Topic: Micro Welding Rusted Exhaust

[Redrider969]

You may already be aware of Jim French, perhaps because of the turbocharged 750 street bike he’s building (many postings in the performance area of this forum), or through the welding service he offers for carburetors with broken parts.  I just wanted to make you aware of a wonderful repair Jim did for me on a badly rusted 300 series 750 muffler. 

The muffler was rusted near the joint with the pipe (picture attached).  It had cracked almost all the way around, almost broken into two pieces.  I cut and shaped two stainless steel patches and asked Jim if he would try and weld them to the muffler.  The results are great!

I’m no expert on muffler patches, but I’ve seen a few, and I’ve never seen one any better than these.  The welds are so fine that they are almost impossible to see. The weld is approximately 1/32” in width.  I’ve included a close-up of the weld with a ruler for reference. The large scale is 1/32” the smaller scale is 1/64”. 

After Jim finished the welding, I polished the stainless steel.  Several pictures of the results are included.  The stainless steel is pretty close to the chrome in color and gloss.  Certainly better than anything else I’ve seen.  The overall appearance is limited only by my ability as a patch-maker (if only I was as good at shaping sheet metal as Jim is at welding!).

In any case, if you have a challenging welding need, keep Jim in mind.  His prices are very reasonable, he knows and loves motorcycles, and I doubt there are many – if any -others in the country with the equipment and skill to do this kind of work.

[Retro Rocket]

Wow, nice work...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I've seen Jim in action. Wow factor!

Jim, you're gonna have to start doing COMPLETE exhausts now buddy 

[scottly]

The overall appearance is limited only by my ability as a patch-maker (if only I was as good at shaping sheet metal as Jim is at welding!).

I think you are a fair to middling patch-maker. Stainless is not the easiest material to form.

[Redrider969]

Thank you Scotty.  Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could find someone who would make reproduction stainless steel exhaust systems?

[Jim F]

Thanks for the kind words guys and yes that system what fun to weld also...................
I wouldn't  mind doing some 4 into 4 megaphone style systems,,,,,,,,,,,,,,maybe in Titanium?
very trick
Dick did a great job fitting the patch and thats half the battle

Jim

[Retro Rocket]

Thank you Scotty.  Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could find someone who would make reproduction stainless steel exhaust systems?

Too heavy....

[anders288]

Thank you Scotty.  Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could find someone who would make reproduction stainless steel exhaust systems?

Too heavy....

     Not true 22 guage steel steet is 1.25 lbs. per Sq Ft. Stainless steel is 1.231 lbs. Sq ft.

[MRieck]

Thanks for the kind words guys and yes that system what fun to weld also...................
I wouldn't  mind doing some 4 into 4 megaphone style systems,,,,,,,,,,,,,,maybe in Titanium?
very trick
Dick did a great job fitting the patch and thats half the battle

Jim

Ti is nice. I'd like a 4/2/1 system myself. Please have that completed by next Friday Jim. The only things better than Jim's welding skills are his generosity and personality.

[Retro Rocket]

Thank you Scotty.  Now, wouldn't it be nice if we could find someone who would make reproduction stainless steel exhaust systems?

Too heavy....

     Not true 22 guage steel steet is 1.25 lbs. per Sq Ft. Stainless steel is 1.231 lbs. Sq ft.

Times four is still too heavy......

[Retro Rocket]

Thanks for the kind words guys and yes that system what fun to weld also...................
I wouldn't  mind doing some 4 into 4 megaphone style systems,,,,,,,,,,,,,,maybe in Titanium?
very trick
Dick did a great job fitting the patch and thats half the battle

Jim

Ti is nice. I'd like a 4/2/1 system myself. Please have that completed by next Friday Jim. The only things better than Jim's welding skills are his generosity and personality.

Cool, i'll have one too please Jim....

[ekpent]

It would be interesting to see what one would weigh in stainless. A lot of the weight is in the heavy duty thick steel headpipe section.If that was stainless and thinner and the the pipe was built like the first generation Sandcast straight through lotus pipe without all the internal built in baffling think some weight could be shaved. Don't think we will ever see any though.

[Redrider969]

Damn Ekpent,  Now you've got me thinking...  Brian Fuller is here in the Atlanta area, and he's pretty good with sheet metal.  I wonder...  I'll check it out and report back. 

[greenjeans]

Damn Ekpent,  Now you've got me thinking...  Brian Fuller is here in the Atlanta area, and he's pretty good with sheet metal.  I wonder...  I'll check it out and report back. 

  He's one of the best with sheet metal.   And exhaust systems - signatures on his motorcycles.   He defintely has the right tools and know-how.  Be curious to see what he would charge.

[MRieck]

It would be interesting to see what one would weigh in stainless. A lot of the weight is in the heavy duty thick steel headpipe section.If that was stainless and thinner and the the pipe was built like the first generation Sandcast straight through lotus pipe without all the internal built in baffling think some weight could be shaved. Don't think we will ever see any though.

Hindle made some pretty light stainless pipes....they were very thin and I saw cracking on race bikes.
 My buddy has a 900RR with an ex 2 Brothers custom pipe....it was used on a race bike. Very tapered and not that light though it was stainless. An unbelievable pipe....like adding a turbo Anything can be done fella's.....just time money and the ability to see it through

[Jim F]

Hey Mike
I have your Ti system finished but I cant get it up there because of the snow.................
Just damn
Hope to talk soon Mike

Jim