So close, yet still not there - need help if anyone can offer custom pipe bending

[ascribner]

I am a few inches short for my dual exhaust project. I unfortunately originally made this dual setup for the OEM header, then decided to purchase the FMF Megabomb, and not I would kick myself in the nuts if it was possible.

Can anyone on here help with a small piece of custom pipe? It needs to be a 1.7" ID on the header side and 1.625 OD on the other side. That is 0.25" grid paper for size reference.

 

[Soviet]

You need a welder and some matching pipe. You don't need anything bent. You would cut the sealing flange and attach that to the header and then put some appropriately cut pieces in the space between. You can create bends if the straight pipe is cut with angles in mind. It might take 3 or 4 small pieces welded in place to accomplish what you want while making it look factory. You'll need a good welder though than can weld thin tubing and make it look good so it'll look more like the welds on the header and less like the welds on that mid pipe you got.

 

[ascribner]

You need a welder and some matching pipe. You don't need anything bent. You would cut the sealing flange and attach that to the header and then put some appropriately cut pieces in the space between. You can create bends if the straight pipe is cut with angles in mind. It might take 3 or 4 small pieces welded in place to accomplish what you want while making it look factory. You'll need a good welder though than can weld thin tubing and make it look good so it'll look more like the welds on the header and less like the welds on that mid pipe you got.

Yeah, that may be the ideal way to go. I already had the (poorly welded -- and yes done by a "professional" -- very long story). At this point, I would just like to have a small "mid pipe" that connects the two so I can ride it. The better option is to weld matching quality pipe onto the header and have the guy that welded the O2 bungs to the header do the welding (different from the "pro" that did the pipes).

And yes, I need a small bend, roughly 20 degrees to attach the two. I want to avoid cutting the pipes as they are already ceramic coated, and frankly, I am not spending that much money on this right now. Small bend, done, ride it. Simple.

 

[Soviet]

a muffler shop will be able to help you if you just want it rideable. The problem I see with making a 3rd midpipe for the couple inches you need VS modification is that it's very short. You'll need to have an I.D. flange on this short piece AND an O.D. sealing surface, both of which will be part of the "bend". Tube benders need a certain amount of length to create a certain degree of bend, and this length gets longer the higher the bend gets to 90 degrees. Also, Unless it's mandrel bent, the bend won't be perfectly round and it will cause for sealing issues with your midpipe. I hate to say it, but doing it the right way will be the best way with the least headaches for you. You'll mess around with exhaust leaks, crappy fit, some super ghetto appearance, and potentially tubing that will crack if the exhaust system isn't aligned correctly. I know how bad you want to ride it, but speaking from a guy who has custom built a whole bunch of stuff, the short cuts rarely work out.

Modifing the header is definitely the best option, and would require the least amount of time and effort. Best of luck though!

 

[huskyfrk]

Soviet is correct. this coming from somebody who has fab'd and welded for 30 plus years. short cuts always look half assed, but that is just my opinion.... and you learned another lesson, coating are always the last thing to do, after final fitment is done.

 

[ascribner]

Soviet is correct. this coming from somebody who has fab'd and welded for 30 plus years. short cuts always look half assed, but that is just my opinion.... and you learned another lesson, coating are always the last thing to do, after final fitment is done.

First lesson, have all the final parts before fabrication!

I honestly cannot find an exhaust shop in the DFW (Fort Worth side) that will even help with this. If anyone knows of one, PLEASE let me know!

 

[Ruffus]

Have you tried George's Muffler Shop. Say's he does mandrel bending. May be worth a shot.

 

[ascribner]

Have you tried George's Muffler Shop. Say's he does mandrel bending. May be worth a shot.

You are a Googling master. Apparently me searching for motorcycle specific shops put me down the wrong path. They cannot bend a 1-5/8" pipe, but can cut at angle and weld just like Soviet suggested :-). I am bringing the bike as it sits Friday afternoon :-).

 

[ascribner]

George's was epic fail man! Looks like I will order another 45 bend, flare it and bring it to the guy that welded the O2 bungs to the FMF header. He is dang expensive though!

 

[Soviet]

George's was epic fail man! Looks like I will order another 45 bend, flare it and bring it to the guy that welded the O2 bungs to the FMF header. He is dang expensive though!

How did George fail? How much does your good welder charge? Is it a business or a private dood?

 

[ascribner]

How did George fail? How much does your good welder charge? Is it a business or a private dood?

The smallest diameter pipe he stocks is 2". He cannot bend anything smaller than 2". He looked at the welds on the header and said "wow, those are nice welds, if you want them to look like that, take it to the guy that did those".

Welding Solutions Group in Keller did the O2 welds. it was $150 for the 3 O2 bungs welded.

 

[Soviet]

Gotcha. Thats too bad. Well, you can't go to a welding company for good pricing. They have so much overhead and stupid costs built in, you're paying that welder that knows what he's doing mimimum wage even though it only took him 10 minutes to weld up those 3 sensors, cause the company is sucking up the rest of that $150. Companies usually have minimum orders. I'm guessing that $150 is the minimum they charge.

I would suggest looking on craigslist for welders in the services section. When you find one, just ask to see some examples of their work, and what they are comfortable doing. Thats how I found one of the guys I work with. I usually tip the guy because he does awesome work and doesn't charge enough in my opinion for his talent level. I also drive an hour to have him do work. He can weld thin titanium (oh joy). I wouldn't go back to the welding solutions place. YOu need to walk around back and talk to the dood that did your work and ask him if he wants some side work out of his garage.

 

[4eyes]

Do yourself a favor and contact Junior Burrell at rmspeedparts@yahoo.com or call 817-401-5003. The man is an artist.

 

[troy deck]

there are a few custom pipe builders on marks vintage swap meet there's one in Houston

 

[troy deck]

http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/swapmeet.cgi

 

[ascribner]

Do yourself a favor and contact Junior Burrell at rmspeedparts@yahoo.com or call 817-401-5003. The man is an artist.

I called him, very cool dude! we ended up talking shop for a while as well.

 

[4eyes]

I'm glad I could help.