question regarding truck stack installation

[jmann]

I am in the process of installing 18" truck stacks on my '98 tourer with Grumphys tips. These are Christmas presents so I am anxious to get them on before Christmas. I currently have one side installed and it looks great (especially with those tips) but when I go to install the heat shield prior to reinstalling the bag it won't fit properly because of the diameter of the 4" truck stacks. It wont sit flat in the rear. I have an interstate exhaust system on the bike after trading a fellow valk owner who wanted my loud cobras in trade. I don't think that would make a difference but want to provide as much info as possible. What have others done to address this as I can't imagine I'm the only one that has run into this problem. Do I notch the heat shield or get out my 5lb. sledge and flatten the end? Thanks for any advice you you can provide.

John

[John Schmidt]

Are you talking about the black plate the bags sit on? My stacks also hit the back end of them where they drop down a bit. I just took them off, then cut off that dropped down rear section. Been that way for 7-8 years now with no trouble or overheating the bags.

[jmann]

Are you talking about the black plate the bags sit on? My stacks also hit the back end of them where they drop down a bit. I just took them off, then cut off that dropped down rear section. Been that way for 7-8 years now with no trouble or overheating the bags.

Yes the black heat shield is what I was referring to. I didn't know if there would be any issue with trimming that. Didn't want to risk heat damaging those REAL expensive to replace factory bags. Did you just trim away the section that steps down on the very end?

[Grumpy]

I just took a small hammer and a flat plate, and flattened out the part that turns down. Does not take much. Another trick, loosen the bolts  and brackets at the rear foot pegs, then push down on the pipes while tightening them back up, it will lower the pipes a little to give more clearance. The bolts are at the front of the mufflers.

[eddy6]

I had the same problem on my 1999 Tourer. I took the muffler mounting bracket off and had a friend modify the holes so I could lower the muffler about 3/4 inch. Works great. Good luck.

[jmann]

I had the same problem on my 1999 Tourer. I took the muffler mounting bracket off and had a friend modify the holes so I could lower the muffler about 3/4 inch. Works great. Good luck.

I may have to do the plate mod. I have flattened the back of the heat shield and loosened the bolts for the muffler bracket but I cannot get enough play in it to connect everything up. Even with out the heat shield and just trying to install the saddlebag by itself I am having no luck with getting everything to connect up. Very frustrating. I should have known it wouldn't be easy. I will go to bed and try again tomorrow. Thanks for your suggestions.

[scoot]

I just loosened the exhuast hanger and was able to move exhuast enough to get the clearance. You could also loose the bag mount to get the same effect. Loosen, lift up on the bag mount and tighen at the same time.

[Jess from VA]

I just bent my heat shields up a wee bit, then forced the bags down on them enough to get the hardware in.

[jmann]

I just loosened the exhuast hanger and was able to move exhuast enough to get the clearance. You could also loose the bag mount to get the same effect. Loosen, lift up on the bag mount and tighen at the same time.

I did both those and no luck. I finally notched the heat shield a bit and was able to get the darn thing on. On to side two. Wow what fun this has turned in to. Look great though. Much better than the factory tips.