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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Exaust note / backfire change
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Message started by Richard Amirault on 07/06/05 at 07:22:21

Title: Exaust note / backfire change
Post by Richard Amirault on 07/06/05 at 07:22:21

My bike has about 2600 miles on it.

After a weekend camping trip (where I ran the bike at 60 to 65 mph for a hours at a time) I noticed that the exaust note was different than before.

Now it's "sharper" than before .. more of a popping sound than a throaty sound .. AND .. the bike is now much more prone to backfire when I let off the throttle .. and those backfires are "sharper" and louder than before.

What happened?

Title: Re: Exaust note / backfire change
Post by gandalph40 on 07/06/05 at 07:27:56

Check all the connections in the exhaust system, starting with the 2 bolts that connect the header to the cylinder head. It sounds to me like you've got one or more loose connections. If they're loose, tighten them CAREFULLY...I don't have the torque specs, but you don't want to break one of those boys off.

You don't say if you have a factory or aftermarket muffler. If you have an aftermarket muffler, I would look closely at the connection between the muffler and the header pipe also.

Title: Re: Exaust note / backfire change
Post by SavageDude on 07/06/05 at 10:35:52

And look closely at the flange that attaches the header to the engine exhaust manifold. If is turning blue around that area, you have either loose bolts or leaking gasket. I would try to retorqued them and see if it helps. If not you know what to do next (a long-drawn process just to get to the darn gasket) :-[

Title: Re: Exaust note / backfire change
Post by Susan on 07/06/05 at 11:32:36

gandalph40 wrote:

...I don't have the torque specs, but you don't want to break one of those boys off...

See Torque Specs List (http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1098848534) in the technical corner. ;)

Title: Re: Exaust note / backfire change
Post by WD on 07/06/05 at 19:34:28

Your head pipe donut gasket has likely done like mine and vaporized. When I find the size/part number, I'll put it in the technical section.
-WD

Title: Re: Exaust note / backfire change
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/07/05 at 08:06:15

It's also easy to get the header just slightly off-kilter and have a slight leak. Bikebandit and RonAyers both have the gaskets. RonAyers has typically had slightly better prices, in my experience. However, Bikebandit now has a small discount for AMA members, so check it out.

Title: Re: Exaust note / backfire change)
Post by Richard Amirault on 07/31/05 at 14:47:25

UPDATE:

After finally getting over to the dealer and trying to order the exahust port gasket (after all, everything else I've bought for the bike they had to order) I was surprised to see that THEY HAD THEM IN STOCK ... so I got two of 'em.

Then I got my Clymer manual and a nice day (don't have a garage to work in ) and started to loosen up the exaust to get to the gasket.

Long story short .... didn't have to use the new gasket .. one of the bolts was LOOSE holding the clamp over the pipe end onto to the cylinder!! (I mean it was just about finger tight .. surprised it hadn't fallen out all the way)

I did remove both bolts and slid back the clamp but decided not to go any further and re-assembled everything ... bike sounds like it used to now. The loose bolt must have caused the exaust to leak past the gasket at anything over idle .. that was the "sharp" exaust note I was hearing.

Proud of myself for finding and fixing the problem, but also somewhat foolish for not checking that first ;-)

Richard in Boston, MA, USA

PS still have to deal with the handlebar 'problem'