exhausts

[Gopher1st]

i currently run V&H bigshots on an 1800C,
i am contemplating changing them to 3 inch hard chromes.
i have heard that they are a little to close to the side panel and get a little to hot on a long run, is it true that the side panel can not be rermoved with the exhausts in situ.are they louder and throatier than the V&H
any thoughts as to using these pipes.

[Phantom_1]

I run the hard krome 3" big straights on my 1800 C and first off, I love the way they look! I have had many compliments on them. To answer your questions, my side panel did melt slightly, you can not see it unless you look down straight from the top, otherwise it does not show. As far as getting the panel off, honestly I have not had to, but think I could, it would take a little work just to be careful.

[Gopher1st]

cheers for getting back to me,
it's the sidepanel issue that is putting me off,
i remove the panel frequently when i am touring as it hides some usefull accesory sockets.
may have to look at refitting them and beefing up the protection of heatshielding for the panel,
it would grieve me to fit new pipes then have to replace a melted side panel as a service item.
you'd think they would update the design to eliminate this as an issue.
it must put a lot of people off the pipes. or piss off those that don't realise about the melting problem until it has happened

[Phantom_1]

Your welcome, glad to help if I can. I agree, I would have thought Hard Krome would have modified these enough to eliminate those two problems. I know there is one or two different side panels you can get, but I do not know if the shape or size is slightly different, even then whether it would make any difference is hard to say. As far as getting into your side panel often, I see where that might be a disadvantage for you. Although, some have been known to remove one of the prongs before when they use different model side panels. This might be an idea for you if you still choose to go with the H.K.s. Removing the front prong might just make it possible for easy on and off. Just ideas. Good luck, ride hard ride safe!!