Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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- Suzukidave
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
Chamber rear mounts dont have to be where the pipe builders put them .
the older i get the faster i was
- Suzukidave
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
I cannot recall if the 500 rear chamber mounts are rubber mounted ?
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- ConnerVT
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
Stock pipes - No.
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
Sure enough and the engine is hard mounted to isnt it ? But then the handle bars are rubber mounted ?ConnerVT wrote:Stock pipes - No.
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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.
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.
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
I have seen the topics where the GT750 rubber engine mounts have been adapted to the 500 engine cases .
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- jabcb
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
Has anyone asked the Higgspeed guys about rubber mounting?
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T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
I contacted David Higgs directly and told him about the cracking and then asked him about rubber mounting. This was his rather basic reply:jabcb wrote:Has anyone asked the Higgspeed guys about rubber mounting?
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
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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?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
- jabcb
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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.
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.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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.
I'm sure with a bit of discount and one way postage it may work out.
It's worth asking.
- Suzukidave
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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 .jabcb wrote:
Hopefully the vibey comment suggests that the solidly mounted GT250 pipes are OK.
the older i get the faster i was
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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.Suzukidave wrote: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 .jabcb wrote:
Hopefully the vibey comment suggests that the solidly mounted GT250 pipes are OK.
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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
Cheers Geoff
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Re: Higgspeed chambers cracked- questions
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.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