| Author | Message | ||
     Desotonorsocal |
Hey guys, so yesterday after leaving work I heard what sounded like sheet-metal banging against a pipe. Additionally I noticed a vibration from around 3k-5500 rpm. Got home and a quick inspection revealed the ubiquitous front exhaust bracket breakage. Just bought one today from American Sport Bike. My question is, is it safe to assume the vibration is from that bracket or do I need to look at possible other symptoms? Seems like a resounding 'yes', but it also seems strange that there would be such a vibration when there's two other straps on it, and it's connected to the headers. Please make me feel better about this and say yes, it'll be fine with the replacement strap, lol. | ||
| Ducbsa |
You might try dismantling at the Torca clamp, clean up the joint, and tap the muffler pipe when you reassemble to make sure it is in its natural spot, with no stress introduced there. | ||
| Greg_e |
Might want to replace the front motor mount as well. | ||
| Teeps |
Fix the muffler strap first, then evaluate the vibration. The front engine mount should be fine as long as there is about 12mm of daylight between the flange bolt and bottom of the mount. It is essential that all mounting surfaces are clean and the collector to muffler joint is lubricated, I use Permatex aluminum based anti seize (it's what I have.) The muffler must be carefully lifted into place, and nested into the curved mounts. The collector should be fully engaged into the muffler. (I use a floor jack, for this procedure.) Otherwise, follow the installation procedure in the shop manual to the letter. Carefully read the torque values for the straps as they are in in/lbs. This is what a good one looks like  | ||
| Desotonorsocal |
Thanks everyone, this is great information! I'm nearing the 20k mark on the bike and I could have sworn I was having some vibration going on about 6k miles ago but I just lived with it, thinking it's either my imagination or the motor's just getting 'loose' with break-in. Then I read a lot about the front mount going south and was thinking maybe it can get 'worn out' as opposed to just failing, but at 16k miles? I definitely planned on not just throwing the new strap on, but pulling all straps and insuring a proper exhaust re-seat before strapping it up. I pulled it once before and wouldn't be surprised if I over-tightened that front strap (didn't realize it was in inch-pounds; I did crank it with the wrist pounds) I'm still hearing some interesting sounds in the mid-range so I'll be checking everything on the exhaust. I get the strap today (American Sport Bike is about 60 miles from me so Al ships quick) @Teeps, @Ducbsa, @Greg_e, thank you all for the info. I'll get some anti-seize stuff if I don't already have some in the shop, inspect my motor mount (again, lol) and have at it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Never heard that before. What are the problems / symptoms of not doing that? | ||
| Teeps |
I have always lubricated lip fit joints to ensure full engagement; for the Buell muffler I've found said lubrication makes installation easier. Broken header studs and/or cracked header would be major problems if the muffler is preloading the header. | ||
| Desotonorsocal |
Yeah, I'm no fan of riding it as-is right now but it's my only transportation at the moment so... I gotta' do it. Fingers crossed and hoping to get the part today... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Makes sense. | ||
| Greg_e |
Maybe loosen the front Torca clamp between muffler and header a little so there is some play and just deal with the exhaust leak for a bit. Essentially, I tighten the torca clamp as the last step when I put mine back together, usually get the muffler strapped in, then the front mount, then the clamp. So far it has seemed to work without breaking anything. |
