An Old Problem Keep Coming Back
An Old Problem Keep Coming Back
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.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 669
From: Rolla
The spacer and washer are supplied with the pipes when you purchase them new from V&H.
From the Power Duals:
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
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.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 518
Likes: 27
From: PA
I assume your talking about the heat shield?
Mine did the same thing with all spacers and washers installed too, so I took a very good sharp pair of curved tin snips and cut about 1/4 of an inch off the bottom of the opening where the bracket sits in. It cut perfectly and looks like it was cut that way from V&H. I dabbed primer on the exposed edge to protect it. It looks perfect
No more clunks.
Smitty
Mine did the same thing with all spacers and washers installed too, so I took a very good sharp pair of curved tin snips and cut about 1/4 of an inch off the bottom of the opening where the bracket sits in. It cut perfectly and looks like it was cut that way from V&H. I dabbed primer on the exposed edge to protect it. It looks perfect
No more clunks.
Smitty
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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.