Exhaust End Caps

My Road King Screamin Eagle pipes have 'turn-out' end caps. They were there when I acquired the bike, but I'm not that keen on them and want to change for some straight or slash cut caps.

The problem is, that the little screws holding them on seem to be locked solid. I have decent tools, but just can't budge them. Afraid to risk damaging the screws or threads too much in case it causes problems putting on new caps.

Any simple advice for getting these bug**rs off ?

[chopper]

have you tried undoing them when the pipes are hot?

I would give them a good spray with a WD or similar when cold, leave overnight then get the pipes nice and warm and try again, failing that youre gonna have to drill the feckers out!

[Limey_Dave]

Can you see the screw ends on the inside where they've rusted? Spray in there and if you've got a cordless drill with good fitting bit set to max torque (not drill) and it might shock them loose without ripping the heads off.
Get someone to hold bike so you can lean on it,go clockwise first then anti,repeat a few times.

[Spice]

I had exactly the same prob wiv mine
the little Fuckeroos would not budge.
a combination of countless heating up and cooling combined with rust
had bonded em in their threads
so I took of end silencers,
put em in a vice protected with padding of course.
soaked screws in wd 40 for a few hours
and cut slots accross the screws.
applied some direct heat from a small blowlamp
and using a big cross head screwdriver
managed to get em out. with a bit of light hammer tapping.
the screws were of course shagged so bought replacements on line
and replaced using a good smear of copper slip.
persevere they do come out eventually.

Thanks all. I'll give it a go this weekend.