Author Topic: CB400F headers from David Silver Spares (Read 6242 times)

oldbob · « **on:** August 23, 2012, 11:46:00 AM »

A few months ago, I bought a CB400F. The PO had replaced the #1 and #3 headers with reproductions from David Silver Spares in England. The #1 header never looked right. It wasn’t parallel with the others.

So I removed the exhaust and then realized just how badly made the #1 header was.

Silver assured me that it must have been a “rogue unit” and I ordered another pair of headers (only sold as pairs) for $137.

Yesterday, the new pipes arrived. The new #1 is just as bad as the old one. The photo I sent to Silver shows that the pipes are parallel when they exit the collector, and it also shows that the pipe flanges for 2, 3, and 4 are all in the same plane but #1 is off by several inches.

Silver’s response: “If the system will definately not fit then I can only conclude that the collector must be slightly misshapen”. If it really was misshapen, the pipes would not be parallel when exiting the collector.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with DSS?

It looks like I’ll be buying a Mac exhaust.

Bob

rockvegas400 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2012, 03:25:37 PM »

Bob I have had no problems with Silvers and get most of my bits from them. I bought a complete exhaust system from them - but that was about 7 years ago. Your's might be sourced form a different manufacturer. Justin

oldbob · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2012, 04:45:07 PM »

From what I have read, DSS sell quality merchandise. I could order the complete set of headers and collector for about $300 plus shipping, BUT I am less than satisfied with the quality and customer service on the pipes I just bought.

I was pretty stoked that they are setting up a distribution center in the USA, but unless they resolve this problem, I will not be sending them any more business.

Bob

camelman · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2012, 05:53:42 PM »

Have you sent them these photos? They might have an issue with a supplier that they are unaware of. I'd imagine they send employees to perform factory visits with their suppliers regularly, and this might have slipped through their quality management audits. Sometimes to get the best parts you have to manage your vendors! ;-)

Camelman

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2012, 05:59:23 PM »

I've done only a little business with DSS and I've been cautiously satisfied. Overseas returns can be a real pain like that guy in England that sells complete stainless fastener sets. Inox. Don't EVEN do that. I bought a NOS tach (1 year only for color and redline) from Silvers that wasn't even listed. I searched by part number and found it. That year was not sold in Europe and they had 5. Very skeptical so I emailed a number of times and grilled them. Great price and it was a match. Same for a complete rear swing arm. Do you think it would work out if you bought the whole exhaust since it's not a perfect match? Maybe they'll comp you the rest for your troubles if they feel their's would work as a direct replacement and it does not. Considering they are restoring like 40 400's they are on to something.

Is that 400 old enough for OBR this time?

oldbob · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2012, 06:21:01 PM »

Camelman: Yes, I have sent those photos.

Jerry: I wrote to DSS this afternoon asking what my options (other than binning the pipes) are. I hope that they offer a reasonable solution. So far, in spite of the photos, their position is that my collector is at fault.

OBR?

Bob

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2012, 07:31:34 PM »

That answers that OldBob. OBR is Old Bike Ride and was organized by a different Old Bob near Denver. Just checking

oldbob · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2012, 07:37:16 AM »

DSS has offered a reasonable solution. If I ship the pipes (at their expense!) back to them, they will try them on one of the CB400F that they are restoring. Then, all parties will know if the pipes are at fault. If the problem is my bike's collector, then I'll buy the whole assembly from DSS.

Bob

FuZZie · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2012, 08:16:58 PM »

It looks like it starts screwing up at the first bend, collector, collars and alinement to that bend look good to me.
I think it starts with the first bend just being to sharp.

bryanj · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2012, 02:34:42 PM »

I would be astounded if DS did not sort this out to your satisfaction. I have shook hands with Dave, talked to for some time and stood there and hagled over prices and parts and a nicer more down to earth guy you could not wish to meet. Things can be made wrong, especialy in the repro market but he stands by everything that goes out of his door in my experience.

oldbob · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2012, 08:52:48 AM »

I stand corrected. I heard back from DSS today. They received my header and fitted it to one of the CB400Fs they are restoring and they sent supporting photos. The problem was with my bike's collector, not the part from DSS.

Bob

bryanj · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2012, 09:53:18 PM »

So are you "happy" with the service provided?

oldbob · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2012, 06:08:15 AM »

I'm happy enough to buy more parts from them.

Bob

ekpent · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2012, 06:11:51 AM »

Nice to hear a good story and happy ending with a big vendor. They sound like stand up folks.

Schnell · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2012, 07:12:36 AM »

We all enjoy a happy ending.

oldbob · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2012, 07:34:30 AM »

The short version is that I was wrong. DSS could have justifiably charged me for the return shipping and a restocking fee. They didn't.

This morning I ordered the full set of headers and the necessary gaskets.

Bob

oldbob · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2012, 08:10:24 PM »

The new headers arrived five days ago but I didn't get a chance to fit them until today. What do you think? To get the #2 pipe into the head will require some bending. Can it be done without destroying the plating?

This is getting old. I had hoped to get the motor running before winter sets in. Maybe next year.

Bob

bryanj · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2012, 11:12:13 PM »

Have you tried getting all 4 pipes into the head before fitting any clamps and nuts?

camelman · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2012, 11:39:02 PM »

Two of those pipes should be adjustable where they enter the collector. Make sure they are not tightened down, then install the entire set, and finally tighten down the clamp where the enter the collector. You won't need to loosen the clamps again afterwards since they will be adjusted correctly.

oldbob · « **Reply #19 on:** October 23, 2012, 09:00:00 AM »

Quote from: camelman on October 22, 2012, 11:39:02 PM

Two of those pipes should be adjustable where they enter the collector. Make sure they are not tightened down, then install the entire set, and finally tighten down the clamp where the enter the collector. You won't need to loosen the clamps again afterwards since they will be adjusted correctly.

The reproduction system that DSS sells allows all four pipes to move independently of the collector. Initially, I fitted the pipes (loosely) to the head, and then tried to push them into the collector. Three of the four went in easily. Then, I started over by pushing the pipes into the collector before trying to get them into the head. Same result.

Bob

oldbob · « **Reply #20 on:** October 23, 2012, 10:49:49 AM »

Success!

The flanges that go into the head were slightly too large in diameter. After grinding them, I was able to coax the pipes into place.

Killer Canary · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2012, 10:56:42 AM »

They look good now. That's a beautiful bike BTW. Glad you didn't cafe it!

Gnik Nus · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2012, 01:12:23 PM »

Congrats Oldbob... looks great. Glad you're ultimately satisfied as DSS is genuinely a top notch source of parts and keen on customer service, from my experience. I'll be anxious to hear how the pipes hold up regarding discoloration when operating temps are reached. Please keep us posted as I will likely go this route if the chrome holds up.

oldbob · « **Reply #23 on:** October 23, 2012, 04:12:58 PM »

Quote from: Killer Canary on October 23, 2012, 10:56:42 AM

They look good now. That's a beautiful bike BTW. Glad you didn't cafe it!

Thanks. Once I determine that I have corrected the mechanical issues (cylinder head oil leak, noisy chain tensioner), I'll pull the motor and then strip the frame. The PO was a POS who hid rust with paint. I want to see what the frame looks like after sand-blasting. If all is good, then it will get powder-coated. The fork tubes will also get replaced.

Although the original paint is OK, I'm thinking about repainting with a non-standard color. Resale is not an issue.

Bob

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Author Topic: CB400F headers from David Silver Spares (Read 6242 times)

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