Optional Heat shield solution - $50 bucks well spent

[Sugarbear]

I bought a 2016 Freewheeler - I could not help but notice the heat coming of the convertet and rear exhaust pipe - Since the bike is stil under warranty and I can't gut the converter yet - I stated looking for away to solve the issue .

First I tried the plastic Mid-frame heat shields ,These helped at highway speeds but did little or nothing at red lights - So , I got creative and made an " Extra " heat shield to go over the current shield to keep that heat off my leg.- - I Bought a 4" Echo tube from a local muffler shop - Took it home and sliced it in half length ways - Made mounting tabs with some mild metal from the hardware store and mounted one shield over the lower exhaust pipe running horizontal from the front of the converter all the way to the back floor board - The difference was unbelievable .

So, since I had the other half I figured why not make one for the vertical part of the rear pipe - Wow - Talk about a comfortable ride on a HOT day - It was like 50/75 % less felt heat , and since they are mounted 1/2 inch off the other shields it lets air flow threw like a scoop

I realize this does nothing to lower the heat the converter makes or lowers the actual engine temp - But it does help cool the pipes that transmit the heat - For $50 it solved the problem

[Saammi]

Can you post pics of the process? Thx

[ol' school]

Nice mod! Glad it worked to get the heat off you!

[Sugarbear]

Unfortunate _ I built this as a gee I wonder if it will work sort of project and didn't take photos step by step - But I can explain it in words -

!st - Cut the slash cut echo tip along the top and bottom length wise - I used my grinder with a cut off wheel

2nd - Cut the rear part of the echo tube off where it is reduced in size

3rd - make some small mounting tabs - Drill tabs and shield an attach with screws

4th - Once attached to the shield , you can easily mount it to the exhaust pipe with a 3" hose clap up front and a 2-1/2" clamp in the rear

5th - Before tightening clamps roll the shield so it covers the exposed converter that you see when you look straight down - Roughly about an inch of extra over hang that the stock shields leaves exposed

[Saammi]

Unfortunate _ I built this as a gee I wonder if it will work sort of project and didn't take photos step by step - But I can explain it in words -

!st - Cut the slash cut echo tip along the top and bottom length wise - I used my grinder with a cut off wheel

2nd - Cut the rear part of the echo tube off where it is reduced in size

3rd - make some small mounting tabs - Drill tabs and shield an attach with screws

4th - Once attached to the shield , you can easily mount it to the exhaust pipe with a 3" hose clap up front and a 2-1/2" clamp in the rear

5th - Before tightening clamps roll the shield so it covers the exposed converter that you see when you look straight down - Roughly about an inch of extra over hang that the stock shields leaves exposed

THANKS

[Sugarbear]

Since I had the other half of the Echo tube I also made a shorter version for the vertical pipe on the rear cylinder header - That really helped - So I marked it with a sharpy - pulled it off and custom cut it to better fit around the transmission cover - I will try to take some photos of the finish shield and send them to you - Amazing how well they work togetherAttachment 61377Attachment 61376Attachment 61378Attachment 61379

[Sugarbear]

had a hard time rotating photos

[beagleman]

FYI for anyone looking to get the heat off your crotch with mid-frame air deflectors, I bought the ones made by Hogworkz from Revzilla. Didn't want to buy the HD deflectors for 90 bucks so I tried these. They are only 60 bucks which is still too much for a couple pieces of plastic but ya need something to help with the heat here in Florida.

These appear to use the exact type of mounting hardware as the HD ones and have the advantage of being available in Gloss black ( which perfectly matches my black Freewheeler) as well as the matt black and unpainted ones. Also since my freewheeler is a 2018, the upper mounting holes on the trike are threaded to accept the included mounting bolts without having to use the clip-on adaptors that come with the deflectors. That makes installation much easier.

I will say the install took longer than I expected because the included instructions from Hogworkz are poor and I kinda had to intuit it. Once I figured out I didn't need the mounting adaptor for my trike, it got a lot easier. They look good on the Trike and match the side access panels perfectly in the gloss black finish.

[RedOregon]

Just be sure to loctite the crap outta those screws on the heat shields!!

[beagleman]

Just be sure to loctite the crap outta those screws on the heat shields!!

I will,Red. Thanks

[Ronbo]

FYI for anyone looking to get the heat off your crotch with mid-frame air deflectors, I bought the ones made by Hogworkz from Revzilla. Didn't want to buy the HD deflectors for 90 bucks so I tried these. They are only 60 bucks which is still too much for a couple pieces of plastic but ya need something to help with the heat here in Florida.

These appear to use the exact type of mounting hardware as the HD ones and have the advantage of being available in Gloss black ( which perfectly matches my black Freewheeler) as well as the matt black and unpainted ones. Also since my freewheeler is a 2018, the upper mounting holes on the trike are threaded to accept the included mounting bolts without having to use the clip-on adaptors that come with the deflectors. That makes installation much easier.

I will say the install took longer than I expected because the included instructions from Hogworkz are poor and I kinda had to intuit it. Once I figured out I didn't need the mounting adaptor for my trike, it got a lot easier. They look good on the Trike and match the side access panels perfectly in the gloss black finish.

A++ for creativity!!! one note. I put the HD deflectors on my FW and loved them. However after reading about excessive engine head temps when riding in 85 + temps I took my left side deflector off (only). I ran several before and after tests running 70 mph on 80,85 and 90 degree days. The rear cylinder consistently dropped 20 degrees due to allowing better air flow in on the right side and out on the left side. I am also going to put on a gas tank raising kit for a cool running engine. See article written my DK custom on many tips for reducing heat if you live in states that have many 90 to 100 degrees day.