Yeah, I've read that dropping the needle down may help. I'm curious to see what problems I've created with a shortened and more free flowing exhaust. I kind of want to find a nice stock exhaust again so I could help get rid of that headache. But I'm going to try with what I have before I go spending more money....
Coyote, I bought the hoop from Dime City Cycles, its a 7/8" upswept, but it didn't fit perfectly. The radius of the hoop was a little too large for the frame. I tried to bend it with a BFH and a ratchet strap, but it ended up not working so well. I ended up taking about an inch out of the center and welded it back together, so that way it would fit perfectly into the frame with the frame slugs I had a friend make.
Jordan