aftermarket megaphone muffler won't seal?

[donimo]

Hi all, turns out my bike has replacement mufflers, and they leak where they are clamped on to the stock pipes.

they seem to have 4-5 "sleeves" that compress, but the sleeves all have gaps in them (designed that way) and it leaks through them, the clamps are on so tight I sheared a steel bolt head right off and stripped the threads off another, still leaks.

I dont get how these "gapped sleeves" can ever seal anything?

[donimo]

I went tand tried again, 2 hours later and they still leak, I don't get it, anyone else have this style and DOESNT leak?

[posplayr]

Just a guess

On my stock mufflers for the 81 GS750EX, there seemed to be some type of asbestos gasket(if I recall correctly). Check the micro fiche item #7 for above mentioned bike.

Pos

[donimo]

stock the mufflers are all one peice right to the head, no gaskets, on my bike someone cut them off and put on these ones (no idea why).


these seem to have these "sleeves" that fit into each other but have these compression gaps, but the exhaust just comes out the gaps...?

I guess its rare enough that I am not gonna get an easy solution, bummer, add another $200 to my "cheap starter bike", can't find my battery for less that $135 to my door either...

[spyug]

With the "reducers" you need to ensure the slots are staggered ( of couse). I find it also helps if you "butter" them (around the slots) with muffler cement/sealer available from most automotive stores. Put enough on the inner and outer edge (side that contacts the header pipe)so that when you clamp the stuff oozes out. Wipe around the joint to make sure you have a good seal and let it dry before you fire up.

In some cases, it also helps to put a wrap of muffler tape around the outermost reducer before you insert it (tighter fit). Still use the cement. If you can't fine muffler tape you can cut up a pop can and wrap it around or even use some aluminum flashing ( lying around at new building sites).

Fiddly but fixable problem.

How come you can't get a cheaper battery? Last one I got from Crappy Tire was maybe $70. Is it some special heavy duty unit or something exotic?

Good luck with it.

Cheers,
Spyug

[donimo]

yeah, I just called cambodian tire, 66 bux (plus a "non refundable recycle fee" tax etc = just shy of a hundy), but that is a plain jane battery, the 150 is for the AGM style, I was figuring about 30-40 bux, silly me...

seems like that would make them non-removable, might as well get them welded on. Hmm.

With the time I have into them I could have had so many other things finished, bummer haaa

[donimo]

so all I could find is the muffler cement, they had patch kits but no tape.

I guess I will just clean it really well then glob this crap on there and see what happens...