Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 So I took my bike out for a proper ride for the first time today. Went up the A19 from York to Thirsk and back. 50 so miles doing around 60mph.I noticed a change in the sound of the bike when accelerating. When I got back I had a look at the downpipe which I knew was a potential problem when buying the bike. When I bought it, the downpipe had a white 'gum gum style' tape wound round it.The pics below were taken after I got back from the ride today:http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/garthunkle/B.jpghttp://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/garthunkle/A-1.jpgWhat are my options? Replacing the downpipe is ridiculously expensive. Is it possible to weld this? Cheers in advance,Gareth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 i wouldnt touch that with a welder it would just be a waste of time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 What bike is it Garth?Downpipes aren't always an arm and a leg .. depends what the bike is to a degree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Replacing the exhaust is the only way, either second hand or new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Its a Varadero 125. Is it just too big for a welder to fix? I think its part of the front downpipe, which was absurdly expensive from what I remember. I had a quick look on David Silver's websitehttp://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/parts/genuine-spares/part_26211/I really don't want to spend that much!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 BTW all the white stuff is the burnt residue of the tape the previous owner put around it. Presumably it wasn't heat resistant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 its not that its too big the down pipes are just full of rust and by the time you have taked them back to good steal then they will be too thin to weld it would just blow holes everywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 ok, does anyone know any good breakers or garages around York?Is it fine to ride around on until I get it fixed? Will it cause any damage to the bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Wont be too pleasing to the boys in blue!!Try these they are breaking one.http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Spares-Unlimited-Motorcycles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Old trick I learned from cars...just to reduce the noise until you get it sorted.. take a baked bean tin, cut both ends off (and eat the beans) cut it down the seam, buy two jubilee clips and put round the broken pipes as best you can... will keep plod off your back ..but get it sorted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Well I took it down to the Suzuki centre in York (really friendly guys - Would recommend them to anyone who needs advice). A mechanic had a look at it and said that rather than being rusted through it is cracked. He wouldn't have expected that for the age of the bike and said that it might have hit something. He said that it could be welded but you would not be able to get the downpipes on and off again. Suggested looking for someone who could weld it, whilst the pipes are still on the bike.He said the other (and best option) would be to find some in the breakers and get them replaced, but for a short term solution to clean the mess off, bandage them and cover that with Gun Gum.Think I will do that first, then see if they still need replacing after a couple of weeks. Oh and he said it wouldn't do any damage to the bike or fall off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Think I will try the baked bean thing as well!On a side note, had a look around the suzukis whilst I was there, quite like the look of the faired bandits. Think that might be a good bike to go for after I've passed my DAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 A combination of both with the baked bean over the Gun Gum will last..at least till you get it sorted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thing is I'm going to be selling it soon (May). So don't really want to spend £100 getting them replaced...Would it pass the MOT with the Gun Gum etc on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I see no reason why not....anyone else comment....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberwolf Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 are you any good with welding and can you get you hands on some pipe if you can what you could try is cut all the old y section pipe out and make a new y section and weld it in place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Afraid I have never welded in my life. OK found replacement downpipes for £40. The garage I went to said it would be around £30 for them to replace the pipes.Does that sound reasonable to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberwolf Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 yes i would get it before someone else dose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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