R & R Stock Exhaust

[ChromeDome]

Was wondering if there are any "gotcha's" when I replace my exhaust? Got the gaskets, 12 new chrome nuts for the head and 4 new for the hangers. I figure I need to take off the saddle bags, loosen everything and then start actually pulling stuff off from the head back. Let me know if I am missing something.

Also, does anybody know what the torque specs are?

Thanks in advance.

[Joe Hummer]

The biggest gotcha on the pipes is going back after a few hundred miles and checking the torque on the header bolts.  The torque on the header nuts is 7ft-lbs.  The hanger nuts are 25 ft-lbs. 

You do not need to take the saddlebags off.  I would remove the header nuts first then take loose the hanger nuts.  Install in reverse. 

Joe

[DFragn]

I would remove the header nuts first then take loose the hanger nuts.  Install in reverse.  
Joe

I would leave one header nut loose and in place just to keep the headers from bouncing off the ground when you pull the can nuts from the exhaust hangers. Sitting Indian style you can use your knees/legs as a safety net once the two can nuts are free.
As mentioned do the reverse to install. I suggest laying on the ground so you can see that your drawing the headers up squarely.

[Joe Hummer]

Oh...one more gotcha...make sure you get the old gasket out of the head.  A small screwdriver will allow you to pick it out. 

[RP#62]

Be very careful torquing the nuts.  The studs snap off very easily.  Its better to err on the side of under torquing than over torquing.
-RP

[Warlock]

Was wondering if there are any "gotcha's" when I replace my exhaust? Got the gaskets, 12 new chrome nuts for the head and 4 new for the hangers. I figure I need to take off the saddle bags, loosen everything and then start actually pulling stuff off from the head back. Let me know if I am missing something.

Also, does anybody know what the torque specs are?

Thanks in advance.

It will take awhile to torque them up. Just keep torquing them. Because as you torque the others it will loosen the ones you have torque. Once you get that done ride it for a couple hrs and re-check the torque again. Then ride about a week and check it again. That should be the last time to check it. Like someone else said it will look like there is no gasket there. Just take a flat screwdriver and pop the old ones out.
David  

[Ricky-D]

If you are going to try to use a foot pound torque wrench to tighten low torque requirement nuts/bolts you will be in for a pile of trouble.

Low torque requirements require a (low torque requirement) wrench that reads in inch pounds.

Foot pound torque wrenches are notoriously unreliable and variations of plus or minus 10% are not uncommon. The same can be said for inch pound torque wrenches.

All torque wrenches need calibration, all of the time.

The problem of twisting off bolts and studs is not the fault of the torque wrench but rather the operator not understanding what the heck is involved when tightening down nuts and bolts.

***

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

What exhaust you going with Thom ?
IMO it's easier to drop the saddlebags besides it gives you a good chance to clean'em up .

[ChromeDome]

What exhaust you going with Thom ?
IMO it's easier to drop the saddlebags besides it gives you a good chance to clean'em up .

I am staying with the stock exhaust and that's a good idea about droping the bags ... it has been a while since I cleaned the backside of the bags.

[Patrick]

The boys covered it pretty well.. Its easy to damage those rings and I start tightening the exhaust flange from the center and work outward.. It takes several trips around it before they start tightening/snugging up.. It'll take several attempts at it also after a few heat cycles,, it'll take a month..

[Larry]

Just don't over tighten the header nuts, that's a really big gotcha!

[Patrick]

How did you like Key West?? I Like that town, spend every winter there, part of it anyway..Never see many Valks there though..

[ChromeDome]

How did you like Key West?? I Like that town, spend every winter there, part of it anyway..Never see many Valks there though..

I've been there a couple of times and it is a fun place. Joe, Duffy, Werner and myself are planning on going the last week of April ... will only be there a couple of days. We will probably hit the basic places .... Sloppy Joe's, Duval St., The Southern Most Point and sunset at the west end .... and if the weather is nice I was thinking of The Garden of Eden.

[Patrick]

Well, there are a lot of 'off Duval' places that are interesting.. JoAnn and I spend a lot of time listening to Jeannie at the Bull, have a few drinks upstairs at the Whistle, but rarely venture all the way up to the Garden..Too many steps