donut observation

[sleddog66]

I know that the exhaust donut thing has been done to death lately, but I have a theory that I would like to share and get input on. I know that Yamaha thinks that by adding a small snow dust shield, that they will extend the life of these things. When I tore mine apart, I found that the left side was completly gone, going toward the right they were better and better, and the right one was really not super terrible. My theory is that the torque of the engine is squeezing the left side(clutch side) the hardest on acceleration. This would also explain why those that ride harder, would wear them out quicker. The guy I bought mine from must not have rode super hard, I bought it with 6000 miles and they were still original donuts. I junked the donuts in 600 miles(3 days) after I bought it. My question is, how many people have observed the left side to be the most worn, and the right side to be the least?? If this is the problem, maybe a anti-twist/torque dampner would solve a lot of issues.



On a side note, DAN's post was awsome, but I never found the part where I had to drop the tail of the skid to get the Y pipes completly out.....Did I miss that? Anyway, Thanks DAN, great post.

 

[duste]

You may be on to something, I've gone through 2 set , 3 incl originals, and the left has been worse than the right all 3 times, the last time the rights were perfect but they got replaced too just because.The last time it did cost me 2 y pipes as all 4 ends were cracked but I came up with a fix for them too.

 

[tdlong98]

I bought my Apex with 3950 miles on it. The guy who I bought it from said he replaced the gaskets about 600 miles ago. I bought it last spring and noticed it had a exhaust leak. When I tore it down, the clamp bolt had come out on the clutch side and the y pipe had a crack in it. Then I noticed the the y pipe on the chain case side had been welded before. I put all new gaskets in and welded the y pipe. I put 400 miles on it and it started to backfire. I tore it down last weekend and the y pipe in the chain case side, none of the welded ones, had a crack in it. I ordered the newest SS y pipes and put them on this morrning. I used my old gaskets but the 2 in the center seemed to be the worst. I need to order new ones but my dealer said the part number had changed and they don't know what number to order.

 

[smacho]

I am at 4,500 miles on the original donuts -- all is good
Must be 'cause I ride it nice --

 

[DoktorC]

That may be a contributing factor but it's still the titanum that is the real issue. Once you change to stainless the problem pretty much disappears.

 

[smacho]

Everything exhaust is original on mine -- I hope it holds together until the aftermarket products have all these details worked out. I expect to replace everything at once (donuts & y-pipes) & it would be good to do it just once -- sounds like copper & stainless --- next season.

 

[sleddog66]

Everything exhaust is original on mine -- I hope it holds together until the aftermarket products have all these details worked out. I expect to replace everything at once (donuts & y-pipes) & it would be good to do it just once -- sounds like copper & stainless --- next season.

Well I went with the new part no. Donuts From yammy, new no. Flex pipes, and excel headers. It did not appear to need it all, but too many horror stories of multiple teardowns. I spent the money, and don't want to touch for another 6000miles.

 

[Irv]

Everything exhaust is original on mine -- I hope it holds together until the aftermarket products have all these details worked out. I expect to replace everything at once (donuts & y-pipes) & it would be good to do it just once -- sounds like copper & stainless --- next season.

Well I went with the new part no. Donuts From yammy, new no. Flex pipes, and excel headers. It did not appear to need it all, but too many horror stories of multiple teardowns. I spent the money, and don't want to touch for another 6000miles.

What sort of money are you talking about for all that?

 

[sleddog66]

Everything exhaust is original on mine -- I hope it holds together until the aftermarket products have all these details worked out. I expect to replace everything at once (donuts & y-pipes) & it would be good to do it just once -- sounds like copper & stainless --- next season.

Well I went with the new part no. Donuts From yammy, new no. Flex pipes, and excel headers. It did not appear to need it all, but too many horror stories of multiple teardowns. I spent the money, and don't want to touch for another 6000miles.

What sort of money are you talking about for all that?

Excell headers are $500 alone + $350 for flex pipes and new donut kit and a couple of bolts.

 

[Super Sled]

Did you need new flex pipes? Aren't they usually pretty durable? I've just never heard of guys replacing those/ them failing.

 

[duste]

I haven't heard anything bad about the flex piped either, after replaceing my gaskets 3 times the flex pipes have been perfect, can't say the same about the Y pipes though.

 

[snowbeast]

Everything exhaust is original on mine -- I hope it holds together until the aftermarket products have all these details worked out. I expect to replace everything at once (donuts & y-pipes) & it would be good to do it just once -- sounds like copper & stainless --- next season.

Well I went with the new part no. Donuts From yammy, new no. Flex pipes, and excel headers. It did not appear to need it all, but too many horror stories of multiple teardowns. I spent the money, and don't want to touch for another 6000miles.

What sort of money are you talking about for all that?

Excell headers are $500 alone + $350 for flex pipes and new donut kit and a couple of bolts.

OK so how much would it have cost if you stayed with all stock parts vrs aftremarket (excell) it still must be near 600 total,no!!

 

[sleddog66]

Ya, about $200 less total to go with OEM, but I thought I would gain 1-2 HP at track while I was in there, and Excell is thicker too. I have heard of many flex pipes cracking, as has Pat's Yamaha stated many cracked flex pipes. Also the flex pipe is a upgraded part as well, so there must be a reason. They were $66 ea. so I did not take a chance.

 

[smacho]

I was thinking of the same excell headers & those "Copper" donuts --- assuming by next fall someone will have price on them ...

I would expect some marketing genius would make a kit (than includes better clamps too).