gt550 exhaust

[deerstud]

HI. I've been working on a 1974 GT550 and the exhaust was not very good. Last weekend bought a 1973 donor bike which had a very nice exhaust. Question is what holds the pipes together at the crossovers. The 1974 seems to have hooks for springs the 73 has nothing. I started it up this evening and the exhaust came apart at the crossovers. Thanks for any input you all can give me.

[oldjapanesebikes]

These stock exhausts - correct ? Best you take a look at any of the on-line parts fiches available - plenty to choose from, but I usually use this one. There are o-rings and a sealant used on the cross over pipes which are a press fit. You have choices for the sealant - I use the high temperature orange silicon but if you do a search on this board you will find other solutions that also work.

[deerstud]

Yes they are stock for the 73. I bought new o-rings but I also put some grease on the cross over pipes so they would slide together easier. That's probably where the problem lies. I'm considering drilling a small hole in each hub and using a self tapping screw to lock the cross overs together.. The only parts fiche I looked at was on Bikebandit and they don't show the spring loops on the earlier models either. So goes the fight.

[oldjapanesebikes]

If everything is stock, then you shouldn't need any additional fasteners for these. With the pipes loosely hung in place, new gaskets on the exhaust outlets and new o-rings and sealant on the crossovers, I use a regular fabric ratchet tie-down strap to cinch the pipes and cross-overs together (they sort of 'pop' together) and then tighten up everything else after. I haven't had them ever come apart.

[deerstud]

I put new o-rings on but lubed the cross overs up and I'm thinking that is where the problem lies. I was concerned it wouldn't go together. I used a block of wood and a hammer to persuade them to move as it was.