Stuffing the exhausts and swingarm bearing

[Recreateme]

Willem - I am still interested in the "stuffing the holes with stainless steel scrubber" fix.. I have a super loud exhaust as well (it also has 4 smaller holes around the main, but its a 79, not sure if its stock though).


I am fairly sure its a slip on, but i it would a lot easier to just stuff something in the holes then taking it all apart...

Let us know if it quiets down once you get it all sorted.

 

[Battlax]

My 83ish 400 Maxim did not show any rear wheel movement relating to bearing wear, because the needle bearings had collapsed, siezed and eroded deep grooves on the shaft (or bush)
I ordered a new bush shaft off the internet from a UK dealer claiming to source original parts, priced aprox 50 UK pounds. Took six weeks before declaring no longer available, and now awaiting refund.

So I'm currently working towards having one or perhaps two or more of those bushings manufactured by a specialised engineering company.
Just wondered if anyone else would be interested in acquiring this new part?

The needle roller bearings appear to be a standard well stocked size from various other manufacturers. But it looks to be a lot more practical to replace those with self lubricating bronze bushes of same standard sizes. Using quality bronze bushes instead of needle rollers would also give a significant saving on manufacturing costs for that elusive bush shaft, because it wouldn't need the most significant expense involving a final hardening process prior hard grinding.

Sorry if I've hijacked Willem's thread, but his pictures of those relevant parts helped clarify the described parts where my currently difficulties lie, and I'm sure others before us.
Be interest in hearing anyones thoughts about this remanufacturing?

 

[willem]

Dave, that's awesome.

So I'll get on that swingarm bearing as soon as my exhaust is fixed. I found forum posts from two PO's back on a dutch bike forum, and he replaced the entire inner workings of the swingarm with new stuff and lots of grease in 2008. Time for a service

thanks a million!

 

[willem]

recreateme, I have put two of the scrubbers in two of the holes of the left muffler so far. I don't think they'll ever come out by themselves, so at least that part of it works. But the noise from my exhaust is coming from that hole in my H-pipe. As soon as I fix that I can tell if one muffler is making more noise than the other (the right one is still empty). I'll let you know, but this exhaust fix is becoming a slightly more complicated fix. I'll get on it this weekend, I think/hope.

Battlax, hijack is no problem its quite relevant actually. I don't know how my bushing looks right now, but if it's in poor condition I am definitely interested. Although, since mine was replaced in '08 I don't expect it to be destroyed just yet, but who knows. When were you planning to get them made?

and about the bronze bearings, I'm not sure since I don't have a lot of experience in metal working. But wouldn't bronze be too soft for this kind of thing? I do think that this swingarm bearing is somewhat of a design flaw in the XS400, so there are definitely some improvements to be made

 

[willem]

in other news, a car parked into my bike last night.. He is currently bending my exhaust with his rear bumper.

So I'm waiting for him to call me (left a note) and handle the damage costs. Perhaps there's even a new exhaust in it for me

although I think I'm gonna ask him to pay 50 euros and call it even. Don't really feel like going through the insurance hassle with claims and stuff

still, it'll cover some expenses

 

[Battlax]

Bronze bushes appear to have been originally fitted to earlier 400 models.
The latest Brit design bushes are self lubricating, metalic alloys, so should easily outlilve the 25,000km done by my machine, and without fear of seizing with aging rust.

Being somewhat softer than the bushing sleeve on which they run, these should take any future wear, but, coming in a standard size means they are also far cheaper to replace.

Have only just discussed these needs with a found specialisit engineering company.
I'm planning my order within a few months, but will open a new thread to see if others are also still interested in this potential replacement for an obsolete part.

Good luck with your exhaust Willhem

 

[Scorpio1963]

in other news, a car parked into my bike last night.. He is currently bending my exhaust with his rear bumper.

So I'm waiting for him to call me (left a note) and handle the damage costs. Perhaps there's even a new exhaust in it for me

although I think I'm gonna ask him to pay 50 euros and call it even. Don't really feel like going through the insurance hassle with claims and stuff

still, it'll cover some expenses

Willem man you need find a freind that has a garage that lives close by.
IM lucky that I have a save place to park my bike.

 

[willem]

Well it's actually not that bad. After he moved his car (and never called me, despite the note, that's actually a crime) the damage turns out to be minimal. Barely noticeable actually.

But if it were, I could have gotten a quote on the damage at the bike shop (including labor costs and possibly a replacement exhaust) which would easily add up to a few hundred euros which he then would have had to pay. Then I would have budget fixed my exhaust myself and kept the profits.. So I don't mind really, sort of a fly trap for money

 

[Scorpio1963]

It just the point that people are always doing things to your bike.I have this saying over here "if you value your life as much as I value my bike then dont f$%k with it"My room mates took this motto quite seriously.

 

[Unkle Crusty]

What Dave is saying.
There are two roller bearings and a shaft that is being called a bushing.
The bearings on my 83 400 came out as rusty powder, and the shaft bushing has the case hardening ground and rusted away.
A grease fitting would have helped, considering it is one of the wetest parts on the bike. I will report on what happens at the machine shop.
Willem. Can you confirm that part number 12R 22184 00 is available. I am likely not the only one who needs one. It is number two on the mono shock swing arm frame, in the parts book.

Unkle Crusty

 

[Unkle Crusty]

Machine shop could not repair at a reasonable price. Ordered new shaft from England.

Unkle Crusty

 

[buztabuzt]

Anyone ever have any luck plugging back up the exhaust? Saw multiple people mention in the thread but no resolution ever posted... I have a 1980 400G that has reasonable conditioned chrome megaphones.... except appears the PO drilled out extra holes . From what I've read, the hole in second picture mid exhaust is normal / sicks.

Not sure if JB weld would hold the pressure/heat so curious if it was tried. Otherwise I might be paying someone to weld as I don't have one nor knowledge, already other tools/parts.

 

[xschris]

I don't know why people do this. It only makes the bike run worse. I would try to weld some plugs in them. I hope that it hasn't messed up any of the baffles inside them. The small hole is a moisture weep hole for the double wall head pipe. That should be there. Is your crossover pipe still in place?

 

[buztabuzt]

Crossover pipe still in place, mercifully.

People do this because it is the east way out to conform to the louder is better, more macho, or some other ill conceived notion. It is a smack in the face to the engineers that spend countless hours designing them with consideration for thermal Dynamics, back pressure, engine requirements, etc. For a handy man Joe shmo tinkerer like me to just take a drill or hacksaw to it is insulting to their work.

Everyone should ride their ride and is entitled to do what they please, but that's my $0.02. If you want loud pipes, buy after market pipes designed for that, and sell your OEM ones and half the time you'll come out at a profit with a vintage bike. 9x / 10 performance will still decrease, even if only marginally, but if that's what floats your boat...

 

[buztabuzt]

Also means I'll probably be syncing carbs twice. Once for crappy performance with the drilled holes, once after I get them welded somewhere