think I found my noise

so I've been down due to not wearing eye protection while grinding (cause I'm smart like that), haven't been able to ride so I've been doing a few things with the bike, today while checking my vac sync again,(why not right)
Im hearing that damn noise. In the garage it seems worse and driving me nuts! So I get the stethiscope and start prodding. It "seems" to come from everywhere?? but while prodding I cant find it, little in the cutch yeah but not realy all that bad, maybe a touch at cam chain, nothing that matches that damn noise though until I prodded at the exhaust collector at the head pipe connection....right there it sounds like s**t is gonna come apart.
I think im hearing normal xj stuff with a few little things thats no big deal but added together with that exhaust and It sounds like WTF!?
so there is metal inside metal there right?
Looks like I need to repace the exhaust and no sense doing some of it, may as well start at the gaskets and go to the last end.
I'd like to do some turn outs but I'm not getting into re-jetting

 

There are gaskets:

Between the head and manifolds
On both sides of the collector

Also, don't forget that a loose mounting bolt anywhere on the exhaust will make a hell of a racket

 

hmm yeah I had the exhaust off for the rebuild months ago, gaskets at head to header pipes are new. header pipes to the collector I just packed up with muffler putty.
While prodding the stethiscope at that point is where the noise is worst.
If you just listened using no scope it really sounds like it comes from the engine. It's been fooling me and it didnt used to make the noise.
So now Im guessing the putty worked ok for a little bit but has cooked and let go and/or some metal inside is rusting away worse now.
Ill check the bolt though, good point.
So I guess with the heat involved there woud be no damper there?(on the collector mounting bolt)
I cant remember... Maybe I should look at the manual huh.(nah that would make good sense)
at least I found the noise, it was really making me crazy

 

who thinks soft tail pipes woud work without rejetting?

 

I know there are a lot of guys on here that used Sportster mufflers. Not sure if they rejetted for them or not though.

 

Oh, yes there are. TWO of them, an upper and a lower. On the bolt, there's a spacer with a washer welded to one end, and another big washer. They form a "sandwich:" Frame - washer on spacer - damper - collector box tab - damper - washer - all on the spacer and bolt.

The "dampers" are rubber/metal composite pieces, first cousin to valve cover donuts. Once the rubber part disappears, the remaining hardware can make a bit of a racket.

 

Check the front mounting ring of the collector-box side chrome shields. those can rust apart and then they rattle something fierce.....sounds like the bike is gonna blow up. The bottom and top edges of the shield are welded into place but the front has a 'ring clamp' attached to it. Check that. Been there enough times.

Dave F

 

Fitz- no rubber exists anymore on those dampers-hmm add that to my list

Dave- looks ike that issue is starting to develop as well

Im just glad I found all this out, now I know.
It was really driving me nuts

 

The "tails" of my collector box vanity shields were "tickling" the rear peg/muffler mount plates and making an occasional metallic "tink" that I could have SWORN was coming from further forward on the bike.

Be sure you have all of the collector mounting bits; it's possible a PO contributed to the lack of dampers. Like I said, it's a "top hat" (tabbed washer welded to a sleeve, Yamaha calls it a "collar") plus another washer and the two dampers.

On the Seca 650, the dampers go on each side of the "pocket" on the frame bracket and the collector goes on the bolt; for anyone looking at a 550, the dampers go on each side of the bracket on the collector and that simply bolts to the frame bracket.

Check the fiche; you'll see what I'm referring to.

 

On my 650 maxim, the front of the left chrome on the side of the airbox had broken and I kept a piece of leather wedged in there to keep it from rattling. That stopped it except for a small window of rpms. Fortunately for me, it actually worked out as a 'speed control device'......the rattle would start at 56 and fade right out at 62.
Dave f

 

If this is a rattling noise, check to see that the inner wall of the pipe in question hasen't seperated/cracked. I replaced headpipe #1 and that fixed it. There's a thread I did about it somewhere..

 

If this is a rattling noise, check to see that the inner wall of the pipe in question hasen't seperated/cracked. I replaced headpipe #1 and that fixed it. There's a thread I did about it somewhere..

 

yeah havent checked that yet, but I think it could use new exhaust all the way really. #4 was pretty rusty on the outer #3 was not as bad but was rusty as well. I did the VHT deal and blacked them out (works really good by the way)
I'm looking and replacing the whole shabang though. I want turn outs but I dont wanna rejet so Im just looking for gauges (still) and exhaust.
(and another project bike since the Shadow is gone now)

 

I've used this stuff with good results to seal bike and car exhausts.."Bushy recommends it"
http://www2.blackwoods.com.au/infoBANKP ... &P=2024929