Highway Hawk Shortcuts VL800 Trike

Hi everyone,
After months of deliberation and wasting £75 pounds on some after market mufflers I took the plunge and followed bluesman's example and bought some HH shortcuts from Metric Cruisers. Cost £307 plus £10 delivery. Mentioned our forum and got them £286! A good deal I think. Anyway they were delivered yesterday and on examination I thought they were damaged, there was a crease on the back pipe near the manifold, phoned John at Metric who arranged for them to be picked up and delivered me a new set.
Oh dear! The new ones had a crease as well! Then it dawned on me that this allows the back pipe to seat properly, what an absolute idiot. E mailed John and apologized profusely!!
Anyway, fitted the pipes, could have done with some instructions as regards the bracket but fathomed it out in the end. Went on reasonably easy really, I bought some new gaskets but didn't use them in the end.
Fired her up this afternoon and I think they are fantastic! Yes, they are LOUD, so put in baffles, then wrapped them in glass fibre matting, gonna ride 'em for a little while before deciding about rejetting, probably will think about more substantial baffles, but I'll see.
Must say I am pleased with these and thanks to bluesman for his posting on you tube which made my mind up
If Anyone's interested I've posted a video on u tube of the trike with the old mufflers on sounds like a train!
I think the title is Suzuki volusia sounding like a train, well something like that.
Cheers guys

Ps. And thanks to Metric Cruisers

Sorry, Volusia sounding like a train

Billyz wrote:

Hi everyone,
After months of deliberation and wasting £75 pounds on some after market mufflers I took the plunge and followed bluesman's example and bought some HH shortcuts from Metric Cruisers. Cost £307 plus £10 delivery. Mentioned our forum and got them £286! A good deal I think. Anyway they were delivered yesterday and on examination I thought they were damaged, there was a crease on the back pipe near the manifold, phoned John at Metric who arranged for them to be picked up and delivered me a new set.
Oh dear! The new ones had a crease as well! Then it dawned on me that this allows the back pipe to seat properly, what an absolute idiot. E mailed John and apologized profusely!!
Anyway, fitted the pipes, could have done with some instructions as regards the bracket but fathomed it out in the end. Went on reasonably easy really, I bought some new gaskets but didn't use them in the end.
Fired her up this afternoon and I think they are fantastic! Yes, they are LOUD, so put in baffles, then wrapped them in glass fibre matting, gonna ride 'em for a little while before deciding about rejetting, probably will think about more substantial baffles, but I'll see.
Must say I am pleased with these and thanks to bluesman for his posting on you tube which made my mind up
If Anyone's interested I've posted a video on u tube of the trike with the old mufflers on sounds like a train!
I think the title is Suzuki volusia sounding like a train, well something like that.
Cheers guys

Ps. And thanks to Metric Cruisers

Great stuff! I had problems working out the bracket too but sorted it by trial and error. You may find the glass fibre breaks up and flies out the holes in the baffle. I went over to stove rope (chimney tape actually) from a pro heating shop - it's cheap and does not break up. Can give exact instructions for fixing if you ever need it. Have fun with your new pipes!!

Got some on order! Glass fibre just temporary. Ordered some 10 mm stove rope, wasn't sure what size but gonna give it a go. Do you think a longer baffle might go in ?

Billyz wrote:

Got some on order! Glass fibre just temporary. Ordered some 10 mm stove rope, wasn't sure what size but gonna give it a go. Do you think a longer baffle might go in ?

Not sure on thelonger baffle but MC might know - a longer one should deaden the sound, particulatly if part of it is wrapped in the rope. I found about 1/2 the baffle is best to wrap (the end nearer the back) - if you put on too much the gases can't escape and the motor won't run properly.

Yes, worried about this as the stove rope is much thicker than the glass fibre. Wrapped it fairly loosely, and left a bit of a gap for gases to escape, not really much different but overall so much better than my previous set up. I see that there is a longer HH baffle on the net, I might give it a go but my main concern now is to rejet. Nothing over here in the uk for a vl800 from dynojet from what I can see, but loads in the states and quite cheap even with postage. No way i'm gonna fit this myself so will be looking for a dealer local to do it for me. Honest, who'd change an exhaust!!

Billyz wrote:

I might give it a go but my main concern now is to rejet. Nothing over here in the uk for a vl800 from dynojet from what I can see

This is where you have to be careful as although the bikes all now share the same basic's, they never used to.The VS, VL & VZ used to all have different jet kits
If you are using Dynojet then you would need "DJ3195" fot the VL800
Just did a very quick search and found a UK supplier, although I am sure there are others if you can be bothered to spend a little time looking but I doubt you will beat there price

Hope this helps

Thanks Mr.I. Searched all afternoon and couldn't find a UK supplier!
Found a USA supplier, JC Motors that do a dynojet stage 1 kit for $50 plus $12 postage ($36 for express) which comes out at between £42 and £58. UK supplier does free delivery the kit costing £73

Mmmmmm it's not always about money is it? Any views anyone?
Thanks Mr I for taking the trouble, much appreciated. good to be able to get help and advice when you're stuck.

No worries billy, thats why we are here
Don't forget that you may well get hit for UK carriage, processing or some trumped up money making scam by either Royal mail of customs for something or other.
Billy as far as searching for items goes you need to think a little outside the box when you have at first searched and found naff all. To come up with my link I found the part number and then simply typed in to the search bar - "DJ3195 uk"

Know what your looking for in other words! Sitting here giving it some thought , US delivery $12 up to 30 days before it comes, $36 up to 10 days. UK supplier 24 hours.
Yes you're right I've bought things from the States before and have paid fortunes in customs, so it looks like Hogparts for me!
What do you think a dealer might charge, an hours labour? I'll ring round I think and try to find out.

Mr Intruder wrote:

To come up with my link I found the part number and then simply typed in to the search bar - "DJ3195 uk"

Yep that's what the pros do to find bits, so I've been advised - the part number will usually find it if it's there. Good advice Mr.I

.............Best of luck with your rejetting Billyz - great pipes need a bit of t l c and yes it is worth the agro when you change an exhaust - when she finally starts to sing to your tune, you'll be sooo glad you did it! I've been messing around with various amounts of wadding size in the last few days to get just the right bite without too much bark to scare the neighbours - get that right and then rejet, I would say.

Billyz wrote:

What do you think a dealer might charge, an hours labour? I'll ring round I think and try to find out.

A main Suzuki dealer would charge a small fortune per hour, try some small independant bike shops they are usually alot cheaper from about 30 pounds per hour upwards, have a good ring round and of cause scan the internet.

Ok, ordered jet kit from Hogparts. Probably have them fitted next week. US sourced kit with VAT and import duty would have only been marginally cheaper than buying here.
Would be wonderful if you could buy direct from US without added taxes wouldn't it!!!

Billyz wrote:

Would be wonderful if you could buy direct from US without added taxes wouldn't it!!!

Wouldn't it just.
Although to be fair I have still saved a small fortune over the years buying fron over sea's even with the added sting that we get from the UK. It doesn't always pay to buy from abroad but it is always worth looking in to.

Billyz would be nice to see a few pictures of your trike when you get a chance in the Showroom section

Ok, have to look at procedure, seems you can't upload from your pc? Just have snapshots at the moment, need to get the old girl posing and wearing her best!
Keep well.

Billyz wrote:

need to get the old girl posing and wearing her best!

That would be good, also a couple of the trike.

Billyz wrote:

seems you can't upload from your pc? .

No you can't but a PhotoBucket account is free and takes about a minute to set up, would love to see your Trike