Pipes and Kits

[tnhunter]

I just got new pipes for the old girl. I was thinking of putting on the pipes myself and having a mechanic do the stage kit and retune the carbs. How hard is it to change out pipes and is the stage kit doable by an old shade tree mechanic turned computer hacker?(ME) I got V&H, the pipes on the bike are stock, but they go down both sides, the new pipes cross over and come out the right side. These are supposed to fit though. Any help?

[woodchucks800]

You can handle it TN, Piece of cake. If youv'e ever had a carb apart you could probably handle the rejetting as well.

[Spok]

I installed my pipes but left the jetkit to the shop to handle. I am my own worse critic and most likely I could've done it myself but am fearful of screwing things up...besides I wanted it dyno'd too and since they were fixing my sidestand switch when it left me stranded I had all that work done at once.

[tnhunter]

Spok, I am the same way, fearful of messing things up. How much difference did the jet kit and pipes make? As you can tell, my girl is old but only has 16k on her. She is running real rich now, the manual makes it sound very complex to adjust the carbs.

[T-man]

I, too, am fearful of "messing things up" but my experience has been that the average MC shop messes thing up much worse than me.

DYI...you learn so much doing thing yourself and it's a whole lot more fun...especially saving that $70/hour labor bill!!

[T-man]

Hmm.. I think I meant...DIY!!!!!!!!!

[brancher]

Nothing to it. Main thing is, be patient, make sure you read the instructions until you understand them, and take your time. I've done a few mods, including a DFO, a lightbar, and pipes. Next I'm removing my emission system and replacing the air intake this weekend.

Trust me, the first cut is the hardest. After that it gets easier.

Voiding the warranty? Forget it. You've already done that in your heart anyway......

br (sc)

[2WheelFun]

Do what your comfortable with.

I do have to believe that many who ride are....and can be very good mechanics since its your bike that needs caring for....and who better than you to care for it!

[flynsouth]

Hmm.. I think I meant...DIY!!!!!!!!!

Freudian slip, Do Yourself In versus Do it Yourself?

tnhunter, the pipes shouldn't be a problem and to be honest if you can read have patience and desire and avoid the caffeine for a couple hours the stage kits are really not that hard. Nothing wrong with learning and doing as long as you know your tools and appreciate the value of doing it yourself, go for it. If all else fails that's what this forum is for.

[Phatboy]

How hard is it to change out pipes and is the stage kit doable by an old shade tree mechanic turned computer hacker?(ME)

If you're smart enough to be a 1337 h4x0r then you should have no problems with a pipe change. I know nothing of rejetting carbs myself =(

\/\/4|\|t3|) t0 t}{r0\/\/ 1n 4 l1ttl3 1337 sp33k!!!!!!!
translated: wanted to throw in a little elite speak

Ph4tb0y

[Alex214]

I like that attitude, Whistle. -lol-

[DeathTrap]

How much was the dyno tune?

Wouldn't this save you from buying several sets of jets to get it right, trial & error?

[Spok]

Spok, I am the same way, fearful of messing things up. How much difference did the jet kit and pipes make? As you can tell, my girl is old but only has 16k on her. She is running real rich now, the manual makes it sound very complex to adjust the carbs.

Hunter, my jetkit made the world. I gained so much HP and Torque its hard to explain, mostly all of my torque is available now in the first 2500 RPM's. See the link below for the improved dyno carts post jet kit install

http://www.geocities.com/spoks_vulcan_1500/dyno.html

[brian]

The Pipes should be an easy job. I am not sure about the jet kit. I can tell you that if you get stuck on something people here know how to help you through it or get you the help you need. I had trouble with my TFI and air kit, asked for help and got it. My projects are all done and I feel great about the work and my bike.

[ispeed77]

i am going to just agree with everyone here. pipes shouldn't be a problem at all. as far as the jet kit goes, do what you are comfortable with. i have never touched a carb, but if i had one i would most likely do it myself.

[tnhunter]

I have the manual already. The manometer I dont have. I have checked around, $75.00 seems to be the cheapest I can find. That is almost the price of having it jetted which I assume includes retuning the carbs, plus the kit of course. Anyone know how to get by this or a cheap place to get one? Remember every penny I save, gets me closer to a second bike!!!LOL