80 Special Exhaust Question

[Rickrod3]

Finally got those exhausts, though it turns out they're both from a '79. The left side has quite a bit of rust, but the right side isn't too bad. Both have a few small dents here and there.

So, now I have 2 questions:

1) What is the best way to go about cleaning up the rust without stripping off the chrome in the process? Or is that even possible?

2) How are the pipes supposed to connect in the center? Should there be a clamp or something else that I don't have?

And now, some pics for your viewing pleasure...

I have had some pretty good results using noxon, and polishing compound. I would hold off on anything really abrasive till you commit to refinishing them.
I was surprised how a lot of chrome on my bike came back.
A polishing wheel on a drill might help.

Rick

[DGXSER]

On the exhaust crossover, there is a gasket sleeve that goes on the right side pipe that slides into the left as well. Then the clamp goes around it. I may have a couple of those clamps in the garage.

[Kit]

That would be cool, thanks. I'm not seeing any of those sleeves on eBay. Anywhere else I might find one?

[tinman905]

You can find the gasket from many places ,Parts and more, Mikes XS ,just use a pipe clamp or a muffler clamp if you can't find a stock clamp .

[Kit]

Looks like MikesXS has one. So that gasket for the 650 is the same as the one for the 1100?

[Kit]

I may have a couple of those clamps in the garage.

I had a "Doh!" moment earlier today. There's 2 of 'em on the exhaust that I'm taking off the bike, so I'll just use one of those.

[Kit]

Could always go for ceramic coating!

Yup, the thought crossed my mind. I'm planning to call around this week to find out who does it around here. Get some quotes on both that and re-chroming.

Just got a rough ball-park quote for $375. That includes prep work and 2 coats of the chrome-like finish.

[CatatonicBug]

I had a "Doh!" moment earlier today. There's 2 of 'em on the exhaust that I'm taking off the bike, so I'll just use one of those.

By looking at the pictures, you'll need both of them. The spot where the #2 pipe meets the collector needs a clamp too.

[Kit]

You're right, good catch. I really need to drink more coffee or something...

[Kit]

In my search for exhaust gaskets, I've come across 2 different kinds. One kind appears to be metal (don't know if it's steel or aluminum or something else),

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=230568807758

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=380306155656

and the other kind seems to be a softer crushable type.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=360338314834

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=160530608107

Does it matter which is used? Are there any notable advantages and disadvantages between the two?

[Tarheeltriple]

Those pipes are not bad, see the attached post

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31009&page=6

to show how to clean them up.

[Kit]

Yup, already started that. Discovered that my annode is too small for what I'm trying to do, so I have to change my setup a bit come payday.

[Tarheeltriple]

(Discovered that my anode is too small for what I'm trying to do)

If she told you that, remind her that size is not to suppose to matter.

[Kit]

OK, here's the pics of my first attempt at electrolysis.

This is my initial setup. As noted in the other thread, my annode is too small for that size part, but I didn't know that at this point.



After 30 minutes:


After 1 hour. Not much happening.


After 11 hours, and not a lot of progress, I got a bigger piece of steel.



After 1 hour in the new setup:




After 3 hours:




At this point, I flipped it over and did the back end, but it was late and I forgot to take pics. When it was done, I hit the pitted areas with silver paint, wiped the paint off the chrome leaving it only in the affected areas, and let it dry under a heat lamp overnight. This is the next morning:





After 2 hours of chrome polish/buffing:





They didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, and the chrome polish I used (Mother's) didn't shine them up very well. But I think they're about as done as they're going to get. This is only a temporary solution until I can afford to get them ceramic coated.

[natemoen]

Doesn't look too bad!