V&H exhaust rant!

[posplayr]

haven't these guys been making headers for some 40 years?

[Suzuki mad]

here are the 4 offenders:



See how the pipe flares are wider than the exhaust ports. check out all the rust too!

In the end i took my Dremel and ground off 1mm of the circumference of the pipes and it all fitted nicely eventually. The thing has a nice growl though so that makes the poor workmanship a bit easier to get over

I would have complained like mad at the supplier (partshak.com?) and V&H about those headers than taking a dremel to them. For what it costs its just not good enough.

Now you've made them fit, I was wondering if those flanges were on the wrong way around hence the poor fit in the first place? You can always take them to be re-chromed.

[sparki]

looks like they're on the wrong way around to me....

[psyguy]

looks like they're on the wrong way around to me....

wtf are you guys saying?? that the whole enlarged end of the pipe is mounted the wrong way around?? that the wider part (the flare) should be facing towards the flange, not the engine??

that would make sense though, cos, as I tightened the mounting bolts the flanges started bending... which i thought wasn't right...

[psyguy]

I would have complained like mad at the supplier (partshak.com?) and V&H about those headers

I have done so now. Sent emails with pics to both parties. Will keep you posted as to what they say. It's a nuisance all right whichever way it turns out

[psyguy]

update

I got an email reply from a guy at V&H saying that he doesn't see anything wrong at the photo I supplied (the same photo as above). But he did ask me to clarify what the problem is (and I did) and I'm waiting to hear back on that.

I'm very confused now... I kinda expected them to say: "Yeah, that's a faulty header"

I haven't heard from PartShark yet.

Any thoughts from the esteemed GSR members ?

[dan650plus]

re

I got a new Vand H and the fit was good but after about 10 min. of run time #4 tube split from the flange down about 6 in. took it back to the shop i got it from ,they took a photo of it called V and H AND THEY SENT A NEW ONE RIGHT OUT AND I GOT TO KEEP THE OLD ONE ! So now all i have to do is weld up the old one and i have one for the next gs i pick up !

[psyguy]

update

I got a reply from V&H Customer Services Manager, as below:

Those flares are supposed to be there and are supposed to go into the ports. As you are in New Zealand you can either have the dealer from who you purchased them exchange them or you can simply have the diameter on on the flared end ground down with a die grinder slightly to allow the pipes to go into the ports.

So that's it... the design/manufacture is as it is supposed to be... albeit poorly executed


Thanks for everyone's contribution, "mystery" solved

[49er]

Bad luck with the new V&H pipe Psy. It should have been replaced, or a substantial reduction in price agreed to by the vendor.

Is your old Cycleworks slash pipe in decent enough condition to sell? I'd fit it to my next project.

PM me if its for sale.

[psyguy]

Bad luck with the new V&H pipe Psy. It should have been replaced, or a substantial reduction in price agreed to by the vendor.

Yes Ian I think the same and I do still need to hear from PartShark in that regard - and V&H did say the Vendor should replace it no prob - but this was an intercontinetal purchase with customs involved so I've decided to settle with it as it is rather than having to re-package and send back, then wait another 6 weeks or so and in the end possibly get another product with the same issues (fitment and chroming issues) - as others on the forum have indicated has happened to them.

Is your old Cycleworks slash pipe in decent enough condition to sell? I'd fit it to my next project.
PM me if its for sale.

You're quick of the mark here! Yes the old pipe is in a good shape and was going on Trademe this weekend but it would be good to keep it in the BFTP family so let's talk

[landshark]

That is sh1t. I could probably handle if i had to slightly grind/file the exhaust(still wouldnt be happy), but the chrome and the rust would p1ss me right off.
Especially given the price to get one out our way and the cost of the pipe.
Next time, try transac in brisbane over here. I believe they have jigs for a lot of the old bikes still.

[psyguy]

but the chrome and the rust would p1ss me right off.

The pipe comes with a "Warranty" that reads (Quote) "The warranty does NOT cover the quality of chrome finish". Yep, that's right folks...