My bike sounds like a.....

[VTRPiG]

.....friggin tractor

It started a couple of days ago and it seem to be getting worse. Where the link pipes connect to the headers has given me some grief but I have pretty much sealed those. From listening to the noise, it seems to be coming from the rear header where it connects to the engine. I guess the question is, can that cause any damage to the engine and is it easy to fix? I have the use of my wife's pocket rocket again till it is fixed, which probably won't be till the new year or at least will get done during the winter period when I do some more 'first timer' work on it

[darkember]

Sounds like the header seal. It will mean removing the manifold from the head to replace the seal. Seals available from Wemoto dead cheap. Note: don't try to just tighten the manifold nuts as you could end up shearing the studs.

[Wicky]

Sounds like you need the header manifold outlet gaskets which are copper rings that collapse, crush & seal when tightened up. Riding with it leaking risks running lean i.e getting hot and buggering up the running of the bike.

Awkward to get to - so while you're at it a good opportunity to inspect and service your shock linkage / swing arm bearings.

[darkember]

The wemoto ones are alu fibre. They will do the same job just fine.

http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/vtr_1 ... ium_fibre/

[7moore7]

Depending on how much the header is leaking, you can burn up your exhaust valves if you ride on them for too long.

This piece of knowledge was learned from experience

[VTRDark]

The wemoto ones are alu fibre. They will do the same job just fine.

Copper ones crush better.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXHAUST-COPPE ... 51b3d91aab

I suggest you start lubing up your exhaust nuts now then The worst part of the job is getting the nuts of the studs in the cylinder head. You don't want to snap a stud Or do as Lloyd has just done and use a nut splitter and use new nuts.

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... t+splitter

Also be prepared to maybe buy some new exhaust Clamps. Depending on what condition they are in they may break when when undoing. Sounds like you may need a new graphite gasket in that link pipe as well.

If you have some time on your hands then while the headers are off you may want to give them a polish up.
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... pit+polish

A little exhaust (heat resistant) silicone around the seals when re-assembling is a good move too.

(:-})

[tony.mon]

The collector may have a split in it, towards the rear where the pipes separate again, near the RH peg.
The weld fails there, but you can get it welded up again easily, make sure it's stainless filler rod though.

[VTRPiG]

Thanks guys for your help, will check the headers when I get home Tony to check if that is what has happened. If not then i will be ordering some new seals

How easy is the whole header polishing thingy? I'm not so keen on the shinny silver look but liked the bronze finish after a few rides

Also if it is the header seal what should I start sorting on to help get them off? And would it be a good idea to replace both header seals at the same time?

[MacV2]

Thanks guys for your help, will check the headers when I get home Tony to check if that is what has happened. If not then i will be ordering some new seals

How easy is the whole header polishing thingy? I'm not so keen on the shinny silver look but liked the bronze finish after a few rides

How easy ? Nothing a huge amount of elbow grease wont sort, or an electric drill with a wire brush, then wet n dry going through the grades.

Also if it is the header seal what should I start sorting on to help get them off? And would it be a good idea to replace both header seals at the same time?

If you are only doing the rear then despite the thought of all the work...take off the whole swing arm, if you want unlimited access, subframe as well. You could just do the rear that way as there is a separate pipe but if you are thinking of a full pipe polish & doing the front gasket...Fairings & forks off as well, why struggle with access to all the bits you need to get to. If a jobs worth doing...ect ect.

[VTRDark]

If you are only doing the rear then despite the thought of all the work...take off the whole swing arm

Oh I dont know about that. Yeh it gives you loads more access but this may be overcomplicating things for VTRPig As long as the nuts are not seized the rear is accessible enough with a spanner. The right hand side is a little tricky as the CCT is in the way but the other side is a piece of piss.

Start lubing up the exhaust nuts/studs with some WD40 or Plus Gas on a daily basis for about a week. Or as I mentioned earlier use a nut splitter and replace the nuts. Whichever route you take, go easy and try not to snap any studs. Yes replace both copper gaskets. They come in a pack of two anyway, and don't forget a smear of exhaust (heat resistant) silicone. Don;t go near Gun Gum or any of those type exhaust assembly pastes as they dry out, crack up and fall apart.

(:-})