Scorpion cans and number plate

[Moocher]

Being a noob I may be posting in the wrong place and the answer may already be 'out there' so corrections and pointers are welcome.
Background
1997 model.
Previous owner has fitted high level pipes and scorpion round cans. These look and sound very nice. However, the cans interfere with the number plate which was subjected to butchery and the next owner put on a smaller plate.

The letters and numbers are 10mm smaller than post 2001 regs and 30mm smaller than pre 2001 regs. I feel the small plate attracts police attention like a 'kick me' sign stuck on my back.

Questions:

Headers : are these the same throughout the model range / are there year variations.

Scorpions : were they made for a latter model version / different headers.

Is this a common problem and if so what do others do about it?

Headers look a bit horrid but do they actually rot away or just look like they have?

Should I leave them alone or what is best method for cleaning them up?

[Virt]

The letters and numbers are 10mm smaller than post 2001 regs and 30mm smaller than pre 2001 regs. I feel the small plate attracts police attention like a 'kick me' sign stuck on my back.

Usually small number plates are treated in the same way as tinted visors/loud exhausts/coloured sidelights..

They very rarely pull you over for such a thing on its own, but expect them to mention it if you get caught speeding or whatever. I've ridden for a year with blue-ish sidelights, and my brother has for several with really blue sidelights and a tiny numberplate and none of the police around my area really care.

[Wicky]

Header section is same for all years - To clean em you need lot of elbow grease with wet&dry, metal polish but without repeated care they revert back to brown. The pipes don't disintegrate par se but the clamp ring exfoliates into iron oxide if regularly ridden in winter. There was a company selling fully stainless steel header section but not seen them for sale for a while.

There should be wiggle room with clamps and mountings to clear a standard plate, though you might need some spacers.

[Duffy1964]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-x-5-5-Motor ... 3cd02a6ccc

I got one of these as I have high level scorpions and not been tugged yet, it's smaller but not an obvious pi55 take

[Moocher]

Duffy1964: thanks. I'll look into that one. My plate has the blue Euro stripe that makes the numbers even smaller. Meantime you have a lovely looking bike there.

Wicky: I removed the pillion rests and found that the off side pipe has some movement although the nearside has none. Maybe if I undo the clamp connecting the upswept to the header I might find it will pull out enough. I have already thought about additional spacer and longer pillion rest bolts. I could remove the pillion rest altogether as they won't be used but it may well spoil the look and I'll lose their early warning of an end can scrape.

Vert: you're right but I just hate giving them an easy win. I watch a couple of cops checking bike plate sizes at Brands Hatch recently.

[tony.mon]

Duffy1964: thanks. I'll look into that one. My plate has the blue Euro stripe that makes the numbers even smaller. Meantime you have a lovely looking bike there.

Wicky: I removed the pillion rests and found that the off side pipe has some movement although the nearside has none. Maybe if I undo the clamp connecting the upswept to the header I might find it will pull out enough. I have already thought about additional spacer and longer pillion rest bolts. I could remove the pillion rest altogether as they won't be used but it may well spoil the look and I'll lose their early warning of an end can scrape.

Vert: you're right but I just hate giving them an easy win. I watch a couple of cops checking bike plate sizes at Brands Hatch recently.

That was the scrutineers, Shakey's was too small, that's why they wouldn't let him win the championship.

[sirch345]

Moocher, I also have Scorpion high level cans on my bike. The difference is my cans are oval and not round like yours, which work better with a standard size number plate in the high level position.

Scorpion link pipes are made from stainless steel, so unless your link pipes are not Scorpions (in which case they may not be stainless steel) then (as Wicky says) they will clean up to look like new.

Chris.

[Kev L]

Here's mine with Scorpion ovals and one size down from legal plate -



Works well.

[Moocher]

Kev L: Yes it looks good.
I have ordered a plate from the Norfolk folk on Ebay.

sirch345: Yes ovals would have made a difference but round is what is fitted. The connecting pipes are stainless and in good condition. It's the headers that look grotty. I have seen a post here that shows how the headers can be cleaned up.
Also of concern is the dire state of the nuts and studs fixing to the cylinder heads. I also read that "splitting the nuts" is the preferred method of removal. I've not done that before and I assume a special tool is required.

[sirch345]

Moocher my apologies, I don't know where my head was getting link pipes and headers mixed up

The headers are stainless steel, although are not the best quality. Have a look at this link if you've not already:-
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7027
I see some of the photo's are missing from that link, I see if I can replace them.

Yes, splitting of those rusted nuts on the exhaust studs seems to work the best if they are seized, it easier than having to replace a broken stud, as you've probably guessed. This is the sort of tool you need:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-2- ... 0669056398
You will most likely need to run a Die (from a Tap and Die set) over the stud once the nut has been removed just to clean up the threads before fitting a new nut.

Chris.

[VTRDark]

It's hard work cleaning up the headers. I removed mine and clamped in a workmate. I then started with wire brush drill attachments, then moved on to various grades of clay bars and polishing mops. Took me two days Once they are done you juts need to keep on top of them and give them a quick once over from time to time with a green Kitchen scourer or wet n dry.

(:-})

[Moocher]

sirch345: Oh! my... those pipes are inspirational.
Thanks for the info.
Being R&D ( Retired and Decrepit) I have time on my hands to waste polishing stuff. (and generally fiddling about and mucking things up).

This is a great forum with such helpful and knowledgeable members.

[sirch345]

sirch345: Oh! my... those pipes are inspirational.
Thanks for the info.
Being R&D ( Retired and Decrepit) I have time on my hands to waste polishing stuff. (and generally fiddling about and mucking things up).

This is a great forum with such helpful and knowledgeable members.

Moocher, thank you very much
As I mentioned in my previous post some of the photo's were missing for some odd reason in that link. I have now replaced them.

If you do end up polishing yours, a liberal wipe over with WD40 every now and again helps to keep them looking good, but do note they will go that goldie colour very quickly once the bike is running again.

Chris.

[sirch345]

This topic is also being moved into the "Workshop" section,

Chris.