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Broken "Y" Pipe

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Old Jan 25, 2012 | 01:05 PM
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Dana Lee's Avatar
Dana Lee
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Default Broken "Y" Pipe
Started it up yesterday to go for a short spin, had a funny spitting sound. I figured the exhaust has come loose and I would fix it today. Took my ride, checked it this morning and found the "y" section just behind the rear cylinder was completely broken. (stock exhaust with SE slipons).


Good news is, one of my buds has a complete oem set he saved after putting on his V&H dual exhaust so this isnt gonna break the bank.

After I removed both sides and inspected the exhaust pipes, both sides were cracked just after the "y". Is this normal?
 
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Old Jan 25, 2012 | 01:07 PM
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yes sir, it is.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2012 | 01:09 PM
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stressing the Y pipe when changing mufflers can bring this on, but it is a common problem spot.

My 95 cracked in about 2003, welding it up and still going strong.

mike
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 02:33 AM
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I wouldn't say it is normal, it doesn't happen to everyone, but it is common. Mine did it many years ago and like you I found a set of take-offs to keep things running.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 02:41 AM
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Yup, happens to the best of them. Metal fatigue in the weld from expanding and contracting as the bike gets hot.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 08:08 AM
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Had it happen on our '02 a few years ago. Middle of South Dakota, Labor Day week end, 80 MPH. Blew a chunk about the size of a half dollar out.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 08:49 AM
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Re enforce the pipe before you re install it. Just gotta run some weld beads over the area.
Hatch.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 08:54 AM
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You may need a front motor mount also. When they wear out it lets the motor move around quite a bit more, breaking the weld on the rear Y pipe.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 08:55 AM
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Happened to mine. Just welded it up. So far so good.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 09:01 AM
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Pretty common. Have seen this a few times.
 
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