Fractured Exhaust Pipe

FreeRadical · Apr 6, 2015

Hello everyone,

There appears to be a small hairline crack along the weld on the right exhaust pipe of my '74 Norton 850. Has anyone had any success fixing something like this or do I need to replace the whole pipe?

Kevin

concours · Apr 6, 2015

They all do that. It can be successfully welded. I went to early non-crossover type later.

Biscuit · Apr 6, 2015

My MK did that in the early '80's. A very finesse full local welder fixed it with a beautiful 1/8'th" bead so perfect that the existing chrome flowed into the bead so never even rusted. Been running the same system since, original cross-over bits complete.

ILLF8ED · Apr 6, 2015

Biscuit said:
My MK did that in the early '80's. A very finesse full local welder fixed it with a beautiful 1/8'th" bead so perfect that the existing chrome flowed into the bead so never even rusted. Been running the same system since, original cross-over bits complete.

I have the same experience with my 750 pipes (no balance pipe). Still using the welded pipe and looks fine.

kerinorton · Apr 7, 2015

mate you have thick hair.

boz · Apr 7, 2015

Find someone who can TIG weld. A good one can lay down a very good looking weld. MIG and stick not so much.
I have a TIG welded pipe that has held up for nearly 20 years.

mike996 · Apr 7, 2015

I much prefer the balanced pipe to the early pipes on my 850. Having switched to the balanced for the first time a few months ago, I would not willingly go back to the single pipes so I would recommend you have it repaired. As noted, it CAN be done. It's not easy to find a balanced pipe set; I had been looking for two years before finding a NOS set on ebay. I'm told that Viking makes them on order and I was thinking about enquiring about that when the NOS set popped up.

L.E.N. · Apr 7, 2015

I had my Dunstall 2-1-2 pipes repaired at the 2-1 junction with stainless steel rod and looks perfect no damage to the chrome and it won't rust at the repair that way (I'm told). So far so good but only had a few hundred miles on it since.

Rohan · Apr 7, 2015

Having welded a cracked set back when they were still fairly new,
the pipes were already fairly thin there, and from rust inside (from leaded fuel, remember that stuff ?).

And the OP pipes look a bit rusty externally too, so may be getting marginal with the amount of steel left to weld.
The possibility too is that the pipes will crack again near the weld, if the thin steel nearby calls it quits...

FreeRadical said:
There appears to be a small hairline crack along the weld on the right exhaust pipe of my '74 Norton 850.

Thats no longer a 'hairline crack' - its almost broken clean through !!
You could probably watch it flex and get wider/narrower while riding.
But keep your eye on the road ahead....

CanukNortonNut · Apr 7, 2015

Kevin
I would recommend tig weld. Take it off and bring it to a weld shop. Keep your eye on it as these are prone to crack again. That is why many have went back to the single pipes.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

Hobot · Apr 8, 2015

Peel's off roaded and crash on 2>1 eventually fractured at the Y junction in similar fashion so mig/wire welded to seal then added back up metal strap to stop the flex/fatiquing to get back to roughing it. Ugly rusty so hid under wrap which I liked lack its of heat and dampened blast clanging. Otherwise just buy new Commando one part at a time.

FreeRadical · Apr 8, 2015

I took the pipe into my local m/c shop who specialize in older restorations. Based on their rusty condition, his advice was to spend the money on a set of new, good quality pipes. I'd like to stick with a balanced system. Does anyone know of a good supplier?

Thanks again,

Kevin

FreeRadical · Apr 8, 2015

Just found out from my local dealer that new balanced exhaust pipes will run me $382.95. Made by Les Harris in the UK.

Biscuit · Apr 8, 2015

FreeRadical said:
I took the pipe into my local m/c shop who specialize in older restorations. Based on their rusty condition, his advice was to spend the money on a set of new, good quality pipes. I'd like to stick with a balanced system. Does anyone know of a good supplier?

Thanks again,

Kevin

Forgo the m/c restoration specialist. Find a good welder. The rust is likely surface type and once wire wheeled off the integrity of the steel would be fine for TIG repair. May not look 'restoration' perfect but the exhaust would go where it's supposed to and in the meantime you can save your pennies for new or search the net.

worntorn · Apr 8, 2015

If that was sitting on my bench, I would tig that with some stainless 308L rod, probably a ten minute job including prep. It is best to backpurge it with argon.
At $400 for a new set it is definitely worth giving the weld a try, provided you can find someone competent and reasonably priced nearby.

Glen

Hobot · Apr 8, 2015

For the time being to ride a good ways while saving for the good stuff do as Glen says but also back up the weak fatigue area with a thin strap or rod contoured across.

milfordite · Apr 9, 2015

" Just found out from my local dealer that new balanced exhaust pipes will run me $382.95. Made by Les Harris in the UK"

So which local dealer would that be in the Cincy area??

Bernhard · Apr 9, 2015

So, $382.95 for a new set, what is the price from a local welder who has a TIG setup :?:

All you will need to do is remove it and clean it with a rotary brass brush (because the pipe is chrome) in an electric drill.

FreeRadical · Apr 9, 2015

I've got a date with a welder tomorrow. We'll see how it goes! :wink:

Hobot · Apr 9, 2015

Aw man just ride it or trailer to the welder w/o removing it as in easy to access place and definitely don't want it distorting then try to fit back, ugh. Even novice mig wire feed welder could do this and add little rod or extra bead to back up essentially permanently. There is no chrome to save in that area so just steel wire brush loose rust by hand a few good licks and cover barrel and cases so splatter don't mar.

Fractured Exhaust Pipe

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