Replacing standard motorcycle exhausts really deals with two questions: why replace the exhaust system and then how to do it once you’ve decided to swap out the OEM exhaust. Due to individual state laws and regulations most bikes, be it street racing bikes, custom cruisers or dirt bikes have restrictions placed on the decibel levels of a motorcycle exhaust. Violating these laws can lead to hefty fines in some states so before you engage in an exhaust replacement project know the laws of your town or state. The deafening roar of some larger motorcycles with custom exhausts and drag pipes have led to a number of noise complaints by residents and law enforcement agencies have been cracking down on excessively loud bikes so be sure whatever custom exhaust work you do to a bike is within the regulations of the law.
Still, motorcycle enthusiasts love to customize their bikes and replacing the OEM exhaust is usually the first project a rider will undertake. Street bike racers and touring cruiser riders both love the deep and powerful growl of a high performance exhaust and drag pipes and replacing standard systems and pipes with custom parts is not that difficult. The motorcycle exhaust aftermarket is full of high quality exhaust systems including carbon fiber, aluminum and titanium models in either full system or slip-on varieties. Once you’ve found the right exhaust for your street bike, cruiser or off road dirt bike set aside some time to carefully remove the OEM exhaust and prep the bike for the new parts.
First off carefully read the instruction manual that comes with the new exhaust. Taking an OEM exhaust off a bike is relatively simple but placing a new model on a motorcycle can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the intricacies of exhausts systems. Several components of an aftermarket exhaust will need careful installation to ensure it’s done right. These problem areas include the mounting bracket, whether the exhaust bolts inside or outside the hangar, different size washers and collector clamps. Rushing an exhaust job just to get it done will be futile because it won’t operate properly and you’ll most likely have to scrap the system and start again because more often than not the clamps have not been bolted properly and the exhaust gasses are beginning to leak. This is not only sloppy it is also quite dangerous considering the amount of heat that is generated by a high-revving motorcycle engine.
Replacing a street bike exhaust is fairly easy and will most likely consist of using a slip-on exhaust model. Slip-ons are easier to install than full system exhausts and the things to watch out for are making sure the higher mount doesn’t interfere with passenger foot pegs or swing arm and that the new pipe doesn’t direct hot gasses at rear bodywork. Street bikes usually have a higher clearance space since these bikes take turns much closer to the ground than cruiser or sport bikes and having the exhaust higher up prevents scratching the part on the road surface. Once the slip-on is securely fastened it is recommended that you re-jet the carburetor and possibly do a dyno test to make sure everything is functioning properly before you hit the road.
Full system exhausts are usually reserved for cruiser touring bikes and sport bikes and are a little more detailed than slip-ons when it comes to installation. Many mechanics and motorcycle enthusiasts recommend assembling the full system exhaust away from the bike prior to installation so you can see all the parts and make sure everything fits. Once the full system exhaust is placed on the bike it is very hard to see underneath where burrs on the joints can cause problems down the line. After everything is assembled and fits correctly you can then remove the OEM exhaust with a screwdriver, clean out the ports and inspect the threads and studs for any problems.
Another area to be mindful of when installing a full system exhaust is the gaskets. Often when an OEM exhaust is replaced the gaskets tend to leak and over time this can lead to permanent engine damage so save yourself the worry and invest a little more in replacing the gaskets too. As with slip-on exhausts its best to test the new system with a fueling check to ensure everything is in working order.
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