Repair 7

Loosen the worm clamp screws on the heat shields on both exhaust pipes with a flat head screwdriver. Heat shields partially insulate riders and passengers from very hot exhaust pipes. Worm clamps are simple devices that are tightened or loosened by turning a screw.

Remove the heat shields. Some Vance & Hines exhausts allow baffle replacement by just loosening and turning the heat shields, but the shape of Straight Shot heat shields prevents them from turning.

Lay on your back and locate the two Allen head screws on the bottom of the exhaust, in rear of the seam where the header pipes and tailpipes connect. The rear screw is called the baffle screw.

Remove both baffle screws using an Allen wrench and save them.

Stick the jaws of a pair of pliers about one inch into the rear of each pipe. Close the jaws and pull the baffle out of each pipe.

Allow the exhaust to cool completely before you work on it, otherwise, you risk burning your hands.

Unbolt the baffle from the exhaust using the 1/4-inch ratchet and socket. Depending on the exhaust, there may be two or three bolts securing the baffle in place.

Pull out the baffle by placing the needle nose pliers between the exhaust tubing and the inside of the baffle, gripping it on the outside edge. You may need to work around the baffle to pull, and it still may not be pulled off because of carbon buildup.

Take the 14-gauge wire and shape it into a hook shape using the needle nose pliers. Then, slide the hook into one of the holes on the inside of the baffle.

Clamp the vice grips to the baffle, and then hit the vice grips with the mallet. This is going to free up the baffle and allow it to be removed.