| Author | Message | ||
     Gentleman_jon |
There are probably more exhaust systems manufactured for Harley's than any other motor vehicle on planet earth, and yet I can't find one that really suits me and my FXDX. The reason is very simple. None of the current manufacturers of which I am aware, seem to give cornering clearance any consideration at all. The custom made headers that I already have look nice, but the pipes are much too big, and the front header is outboard of the rear header as they turn to the rear, thus easily touching the ground whilst cornering, with dire consequences.  The situation isn't any better at the custom tube benders I have contacted. They are more interested in style than function, and most of their creations seem to be designed for the Softail market. Not really sure why. Perhaps Softy owners are more concerned with appearance than the Dyna crowd. They all assure me that there is absolutely no market for a "road racing" system for a Dyna, and suggest that I take it slower in the corners, like everyone else. Not a bad idea actually.  The problem is that most of the performance two-into-one pipes, including the Thunderheader, send both the front and rear headers under the mid controls, ( which I prefer for control), and many custom headers won’t work with mid controls at all. Another problem with the Dyna is that the transmission mount of the exhaust pipe doesn’t work very well with long pipes like the Thunderheader or the Supertrapp. Kevin Drum has told me that he doesn’t believe that the highly touted Thunderheader is a particular good performer, and that he could build a better one if only I could bring by bike down to his shop, a bit of a hike for me, living on Long Island as I do. I have designed an exhaust system, but I can’t find any one who will build it for less than a grand, which is a lot to spend on the exhaust pipe for a seven year old bicycle, especially since this kind of custom project has a way of not coming out exactly right on the first try, (ie. the one I would be paying for).  ( The green color is for illustration purposes only.) So...... I am going to try get a local welder to see if he can modify the pipes on my bike. If that doesn’t work, I guess I will just put the stock headers back on , and use some Steaming Eagle black mufflers, which are available on eBay from time to time for around a hundred bucks. Thoughts, anyone? | ||
| Dynasport |
I would have thought a custom muffler shop that has pipe bending equipment could make you anything you want. Or are you saying they can, but they want a grand or better to do it? | ||
| Jackbequick |
Jon, My Dyna came to me with the SE 16 Gage Shotgun pipes as seen on my profile photo. They are kind of big, overly long, and sort of flashy for my taste. But they're what I have. I did add a pair of Custom Chrome baffles to them, they were just too loud for me. But I cannot imagine being able to corner at angles that would get them on the ground. Will you current system ground before the foot peg does? Coincidentally, I pulled my exhaust system off today to get at the transmission cover to fit an easy pull type clutch pull reducing device. The clutch thing went OK and I am really impressed with how much lighter the pull is. A freshly lubed cable probably accounts for some of the gain. After dealing with getting the heat shields/extra layer of chrome off to get the mufflers off, I'm not sure that I'm that crazy about having another set of shielded/shiny pipes. I sometimes feel a need to have a caveat on my bike, like a sticker that says "I bought with all the chrome already on it, that's not me" or something. But I can live with it for now. I always liked the looks of the high/low fore/aft stagger and the mufflers on the stock Dyna pipes. If I was going to replace the exhaust system a stock Dyna setup or something like it would work for me. You mentioned moving from a FXD to the FXDX, did you have any leftovers from the FXD? Jack | ||
| Dynasport |
Now that I think about it, my pegs hit the ground before my pipes as well. Do your pipes hit first? | ||
| Jackbequick |
I think not, I've not grounded either a pipe or a peg yet. I've made a couple of half hearted attempts to find the limit for the foot pegs but haven't yet. I think my problem is that my level for attaining satisfaction from riding is set lower than my desire or even ability to go fast. :>) If you get out to Maine any time, maybe we can explore the limits a little. :>) Do you have anything like a J&P Cycle catalog? I have one of those and was looking at exhaust systems today and you're right about there being a lot of them. I'd be really confused if I wanted to buy one. It's too bad that after market exhaust system sellers do not list approximate model specific sound noise levels for their offerings. Like in dBm as measured against a published enforcement standard or something. Or state compliance or non-compliance with published state laws like this one for Connecticut. That is always one of my first questions, how quiet or loud will it be? Jack | ||
| Bill0351 |
Could you dump it forward and out the bottom Buell style? Bill | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Jack - sorry no leftovers on the FXD. I really didn't do much to that bike except the usual things required to get a "sitter" running: Tires, rebuilt carb, new petcock, change fluids and filters, and this and that. Amazingly that ended up costing a grand. Dyna - I wouldn't mind spending $600 or so if I could find a pipe that did everything I wanted it too. Well I would mind, but I might go for it. The problem with having a custom pipe done is that this kind of thing is devilishly hard to get right, with all the different bends moving in three dimensions, and I don't want to be the first one to try a particular design unless I had a builder who I felt 100% confident in. As a professional designer, I always like to be the second guy with a custom design! Tired of buying the prototype. Bill - That's a good idea, but one that might not find much market appeal for a commercial builder as one must keep the forward control thing in mind for sales. Secondly, there isn't much room under a Harley for a muffler. Definitely something to consider though. It is hard to get a builder/designer to do something that radical for the Harley market though. Here is a photo that shows the problem with my bike which could have been solved by the original builder of the headers if he wanted to. The front header should have been tucked inboard, not outboard of the rear header. I am going to try to get a local welder to see if he can move it inboard.  | ||
| Xl1200r |
Kevin Drum has told me that he doesn’t believe that the highly touted Thunderheader is a particular good performer Kevin Drum would be right. When I was shopping for an exhuast, my then brand new 2004 XL1200R was chosen as the shootout pig. They tried the Thunderheader and the brand new Supertrapp system. The Thunderheader made maybe 2 more peak hp, but the midrange gains with the Suprtrapp were unreal - a MUCH better pipe. On top of it, the Thunderheader was leveling out at redline while the Supertrapp was still climbing, so there was even more to be had should I had decided to take it there. As for your conering concerns, this is exactly why I got rid of the Sporty for the Buell - nothing existed. I was about to try an fab up a custom 2:1 high mount header to work with my Suprttrapp muffler, but decided against it. On that note, why not keep the system up high? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Mark, Thanks for the contribution. Trading in a Sporty for a Buell is a very wise decision, as the Buell just seems better designed in every area. Of course, that option is not open to me as I already had a Buell when I got my Harley. Riding a big twin is an entirely different kettle of fish, sort of like having a hot rod truck. A high exhaust system would be a great idea, but as none are available that I know of that have any effective tuning or baffles for mid range, I would have to design and build one myself. As a designer, I have a great appreciation of having someone else be the guinea pig, and I don't feel like spending a thousand bucks for a new exhaust. So, for the moment, I will keep the exhaust system I have, which looks and sounds pretty cool, and just ride the bike more like it was meant to be ridden. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Jon, if you were daring, I bet you could hack up the system you have now to reroute the bends (maybe buy a few extra bends where needed) and keep the muffler that you already like. Run it for a while and see how you like it. Then you can decide to keep looking, or have a professional clena your prototype or make up a new one for you. I think a high-mount on a big twin would one in a million. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Mark, I agree, a high mount on a big twin would be super cool. I keep buying custom bike mags, hoping to find a guy who has built a good one. So far, lots of mags, not too much luck. i will say that I am just amazed at the creativity and workmanship that the top custom guys bring to a project. I have located a local tube bender/welder/craftsman, goes by the name of Peanuts, who says he will take a look at my headers. Maybe he will be able to tuck the front header inside the rear one, That would give me all the clearance I need for the moment I would love to fit a Buell Ulysses front end, and some decent shocks on the rear, but again, there is no technical info out there, and the changes while costly, would make the bike less appealing to 99.99999% of the Harley riders out there. And every bike gets sold sooner or later, right? | ||
| Madduck |
I believe the pipes you are looking for are on the Supertrapp web site. Called X-Pipes, top row about 5 over. I was considering them for my sporty when I saw a bike with the V&H Short shots. They run both pipes high, front over/rear under. Best of luck but I would go with something like that versus the conventional design if you need cornering clearance. Dirt track rasers get real flat and generally use the high pipes. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Duck, Good suggestion, thanks. I thought those were 1 3/4" drag pipes, but it turns out they are 2" pipes with baffles, so they might work out. A bit pricey, but certainly a real possibility. First I am going to see if I can fix the one I have. | ||
| Sarodude |
One other possibility: The RBRacing guys http://rbracing-rsr.com might be able to help. Check out this pipe. I have no experience with their stuff, though. I'd REALLY like a Rinehart - but it's unclear how cornering clearance would be affected. The RBRacing pipes can at least be had with the up-sweep and they do semi-custom make the pipes for you - or so they say. I have mixed feelings about dealing with them (they slam everyone) but ya never know... -Saro |
