Broken Exhaust Bracket

[Tdubb]

This weekend I bumped my exhaust and noticed it moved. I investigated and found the bracket which attaches the exhaust to the frame was broken. Its the V & H Big Radius 2 into 1. I worked on the bike about a thousand miles ago where I had to remove the exhaust. I had difficulty geting the exhaust back over the studs on the heads, but I do not remember anything binding or any difficulty with attaching the exhaust back to the frame bracket.

Any ideas about why this bracket broke? Did I do something wrong?

 

[Mickeetwo]

Mine broke several years ago. Had a new one welded up (thicker) and repainted it black and has been good ever since. Its a common problem

 

[Tdubb]

I'm having it welded now. I'll have to watch it and see if it holds up.

 

[RCAdd1ct]

You might want to add a gusset to add some strength to that weak area.

 

[aspen874]

They break, weld that one and order a spare, that's what I did.

 

[Tdubb]

It appears the part is from Vance & Hines (the service manual exploded view looks different for this part). I emailed V&H and have not received a reply.

 

[RRRUFF]

A buddy of mine broke, I welded it back up and made a gusset to go between the frame bolts. No more problem.

 

[alxdamon]

After reading this post I decided to check mine when I washed it last night, and guess what I found. Looks like I'll be pulling it this weekend and bring it into work to weld it up and add a gusset.

 

[Tom Chop]

You guys are right. Those brackets were made just a little bit too light, but an extra 1"x1" gusset will work wonders to solve the vibration induced cracking. When I added the gusset I left a small area on the gusset open (not welded) in the corner to allow small amount of flex. I haven`t had any further issues, knock on wood.

 

[1BADK9]

Mine broke several years ago. Had a new one welded up (thicker) and repainted it black and has been good ever since. Its a common problem

DITTO added a piece of metal on the back to beef it up and painted black, good to go. I ordered one but had mine fixed better than new so like Stephen above I stashed the new one as a spare.

 

[Five Five]

You might want to add a gusset to add some strength to that weak area.

That's what I did worked great. The bracket actually survived my accident. It supported all the weight of the car that landed on top of me and the bike. It flattened the 2:1 into a cool fishtail collector and the bracket held up

 

[JeffM]

I chased a "Squeek" for over a month and found my bracket had broken AGAIN.

One of the things i noticed was the bracket was under tension, so after i re-welded it, added a gusset, i shimed the bracket to take the tension out of it.
So far so good.