I just had lots of parts powder coated (beautiful work: thanks powdercoater), and I've been kicking myself for not also doing the ugly front lower exhaust bracket. Well, I had to take my exhaust off to get at the swingarm bolt anyway, so I figured it was time to do something about the finish on that bracket.

Anyway, the frame is directly underneath one of the bolts (and interferes with another), so the only way I could figure out how to get it off was to use a bare T27 bit and an adjustable wrench to break it loose. Then, I used an open-end wrench on the bit. Then, finally, I used channel locks on the round bolt head until I could unthread it with my fingers.

It looks nice and clean without the bracket. -Makes me want a simpler exhaust system. If I put the bracket back on (after powder coating), I'll use vanilla grade five hex head bolts. . . .

 

Wow that sounded like a lot of work. They make a tool for removing that bracket. I went to my dealer to buy one and one of the techs came out and took it off for me. Saved me from buying a tool I would never use again.

 

Ha. It really only took maybe three minutes. -Took me longer to do the post. I didn't know there was a specific tool for the job. Figures: leave it to HD to make a special tool for job that could have been simpler if they used ordinary fasteners. Anyway, the local dealer got enough money from me when I bought my first HD.

 

Yeh, there's a special tool. When I had my pipes installed, they didn't remove that bracket. Someone here was kind enough to send me their tool to use to get it off. But, my lower pipe was in the way of getting the tool in there and I didn't want it off bad enough to remove the pipe. Nobody notices it but me but it would look cleaner gone. I was sitting right there in the shop while they were changing my pipes. Never even asked me if I wanted the bracket removed or not. I didn't even notice it was still there for a few days after.

 

I'm in the same position as you...can't get it off without removing the current pipes. Next time I have to remove the pipe (probably not for a while...cam work) I'll get rid of that silly bracket, but til then the headers almost completely obscure it unless you look for it. Only I know it's there.

 

i left mine on there, i run a lock though it for my helmet lock

 

Every now and then, I read a post and find myself muttering out loud: "Now why didn't I think of that?"

I just removed that bracket 2 weeks ago and I've been wondering lately about adding a helmet lock somewhere before the summer rolls around.

Since we have the same pipes, Joe, how's the heat situation with the bracket being that close to the pipes? I might throw mine back on and give it a shot. Ever get a full face locked onto it?

 

Joe, that's a great idea! Even if I keep my current exhaust setup, I think I'll powder and keep it for just that reason.

 

Funny that everyone's talking about this bracket. I just sent mine out for chrome last week! Mine was black and just stood out everytime I got on the bike and looked down. I was sending my triple trees out anyway so I threw that in as well.

 

I am switching to Thunderheaders on my FXDB and I REALLY want to get that bracket off! Lucky I found this thread. Does anyone know what the name of that tool is or have one to loan me?