Exhaust header stud removal

[natemoen]

they are Japanese and made by Galespeed. Actually, I think they do make them for the Xs1100. Have a look on their website.

I can't even find a website for them...

[James England]

Sorry, that was a bit misleading.nthey don't have a manufacturers website but they are available here. They're expensive but a lovely piece of engineering. Two of them weigh approx the same as one OEM wheel.
http://japan.webike.net/bm/brd/Wheel...PEED/1094/251/

Here's a pic of the 'stud from hell'. I'm still amazed it came out at all...

[James England]

Job done

Got the new studs into their cleaned out and undamaged holes in the head. Here's some pix with the Ti studs and flanges and stainless headers. It's amazing how a simple job can become so complicated. I'm pleased that I persevered and it's reassuring to know that all studs have now been replaced with a liberal coating of anti-seize. You can see the frame cradle tube which obscures the stud on number three cylinder.

Having got the bike back together I almost started the engine with no oil in it! I had removed the oil cooler in order to get at the stud. That is what happens when working when too tired!

[natemoen]

I have to say James, you do good work and it always looks great!

[James England]

I have to say James, you do good work and it always looks great!

Thank you, Nathan, that's nice of you to say. I just looked at the pix and went tearing out to the workshop! I looked at the pix and thought for one minute that I had bent/cracked a fin! It really does look like that on both photos, don't you think? ...but, thankfully, it's just an optical illusion. I didn't recall breaking fins but the pix certainly gave me an unpleasant surprise!

Here's some pix with the belly pan and oil cooler back on...

[natemoen]

It does look bent, didn't notice that. Weird!

[Rasputin]

of course it does. Like I said in my post, the bike handles completely differently and its a huge improvement. Like a different bike...faster, lighter and completely different from before.

Dumbells, cement...whatever 60lbs=60lbs....permanently removed. It's 12% of the dry weight of the bike.

I think, possibly the point he was trying to make is sprung or unsprung weight which makes a huge difference in handling of any vehicle.

[James England]

I think, possibly the point he was trying to make is sprung or unsprung weight which makes a huge difference in handling of any vehicle.

Yup, that's what I meant. The lighter wheels are a big factor though as the gyroscopic effect of them is much reduced.

[TomB]

James, having so much thread protruding beyond the nut is not good practice, besides looking really untidy, the general standard for avoiding corrosion problems, as in having the protruding thread corrode making nut removal difficult is a maximum of two threads, the best practice is no threads protruding but full nut engagement. Another issue is thread damage for threads protruding far too much, this makes nut removal difficult too. As these exhaust studs are known for corrosion I'd recommend removing all the studs to shorten them, now you know what length you need them to be. And yes I had to do the same thing

Once shortened you could use Acorn nuts, SOOOO much better looking.



Sorry to pick up on things like this, its an affliction I have.

[skids]

Of course if you thought that is really an issue you could install the longer nuts or double the nuts. I have 4 xs11s and none had acorn nuts on the head pipes.
No problems wit corrosion here in the Denver area but we don't have the salty air that you Brits have

[natemoen]

James, having so much thread protruding beyond the nut is not good practice, besides looking really untidy, the general standard for avoiding corrosion problems, as in having the protruding thread corrode making nut removal difficult is a maximum of two threads, the best practice is no threads protruding but full nut engagement. Another issue is thread damage for threads protruding far too much, this makes nut removal difficult too. As these exhaust studs are known for corrosion

I don't think there will be much of a corrosion issue with titanium studs.......or even much of a problem with thread damage.

Aesthetics only here.

[IanDMacDonald]

I looked at those pics full-on, and think it looks great the way it is. I dunno if those are UK OEM exhaust flanges or not, but I like the looks of that whole setup. On second thought, those are probably the flanges from that expensive German S/S system you bought, ehh? I'll be using your black beauty UK engine paint scheme as my guide for doing my engine over the winter.

Dang, keep forgetting this is your XJR. Disregard the German S/S exhaust comment.

[natemoen]

I looked at those pics full-on, and think it looks great the way it is. I dunno if those are UK OEM exhaust flanges or not, but I like the looks of that whole setup. On second thought, those are probably the flanges from that expensive German S/S system you bought, ehh? I'll be using your black beauty UK engine paint scheme as my guide for doing my engine over the winter.

Dang, keep forgetting this is your XJR. Disregard the German S/S exhaust comment.

Yup, XJR. But the exhaust on his UK XS is that German SS exhaust!

[TomB]

I don't think there will be much of a corrosion issue with titanium studs.......or even much of a problem with thread damage.

Aesthetics only here.

Hopefully they won't corrode, I assuming they'll self anodize being titanium.

I agree on the aesthetics, they would look way better the right length.

C'mon James, don't let the side down!

[fredintoon]

- - - Here's a pic of the 'stud from hell'. I'm still amazed it came out at all... - - -

Hi James,
the pic came out great. You can even read the paper the stud is laying on.
It appears to be a legal document. Stay away from lawyers! Remember Dickens Jarndice vs Jarndice?
BTW, about weight saving; years ago a fellow apprentice raced Formula Bantam. (before your time, a poor boys racing class. You were limited to using a 125cc BSA Bantam engine. Worked fine as an intro class until the money boys moved in.)
His major tune-up trick was to lose 40lbs before the season started.