Death Rattle Fix

[FJ1100mjk]

Hi:

I was recently able to determine that my '85, which has the double-wall exhaust header pipes, has one that ticks, spits, rattles. The noises were pretty bad when the bike was cold, and quieted down when it was warmed up, but the noises were there nonetheless. At first I thought that there was something amiss in the engine valve train, but when I took the V&H exhaust from my '87 and threw it on the '85, no more noises. Happy now, for the most part.

I haven't unhooked the header pipes from the collector box to look at those ends of the header pipes, but the ends that mate to the engine do not show anything wrong. At least to the un-aided eye.

I'm sure that there's other earlier model owners that have run across this issue, and if you have, were you able to fix the header pipes in any way where they could be used again, without the rattles/noises?

Thanks.
Marty

[Pat Conlon]

 Hi Marty, nope no way to fix the internal header tubes. Look for eBay sales or convert over to the '86 and  later single wall stainless steel header tubes. I am still using the double wall tubes on my '84 although over the years I have replaced 2 tubes. When they came up on eBay, I stocked up with some extras.
Sooner or later I will have to convert, no worries for me because those stainless tubes look bitchen when polished ........and I love polishing.

[FJ1100mjk]

Pat:

Thanks for the reply. Looks like a replacement header pipe is what I'm looking at.

If there is any fellow FJ'r who is reading this and have any header pipes they want to sell off, please contact me. I may also be interested in stock exhaust system if the price is fair, and the condition of it is suitable.

Thanks.

Marty

[Pat Conlon]

What cylinder do you need? I have some spares.
It is important to replace, for example, #3 cylinder with a #3 tube. You can not mix the tubes between the cylinders, they won't fit.
On the bottom of the header tubes, next to the bolt covering the O2 sensor port, there are some stamped part numbers starting with a 36Y and ending in a 1,2,3 or 4. That ending # corresponds to the cylinder the tube serves. Replace a #2 tube with a #2 tube.

Let me know what you need.

[FJ1100mjk]

Pat:

Thank you so much for the generous offer. I wholeheartedly accept!

I'm not certain what header pipe is the problem. I need to track down which one it is somehow this weekend. I will be in touch.

Thanks.

Marty

[Arnie]

A "mechanic's stethoscope"  aka a long screwdriver will work admirably for this.
Put your ear to the end of handle (important) and the tip on what you want to hear.
Make sure you pick a screwdriver that is long enough that you don't contact the hot engine parts with other body parts.

Cheers,
Arnie

[FJ1100mjk]

Arnie:

Good idea. Unfortunately, the exhaust is now off of the bike, so I hope that under magnification I can possibly see the problem.

I can always re-install the exhaust system to use your trick though, if I can't readily see the problem.

Will be working on both FJ's this weekend, so I'll be reporting back.

Thanks.
Marty

[Arnie]

With the pipes off the bike you should be able to just shake them one by one and hear the rattly one.
Shaking by hand, you won't be able to damage them any further.

Alternatively, you could get one of those spy type video cameras on a cable with LED lights surrounding it and put it inside the pipe :-)
IF the welds are broken, it'll be at one end or the other.

Arnie

[FeralJuggernaut]

In other 'good news', now that you know that the top end isn't about to grenade, put them back on and just ride them until they finish eroding away.        I do feel obligated to warn you that in 80-100k miles, it will eventually create a hole on the outside of the pipe too;  but you can get that one welded up!      I've given up on the welding and scored some 1200 stainless and going down the Paddy Polishing route now that I am freshening up the top end.   I am trying to figure out, is it 'easier' to keep  Brushed Stainless looking tidy or go for the all out Chrome effect?

[Pat Conlon]

No! Erich, say it ain't so..... Polished stainless steel header tubes on Your bike?

The earth has just shifted on it's axis.......

[Dan Filetti]

The earth has just shifted on it's axis.......

That's not going to happen until 12/21/2012 (or 8 months ago do to the leap year thing....)

Dan

[axiom-r]

Sent Marty a PM.  I think I still have a full set of headers available from upgrading my 92.  Cost of shipping...

tim

[FJ1100mjk]

Tim:

I sent you an email.

Thanks.
Marty