Question About SUPERTRAPP Exhaust - Soliciting Opinions

[trikermutha]

trikermutha,
Here is what I am picking up tonight:

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Will this not work?

Thanks,
Rob

I bought the whole set thinking they would work and they did not. (Flex Head) I found the other wrench I sent you worked alot better. If you look under the bike there is a bracket with a lip that faces upward towards the lower trunk area and that is what makes it difficult to remove these bolts. If that muffler bracker was flat then yes the flex head would work fine,but thats not the case.
If you had the whole back end off not problems. But since we are working around the issue this is what we had to do. I tried 1/4 sockets etc with the tight space the only way was the wrench link I sent you.

 

[trikermutha]

I bought the whole set thinking they would work and they did not. (Flex Head) I found the other wrench I sent you worked alot better. If you look under the bike there is a bracket with a lip that faces upward towards the lower trunk area and that is what makes it difficult to remove these bolts. If that muffler bracker was flat then yes the flex head would work fine,but thats not the case.
If you had the whole back end off not problems. But since we are working around the issue this is what we had to do. I tried 1/4 sockets etc with the tight space the only way was the wrench link I sent you.

If you found a 90 deg rachet wrench that would work perfect. But I have not found one yet..

 

[M.A.T.]

trikermutha,
This wrench flexes 180 degrees (90 both ways) and will lock into those positions. And it has a 5 degree arc swing.

I wonder why there is a lip on that bracket? Sounds dumb.........just another thing to make it harder for guys like me probably........

I received the end caps yesterday and checked them out immediately. I thought they were going to be longer than they are. I'm more worried now about how the whole thing is going to look/function. I hope that the holes in the end cap at least clears the body. Otherwise I will have some of the exhaust shooting under the body........

Rob

 

[trikermutha]

well you will see why once you start the project on my suggestion. You can always return the wrenches if they didnt work out for you.

good luck as it is a tight area to work on since you are laying on the floor.

 

[M.A.T.]

trikermutha,
I am not doubting you at all. I am just curious why if I can get this wrench to go from 0 degrees, to a 30 degree angle, and ultimately to a 90 degree angle why it would not be the same or better than a true 30 degree angle fixed head. I'm trying to learn something. I can envision what you are talking about, I think. And I think I may be able to overcome the obstacle having the wheels off.

Oh wait, do you mean I need to go over the lip and down onto the heal of the bolt!!!???

Rob

 

[trikermutha]

trikermutha,
I am not doubting you at all. I am just curious why if I can get this wrench to go from 0 degrees, to a 30 degree angle, and ultimately to a 90 degree angle why it would not be the same or better than a true 30 degree angle fixed head. I'm trying to learn something. I can envision what you are talking about, I think. And I think I may be able to overcome the obstacle having the wheels off.

Oh wait, do you mean I need to go over the lip and down onto the heal of the bolt!!!???

Rob

there ya go its hard to explain on email..thats why you had to look at it first..

hope i helped some..

 

[M.A.T.]

trikermutha,
Actually I have not looked yet, I post while at work, between tasks, sorry to say, no internet at home (too far out in the woods for cable) except on my cell phone, and that's spotty........

I just put 2 and 2 together and that was the only logical explanation (kinda proud of myself considering this is me we are talking about).

So ok, since I am on board now, then if that "lip" in the bracket is the problem, I wonder if a true standard "Offset Wrench" would be best? It would be non-ratcheting but I have all day......

Now, they do have a ratcheting version shown here:

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

But as you can see, these look like what I bought, just fixed at 25 degrees. They are in stock, and I could pick them up tonight on the way home.

The non-ratcheting version allows you to go over the lip better but I wonder if they might have too great a distance from the bolt to the bend at the handle part of the tool?

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more


I agree, e-mails and forum posts without pictures suck. If you PM me I would be glad to give you my phone number, I just don't want to publish it. That goes for any of you that don't have it already.

Do you think that lip is there to add strength to the bracket? If it serves no purpose, I wonder if that would be easy to grind off with a dremmel tool? Not like I plan on switching mufflers all the time but when I replace the header I bet I will have to take them off or at least loosen them to be able to slide them outta the way. Or am I wrong about that too?

Help?! That's an understatement! I just hope no of you guys ever give up on me. You (all) are a huge asset!!! I will never claim to know more than anyone about anything mechanically. I use what others offer to help guide me in the right direction, weather or not I stay on the path is my decision and I am the one responsible for my actions.

 

[trikermutha]

well my opnion the rachet one you show maybe have to big of a head on it, the non rachet one may work but I will not say it wont work. That link I sent you above is what I used and seemed to work best.

Dremel would work if you dont mind weaking those areas of the bracket. With all the vibration in that area and the rubber mount in that area it may end up cracking in the future. (just my thought)

If you just buy the 1/2 rachet wrench I linked you should be fine. Or yes you could use a non rachet type but with the short turn increments it may not work to well without a rachet type.

Just my thoughts but I would recommend looking at that area tonight and you will have a better idea what is going on.

Those lift brackets you will learn a few things too when you install. I would look at the lower mounting bolt of the shock. you may need to use a bottle jack to move the axle up past the lower truck support to gain access to the hex bolt with a allen socket wrench. You would understand once you jacked up you trike and see how the mounted the shock bolts. I replced both of my shocks with the legend suspension and the brackets earlier this year. I learned a few things what worked best will working on the floor.

 

[iaff84]

MAT,
On bracket install. Make sure you remove both stock brackets before you try to instal a new one.
Also I am a little lost on why you need an allen wrench to replace bracket. I use a 3/4 wrench to remove lower shock bolt. You do not need to remove bolt from shock, it hits the frame anyway even if you wanted to remove it.
Start the shock bolt into new bracket, turn in all the way, leaving it only finger tight, then start center flange bolt, then pivot off that bolt to get other two axle flange bolts started. This can all be done quicker than I can type this, I am slow at this typing.
I have installed 4 sets here plus R&R several times on my own trike, this all working off floor. When done, you will think, that was easy!
Good luck on mufflers, rear bolt is a pain!
Dennis

 

[trikermutha]

MAT,
On bracket install. Make sure you remove both stock brackets before you try to instal a new one.
Also I am a little lost on why you need an allen wrench to replace bracket. I use a 3/4 wrench to remove lower shock bolt. You do not need to remove bolt from shock, it hits the frame anyway even if you wanted to remove it.
Start the shock bolt into new bracket, turn in all the way, leaving it only finger tight, then start center flange bolt, then pivot off that bolt to get other two axle flange bolts started. This can all be done quicker than I can type this, I am slow at this typing.
I have installed 4 sets here plus R&R several times on my own trike, this all working off floor. When done, you will think, that was easy!
Good luck on mufflers, rear bolt is a pain!
Dennis

The shocks have allen type of bolts on the shocks does your bike have a hex head bolt on your shocks??

You can get the shock bolt out by used a bottle jack and move the axle up to remove and gain access to the head of the shock bolt. By moving the axle it moves it past the frame of the bike.

 

[iaff84]

I can not see end of bolt head but it feels like it does have an allen head in it. It also is a 3/4 inch hex head. As I never took it off, never saw the allen head part.

Total removal of bolt is not necessary for replacing brackets. I guess you did remove and replace the shocks with air system. Do you like the air ride system?
Dennis

 

[trikermutha]

I can not see end of bolt head but it feels like it does have an allen head in it. It also is a 3/4 inch hex head. As I never took it off, never saw the allen head part.

Total removal of bolt is not necessary for replacing brackets. I guess you did remove and replace the shocks with air system. Do you like the air ride system?
Dennis

yes I find that the ride is much better than stock and can be adjusted on the fly .
Nothing beats independent suspension ..

I didnt mount the compressor under the bike its in the rear lower trunk out of the way.

I am confused as how you loosened and tightened the shock bolt up with the new lift backet

 

[10rhrk]

Here's what your muffler mounting bracket's look like. I'm sure it's made this way for strength. This one came off the left side of my Road King when I went to 2into1 exhaust. I put the muffler's on the 2012 Triglide using a standard 1/2 inch open end box end wrench. The bolt's are 5/16 NC X 1/2
they have a lock washer on them that raises the bolt head where you can get a wrench on it. It's not easy, but can be done. You can see the rubber isolator the bracket slides back and forth in as the system heats and cools. Good luck!!

 

[M.A.T.]

Yes I should have said a offset box rachet wrench. the flex head is too straight or flat to get the tool past the muffler lip on the bracket it faces upward.

I think they have a 30 deg head on them at sears..

here is what they look like make sure you get the wrench that can be used on both sides of the wrench when inserting into a bolt or nut.

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

trikermutha,
I am not sure I want to spend this much money for a set of wrenches. Sorry, I am not cheap but I have to draw the line. Do me a favor, check out this link:

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Use the zoom feature and take a close look at the mechanism on these wrenches. It protrudes a tiny bit and was wondering if this would be enough to grab the bolt and clear the lip on the bracket?

This might be just the ticket, unless I can find an open stock version single 1/2" of the set you bought.
Rob

 

[iaff84]

I am confused as how you loosened and tightened the shock bolt up with the new lift backet

I just tighten with a 3/4 inch wrench. Did not use torque wrench on them. When I checked lug nuts after a few hundred miles, slid under bike and checked lower shock bolt.
Stock brackets have a pressed in type fastener, when I make brackets, they have a more beefy 1/2 / 13 nut TIG ed on them, I was not worried about setting a specific torque to them.
For brackets, only tools I used were a long 3/4 wrench and 1/2 inch ratchet with a 9/16 inch socket. By taking off both stock brackets, axle was at full droop, in all cases I installed, no jacking of axle to align flange bolts was necessary. After installing bottom shock bolt and center flange bolt, I was able to pivot bracket by hand to get the other two started.
If there is a better and easier way to instal these, I am all ears. Will add to instal instructions.
Now I have also put a 1.5 inch set on mine, these I had to use a jack to assist. These were the only set of those I have made. I felt they were too much lift and 1 inch set I tried were not enough. The one inch set practically fell into place.
And that's my story
Dennis

 

[trikermutha]

trikermutha,
I am not sure I want to spend this much money for a set of wrenches. Sorry, I am not cheap but I have to draw the line. Do me a favor, check out this link:

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Use the zoom feature and take a close look at the mechanism on these wrenches. It protrudes a tiny bit and was wondering if this would be enough to grab the bolt and clear the lip on the bracket?

This might be just the ticket, unless I can find an open stock version single 1/2" of the set you bought.
Rob

looks like that may just work..But still I would recommend looking under your bike first before going to the store.

looks like the tool maybe just the ticket ...

 

[trikermutha]

I just tighten with a 3/4 inch wrench. Did not use torque wrench on them. When I checked lug nuts after a few hundred miles, slid under bike and checked lower shock bolt.
Stock brackets have a pressed in type fastener, when I make brackets, they have a more beefy 1/2 / 13 nut TIG ed on them, I was not worried about setting a specific torque to them.
For brackets, only tools I used were a long 3/4 wrench and 1/2 inch ratchet with a 9/16 inch socket. By taking off both stock brackets, axle was at full droop, in all cases I installed, no jacking of axle to align flange bolts was necessary. After installing bottom shock bolt and center flange bolt, I was able to pivot bracket by hand to get the other two started.
If there is a better and easier way to instal these, I am all ears. Will add to instal instructions.
Now I have also put a 1.5 inch set on mine, these I had to use a jack to assist. These were the only set of those I have made. I felt they were too much lift and 1 inch set I tried were not enough. The one inch set practically fell into place.
And that's my story
Dennis

man the plates on your bike were different than mine. the stock plate on mine had no pressed in fastener. anyway I also found the my Legend air suspension shocks are a bit longer than the stock shock when fully extended.

 

[iaff84]

man the plates on your bike were different than mine. the stock plate on mine had no pressed in fastener. anyway I also found the my Legend air suspension shocks are a bit longer than the stock shock when fully extended.

This shows stock bracket on top. Note the threaded portion, It was pressed in and not welded, or appears like that to me. This off an 11 TG.
Dennis

 

[trikermutha]

This shows stock bracket on top. Note the threaded portion, It was pressed in and not welded, or appears like that to me. This off an 11 TG.
Dennis

You are probably right..Its been a long year for me, since I put on the plates..And I cant find mine at the moment to look..To much crap laying around..I need to spend some time cleaning up the garage...Mine was off a 2010..

 

[iaff84]

Do not feel alone, I have two sets of them some where that I can not find, I just happened to have that picture on computer.
Dennis