An Old Problem Keep Coming Back
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
after installing the V&H header pipes long time ago I'm having a small problem that keep coming back from time to time. the problem is the front cylinder header pipe is touching the floor board bracket that attaches the floor board to the frame. the result of that is a clanking noise plus I feel the bumps under my right foot on the floor board. one HD mechanic fixed the problem for me long time ago and he mentioned some washer/spacer has to be installed but he didnt go into details or where to put that washer. another incident fixed (or even caused the problem again) that is one time I got back my bike from a service by the local HD dealer and I found out that the right floor board bracket is loose and I tighten down the alen bolts those attaches the bracket to the frame so I started to feel the bumps under my foot again. before I did that there was no clancking or even feeling the bumps. now the problem is back and I have no any idea how to fix it. so is there any body can help me that? BTW it's a common problem with all V&H header pipes on touring. and those who don't have it they have that mysterious washer/spacer installed.
thanks.
thanks.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
Another solution is to get floorboard extenders that move the brackets out. These mount between the bracket and the frame.
http://vtwingoodies.com/pages/driver.html
http://vtwingoodies.com/pages/driver.html
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I've got the floorboard extenders (1") and it helped with the clearance. It seems to be a common issue with Vance and Hines with real close tolerances. My VHDDs bring the 4" Rhine's super close to my rear spindle nut. It used to clear real well with the stock header. My friend put the same pipes on his stock header and there's plenty of clearance. Mine are right up against the nut with barely any light between em....always bothers me to see that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,133
Likes: 2,526
From: CT/FL
after inspecting the floorboard closely by my self turns out the problem is from the front bolt that attaches the floorboard to the bracket (not the one to the frame) the bolt thread is damaged and cant be tighten or untighten. I tried to use WD-40 with no luck. tried to point a screwdriver to the nut of that bolt and hammer it so it can sit back on another thread with no luck as well. ended up with some scratches on the bracket and the floorboard from down beneath due to my poor experience with mechanics (darn). now the floorboard is holding to the bracket from the rear bolt only and the front is lose and because of that I'll be still having the clancking noise and feel the bump under my foot from the floor board. so any ideas how to take off this damaged bolt with out the need to take it to a machine shop? please help me guys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
You need a 1/2" spacer on the front and rear mounting bolts. Spacer goes between the bracket and the frame. The bolt your fiddling with under the footboard has a lock nut on it and isn't supposed to be tight...only snug so the board can swivel if need be.
2010 Limited with some stuff
2010 Limited with some stuff
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