Exhaust Woes

[TomGrainger]

So this year has not started off brilliantly in biking terms for me. Battery died and needed replacing, rear brake pads had literally turned to mulch where I'd been too tight to pay to have them replaced and too lazy to do them myself and now, ironically whilst replacing my rear pads, I've noticed two holes in my exhaust. Obviously I'm pretty gutted, coz I know straight away there's gonna be no quick fix to this. My exhaust was rusty when I bought the bike and I stupidly have been leaving it uncovered in all weathers. Now to where you guys hopefully can help me.

Obviously the two holes are a big issue. The bike runs fine and I suspect the holes have been there for a couple of weeks, but obviously it is no longer road legal. My question is: do I need to replace the entire exhaust or is it just the downpipe that will need changing? If it's just the pipe, is a DEP pipe worth investing in and is the change something reasonably simple or am I going to need to fork out to have it fitted professionally? I'd like to eventually become self sufficient with the bike and I'm now at the point where I do simple things like servicing myself, but I don't wanna mess around with the exhaust if it's a pretty complex job.

Thanks in advance.

[megawatt]

I doubt a repair to a mild steel downpipe will last long. Once a hole appears and you weld repair it, another one will follow soon after. My advice is to find a stainless header and silencer combo and I don't mean chromed mild steel , I mean stainless. Removing and fitting an exhaust system is pi$$ easy, get on withit, unless you like giving money away?

[TomGrainger]

Firstly, thanks for the help.

So could I replace just the downpipe or am I going to need the complete exhaust replaced? If it's just the downpipe, would it be possible to take of the rusty one and replace it with a DEP downpipe or will there be compatibility issues between the new pipe and the old piece?

[megawatt]

If there's a clamp at the front end of the silencer, where the downpipe enters it, then yes. If it's a welded, one piece unit, probably not. Got a piccy ?

[TomGrainger]

I'll try to get a pic at the weekend. Problem is I leave for work when it's dark and get home when it's dark. My Dad reckons the total shit state of the back piece means the other end is probably the same. Anybody with an opinion on DEP pipes and if they're worth it? If it's worth the extra £40 they cost over a standard Yam exhaust then I may as well get one.

[banditjohn]

I've just tried to enlarge the sales pictures and it looks like a one piece, If it looks tidy and the rest or the exhaust looks OK weld it too get you out of trouble (the welt could end up the strogest part lol), once you've welded it then you'll have time to find a replacement

John

[TomGrainger]

So at the minute I'm kind of torn between getting a replacement Yam exhaust and a DEP pipe. Performance wise it's not gonna make a great deal of difference to me as I plan to sell the bike in a few months when I get my A2 licence. However, if it's going to make a big difference to the value of the bike (enough to warrant the increased cost of the pipe) then I'm willing to fork out. So thoughts guys? Regular pipe or DEP?

Thanks for the help so far.

[eastanglianbiker]

if you are planning on selling the bike in a few months time hen serious consideration to welding it up would be my first thought as a few quid on welding is a lot less than a new pipe which wont increase value of bike by the amount the pipe cost you

[Hunter]

I'm not one to try and pass problems onto other people but i would be tempted to weld if you are going to sell on.

Otherwise stick with the standard OEM item to avoid any balancing issues you may have.

If your going to keep it, like cool things, want the very best or just get carried away then join the club and get a set of stainless .

[TomGrainger]

Had a good look yesterday and it turns out I can get away with replacing just the tailpipe. It's in such shocking condition thought that I can't see a weld being a safe option. All the bolts holding it on ar rusty and one of the retaining clamps literally crumbled away in my hand as I tried to unscrew the bolt in it. Looks like I'm gonna have to cut the bolts out to get the rear pipe off.

With regards to replacement, the Yamaha official rear pipe is over twice the cost of a DEP (mental considering DEP's got better performance) and the downpipe is a whopping £600 at best quote compared to £170 for a DEP downpipe. I think I'm gonna leave the current downpipe as is and just replace the rear can. Gotta just hope that I can separate the two without damaging the downpipe.

[megawatt]

Just made contact with a company that can make you a new one out of mild steel or stainless. Probs less than £170 if you're interested Tom?

[TomGrainger]

Ahh thanks Megawatt but I've just ordered the part and then saw your post. Turns out I can get away with just the silencer, so I've ordered a DEP silencer for £75 which is not bad including delivery and VAT.

I've got to drill all of the retaining bolts out coz they're rusted to ruin, so I'm buying a new set of them. I also have to get a new clamp for the join between the silencer and the downpipe. Is there anything else I need for joining the two like exhaust sealent or a rubber joint or anything else you guys can think of?

[megawatt]

If it's a properly engineered system you shouldn't need anything else. A lot of systems do have a replaceable joint/gasket. Avoid using car exhaust sealant as it makes a mess and rarely works.

[TomGrainger]

Still having problems with this. My dad managed to cut the old silencer off and has kind of managed to remove the bolts holding the old one in (there's an unholy amount of rust on the bracket) but now the new silencer won't fit. It doesn't line up with the mounting bracket properly. The front bracket is about an inch away from the mounting piece on the bike and I can't get it to fit. Surely it should fit properly seeing as it is built for this bike? Any ideas?

[megawatt]

Yes it should fit, if your downpipe/ header is standard. Gimme a bell tomorrow night. I,ll pm my number.

[TomGrainger]

Finally got this all sorted. It took about a dozen drill bits to get through the pain in the arse bolt and it took a while to get the silencer on but I'm finally back on the road. All I need now is to fit my new seat cover and the bike is gonna be ready for sale.

[eastanglianbiker]

well done glad you got it sorted