Could use some exhaust advice....

[cashman]

I just received a set of new exhaust pipes and haven't installed them.  The problem is that the left side pipe is noticeably out of round, not cut flush, and gnarled up.  I want to put my new set of grumpy's tips on, but to me it is pretty noticeable.  I was thinking of taking to a machine shop and have 1/4" off to flush it up, but I would be exposing the metal on the end by cutting the chrome.

Any thoughts or advice would be helpful.  Maybe I'm just being too picky.  Honest feedback is appreciated!



The "good one"



The "rough one"

[SteveBC]

Cashman,

             Go to your local truck parts stockist or a marine workshop, get a couple of stainless steel exhaust clamps the correct size for your exhausts. When fitted with the pinch bolts underneath they will do a good job of covering the ugly gaps you have.

The band clamps have a small degree of flex to them, which may be able to adapt to the slight taper of your silencers.

Maybe not the ideal solution but would be very easy and cheap to do.

This is what i talk about.

http://www.marineengineparts.com/exhaust-manifolds-risers/exhaust-hose/clamps.html

SteveBC.

[Ricky-D]

You could wedge them at the bottom, pulling them into shape on the top.

Unlikely it would be noticeable.

***

[Patrick]

You said these were 'new' ?  Why not return them or call whoever you bought them from ?

[pancho]

You said these were 'new' ?  Why not return them or call whoever you bought them from ?

I agree with Patrick,, I wouldn't accept that without a fight if they are new.   Now if they are used, that may be a different story depending on the circumstances of the purchase.

[cashman]

You said these were 'new' ?  Why not return them or call whoever you bought them from ?

I found after discussing this with the person who built these that this level of craftsmanship is acceptable and that it passes all the quality checks. 

I accept 100% of the ownership on these.  It is hard to have work done when the whole transaction is done over the phone and internet.  The guy who built these is really a great guy who I like a lot, its just the fine fit and finish isn't there.

That's why I am trying to find a secondary solution. 

[MarkT]

I built these pipes.  The issue here, is the chrome industry is caught "between a rock & hard place".  I have bought stacks from many many American suppliers over the last 15 years.  They are hamstrung by the EPA and their pollution standards (partly thanks to bad publicity from liberals and Hollywood, in particular the movie "Erin Brokovitch".) They have to compete with offshore chromers who don't have such costs. So quality slips or prices skyrocket, sometimes both. Thanks to the govt, nowadays the best stacks for the money comes from offshore - Mexico, Venezuela, and China. Add to this issue, UPS is BRUTAL to chrome, and that's who most or even all of the stack suppliers use for shipping as they are a few pennies cheaper than Fedex.  So if the chrome I get is quality from the factory, UPS damages it.  

My current main source has been good about backing me up on the quality - if they send chrome that doesn't meet my standard (or their shipper damages it) - and they know what it is - they send me a replacement immediately, usually 2nd day.

Cashman's build passed inspection because the chrome is very good.  I photograph all builds as part of the QA process - don't see the blem that showed up in his closeup shots with grumpy's tips installed, but I don't do super closeups - if I did then obviously there's a reason for that, sufficient to reject the product in the first place.  It's a known fact, that stacks aren't round - I document that on my exhaust page and in my docs.  They are made by rolling and seam welding a flat sheet of 0.065" steel, then chromed.  They look round, but it takes some effort to fit silencers in them as they are somewhat oval.  I even designed and built a hydraulic expansion press, that inserts into a stack and pushes outward HARD to reshape it for better roundness w/o damaging the outside finish. The stack's out-of-roundness is not a cause for rejection as they are ALL somewhat not round.  That doesn't really show up until you put something really round in them, like Grumpy's lathe-turned tips.  Typically, fitting them into the stacks will force the stack to be round, at the tip.

Now what we're seeing here is the stack is also blemmed on the end.  Maybe from shipping.  Or maybe in manufacturing and I missed it.  

I've told Cashman,  we'll get the supplier to send us another and I'll prep it to fit, and Cashman can install it.  He'll need an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut the tack weld that holds the stack in place during shipping - ~$20 @ Harbor Freight - a hammer and block of wood.

And I'm thinkin that will fix the situation.

[cashman]

Thanks Mark.  I wasn't going to name names here as I am a supporter of you and am very fond of your work.  My main objective was to get ideas from the board as to how they might fix a situation like this.

You made one heck of a nice set of pipes, and I appreciate it.  I just want to put the finishing touches my restore job.  That's why I chose the best pipes I could get.

Thanks again!

[Farther]

Looks like possible shipping damage to me.

[Bighead]

Looks like possible shipping damage to me.

I agree it looks like they were dropped on end.

[cashman]

No doubt!  Mark is gonna hook me up and we will get these pipes looking like they should!

[Paxton]

"I was thinking of taking to a machine shop and have 1/4" off to flush it up,
but I would be exposing the metal on the end by cutting the chrome..."

=======================================================================================
+1

I would do both pipes (same length). After cutting, touch it up with silver-color rust-suppressing paint.
Good Luck.

[pancho]

I was thinking that if  I was part of the remnant supplying parts and services for these aging bikes, and that was my work that had escaped from my shop, THEN had been exposed to the remaining owners,, I would want it back and bite the bullet  for a piece of pipe and fix it correctly, then apologize from the bottom of my heart to the person who received it, and the rest of people who had to be embarrassed to see it, no matter how it got into that condition.  

But that's just me............

I look at it like this,,  what if it was your 8 year old son who had worked hard for his money all summer long and spent it on something,, and when he received it was beat up.

[Paxton]

"... what if it was your 8 year old son who had worked hard for his money all summer long and spent it on something,,
and when he received it was beat up...."
================================================================
I'd say, "suck it up you little leach.  Nobody said that life would be easier.
Stop acting like your mother!"  
You probably pissed off the sales lady too, you little punk.    Put on your pj's and get in bed, you little squid!"

PS: And that's why I'm in the Dog House BIG TIME!  

RIDE SAFE OR ELSE...

[MarkT]

I was thinking that if  I was part of the remnant supplying parts and services for these aging bikes, and that was my work that had escaped from my shop, THEN had been exposed to the remaining owners,, I would want it back and bite the bullet  for a piece of pipe and fix it correctly, then apologize from the bottom of my heart to the person who received it, and the rest of people who had to be embarrassed to see it, no matter how it got into that condition.  

But that's just me............

I look at it like this,,  what if it was your 8 year old son who had worked hard for his money all summer long and spent it on something,, and when he received it was beat up.

  
Thanks for the free advice.  Did you notice that I owned the problem when I was not identified?   I have a strong reputation not without reason.  I take reasonable steps to ensure my people are happy, and so get after-shipping issues to address maybe 15% of the time.  Generally my work ethic then QA ensures I don't get requests for support.  And Cashman's pipes were photographed, inspected and measured, and that blem was not there - or at least not seen by eye or camera. And out-of-roundness is NORMAL for stacks - they are ALL out of round, and I say so on my exhaust page and my docs. As I said above, Grumpy's tips will round them up when inserted, usually. So I suspect shipping damage, but I use Fedex and pack them very well.  So shipping damage was probably from UPS before I got them, and since I don't install Grumpy's tips, it's possible I just missed it.   But I don't kiss ANYBODY'S ass so don't be unreasonable.  I have to shave in the morning and respect myself.  

But that's just me............

As for the kid example - sounds like life-lessons time.  The liberals practice of coddling the current generation of now-spoiled brats isn't doing them any good.  Life ISN'T a bowl of cherries - learn to deal with it.  Or haven't you noticed?

[pancho]

I've noticed Mark, been around for awhile,, and I will still treat others the way I would like to be treated. Yes, I did notice you claimed the problem.

ps. Hey cashman,, I wasn't comparing you to an 8 year old,, just an example

[Paxton]

"... coddling the current generation of brats isn't doing them any good."
==============================================
+1

Interestingly, that's what my grandpa use to say about my dad's generation. That's what my father used to say
about my generation. Any wonder as to why I chose not to have kids?

MarkT and Cashman; You both sound like very honest and reasonable folks and that is good for all of us.
It's a good example of respectful business interaction.

[fudgie]

Just take a belt sander to it. Only take a few min. Put a little paint on the ends and your good.

[wiggydotcom]

I've noticed Mark, been around for awhile,, and I will still treat others the way I would like to be treated. Yes, I did notice you claimed the problem.

ps. Hey cashman,, I wasn't comparing you to an 8 year old,, just an example

Pancho, you seem to be forgetting the fact that the pipes could have been damaged in transit to the end user.

I bought a set of pipes from Mark and everything he said was followed to a Tee. The pipes were photographed before being shipped and they were packed meticulously. His work is impeccable but yet he's willing to make this right, even though he probably wasn't even the cause.

I wish all vendors displayed Mark's attention to detail and good craftsmanship.

[pancho]

Hey Wiggly,, Marks a big boy,, he probably doesn't need any help......       HA  

I believe you. Look, if Mark didn't have the integrity to do the right thing, I don't think I would have been led to say anything in the first place.....  And that's all I have to say about that.

[cashman]

Wow, I just got back on and read all of this!  I guess I asked for honest feedback and I got it.  Thanks guys.

I also want to say thank you to Mark for owning this.  I honestly wasn't looking for Mark to be mentioned as I didn't want him to get drug into the banter.  But I see he can take it and dish it right back!  Kudos Mark. 

Just so I am very clear.  I am 100% happy with my decision to buy from Mark.  I would absolutely be a repeat customer. (If he would have me!). .

I am also very happy with this forum and love the interaction we have here.

So again guys.......  thank you!

Cashman

[wiggydotcom]

Hey Wiggly,, Marks a big boy,, he probably doesn't need any help......       HA  

I believe you. Look, if Mark didn't have the integrity to do the right thing, I don't think I would have been led to say anything in the first place.....  And that's all I have to say about that.

Good comeback, Pauncho. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Wow, I just got back on and read all of this!  I guess I asked for honest feedback and I got it.  Thanks guys.

I also want to say thank you to Mark for owning this.  I honestly wasn't looking for Mark to be mentioned as I didn't want him to get drug into the banter.  But I see he can take it and dish it right back!  Kudos Mark. 

Just so I am very clear.  I am 100% happy with my decision to buy from Mark.  I would absolutely be a repeat customer. (If he would have me!). .

I am also very happy with this forum and love the interaction we have here.

So again guys.......  thank you!

Cashman

Wow nice looking bike & trailer 

[cashman]

Just wait till it gets the Mark T's on it! 

[MarkT]

The replacement stack is on the way here.

[cashman]

Sweet!  Thanks Mark!