Vance & Hines True Duals Clamp

[Kirbo]

I bought a 2004 Road King Custom with the above pipes on it. The front cyl pipe has a clamp about mid way along the pipe to hold it to a frame bracket. I have replaced that clamp twice now, last one lasted 2 days, because of the pipe growing and shrinking from heat. Is it necassary to clamp there and if so what kind of clamp should I be using? The pipe is only held by exhaust bolts and the sliding hanger on rear end. It rattles against the bracket without the clamp.

[Admiral Akbar]

I think that the clamp you describe should connect to the tranny.. Maybe that's your problem... Max

[Kirbo]

You may be correct, I havent looked that close as to what its connected to but its solid, U shaped, and it should be some sort of flexible clamp so it doesnt break when pipe expands and contracts. The pipe really should slide on the bracket and be able to support the weight of the pipe. Cant imagine what should be there. It has to come apart to feed it into bracket and around pipe.

[Kirbo]

Location of clamp, looks like it IS attached to tranny.

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[Admiral Akbar]

It's not so much as heat / expansion casing the issue..It's flex and strains involved.. The newer bracket is a simple angle which seems to work better.  P clamp bolts to the angle..

Max

[Kirbo]

Is the newer bracket you refer to available from V/H?

[Admiral Akbar]

I think that they are available from VnH but am not sure.. IIRC I got one from them in my TD kit for my 02 FLHRC.. HD only started using them in 07..

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/granitestateharleystore/hdm_oem/hdmc.asp?Type=13&A=616&B=48

Note that the one shown will need about a 1/2 inch spacer since 07 up has a fatter tranny

Max

[Kirbo]

Thanks Max!! Appreciate the help. Now that I see the bracket it shouldnt be hard to make one from scratch. A picture is worth a thousand words (or more).