Vance and Hines 4 into 1 install

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

OK, quick question. 83 GS1100E. New Vance and Hines 4 into 1 exhaust. The old exhaust had (4) donuts holding the pipes to the head, about an inch thick. The new exhaust has flanges attached to the pipes, but they are "thin". In other words, when I bolt this thing up to the head, it looks like there's going to be an inch or so of "space" between the flange and the head? Can this be right? Am I missing some king of "donut" that takes up the space the old ones did? Remember, two of the donuts stayed on the old exhaust, they do not come off, so I only have the two from the inner pipes left to work with? I'm confused????

[Busafied]

The V&H should have 4 flanges on the pipes already (thin ones)
Also should come with shorter "NEW" bolts to mount it with.
Atleast mine did-
Your longer stock bolts won't work, won't tighten up enough due to length difference.

Only thing you might be missing, is new exhaust gaskets ?

The "Thick" one's were factory, and used 2 shim type wedges to lock them on the outside 2 pipes, and the middle ones when unbolted down low would slide off.

hope that helped-

Ron

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I've got the new gaskets in already, and I sure didn't see any extra bolts in the box, but I will check again. Thanks!

[Busafied]

No problem bud-
I didn't see mine the first time I installed them either.
They were in the packing material, at the bottom-
I installed mine with some nuts (acting like spacers) I had laying on the bench- was anxious to hear them on the bike \\/

I didn't find them till I was done, and cleaning up.

I had planned to go to Big "D" Bolt and Tool on miller road to buy the correct length bolts, but found them before I did.
I get ALL my bolt needs from them.

Have you tried one of the stockers (bolts) to see if it would snug down yet?

GL,
Ron

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I read the instructions in the box, and it says to use the stock bolts, except on a couple of Katana models. I'm starting to tighten them up, but it still looks weird to me, like there's going to be a big space in there that doesn't belong???? Still confused!!!

[renobruce]

There is a bit of a space. Don't overtighten the flanges to where they start to bend.

[Busafied]

There is a bit of a space. Don't overtighten the flanges to where they start to bend.

exactly what he said

[renobruce]

Here's a pic that might put your mind at ease.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Yes, that's what I'm seeing. Good grief. Well, of course, nothing is ever easy. I can't get one of the inside pipes to seat into the head, it will just not go in there. I took them off to take a look, it appears the pipe has some casting flash on it, basically making it "out of round" so to speak, and making it impossible to put a square peg in a round hole. I guess my next step will be to try and file down the pipe to make it round, like it's supposed to be, and try again. What a pain in the ars..........

[renobruce]

Are you sure those little half-moon gizmos are out of there?

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Are you sure those little half-moon gizmos are out of there?

Yes, all 4 of them fell out when I removed the original exhaust!

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I came, I saw, I KICKED IT'S ASS!!!! :-D Took the exhaust off, used my trusty dremel to trim some flashing off the inner exhaust pipe, and slapped her back on, fit like a glove! Must have been a bad day at the V&H Factory, the megaphone was the same way! It would absolutely not go on until I grinded it down just a little, then a trusty ol' 2x4 and a hammer and it slipped right on too! Absolutely sounds great! I will post some pics and video tomorrow!!!

[renobruce]

I came, I saw, I KICKED IT'S ASS!!!! :-D Took the exhaust off, used my trusty dremel to trim some flashing off the inner exhaust pipe, and slapped her back on, fit like a glove! Must have been a bad day at the V&H Factory, the megaphone was the same way! It would absolutely not go on until I grinded it down just a little, then a trusty ol' 2x4 and a hammer and it slipped right on too! Absolutely sounds great! I will post some pics and video tomorrow!!!

Too many bad days lately at the V&H factory!! Far too many people saying their parts don't fit. My pipes were a BIATCH to get together!

Glad you got it together without destroying it :? They do sound great, don't they?\\/

[80GS1000]

Nice work! Gotta love it when you get a job done and it's working well. The V&H 4 into 1 sounds incredible, doesn't it? Have you had a chance to ride it yet with the new exhaust? And are you rejetting your carbs to adjust for the change in the exhaust?

My bike had a V&H 4 into 1 installed when I bought it. I'm planning on replacing the megaphone with a sportbike canister exhaust along with a custom midpipe. Was the megaphone pretty much a slip-on deal onto the midpipe? How much effort was involved in installing the megaphone? What would you have to do to remove the megaphone if you wanted to?

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Yes, actually, I did things backwards. I bought a set of carbs that came from an 85 GS1150E that was running a 4 into 1 with pods, and of course, it ran like hell on my bike with the stock exhaust and airbox. So, I swapped the exhaust and added pods also, and the initial indications are the jetting is pretty darn close! I didn't get to ride it too much, just around the block a few times, but the throttle response is much better, and it sounds great. I'll put some miles on it tomorrow and see how it goes, but I think it's going to be fine! :-D