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| Straight Brackets For Mounting Harley Davidson Mufflers |
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Author: Ken Thompson (Pudge) Views: 17462 Votes: 9 |
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Alternative Brackets to Most of you are familiar with the “L” shaped or “hockey stick” style brackets that many of us have used to mount Road King mufflers on our RSV's. Many of us do not have the tools to easily produce the “L” shaped brackets. It is very helpful to have at least a cutting torch or a welder to fabricate them. There is an article in the Tech Library that shows the dimensions and discusses the fabrication and fitment of these “L” shaped brackets, and they work very well. http://www.venturers.org/Tech_Library/?action=article&cat_id=002009&id=253 However, I discovered a way to make a very satisfactory RK muffler mounting bracket from a piece of mild steel or aluminum stock that is two inches wide by a quarter of an inch thick and just short of a foot long. There are three holes necessary to mount these brackets, two to attach the bracket to each muffler, and the third to allow the brackets and attached mufflers to be attached to the stock muffler mounting bracket underneath the saddlebag frames of the RSV.
Please note that I show the hole where the bracket attaches to the stock muffler mount to be a slotted hole rather than a single hole. There appears to be a bit of difference in individual bikes and RK mufflers that determine just how far the muffs will slide up onto the header pipes. You have two choices. You can bore the holes and mount these brackets on your muffs and then install the muffs onto the header pipes (as far as they will slide forward) and then mark the location of hole #3. You will need your saddle bags off in order to accomplish this. (Note: if you use the muffler clamps described below, they will limit the forward travel of the mufflers onto the header pipes.) Or you can make the slotted hole as shown, and be able to fit the mufflers onto your bike and expect the hole to line up so that the bolt can be installed in the muffler mounting bracket and fit the bracket on your muff regardless of differences. Notice that the slot is in line with the muffler so that this adjustment is possible. Also note that the outside edge of the bracket can be trimmed to make these brackets look a bit neater when installed. This is not necessary, since the clamps really can’t be seen much underneath the installed saddlebags. Still, I like them trimmed, if you have the torch or tools to do that. Also shown is a picture of the RK muffs installed with the wide chromed clamp made by V-Twin manufacturing that effectively covers the ugly joint between the muffs and the header pipes. This item can be ordered by going to this website:
http://www.ironcitycycles.com/quick_search.php
Type in part number 31-9920 in the quick price check search window and you will be shown a set of these fine clamps that can be purchased for less than $30.00 plus shipping. With these clamps and a set of the brackets described here, you will be able to securely mount your RK muffs and ride in style
I have not personally made and used a set of these brackets from aluminum stock, but I see no reason why aluminum would not work well for this purpose. The main purpose of the brackets is to take the weight of the muffs off the header pipes and to hold them in place so they won’t slip off. Heat affects aluminum differently than it does steel, and I cannot guarantee that aluminum will last indefinitely so please take this into consideration as you read this article. I know for certain that mild steel stock will work for as long as you own your RSV. The reverse slash Road King Mufflers look very nice on the RSV, and they sound very nice as well. They may not be loud enough for some of you, but they are plenty loud for me. The set I am running now have the front and rear small solid baffles drilled out of the center perforated tube, with no other holes drilled anywhere. They really sound good. They also sound pretty good with no modifications at all. Just build your brackets and get your clamp and mount them to your RSV and enjoy!!
Last update: 07:04 PM Thursday, February 16, 2006 |
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