this morning and start over.. and the damn exchange bolt is stripped out or seized up (there is no bolt on the top to get leverage... just that flat head... so damn annoying).

I have no idea how anyone could install a 2-1-2 pipe "wrong" though.

It was a serious pain in the **** to get the things into the headers (stretching the back one and twisting and pulling and whatnot)... I just dont see how there could be ANY other way to have gotten the damn thing in place...

I have read a few other have had the exact issue, are we all just THAT bad at a simple install???

 

pics... not sure if this helps...

 

Is there anyway you can get a pick of the bracket by the transmission?

 

Did you tighten down your exhaust manifold flange to head, per HD Manual? You just don't tighten them up any old way. There is a sequence & torque specs. This may not change anything I just wanted to put that out there. You already know you need the bracket.

 

I'm kinda confused by your "exchange bolt" comment, not sure what you mean by that? I have the 2-1-2 back on my 2010 ultra, just reinstalled Friday. My pipes are at least 2 years old, maybe they changed something since? You should have a bracket welded on the header where the two come together that will bolt up to the bracket mounted to the transmission, (is this the exchange bolt your talking about?)that should hold the header outward leaving about 1/4 inch of space to the brake mech. I would think that it's about the same for the stock header. When installing the header onto the cylinders, I find tilting the bottom of the header upward to help. The flat head bolt at the transmission has a square shank that will hold the bolt from spinning, you just have to push downward on it while you spin on the nut. Pics without the heat shields might make seeing things easier. I also find having an expander helpful, especially for the crossover. You screw up the gasket there, you will have a leak.