Now that my foot rest holders are almost ready (deburring and polishing has yet to be done, a 7/16-BSC tap is now part of my inventory and did it's job), I naturally wanted to try on the mufflers. And right here it was where the little gremlins did their work!
Correct spare part number, but the mount does not fit. The outer diametre is too small, the inner one too big. All in all too thin and weak, must be cheaper
This resulting in the muffler sitting lose and not adjusting to the right position, but also can not be fastened as much, because I fear that pipe to flatten. The fact of the footrest holders creating a step there I will considder a minor flaw.
What really bums me out is that:
The pipe's too long! Hurray, the studs specially bought for that won't do anymore, because they're consequently too short!
The fun is endless. Why make replicas and mess about with such a nonsense?! I mean, that really is rubbish. I surely won't considder the option of shortening the pipe on a chromed new item. Sending it back won't bring me any further as well, as there's no adequate replacement and I don't like the fact of the shipping charges blown in the wind (as they're not tooooo cheap).
I'll contact HMC on that, but the solution will probably be turning a longer, matching stud from stainless steel, with a thicker shaft in the area of the muffler mount, to keep the play between accepable borders.
Next: The "quickly detatchable rear hub" on the Chief is more of a bad pun, than a reasonable "feature".
The fat tyre makes mounting the rear wheel impossible, without removal of the Sprocket with cush-drive and rear brake. Even without any air, the space is not enough to squeeze the wheel in there. They could have use a system much less complex than this one. Well...
Today I will pick up the downpipes from chrome plating.
For conclusion here's a little impression:
So long,
Andreas