The Y pipe on mine cracked several times in it's 100,000 miles. Both welded and replaced but I guess never reinforced properly. At just over the 100K mark, I had the factory rebuild done and switched to Vance & Hines true dual exhaust. Didn't stick with the V&H slip ons very long though. And if I had it to do over again, I'd go a different route instead of the rebuild as well. But that's 20-20 hindsight and a whole different story.... Still have some old cracked Y pipes on the shelf.
RandyC - 8/13/2012 5:57 AM
Most of the bikes I've been around are relatively low mileage ( less than 30K on the clock ). Maybe this is why none of us are seeing the problem ?
That could be one possibility. The other possibility, as mentioned above, is that the crack is closed when the bike iis cold. When you are underway, depending upon the state of your mufflers (OEM or aftermarket), you won't hear it. The cracks seldom open up very much and typically, they are found when removing the exhaust system for other work, like changing a clutch cable, etc.
The problem mainly shows up on FL's because the muffiers are bolted to mounts behind and below the saddlebags and when the motor vibrates on the mounts (yes, they do vibrate), there is leverage on the "Y" pipe joint so that the metal eventually fatigues. The heat also helps to weaken the metal since the exhaust flame is very hot.
I've also seen the crossover pipe break off where it comes off of the rear cylinder to feed the left-hand muffler. Those can also be welded. The pipes are expensive so any welding is less expensive than a new pipe.
I replaced the factory 2-1-2 ( with an aftermarket 2-1-2 ) on my 2012 to eliminate the cat converter and do some other mods. Looking at the sensors being close enough to the heads, I'll assume that I'll be in good shape in case a crack occurs. Now you guys have me listening for strange exhaust noises from now on !!! Lol....
Future tug maybe ?
with the fixed y pipe my milage is up over 8mpg
and its SOOOO quiet
wonder how long it was cracked?
to
Only once I tried my CB650 without exhaust pipes.
The whole village claimed after that and I could not even get up the hill power was gone completely.
The reason why I never understood why people have to tweeck and fiddle with intake filter and exhaust pipes.
"Free view to the valves" is a stupid idea in my eyes.
Tim, it sounds like you learned the same lesson now too.
Sven
I've always used stock exhaust systems on my motorcycles. They look better, sound better and the resale value is better when the time comes to sell the vehicle. It's also part of being a good citizen and obeying the law. This is good, since it's clear that the laws are gong to get a lot tougher on people who run loud exhaust pipes, especially here in California.
Oh, and one more thing....assuming that you have a passenger in your sidecar, loud exhaust pipes can actually render them deaf or with weakened hearing though time due to the proximity of the passenger's head to the exhaust. That' not much fun, even if your passenger is only a dog.
How much less do you get on a HD after putting a HD sidecar on? I was told about 5 or 6 miles to a gallon less. What is others opinion?
46u - 8/20/2012 4:23 PM
How much less do you get on a HD after putting a HD sidecar on? I was told about 5 or 6 miles to a gallon less. What is others opinion?
That's about correct. My 2004 Ultra generally got 42 mpg as a solo with 3.15 gearing. I added the sidecar and changed to 3.37 gearing and the mileage was usually 37-38 thereafter.
Then up to 70 I should get 36 to 38 a gallon after 75 it will go down 1 or 2 more. Right now I get 42 to 44 miles per gallon. I can live with that. 🙂
46u - 8/20/2012 4:40 PM
Then up to 70 I should get 36 to 38 a gallon after 75 it will go down 1 or 2 more. Right now I get 42 to 44 miles per gallon. I can live with that. 🙂
I still ride solo but I like to look at the scenery so I'm usually around 60 to 65 mph all of the time. You will get much better mileage under 70 mph with a sidecar. At much higher speeds than that mileage will drop dramatically. It's a small price to pay.
Yes mine 65 or under I gain 1 to 2 miles per gallon. I can run with out a side car under 60 to 62 with out down shifting.
46u - 8/20/2012 4:54 PM
Yes mine 65 or under I gain 1 to 2 miles per gallon. I can run with out a side car under 60 to 62 with out down shifting.
Yes, you will gain mileage at lower speeds. Nowadays, with gasoline sellng for $4.159 to $4.299 here in California, I have begun riding slower to gain mileage. I used to ride faster, but I discovered that I enjoy it more at lower speeds. I seldom ride in traffic since I live in a rural area and so it's just as good to run slower.
With a sidecar, you really should be running a blt slower anyway, but others may feel differently about that.
gnm109 - 8/16/2012 11:27 AM
I've always used stock exhaust systems on my motorcycles. They look better, sound better and the resale value is better when the time comes to sell the vehicle. It's also part of being a good citizen and obeying the law. This is good, since it's clear that the laws are gong to get a lot tougher on people who run loud exhaust pipes, especially here in California.
I run stock on mine as I like listing to the stereo. 😉
