February 25, 2010 9:59 AM PST
One thing I learned the hard way is if there is rust on the bolts where the exhaust mounts to the head, and the mounting nuts are stuck on, don't force them. Be patient...Get some Liquid Wrench and soak them several times until you can get them loose with reasonable force. Do not add a 2 foot extension to the wrench handle and try to break them loose. Getting that broken bolt out of the head is a nightmare!!!!
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The longer the soak or "pretreat" the better the chance things will go well... I have applied penetration oil several days ahead of planed work day and reaplied each day.. turned as if near new when work day came..
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Yeah pre-treat, pre-treat, pre-treat...
Also, on the subject of jetting and backpressure. Since you said rejet I assume it is carb'd. I would not wait to re-jet. In reality bu just putting drag pipes on a stock engine without other mods you will loose power!, Yes lose power. Therefore you will have performance problems. Without back pressure you will probably find some flat spots in the throttle. I am not familiar with the pipes you are using. I hope they have some sort of baffle. True open straight pipes require carb work or at minimum rejetting. Here is a link explaining in more detail what I just said...
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/exhaust.htm ; They talk Harley but the same rules apply to your bike.