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How to loosen exhaust system?
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9054
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- Location: San Antonio, TX
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How to loosen exhaust system?
Crossover pipe...that's the one behind/underneath the tranny?
The "vented header clamps"...what are those? Are those the finned exhaust nuts that create the seal onto the large threaded "pipe" that sticks forward on each head? If so, and they don't budge now, you should stop applying anymore force and cut them off. It's quite easy to gall the threads on the large OD pipe and that will ruin your day. You can use a hacksaw down to the point where you're nearing the threads and then use a cold chisel or something to expanding the nut so you can get it off. Of course, if you end up cutting them off, you'll need to completely remove the exhaust system in order to install new finned nuts and clamp rings.
And, once the exhaust system is off, you may be able to more easily deal with the crossover pipe and get things loosened up.
I had trouble getting off one of my mufflers for my R69S rebuild...only one would come off and the crossover pipe would not separate. With one muffler off and the finned exhaust nuts off (luckily, they spun off without too much effort), I could just barely wiggle the entire system forward and out from under the bike. With some help and generous soaking with both Aerokroil and PB Blaster, I was able to separate the other muffler. However, the crossover pipe remained solidly in place, which meant that the headers remained attached. No matter, I was able to reinstall as is.
But on those finned nuts, be very careful and don't get too hamfisted.
Oh, you might try some focused heat, but that might only boil off your penetrant and cause the chrome to discolor, so that might not help too much.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
How to loosen exhaust system?
Thanks...
Charlie in NorCal.
'67 R69S
- schrader7032
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How to loosen exhaust system?
My bad...I read centerstand, not sidestand. Now I get the picture. I just checked mine and you're right, if the stand is too long or the crossover pipe is too far forward, the flat part of the sidestand will hit the pipe.
Just to be sure, how long is the sidestand? I don't think Vech would sell you something you can't use, but I believe there are two lengths of sidestand. There's one for the R69S and one for the R69US. My R69S has the original sidestand. It's difficult to get a very accurate measurement, but I get about 10 inches from the center of the pivot bolt to the fartherest point on the foot plate.
Another way to tell the differences is in a relative way... The two stands are the same from the pivot point down to the curved tang that sticks out for catching the stand to deploy. The correct R69S sidestand has only about 2-3/4 inches from that tang to the farthest point on the foot plate. The R69US stand probably has another inch or so of distance...the R69US sits up a little taller so the sidestand had to be longer.
Hopefully you have the correct one. Beyond that, you'll have to get creative if you're going to create a different spacer to keep the sidestand from touching the muffler. Maybe there's a way you can restrict the movement by putting something up near the pivot point...
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
How to loosen exhaust system?
'67 R69S
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9054
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How to loosen exhaust system?
There's a circlip or washer that's used up by the pivot pin. What if you were to locate it on one side or other and see if that translates the whole sidestand one way or the other and maybe clear the muffler better. I guess you still have the problem with the length such that it'll contact the crossover tube. One thing at a time I suppose.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
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- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
Re: How to loosen exhaust system?
The finned header nut requires a special fingered wrench that slips into the fins:
http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/exhaust/extool1.jpg
The spanner in the toolkit works on the chromed steel header nut on the other bikes, but I don't think it works well on the R69S nut. The spanner might mess up the hole in the soft aluminum nut, and I don't think the spanner can exert enough torque anchored by that one soft hole.
As noted, if the nut does not loosen with a fair amount of torque from the finger wrench, or if it loosens but then immediately jams, cut the nut off to save the threads on the cylinder head. Hopefully the previous owners have not buggered them already.
Read "Installing the BMW motorcycle exhaust system" toward the end of this page:
http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/exhaust/index.htm
How to loosen exhaust system?
Thanks for all the input, folks!
Charlie Rubin in SF Bay area...
'67 R69S
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How to loosen exhaust system?
I have had a back operation and use a technique of putting the bike on the center stand using the leg as a lever that does not involve lifting. You actually press your fingers down on the seat and handlebar to steady yourself and bike, as the bike is rising onto the stand. Email me and I'll send it.
- jerothe7301
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:02 am
Center stand technique
I have had a back operation and use a technique of putting the bike on the center stand using the leg as a lever that does not involve lifting. You actually press your fingers down on the seat and handlebar to steady yourself and bike, as the bike is rising onto the stand. Email me and I'll send it.
Alan, Could you send me a copy of this?
Thanks! Rick (richard@jerothe.com)
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- Posts: 503
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am