| Author | Message | ||
     Portero72 |
Seems I cannot go more than about 500 miles without a front strap giving up the ghost. This has happened with two different mufflers on the bike. This most recent failure came after some repairs(rear rocker cover gasket) and the addition of a new Drummer, both installed by pros I know and trust to be competent. I even pointed out my recent history of broken straps prior to the install and had them check for anything amiss such as header bolts, etc. All checked out at the time. Any ideas on what could be going wrong? I did my best to check all torque and installation procedures during my failures, and I know the last one was installed by the book. Help! | ||
| Hughlysses |
It could be a defective/malformed/bent header. If the outlet is not in precisely the right place, it would cause stress on the muffler and therefore on the front strap. Has the muffler shifted since the strap broke? I'd examine it very carefully and examine the clearance (if any) between the muffler and the bracket. That might give a big clue as to what's happening. | ||
| Reepicheep |
By the book is crazy low inch pounds with a good wrench, and no reusing of the strap, so even a good mechanic will get that wrong if not going, literally, absolutely by the book (and preordering a new strap before doing the work). | ||
| Teeps |
37k on the original front strap on my bike. Muffler has been off and on at least a dozen times over the last 10 years. It is imperative that the muffler is fully nested against the radius of the front and rear mounts and is aligned front to rear on the header collector, before anything is tightened. I use a floor jack when fitting the muffler to the bike. I also apply a liberal smear of anti seize on the collector and the muffler inlet. NOTE: The bike's muffler mounts are still where they were when the bike was made. When removing the muffler, the front strap has never been removed from its mount bolted to the engine, never removed the rear mount from the engine. | ||
| Hughlysses |
You're supposed to put high-temp RTV in the muffler inlet, which would help lube the pipe much like anti seize. I noticed the guys at Twin Motorcycles say to give both the pipe and the muffler some raps with a rubber hammer to help things "settle" prior to tightening the clamp. That seems like a good idea. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Soon as you feel resistance then maybe one more turn and stop. If you are tightening more than that then that would be why they are failing. | ||
| Ourdee |
Craig has that right. Matt Loose was stopping me from tightening mine down too tight at HomeComing. Just snug the front one up. Those fine threads on the bolt put a lot more pressure on the band than the coarse teeth on hose clamps do for the same effort. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think the torque spec is like 15 inch pounds (which is like 1 foot pound). I have reused them before successfully. I also have had a reused one fail. | ||
| Teeps |
I don't like to use RTV, unless indicated by the manufacturer. In this case the '06 Buell sm says silicone is not needed My '06 Ulysses has never had an exhaust leak, using only anti seize to lubricate the collector/muffler joint, during assembly. As always your experience may vary... Forgot to mention in my first post here; the original Torca clamp is still in use too. | ||
| Portero72 |
Just came to me. The day I noticed the broken strap, my buddy had dropped the bike in a slick water crossing. We had traded bikes for a few miles on a ride and I was on his Super Tenere. I looked REAL hard, and the only damage I saw was a brake pedal that was SLIGHTLY bent. Tank of a bike. I love it. NO markings on header at all. Coincidence? | ||
| Reepicheep |
It would be more likely to have been damaged before or after the drop. That exhaust doubles as a very effective skidplate, and that strap is flat but totally exposed. Any impacts to the muffler, particularly side impacts, could load up that strap. Drops would usually hurt "everything else", but it could have been an impact. Or the impact could have lead to the drop. | ||
| Portero72 |
Lord almighty. Any ideas where to buy a couple of these straps new? I know I don't suck at the internet THAT bad, but it seems like nobody has ANY... | ||
| Hughlysses |
IIRC, you can buy generic straps like this from diesel truck shops and marine shops for considerably less than HD charges. Search Badweb for info. | ||
| Portero72 |
OR.... Anyone know the measurements so I can order a generic clamp from a distributor? | ||
| Teeps |
I ordered a T Bolt Clamp from ebay awhile back, with the following description: 6.25" 6-1/4" 159mm to 167mm T BOLT CLAMP Turbo Pipe Hose Coupler Stainless Steel I have not fitted it to the bike yet, so I can't say 100% that it is correct. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The front's and the backs are different sizes. I bought some that were the right size, and some the wrong. I got these: 70STBC625 from Deep Blue Yacht supply. https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/70stbc625-t-bo lt-band-clamps $5 each. I don't know if those were the ones I bougth that were the right size, or the wrong size. The max diameter matches what Teeps thought. I need to order a few more, so if somebody can confirm, that would be nice. | ||
| Reepicheep |
(The ones I got were slightly less beefy than the stock ones, but have held up fine in use) | ||
| Hughlysses |
I tried googling Badweb for info. There are lots of threads on the subject including suggested sources, but no clear answers to what sizes are required. Here's an interesting post from New12R (Charlie) with an alternative solution:
| ||
| Reepicheep |
Let me walk out and measure the one I carry in my sidebag later this afternoon. I think that is the correct sized one. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had two in the sidebags, one used one time, one new aftermarket (probably one of those yacht supply ones). Both were a little over 6.25 inches max diameter, which matches my order record above, and matches what Teeps found on eBay. So I think those deep blue ones referenced, and the ones Teeps got on ebay, are the right ones. Somebody please confirm, and post on the "parts substitutes" thread in the knowledge vault. It's a shame, as I had my exhaust off two weeks ago to paint it. I should have measured. On the updside, I reused my front strap, so there is a good chance it will break and I'll measure then. Like I said, I think I have two spares in the sidebag.  | ||
| Portero72 |
I ordered 4. So at least I have backups when/if they fail. I would LOVE to see a pic of the bent steel bands New12R fabbed up! Thanks a million, Badweb! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Don't thank us until you make sure we told you the right size.  | ||
| Portero72 |
'Don't thank us until you make sure we told you the right size.' Point taken. Until then, you're all still a bunch of worthless bastages!  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Now you are getting it. | ||
| Atc_no_more |
I reinforce the front strap with 16 gauge galvanized wire.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Clever! It would make noise so you know there is an issue, but let you finish the ride with less risk of pole vaulting. How do you fasten it? Do you have a swaging tool? | ||
| Atc_no_more |
No swaging tool. I run each piece of wire through the holes next to the bolt/ nut junction point area. Then just twist the wire ends with a pair of plyers until they are "torqued" up as snug as the strap. No issues for many years of use. | ||
| Portero72 |
So, as the straps have not yet arrived, y'all remain worthless sons of motherless goats. A paranoid musing; When the repetitive breakage began, I was on a trip back from Arkansas. So, I was kinda forced to ride for 350 miles or so on a duct tape and giant zip tie botch job. Yes, it cracked the muffler inlet. Is it possible or likely that the headers were somehow warped out of shape by the abuse? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm surprised it didn't break an exhaust stud, that seems a lot more likely than warped headers. | ||
| Portero72 |
Well, the good news is that the width of the aforementioned clamp is identical and, aside from brand stamping, looks exactly the same as stock. The bad news is that the link leads to a clamp that is far too big. So....you're all worthless and weak. I went ahead and ordered a few sizes and will report back as to which ones fit, so we can stop paying HD prices. Will also keep you all updated as to whether or not I am able to solve my breakage problem and finally enjoy my Buell, worry-free, again. (Who am I kidding, it has 65k miles on it!!!) All kidding aside, I have always appreciated the ingenuity, creativity, and willingness to dirty one's hands in the pursuit of maintaining a fabulous but dead brand of motorcycle that most Badweb members seem to share. As an owner of both a KTM and Triumph, I am often dismayed at the other forum's members' fear of ever turning a wrench on their own machines. Not ALL of the KTM and Triumph members rely on dealers to service their machines, of course, but it seems much more prevalent there than here. I guess what I am trying to say is....... MURICAH!!!!!!!!!  |
