Hey all!!! I just have a quick question that I can't find the answer too via "search", "google" etc.. so i figured I'd just post and ask.

Well, I just ordered a AN Big Sucker kit for my Nightster (haven't gotten it yet) because I just love the plain old raw/ round look to it and it has a great reputation as far as not depleting any horses from the bike... but there's one problem I keep reading about. I've seen a few posts where people have commented on the backing plate "cracking" or "flaking apart" and this runs the risk of fragmented pieces being sucked into the engine. Now when I ordered, it says it has an alloy backing plate... not plastic. So what exactly is cracking and has Arlen Ness since fixed the problem or should I expect to be replacing a backing plate sooner or later???

I look forward to all reply's! Thanks again! Be safe and ride on!!!

 

It was the stand offs that were breaking. I think they have since fixed the problem. i haven't heard of any going bad lately. I ran one on my last bike for over 75,000 miles with zero problems.

 

Ok! I had this issue with mine and yes it was the stand offs. Do not over tighten these or you will surely crack the backing plate. Make sure you stay with in the torque specs or you will have issues. The material the backing plates are made from is crap. After i noticed the 3 cracks i contacted Arlen Ness and they had me contact the company i had bought it from so they could send me the new backing plate. I recieved no hassel service from realhog.com or Arlen Ness. I had my new backing plate within 4 days. They did state they would not take any responsability for any damage done to any engine that this material was sucked into but they will replace the backing plate. They also stated that the only way for the backing plate to crack was from over tightning.

 

Also, the material can't get into the engine from where people are noticing the cracks. The cracks were forming at the breather mounts or stand-offs, (outside of the filter), not inside the breather where it could get sucked into the engine. Just don't over tighten the two breather bolts.

 

The carb mounts are what cracked on mine, Ness replaced it with no problem.

 

you didn't even try and search the forum? for shame! this oughta help morph....
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...cked-help.html

 

First, that remember, I've heard of them cracking there......