Time for a new exhaust?

Recently after replacing some faulty exhaust collars and nuts on the headers, I noticed a tapping sound that I blew off as a poor installation job on my part. Tonight I started up the bike to go for a ride and noticed that the oil pad I have under the bike to catch a small drip (engine gasket set ordered) was blowing around from a source near the header/muffler/crossover connections. After riding tonight, I put the bike up on the centerstand, and took a look with a light. To my surprise, there were not one, but two fairly large holes (about a dime size) in the pipe.

My question is can it be patched, or would it be more worth my while to replace the exhaust with something new because I will end up constantly patching new holes that pop up from time to time?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Clutch

If you remove the exhaust system, you can use a small punch and a hammer to tap around and see what amount of corrosion your really dealing with. You might be surprised that it is not that bad.

Most places will weld small holes up real cheap...

Cheers.

clutch wrote:

Recently after replacing some faulty exhaust collars and nuts on the headers, I noticed a tapping sound that I blew off as a poor installation job on my part. Tonight I started up the bike to go for a ride and noticed that the oil pad I have under the bike to catch a small drip (engine gasket set ordered) was blowing around from a source near the header/muffler/crossover connections. After riding tonight, I put the bike up on the centerstand, and took a look with a light. To my surprise, there were not one, but two fairly large holes (about a dime size) in the pipe.

My question is can it be patched, or would it be more worth my while to replace the exhaust with something new because I will end up constantly patching new holes that pop up from time to time?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Clutch

Well Clutch, how thick is your wallet?

If you patch it and it is chrome, it won't look very good when the bike is upside down. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, go for a new one.

If the condition of the metal is somewhat good, a patch can be nicely done and last for a long time. If you patch it, plan on spending some time to do it right.

Actually, I was hoping a patch job was a reasonable thing to do...

Another quick question while I'm thinking about it since it might be related...will an exhaust leak cause a (slightly) hanging idle when the bike is hot (warmed up completely)?

OKC_Kent repaired his exhaust system using stainless steel patches. It looks very good, IMHO. Not sure, but I believe he used JB Weld as the adhesive; the chrome must be sanded thoroughly.

Are the holes only in the crossover pipe?

650ed wrote:

Are the holes only in the crossover pipe?

As far as I could tell, yes they were only in the one location. I did not do a thorough inspection because the pipes were still hot from having just finished riding. Will do a more thorough check when I take the exhaust off the bike (will make dropping the oil pan to replace the gasket easier anyway).

~Clutch

That's good news. The crossover pipe can be replaced separately and can still be found new old stock. Ed

What you can't see can't hurt you right? hahahahah guess not

clutch wrote:

Actually, I was hoping a patch job was a reasonable thing to do...

Another quick question while I'm thinking about it since it might be related...will an exhaust leak cause a (slightly) hanging idle when the bike is hot (warmed up completely)?

Clutch,

The hole in your pipe will not cause the throttle to hang up. It is a different issue, check the cable(bends,cracks, binding,pinched,routed correctly,etc.) WD40 the cable,carb linkage,throttle housing, check intake clamps and condition of intakes. Most likely a small problem!

kzz1p wrote:

clutch wrote:

Actually, I was hoping a patch job was a reasonable thing to do...

Another quick question while I'm thinking about it since it might be related...will an exhaust leak cause a (slightly) hanging idle when the bike is hot (warmed up completely)?

Clutch,

The hole in your pipe will not cause the throttle to hang up. It is a different issue, check the cable(bends,cracks, binding,pinched,routed correctly,etc.) WD40 the cable,carb linkage,throttle housing, check intake clamps and condition of intakes. Most likely a small problem!

Throttle cable is definitely not the issue. I'm thinking it may be something sticking open on a carb or two. If say for example I am at a red light and the idle hangs a little high on me, I will squeeze the front brake and let the clutch out just a bit and it will drop back to normal...

clutch wrote:

...Throttle cable is definitely not the issue. I'm thinking it may be something sticking open on a carb or two. If say for example I am at a red light and the idle hangs a little high on me, I will squeeze the front brake and let the clutch out just a bit and it will drop back to normal....

Likely air leak through crack in deteriorated carb holder or old hard vacuum plug, or maybe just a loose clamp at carb>holder, or leak in vacuum tube from carb to petcock if so fitted, or loose fit where carb holder attaches to engine. And maybe some other place escaping me at the moment.

Good Luck!