Arata High Level Exhaust Project Sp to Storm conversion

[VTRDark]

TODAYS PROGRESS
Finished of all the cleaning and polishing, as much as i'm going to do at this stage. So that's the complete exhaust ready to have a go at positioning on bike. Ready for stage two of the process

Photographs:
Please click on the thumbnails to view larger image.
The password for the Album "Arata Exhaust Project" is vtr1000

Right exhaust including link pipe polished up.


Both exhaust complete.








Decided to have a quick look at what the right hand can would mount like. So off with the Micron and on with the Arata.

Pipe seem a good fit. There's 2mm play between the inside circumference of the Arata and the outside of the downpipe.




Things are looking up.






I need to make a template for the hanger bracket, then get a set made. Not sure where yet or what material would be best.




Ordered some Titanium exhaust bandage http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270938309691? ... 1497.l2649 Thought that will work well with a bit of Gun Gum/FireGum to fill and seal the 2mm gap in the pipe connection. Thhhhhen clamp it all in place.

Also ordered some new indicators http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220748774799? ... 1497.l2649 for the rear.

And for the front http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320515322870? ... 1497.l2649

That will do for today. Tomorrow It's make template and see how I can get it to work. Then attack the other side. I'm hoping that all fits as nicely.

OK folks next instalment tomorrow.

(:-})

[lloydie]

you might want to put the left on as you will find you will need to turn the can on the link pipe to get the same angle.
the down side will be the spring mounts wont line up . or it will be fine

[agentpineapple]

looking good carl, you have been a busy boy, i think its gonna look the nuts mate, the rear indi's look similar to mine except i went for the smoked look.
be careful with those fronts because of the curvy fairing, you don't want any dodgy gaps
we will have to get together when i get back buddy, i expect those aratas to be on the bike by then...

[VTRDark]

you might want to put the left on as you will find you will need to turn the can on the link pipe to get the same angle.

Tomorrow will tell "with a little twist here and a little twist there, rollover rollover" "with a little twist here and a little twist there, rollover, rollover"

we will have to get together when i get back buddy, i expect those aratas to be on the bike by then...

Defo, whether thay will be on or not is down to if and when I find somone to make me some hangers. I shall make some templates up tomorrow.

I have a safe journey buddy

(:-})

[agentpineapple]

you got 2 weeks mate
ride safe dude

[VTRDark]

MORE PLAYING AROUND
As the right side Micron was already off, I first wanted to make a template for the hanger. Then I can move onto my nemisis, the left side, which I know is going to give me grief. This is all going far too well so far!

Photographs:
Please click on the thumbnails to view larger image.
The password for the Album "Arata Exhaust Project" is vtr1000

Arata positioned and tied in place.






Then onto making cardboard hanger template.








All looking quite good I think, all I have to decide is what metal to use and how thick it has to be. I am most probably going to go for stainless steel 3 - 5mm thick, and then off to the metelworker/machinest.

So lets have a look at the other side and see what problems arise.


Yep the angle is all wrong (just as others have said) so I shall see how bad it fit's or not fit and work out a solution from there. The original exhaust is approximately a 90 degree bend and the Arata is approximately a 45 degree. Not much in it and I guess if the Arata pipe was bent it would all fit perfectly. But finding someone to bend Titanium would be a challenge. And as I said in a previous post I don't want to cut/change any of the Arata pipes.

I could always have the can sticking out sideways


Close up's






I think the solution here is to shorten the downpipe 10 - 15cm and fit an exhaust flexi-pipe. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... Categories not sure what type size yet, I shall have to do my research.....

That's it for now folks, back soon

(:-})

[sirch345]

Interesting Carl, keep up the good work

Chris.

[VTRDark]

Thanks Chris, I have decided to go with this flexi-pipe http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320767147959? ... 1423.l2649 A little expensive, but seems very good quality. The only thing that concerns me is the corrugated ripple on the inside may interfere with the travel of exhaust gases to the point of not good. But I'm not up for high performance by the millisecond, everything counts jobbie. As long as everything runs smooth and gases flow from both cylinders reasonably evenly.

I have been in contact with the guy and he is very helpful, he can custom make any length flexi-pipe and the cuffs he will half the length for me. He even said I can email him a picture of what I'm doing so he can advice the appropriate total length required to get the bend I'm after. So all's looking good. I just need to decide how much to cut off the downpipe to fit this and allow for the bend.

I am also going to have to take into consideration the clearance with the chain. I never have liked the way the pipes run so close What I might do at some stage, is glue some carbon on to protect the top of Arata pipe under there. Saying that though, there is more clearance round the circumference of the Arata pipe than the Micron. The taper or bellowing (as I miscalled it previously) is a lot smoother than on the Micron.

I am so looking forward to getting this completed and hearing those cans.

(:-})

[VTRDark]

QUICK UPDATE
Not done much over the last couple of days, waiting on parts and stuff. I was going to order this flexi pipe http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320767147959? ... 1423.l2649 but it turns out I need to be more accurate with my measurments and it quite pricey. So I have ended up purchasing this tube here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300695449905? ... 1497.l2649 it's a little larger in diameter than the other one and comes with two clamps, The clamps may be car clamps, worm drive clips or if I'm really lucky they will be motorbike clamps

Being 44mm in diameter at the downpipe end it will slide over, as the downpipe outside diameter is 42. The extra 2mm will get filled with exhaust wrapping tape/cloth and exhaust paste. The silencer end it should slide nicely inside the exhaust pipe as the inside diameter of that is 44.5.
My biggest desicion is going to be where I cut my exhaust downpipe. I'm thinking about 2 to 3 inches away from the Y splitter pipe. I have to watch my clearances under the rear suspension there, but should be OK.

To cut the downpipe, and as I have not got a paddock stand to remove the rear wheel! I have decided to remove the downpipes alltogether. Then at the same time I shall spray the rusty old thing in Black exhaust paint. A quick wire brush and a coat of paint will be a vast improvement. I have started spraying WD40 on the exhaust studs everyday to work its way in. I don't want any snapped exhaust studs!

Went for a ride yesterday as my back is on the mend. Found a place that will make me some custom hangers. I have them making me some cheap thin mild steel ones. I can use these to test and get the precise bend with the exhaust and everything attached. I will then get some Stainless steel ones made.

I'm buying the Steel to keep the price down and the price of Stainless steel is ridiculous, I have learnt a lot about it recently. I won't bore you with the details but I have ended up purchasing 1X Brushed Stainless 316 Steel 4mm thick and 300mm by 200mm in size. Bloody £36 but it is the 316 (marine) grade and more corrosion proof I'm hoping 4mm will be strong enough, it should be.

I had lots of umming and arghing over what finish to get. Wether it should be plain Stainless, brushed or mirror finish. I decided to go with the brushed as this would blend in more with the exhaust, and not being as shiny there's less polishing

I think that's about it for now folks, so waiting on parts and the metalworkers.

You have been watching

(:-})

[VTRDark]

OK I'M BACK...
Finally got my exhaust hangers! After one welders letting me down, kept me waiting a few days and then quoted a stupidly high price I dont think they wanted the work I eventually found a small backstreet welders based under some railway arches that would make some from my template. He had some 3mm Stainless steel in stock and could make them for £20 each, so I left him to it.

A couple of days later he had cut the basic shape, I then went down there with my new exhausts and some tools, took of the Microns and put the new ones in position tied up with string then it was a simple case of bending the shape, a bit at a time, and to keep checking the bends with it in position on the bike. Once the right hand side hanger was bent to shape it was just a case of mirror imaging it with the other side.

They have not turned out exactly as I had hoped and the bends are sharper than my template. They where bent the old fashioned way in a vice and a bit of brute force/leverage and checked by eye bit by bit. Also the metalworker has not polished them up for me, so I need to either polish or paint them. As far as the fit, they apear to fit OK and the cans are at the perfect angle. But to see for sure, I need to have the cans/pipes mounted securley with all the bolts and fittings tightened up. I need to replace the original hanger mounting bolts with shorter ones and also the fixing on the can strap. The welder/metalworker said I can go back at any time and we can bend or twist the metal a bit more if needs be. I shall do that once everything else is done and before I polish or paint them.

Overhall I am fairly happy with the result and to be honest I am just pleased to be able to move along with this project. I have still not heard the cans yet I am getting eager now

Photographs:
Please click on the thumbnails to view larger image.
The password for the Album "Arata Exhaust Project" is vtr1000

Here's the result.






So my next mission is the left link pipe. I bought some exhaust flexi tubing but that just does not have enough flex. So I think I am going to go down the route of having a small S shape link pipe made. I may still have to trim the end of the header pipe, but we'll see.
I gave these people a call today Gibson Exhausts based in Romford http://gibsonexhausts.co.uk/page_1.php?pgenme= They can not tell me much on the phone without seeing what I need, so I'm gonna ride over there on Monday and speak to them face to face.

Now all I need is it to stop bloody raining wombles weather

(:-})

[Murv]

Top work so far, looking really good
Definitely something I'd like to have a go at in the future. It's such a shame that Honda didn't position the exhausts in the right place to start with!

[agentpineapple]

don't forget if you need s/s bolts, you know where i am.....
its looking good tho, lets hope they sound as nice as mine...

[VTRDark]

Cheers Murv

It's such a shame that Honda didn't position the exhausts in the right place to start with!

I totally agree.

BSM, cheers for the offer mate, got some ordered on the bay

QUICK UPDATE
Went over to Gibson Exhaust in Romford http://gibsonexhausts.co.uk/page_1.php?pgenme= yesterday. Nice bunch of guys, spent a good 30 mins looking at my exhaust and to get the link pipe to fit. They decided it would not be possible as the space and clearances are too tight. They even considered replacing the Y splitter junction with a new piece to both cans. That was a no go! The conclusion was that the only way I could do it is to alter the Arata link. Mmmmm

After some head scratching I have decided to cut the bend of the Arata and replace with a 90 degree bend, so purchased a mandrel bend http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221002018709? ... 1497.l2649
Anyone know where the name Mandrel comes from, bizarre name The tube is 1½ inches so about 38mm which is more than enough to slide inside at both ends and give me a bit of play. The circumference of pipe I will wrap in exhaust tape to fit, then clamp.

OK anyone know anything about cutting Titanium? I was thinking of either using a hacksaw with a nice new sharp blade, or an angle grinder with non diamond metal cutting blade. Suggestions please!

I shall be cutting just after the TIG weld just before it bends round! The weld happens to fall just under where the foot peg exhaust mount is, so I have bought some P Clips http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120856185897? ... 1497.l2649 size 44mm should be a tight fit, but means I can utilise these mounts. I'm well happy about that. Should secure thing's better. And if I do wombles things up, it means I can use flexi pipe for the link.


So Waiting on parts again Might take the bike for a blast tomorrow, she's all a bit choked up (bit of coughing and spluttering) from sitting in heavy London traffic. She don't like that and needs a thrashing. Let's hope the suns out.

Have Fun

(:-})

[Snoogle]

Cutting ti is a pain in the butt!! lol

Good luck with it mate!!

[VTRDark]

Cutting ti is a pain in the butt!! lol

Good luck with it mate!!

That's not what I want to hear no wonder the guys at the exhaust place did not mention they could cut the pipe. They did not seem like they wanted to do it So Snoogs, what are your experiences, have you suceeded?

OH wombles a hack saw wont do it then. What about a diamond angle grinding wheel? the only thing there probably a good £20-£30 sh1t got to laugh or i'll cry

Doh, could be back to the drawing board. OK Google is my friend, off I go....

You

(:-})