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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:32 am
by Suzukidave
Chamber rear mounts dont have to be where the pipe builders put them .

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:17 pm
by Suzukidave
I cannot recall if the 500 rear chamber mounts are rubber mounted ?

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:47 pm
by ConnerVT
Stock pipes - No.

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:57 pm
by Suzukidave
ConnerVT wrote:Stock pipes - No.
Sure enough :up: and the engine is hard mounted to isnt it ? But then the handle bars are rubber mounted ?

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:02 pm
by ConnerVT
Yes. If I remember, there is a thin rubber between the actual case and a sleeve that runs through it. But then you put some hard spacers to fill the gap between the frame and the case. So, yeah, pretty hard mounted.

The front header pipes are a hard mounted flange as well (none of those springy things here!). So in all, everything is bolted solid to the cradle frame.

handle bars do have a rubber mount. They added rubber to the late model mirrors as well. I never notice any vibration in the bars (well, no more than any bike). But the foot pegs get a but buzzy at high RPM.

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:21 pm
by Suzukidave
I have seen the topics where the GT750 rubber engine mounts have been adapted to the 500 engine cases .

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:11 am
by jabcb
Has anyone asked the Higgspeed guys about rubber mounting?

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:12 am
by sbaugz
jabcb wrote:Has anyone asked the Higgspeed guys about rubber mounting?
I contacted David Higgs directly and told him about the cracking and then asked him about rubber mounting. This was his rather basic reply:

Hi Steve,
sorry to hear about that. The T500 is notoriously vibey and this vibration is what causes the cracks. Please return the pipes and i will repair and strengthen them free of charge.
cheers
David

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:31 am
by sportston
sbaugz wrote:
Hi Steve,
sorry to hear about that. The T500 is notoriously vibey and this vibration is what causes the cracks. Please return the pipes and i will repair and strengthen them free of charge.
cheers
David
I guess you can't say much fairer than that under the circumstances, but its a bit of a bummer that this was not factored into their design in the first place. I wonder if in future you could mount them using a rubber grommet with a metal sleeve through it to allow the pipes some freedom of movement?

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:32 am
by jabcb
The Higgspeeds for the GT250 cafe project cost around $110 to ship from the UK. Or about $220 for the round trip to get your’s fixed.
I would be inclined to send them the pipes so that they can see what happened & appropriately strengthen them. This probably also benefit future buyers.

Hopefully the vibey comment suggests that the solidly mounted GT250 pipes are OK.


I came up with a solution for the custom oil tank. They provided a 1/8” MNPT fitting for the oil line. I got a fitting from an autoparts store that has a barbed connector for 1/4” hose. Used 3/16” yellow tygon, which is fuel & oil compatible. It seal nicely on the stock oil pump fitting & is stretchy enough for the barbed connector. The line turns dark when its full of oil so the color isn’t a problem.

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 3:17 pm
by old racer
Why not ask Higgs to make and send you a new pipe,
I'm sure with a bit of discount and one way postage it may work out.
It's worth asking.

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 3:38 pm
by Suzukidave
jabcb wrote:
Hopefully the vibey comment suggests that the solidly mounted GT250 pipes are OK.
I would be inclined to try and soft mount any rear chamber hanger . If nothing else to stop some of the vibration getting to the bikes frame too .

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:23 am
by sportston
Suzukidave wrote:
jabcb wrote:
Hopefully the vibey comment suggests that the solidly mounted GT250 pipes are OK.
I would be inclined to try and soft mount any rear chamber hanger . If nothing else to stop some of the vibration getting to the bikes frame too .
I concur, you should always have some flexibility on an exhaust pipe. Where there is insufficient flexibility you will always find either joints rattling loose or stress cracks, or both.

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:48 am
by Zunspec4
I think you should have some form of rubber isolation mounting for the rear mount on a pipe if you can manage it. I have used these to good effect. You can also get them in male/female and female/female configuration, all with an 8mm thread. A 10mm spanner shown for size comparison.

Cheers Geoff

Image

Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:12 am
by sportston
Zunspec4 wrote:I think you should have some form of rubber isolation mounting for the rear mount on a pipe if you can manage it. I have used these to good effect. You can also get them in male/female and female/female configuration, all with an 8mm thread. A 10mm spanner shown for size comparison.

Cheers Geoff
These a great, but it should be noted that if you use them for many years or get poor quality ones, when the rubber breaks away your exhaust can fall off. But if you regularly inspect them, this is easily avoided.