Ok, I have a 2007 sportster xl883l. I have been trying to install a set of Vance & Hines Straightshots HS Exhaust System - 17821. They will not line up as per instructions, and I cannot adjust to leave a proper clearance gap between the two pipes. The end of the bottom pipe touches the middle of the top pipe no matter what. I contacted V&H, they sent me a new set, same problem. What gives! Bought this from Dennis Kirk, took 3 weeks to get. took me a week to get to it, then no go, get ahold of V&H, another week, no go now. 5 bloody weeks, and 2 weekends shot. My frustration is beyond repair. Anybody got ideas?
Pics of bike issues.
http://s36.photobucket.com/user/sire...tml?sort=3&o=2

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/sire...tml?sort=3&o=1

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/sire...tml?sort=3&o=4

Vid

 

Did you replace the exhaust manifold gaskets? I'm trying to think of why they wouldn't be lining up correctly... only thing I can think is something at the exhaust manifold is making it line up all funky? Did you try pulling the gaskets all together and seeing if they line up correctly?

 

The pipes are 2 seperate pipes correct?
Are you mounting the pipes (without the covers) loosely to the jugs first?
Then Setting your spacing, then tightening the bolts in the bracket?
Then tightening the exhaust flange?
Then installing the covers?

 

The pipes are separate. New exhaust gaskets. I am following the directions to the "T".
Leave heat shields on but clamps loose. Install bolts through bracket into dogbones, leave loose, put exhaust brackets on, keep loose.
Adjust the pipes and tighten exhaust brackets to spec. Problem is there is no adjustment vertically or horizontally. See pics, one pic shows bracket with paper towel in behind with exhaust off to show bolt holes that attach to pipes.
If I install pipes first, then shields, i dont think i will be able to get one or the other on, depending on which one goes on first due to clearance.
Never had this issue with the freedom performance kit.
I think the engineers F*ed up, either moved the bolt holes on the bracket, or extended the down leg of the front pipe too long. Unless this set is ment for another bike and a computer jockey mislabeled it as fitting an 07' sportster.

 

Have you removed all the stock hardware? Any old brackets or something in the way?

 

All is gone. I have removed and reinstalled the belt cover 3 times now to reinstall 2 different brackets which are identical, and 3rd time just to double check. I removed my freedom perfomance long shots, of which i had to remove my stock pipes some time ago.

 

When i put the same pipes on my 09, I also had that problem.
I wound up elongating the mounting holes on the bracket.
just put a grinding bit in my drill.

 

ImIT,
Did you elongate up or down vertically on the black bracket? If so, which ones did you elongate, forward 2 holes, or rear 2 holes, or both, and which direction? Up or down.

Right now, Vance and Hines have washed their hands of me. Told me to return them. Said my bike must have been dropped, or has aftermarket parts on it that are not allowing it to fit. They couldnt answer the question I had that if I remove the motor and put it on a bench, then the bracket mounts to the motor and the exhaust brackets mount to the heads, it wont line up because that is the only mounting points of this system, then how would their reasoning work?

 

Looks like the issue is with the upper pipe. As he lower looks to run parallel to the frame.
I'd elongate those upper 2 holes in the black mounting support up, not the pipe.

 

I don't have the same pipes on my 08 1200C. I had to elongate one of the holes in that black bracket for one of my dog bones to line up. I had to use a round file, seem like it took forever. I don't think V&H are QC'ing their brackets very well.