| Author | Message | ||
     Eric_cartman |
Well I have broken 3 front muffler straps in the last couple weeks and am getting fed up with these cheap straps. Anyone know why you can't just weld the bracket that attaches to the front of the bike to the muffler and do away with the front strap altogether. Seems like it would be a better set up. I also hate the fact that you have to take the whole muffler off to replace the front strap. Seems like bad engineering to me. Why use such a week part on something that is so heavy and meant to act as a so called bash plate offroad. A strap that was a couple mm thicker would solve the whole issue. Or like I said eliminate it entirely. I can't see any reason not to weld the bracket on, unless its aluminum. I havent checked to see the metal composition. Done ranting for now. Thanks for listening. Eric | ||
| Darthane |
O_o I'm still using my Firebolt's original front strap after probably a dozen muffler removals. Are you sure you're not overtorqueing it or using the strap to completely seat the muffler? | ||
| Reepicheep |
My first strap, re-used at least twice, was strong enough to put a "bend" in the exhaust and never broke. It's still sitting in the garage somewhere. I think the supports are aluminum, but the pipe is steel. So you would have to ditch the supports. Then just welding a tab on the top would probably hold it vertically OK, but would not stop any lateral movement. Cant speak for the whole population, but sounds like Darthane has had good luck with the stock straps, and I have 23k miles with stock straps and at least 4 exhaust pulls and no issues. I think the part can work fine, you might want to look for other issues (either with the bike or your installation process). | ||
| Froggy |
Eric, it sounds like you are over tightening the strap, either that or something else with the bike is causing it to break. I know several people that have swapped mufflers dozens of time with the original straps. | ||
| Supertoon |
How do you guys torque those straps? I find the strap twists as you tighten them down and and screws-up the torque reading. I am using the type of wrench you set the torque and turn till it clicks. That being said I have removed mine twice with no hassle. | ||
| Darthane |
Heh...despite my question to Eric regarding the possibility of overtorqueing, I don't use a torque wrench on them at all. Make sure the muffler is hard up against the mounts before even beginning to tighten the straps, snug them down, call it a day. It's worked for me so far, but I appear to have the 'Superman' of the '03 XB9Rs. Original kickstand, never broke a belt, original muffler clamps, never stripped an oil plug, yadda yadda yadda. ...I'm going to go home and find it in a pool of oil with a piston-sized hole in the roof of my garage, now... | ||
| Eric_cartman |
I don't know whats going on? The rear straps seem to be holding fine. I can tell when the strap breaks though because I instantly get more vibrations through the whole bike. Maybe I am placing the connection point in the wrong spot. I am placing the bolt on the clutch side of the bike as close to the mounting bracket as possible. The first strap I broke was probably due to excessive torque but the last two, I tried not to tighten too much. I am out of straps so need to order more, I guess. Thanks for the replies | ||
| Miamiuly |
My front strap has the dent that matches the muffler and is still fine. As for being a welded piece, I'm guessing maybe vibration would kill it in time. | ||
| 08uly |
The front strap has a pretty specific torque sequence per the manual... Tighten to 108-120 in-lbs (9 - 10 Ft-Lbs) Back off 2 full turns Re-tighten to 108-120 in-lbs (9 - 10 Ft-Lbs) I think I have a photo of the position I'll post later. --- 08Uly Uly Data Page  |
