Expansion Chamber and copper pipe header

RLorange · #1 07-05-2008, 12:59 AM

I hope the photo comes up for everyone to see. Nearly ready to install!

Bikeguy Joe · #2 07-05-2008, 06:44 AM

Give's me ideas!

RLorange · #3 07-05-2008, 08:13 AM

Pretty proud of it. I used a pocket bike 'fatboy' expansion chamber which dont seem to be around anymore. Scored it for $35! Because I lack metal shop tools and labour is so expensive in Australia I opted for plumbers copper pipe which has all sorts of ready made bends and pipe diameter reducers. To put it together all I have used is: A hack saw, a tube of 'Quick Steel' high temp epoxy resin putty (great stuff!) a tube of high temp silicone and a hose clamp.

I am going to hack off the end of my stock muffler and join it on, bit of a risk cos I don't want to have to rejoin it back on if something goes wrong...

95% sure it is all good.

Posting pictures of it insalled soon

Pablo · #4 07-05-2008, 09:23 AM

Yeah more pics will be nice. I love this stuff.

One comment - you didn't solder the copper fittings....? I'm interested on how it holds up. Mine sees huge abuse....I only have a short amount of copper...and it looks like heck now. The spring keeps mine together - I put some goo in to seal it up but it doesn't last.

misteright1_99 · #5 07-05-2008, 12:26 PM

Yea I did JB Weld and it doesnt hold up either, it keeps everything together but leaks more and more every ride. Today I bought a couple of sticks of flux coated brazing rod, 1620 degrees working temp, but Im not sure the Mapp gas torch I have will be hot enough.....

**Norman** · #6 07-05-2008, 05:10 PM

Mapp gas might get it hot enough but it might be border line on being hot enough. One word of caution if you are going to use copper in the exhaust I don't recommend you use alcohol fuel or gas with alcohol.
When copper gets hot enough it will react with alcohol and make formaldehyde with is a carcinogen and really smells bad too boot. I can't seem to get the spell check working today so I hope I didn't butcher the spelling too badly.
Norman

Bikeguy Joe · #7 07-05-2008, 05:55 PM

I think you spelled them both right...

misteright1_99 · #8 07-05-2008, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the info Norman, gonna try it tomorrow. I just run regular pump gas.....

RLorange · #9 07-06-2008, 08:30 AM

What I have done is use copper piping which fits snugly into the bends (which it is designed to do). I have high temp siliconed on the inside of these sleeve joints and then applied a ring of the Quick steel putty around the outside. The joint is rock-solid and secure I am not worried about it leaking the question is: Will it take the temperature?

The quick steel is amazing stuff, highly recommended it sticks like glue to metal and sets rock hard. I tested it by sticking a gob on the outside of my stock muffler. It is still there two months later! I also rammed a small bit in between the cooling fins of my cylinder right up against the combustion chamber, it is still there as well and has not become brittle or discoloured at all.

I'll take some close up pics soon.

Pablo · #10 07-06-2008, 10:18 AM

OK - what exactly is this putty called? Who is the manufacturer?