MNS Exhaust - welding?

[mixelpix]

on the I5 from LA to OAK the weld between the muffler and the exhaust header extension on the right side of the bike snapped clean apart!

I made it home, the bike runs fine if not a little grumbly, but where the heck can i get that fixed?

Can the muffler be welded w/the black ceramic finish?

Any advice on someone to call in the NoCal area would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-pdk

[Pat Kelly]

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...&threadid=7770

Lookie here, what timeing!
I had a hole in my muffler the PO had welded that needed redone. Not pretty but it's holding. The metal on these mufflers is very thin and hard to repair.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mixelpix,

John in Texas just posted in the Member's Forum about a set of MNS pipes he found, they are asking a bit over $200.00 for them, he'll be happy to check them over more closely IF you can't get yours repaired to your liking, a possible alternative!?
T.C.

[Winterhawk]

I've repaired lots of xs11 pipes using a MIG welder. Just make sure the chrome is ground off where the weld is.

[dewibp]

Winterhawk- Have you gone so far as to grind/polish your welds and rechrome an exhaust system?

[Winterhawk]

My welds need ground for sure...LOL But no nothing like that. I have shot some silver and chrome paint on them though..

[Dark Horse]

Make sure the coating/plating is removed from the weld area. Approximately 1/2" (12mm) from either side of the weld. Grind down the old weld to clean base metal. Re-weld the joint using the oxy-aceytlene process or Gas Metal Arc process (MIG). MIG can give the appearance of a good weld when in fact there is gross lack of fusion (called "cold lap"). It sounds like your original weld had this problem.

Find a qualified (reputable) welder to weld it for you.

Hope this helps.

Bob Udy
Assistant Professor Welding Technology
Salt Lake Community College

1980 XS11SG, The Dark Horse

[mixelpix]

You guys are great!

Thank you again, everyone! Y'all are the best, sincerely, Patrick Kennedy

[noeleo]

Originally posted by Winterhawk
I've repaired lots of xs11 pipes using a MIG welder. Just make sure the chrome is ground off where the weld is.

Winterhawk, You did remember it is MNS?

[DiverRay]

Noelo;
The black on the pipes was called "black crome", and would weld as badly if not cleaned.
Patrick, I would have it welded, and then you could have the pipes powder coated. A gloss black should be close to stock.
Ray

[mixelpix]

thanks again - happy ending

Hi,
Just wanted to report that this last weekend I took a basic intensive MIG welding class and by the end of it I was able to successfully repair the broken pipe.

If you are in the NoCal area and want to learn about welding, check out The Crucible in Oakland:

http://www.thecrucible.org

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

-pdk

[2fast]

FWIW, I had my 4 into 1 crack completely off where it joins the megaphone. I brazed it together. This was several years ago and it is staying together just fine.

[2bhappy]

Wiil powder coat hold up for exhaust pipes?

Marc

[mixelpix]

whaddya know

so I inspected the heat plate on the side of the bike that /didn't/ have the split and lo and behold - the right pipe is also cracking - not completely through, however, close enough!! this one is through the metal which joins the two into one - and not at a seam. ?!? I can fix it, but criminny! I wouldn't have even thought to look there otherwise. Personally, I am not too worried about the powder coat, I am just welding - the welds will be under the heat plate, but I suppose you could always grind frist, weld, then respray...

Just old parts? or maybe an indication that the suspension needs to be looked at?

Thanks,

-pdk

[John]

Chalk it up to old parts, vibration, and condensation. I had the same thing happen, in the same pace, to the MNS pipes that I had on my bike. There may be a low spot right there that holds condensation.