| Author | Message | ||
     Nocompromise |
So, I was looking forward to doing an epic 8-9 hour ride (not including any breaks) tomorrow up to a legendary motorcycling road... but as I was cleaning the bike tonight I noticed that the Force exhaust broke at the rear mount. Grrrrrr!  I've been working a lot and this ride was going to be a little break/reward... Well, luckily one of the guys I know at church is a hobbyist welder so he's going to help me repair it tomorrow. My question is this: there is currently no front mount for the pipe (full system). I searched through the archives and found info about the new strap from Force ($26.38 + shipping http://www.useforce.com/proddetail.asp?prod=7000FP S ). It sounds like it is nothing special and some members are not using anything (as I wasn't). I did tighten the rear mount pretty tight (bad idea?), so now I'm wondering if I can get by with using some rubber washers or something on the rear mount? I'd like to only use the rear mount and remove the front exhaust mount from the engine cases if that's possible. If you guys think that the front mount contributes to supporting the exhaust then can someone recommend a suitable Force strap substitute? Can I get something similar from an auto parts store? Thanks in advance! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I've seen one of those force front mounts. They melt. I was very surprised that anyone charged money for it. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Honestly, I would just have your buddy, that does the welding, set you up with a nice mounting plate... Might create stress in other areas though, not too sure, never had a Force, and the only one I saw, was on Tripp's bike a couple years ago... Chase | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I haven't seen Tripp in a long time. Wonder what he's using on his M2 now. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Kevin If you still have the original hardware for the rear mounts I would use the assembly that mounts in the exhaust rear mounts. It allows the support of the exhaust without solid mounting. Joe | ||
| Ryker77 |
I used the new front mount but placed a piece of exhaust heat wrap on the pipe first. | ||
| Limitedx1 |
my force pipe has the from rubber mount, a little melting but nothing ugly. | ||
| Chasespeed |
I haven't seen Tripp in a long time. Wonder what he's using on his M2 now. Last I heard, still the same set-up... He posts in the NEBO section... Chase} | ||
| Nocompromise |
Well, I got the exhaust welded up, but when I went to install it last night one of the exhaust studs broke off. I am truly starting to hate this bike... I've been reading through the archives and it sounds like the JIMS tool is the way to go, even though only the very tip broke off the stud. I'm sure it's because the muffler mount was broken, which allowed the whole system to vibrate and put stress on the studs. I just hope the other exhaust studs don't do the same thing to me.  Hopefully I will be able to borrow a JIMS tool from someone, but with my luck I should probably just buy one. Sigh... I was going to go to a BBQ/dyno party this Saturday too! | ||
| Nocompromise |
So, the exhaust stud came out very easily. My friend welded on a nut and it came right out. I don't even know if we needed to weld the nut on, but I didn't try with anything else. I replaced that stud plus another one on the rear cylinder which was very loose. I spent probably the better part of an hour just trying to get the top nut started on the front cylinder exhaust stud. That was an exercise in frustration. I actually had to break out the hammer to try to get everything seated. I tightened each nut in increments, and the Force muffler is rubber mounted now, but I still don't have much faith that something won't break. The upper nut on the front cylinder exhaust stud is BARELY on there (even though it's tightened to 8 ft-lbs). It is probably only hanging on by 3 threads. Has anyone else with a Force full exhaust run into this issue? My friend welded a support gusset onto the muffler mount of the Force muffler and it looks like hell. I didn't think it would be very visible, but it's a little late for second thoughts now. I'm hoping I can do something to clean up the welds and discoloration. I keep telling myself that as long as she runs I'll be happy! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If the system is under stress, the studs won't last very long. If you loosen all of the other hardware in the system, can you get the headers to line up? What's causing the interference? | ||
| Nocompromise |
It's not that they don't line up, it's that the studs barely protrude through the header 'mounting plate'. So, it was almost impossible to get the nuts started with only a thread or two poking out. I posted pictures of it near the bottom of this page. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/304170.html I haven't heard of anyone else having the mounting plate sit so far out from the cylinder head. It seemed to run fine before the muffler mount broke, so I don't think there were any exhaust leaks. | ||
| Dizzle |
I run a force pipe on my 99X1. Been there, done that on everything you've dealt with. Now running the strap on the front(I cut off the original bracket that was welded on the pipe 'cause it was cracked at the weld) and use the Force red neoprene bushing at the back, hooked to the strap and then solid to the swingarm mount. Definitely assemble everything loose, then tighten the exhaust nuts and end by positioning/tightening the strap and rr mount. If you replaced the stud on the front cyl that is now too short, you just ran it in the head too far. If not, use the flat, Screamin Eagle gaskets (17048-98) to help gain some room. I also use H-D lock tabs 33318-85 and std.hex nuts on my studs. Don't hate your bike, just remember you just have to 10% smarter than the machine! | ||
| Bad_karma |
Kevin Only one set of exhaust gaskets installed? Joe | ||
| Nocompromise |
Dizzle - Thanks for the advice. I think I posted in my follow up thread, but I 'solved' the problem by putting a ball bearing under each exhaust stud (thanks Brian aka Tattood). Each of my studs were only protruding 5/8", whereas my other S1 and both of Brian's tubers all protruded 7/8". The ball bearings made the difference and now the nuts are threaded on fine. There is still a decent sized gap between the flanges and the heads, but according to Brian's measurements of his Force exhaust they are very close. So, everything should be fine unless the 2 studs I didn't replace were stressed by riding around with the broken muffler. So, I'm keeping a close eye on them in case they break. Maybe I'll take a look at those lock tabs since other people have had issues with the nuts coming off. Joe - Brian thought of this too - only one set (SE gaskets). Thanks though! | ||
| Eshardball |
PM Tattodnscrewed. He has good contacts at Hals who came across really great exhaust studs unlike the regular grade 5 crap that was put on when it left the factory. I used a stainless band clamp for the front mount on my force and made a bracket for the back. A bath in locktite was necessary for the back mount though | ||
| Tripp |
hi, my force pipe is still in great shape, i've decided that the front exh. upgrade kit oem , has everything to do with that. it was a hundred bucks and worth every penny, before i installed that i was having a hell of a time. with that upgrade kit the rubber strap hanger from force works fine just don't ever let oil get on it (like at filter changes) or she'll melt and smoke. hope to see some of you guys again at the headless horseman run in two weeks! i'm headed down with my brother on sat.(20th)! |
