copper muffler pipe question

spillers · #1 11-08-2008, 11:35 AM

Hello,
Im new here.
I recently purchased a new muffler for my motorized bike and it didnt fit.
I will have to make my own manifold pipe. Ive noticed a lot of people use copper pipe. My question is this: What are you soldering it with? Plumbers solder? Brazing? What? Id rather use low temp plumbers solder but want to make sure it will hold up and the exhaust gas temp wont soften/melt it, otherwise, I'll braze it. What do you all do?

Thanks
Ron

**Norman** · #2 11-08-2008, 01:07 PM

silver solder might hold, best bet is to braze it or weld it. the pipe can reach a temp of about 1200 F solder melts at about 400F To bad your not here I was going to start on making a pipe today from scratch it will have a muffler can on the end of the pipe and fit under the bikes cranks. I have one already made and it seems to work good.I can 't post any pictures the old snake took the camera to MO. to see my grand baby.
Norman

jasonh · #3 11-08-2008, 01:48 PM

hmmm, bummer. I was wondering the same thing. Boy I wish I had a welder.

spillers · #4 11-08-2008, 01:53 PM

Okay, thanks, that's what I figured.
I'm gonna braze it. I just wanted to see what you all did, cause 400 degrees solder seemed way too low. I just wanted to check before I went to town on it.
Good luck with your exhaust.

Spillers

donuts31 · #5 11-16-2008, 06:32 AM

Stupid question, what is brazing?

Bikeguy Joe · #6 11-16-2008, 06:36 AM

Brazing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pablo · #7 11-16-2008, 07:33 AM

Ron - Jim and mine are "press" fit, then we slip some silicone sleeving over the joints with two retention springs and the tubing it holds up well and is still adjustable. OTOH brazing will hold up well and be more "permanent".

spillers · #8 11-16-2008, 08:57 AM

interesting idea with the sleeves.
I welded/brazed/silver soldered my contraption up last weekend. Looks rough. works great! Basically, braze tacked it, ran out of oxygen, used silver solder until the mapp ran out, and then mig welded the rest Even tried to mig weld metal to copper. Didnt work too well, go figure, but the grapes are beautiful. And the engine runs wonderful.

Bikeguy Joe · #9 11-16-2008, 05:05 PM

I just made an extension using aluminum tubing and JB Weld. (after the muffler).

jasonh · #10 11-17-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikeguy Joe

I just made an extension using aluminum tubing and JB Weld. (after the muffler).

I'm currently using that muffler repair epoxy junk. Just have to bust it all off and redo it every once in a while