"Check your exhaust clamps" reminder

[blueironranger]

Usually I check every year, but I didn't before this season because I had just changed them year before and only had ~1000 miles on fresh gaskets/bushings. I decided to remove my Skinz Ultra because it was getting noticeably louder after 5000+ miles and found that a baffle had come loose inside. While removing it I noticed the whole exhaust was loose so I pulled the gas tank and low and behold one clamp was completely off and the other one was very loose as the gaskets/bushings were almost completely gone and had destroyed the new upper heatshield I had installed. Copper gaskets/bushings and a new upper heat shield on the way, knew I should have put copper ones in last time. Luck for me I caught it before the y pipe got too damaged or had started a fire.

 

[ATV PRO #11]

Good call Blue.
You going to reinstall the skinz?
Did that pipe give you a little extra umpf, I assume it did as your primary weight changed.

This is a great post if you've done any changes, not like I know
Bit embarrassing but I honestly don't think it'll catch fire even with protectant gone from shield. I'm gonna share but

After bolting my stock system back on around New Years I guess I didn't torque my 4 bolts correctly. 3 were gone and last one was on its last thread. Gasket was pulverized along with flanges. Head wasn't as bad as it pounded mainly the bottom as it dropped down. I felt and heard it giving way about 125kms from home. Honestly I let going as I thought it was just dognuts loosening off. Srxtwins saved me as he had a set of apex 2 layer gaskets I cut up and made work individually. Still on but need to change to my stock 3 layer ones. Bought 4 new bolts as well. Was a quick fix as we had a big ride planned following day.

Easy check, start sled and push ur hand into exhaust. Not red hot of coarse. Wants to stall out your nice and sealed up. Do it regularly now

 

[Snowmixer]

I also found a clamp had fallen off when I removed my exhaust a while back. The donut was still okay, and the clamp was just sitting on the bottom of the heat shield, but had damaged some of the insulation. There had been a few times when I was starting my sled and it backfired very loud, but I could never tell if it was through the intake or exhaust. I haven't had any of the actual flange bolts come loose yet, but they were very badly rusted, I felt fortunate to get them off without breaking any. I bought some stainless bolts to replace them with and thought about drilling them for safety wire, but I don't know that it's necessary. It would just be a little more peace of mind, since I don't really enjoy pulling the fuel tank to tighten things up. If I could find some Stage 8 locking header bolts in a M8 x 1.25mm x 20mm length, I would go that route. I've used them before and they are easy to put on and do the job well. Something like this could also be useful for the forward skid mounting bolts, if someone is having issues with them loosening.

 

[blueironranger]

That's the odd part, I wasn't getting any of the backfires or popping I got last time they were going bad. Even past the hand over the tailpipe test (do that every pre ride). I won't know if I lost any power or not by putting the stock muffler on, copper gaskets arrive Tuesday morning and I head for the UP as soon as it's back together. I installed a new green secondary spring so I won't have an even comparison. Basically my Ultra Q turned itself into a Super Q as the baffle that came loose inside is the only difference and it's too loud for me now so the Stock one stays for now until decide to go with A Hindle (when the bugs are worked out) or a home built 5psi turbo setup..... Or 2017 something if something nifty shows up.

 

[ATV PRO #11]

That's the odd part, I wasn't getting any of the backfires or popping I got last time they were going bad. Even past the hand over the tailpipe test (do that every pre ride). I won't know if I lost any power or not by putting the stock muffler on, copper gaskets arrive Tuesday morning and I head for the UP as soon as it's back together. I installed a new green secondary spring so I won't have an even comparison. Basically my Ultra Q turned itself into a Super Q as the baffle that came loose inside is the only difference and it's too loud for me now so the Stock one stays for now until decide to go with A Hindle (when the bugs are worked out) or a home built 5psi turbo setup..... Or 2017 something if something nifty shows up.

I don't think their even updating the 07-08 version of the system. Definately doesn't fit correct on the 14. Took a month for their "one day turn around" warrenty work. And it showed up not finished.......no rivits, no strap, no springs, no follow up call as promised
Wouldn't hold my breath. Very costly experience and I'm not talking the price of the chrome system. , just my experience.

 

[blueironranger]

coppers in and ready to roll, I tossed the old clutch springs in to test power loss and I did notice I'm down about 200rpm with the stock muffler but really don't feel any power loss. New green secondary spring + G B G primary brought me right back to 11,300-11,400 with a ~3600rpm engagement. Defiantly quiet now, now my airbox is annoying me, the rubbers are missing where the nose plastic hooks to the airbox lid and its causing a vibration.

 

[ATV PRO #11]

Holy smokes were rowing the same boat. I just put a bunch of foam under my cover. It's weird cause the air box rubber is super soft and the strap rubber. Like the blowby oil is reacting with it. My old 07 is fine. (Did brakes last night on it for the new owner and checked it) Vibrations driving me nuts.
Interesting feedback on the exhaust Blue.

 

[ATV PRO #11]

Defiantly quiet now, now my airbox is annoying me, the rubbers are missing where the nose plastic hooks to the airbox lid and its causing a vibration.

Lil test ride tonight and the informal redneck foam tape MOD worked. No annoying vibration from the cover.

Don't think this half horse mod will make it to the sticky up top but it works.

 

[blueironranger]

Copper gaskets worked great, just got back from the UP and didn't notice any power loss at all with the stock muffler in place. Actually the new spring combo has me pulling 11,600-11,700 Trail/ 11,200 powder. I had the secondary wrapped to 70* for powder play and left it there for trails. BOTH my upper idler wheel bearings decided to take a crap though but made it through the trip, hoping the replacements get here for the TY ride coming up.

 

[MikeWalters]

ATV pro your foam thing will work just fine. I did something like it too I'll post my pic when I find it. Worst thing is those damn hitches that rattle, cant stand that noise