Exaust problems

[Spookysxs11]

I noticed a few cracks in my exaust , so I welded them up. This was last year. This year the cracks were back with avengance. some in the same spots others in different spots. So again I fixed them this time though I brazed them..... Well 800 miles later there back AAAAAAHHHH!!!!! what can I do to stop it or is it due to a 30 year old exaust system? Should I sleave it or leave it? also are the front motor mounts a factor in this? I am out of ideas

[AlanB]

Hi Spooky,

I have occasionally seen a genuine "crack" in an exhaust, but generally when a pipe starts to crack up, it is 'cos the steel is rotted out from the inside, and only the chrome remains to hold it together.

Only you can tell why the pipe has broken; if the steel is still strong, you may have a vibration problem....... But that would be unusual.

AlanB

[Spookysxs11]

exaust problem

well I was thinking that the braze would have been stronger but it broke right where I brazed it. I haven't noticed any vibration.

[The Lorax]

Brazing is good, welding is better. I have done both, I'm not good at either one. welding tends to add more material to the joint and is less likely to crack. if the crack keeps coming back, the pipes are probably rotting out from the inside (except for that vibration thing mentioned in an earlier post) you may consider looking for a replacement system although I don't know who makes them for the XS anymore. Have a nice day and ride safe

[Spookysxs11]

What about a good 4 into 2 system, or slip on ends. Because the ends are the only parts that are breaking, right where they are connected or there abouts

[eroellig]

Hmmmm...... My PO had welded my pipes/mufflers as well. He had pointed out a hole in the right side. Now I hear (and feel) a leak on the left side. There is also a crack that spans almost the top half of the pipe. Getting ready to weld that shut. My headers are blue from my carb being too lean (to be fixed soon) so I was thinking I'd take the exaust off, take the blue off & weld them back up.

I guess I'll have to see how long this will last.....

BTW: Anyone have a suggestion on the best way to de-blue headers?

Eric

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by eroellig
suggestion on the best way to de-blue headers?

Believe it or not, there's a product called Blue Job for this purpose.

[fredintoon]

" I was thinking I'd take the exaust off, take the blue off & weld them back up. "

Hi Eric,
so you are going to end up with nice shiny pipes with horkin' great welds on them? Like, Frankenstein's Monster wearing makeup? I'd say weld the pipes "as is" then fizz them over with high temperature manifold paint. There's even a choice of colours so you are not stuck with matte black like the cheapskates who use BBQ paint.

[Spookysxs11]

problem solved?

well I fixed the pipes again. it cost me only $3.00. Well to start off I took the pipes off. When I did this the left side slid apart. Then the right side was only held together by a 1/4 inch of braze. AAAHHH!!! So first I ground down all the braze so it was all gone. then I welded the pipes back together then test fit them to the bike . After that I took then and put sleaves on the repair area. That is where the $3 came into play. I bought a galvinized tail pipe section from Meijer. when I was all done I coated the repair with zink coating wich looks close to a dirty crome. Now I am back on the road and we shall see how long it will last. Hopefully more than 800 miles. Will report the results.


I tried to post a pick.

[renegade_xs11g]

Re: " I was thinking I'd take the exaust off, take the blue off & weld them back up. &quot

Originally posted by fredintoon

There's even a choice of colours so you are not stuck with matte black like the cheapskates who use BBQ paint. [/B]

Hey, Fred...what's wrong with being a cheapskate
and what's wrong with BBQ paint...

I am a cheapskate and I've used BBQ paint

Sorry, I just had to bust your chops over that

[fredintoon]

" the guilty flee where no man persueth "

"..what's wrong with being a cheapskate
and what's wrong with BBQ paint..."

Hi Renegade,
I carefully re-read my post and nowhere did it say there was anything wrong with being a cheapskate. There are, however, disadvantages to using BBQ paint. It only comes on matte black so there is no choice in colour or texture. If you are happy with matte black exhausts that is not a problem.
BBQ paint does not stand up to dings and knocks as well as other exhaust-specific paints so you will be applying touch-up squirts more often. But a true cheapskate would rather use up the rest of his can in touch-ups rather than have it age into unusability as it sits on the shelf.