new exhaust pipe problem

i ordered a new set of unbalance exhaust pipes from a canadian supplier. i installed them and snugged they up and stuffed a piece of timber into the end to verify alignment. they are hanging at least an 1.5" low , and im getting grief since the vendor claims no previous problems. (wassell)

on the left side it doesnt clear the side stand , and the right side would require a whole lot of muscle to get it up to the mounting points as its also about an inch low




in comparison here is an original exhaust installed



it seems to me that on the replace exhaust the top bend is not tucked in as tight as on the old 73. what has everyone else had to do to get their replacement to fit?

1 1/2" seems like a lot. I use LF Harris pipes on mine and they fit great. If that vendor is reputable at all he'll refund your money. I had heard horror stories of ill fitting pipes for the Commandos.

Buy someone else's pipes! Return those for a refund!

That is just wrong. No way in hell should head pipes hang below the frame. I've seen such nonsense from Chinesium vendors in the past. Here's a right side pipe that sat so far from the mount that there was no way it'd bolt up. My supplier was pissed and "had words" with his source. He sent me a different brand that fit correctly.

The prop stand won't pass the pipe either?

My experience with Wassell reproduction parts isn't very good; I avoid them now as the Commando parts market is still competitive.

Have you shown the vendor the pictures you displayed here? I would think that your pictures are definitive proof of poor manufacture.

I'd be surprised if they didn't react in your favor, but if you end up getting hung with them, and they are not made from stainless steel tey can be bent quite a bit without kinking or heating.

I have an old (never seen exhaust gasses) EPCO set of headers (stainless) that were junk out of the box that Tom Epperson swore were fine and wouldn't take back...I also have a very blued set that came off a customer Commando that he didn't want so somewhere on my "To Do" list is to make a small coffee table...

If you have shown the vendor your pictures and they stand firm on not exchanging them I';d like to know who the vendor is so I can take them off my list, assuming I haven't already done so.

My sympathies,

Best.

850commando said:

it seems to me that on the replace exhaust the top bend is not tucked in as tight as on the old 73. what has everyone else had to do to get their replacement to fit?

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Just playing devils advocate here. Have you tried putting it all together before tightening. I ask because I bought a set from AN that I swore were bent wrong until I did. I mounted the mufflers, snugged the exhaust pipe to muffler, snugged the head nuts, lined everything up, tightened the exhaust pipe to muffler and then the head nuts. No leaks and everything looks/works right.

If you're stuck with them a muffler shop can set them in the machine and tuck those sweeps up quickly. They don't need much though.

...and each Norton can be a bit different in the exhaust pipe and silencer department.

Onder said:

...and each Norton can be a bit different in the exhaust pipe and silencer department.

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Not to mention most of the other departments...LOL

jbruney said:

If you're stuck with them a muffler shop can set them in the machine and tuck those sweeps up quickly. They don't need much though.

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I'm sure that'd be good for the chrome. Where do you bend them, in what direction and by how much? How do you measure that?

Not that you're wrong of course, it certainly could be done. And if the muffler shop guy fancies British bikes (how could one not?), taking the whole machine to the shop so they could be fit up properly might be an enjoyable exercise. Bring beer.

Personally, I'd be spittin' nails pissed.

As mentioned above , if you receive no joy from vendor please post up his trade name so the rest of us have fair warning , thanks ..... sorry for your troubles ..... best to stick to tried and true ....

Be up to you to fab a centerline template to allow him to get close, or better yet take the old pipes with you. As for the chrome you'll have to carry some softeners. Preferably strips of 1/16" UHMW or wrap it in rags. Anything to prevent contact with the mandrel. It doesn't need but a slight tweak to get it where it needs to be anyway. The vendor should take them back whether he has to eat them or not because I'm sure he wouldn't want a caveat emptor reputation following him around.
I used to have a manual one which was forgotten in a move long ago.

BTW.... If he gigs you I'd like his name also because I'll be looking for header pipes soon too.

the vendor is taking them back, just not sure how that process will work. but they recognize the lack of fit. i slipped the mufflers on and they are way loose, (emgo) , so i will need some sleeves, but that is doable...