crack(ed) pipe

[mdubya]

I pulled the DRZ apart due to a serious ticking. All DRZ's are noisy and tick. But having owned this one for 8 years, I know when it gets too loud. To my surprise all valve clearances were in spec. Semi-happily I started re-assembly when I noticed my Titanium Yoshi pipe is significantly cracked at the exhaust manifold.

This is some relief.

Question: does anyone think I can just get the cracks welded up, or I am I on crack for thinking that?

What about short term fixes? Hose clamps and exhaust wrap? That is definitely a crack pipe idea if ever I had one...

[badguy]

I'm pretty sure welding Ti isn't the easiest, but it's definitely possible. Someone here should know a welder that could do it, and since it's just some cracks, it shouldn't be too expensive.

If you can get a clamp around it, I'd think that could help in the meantime. I know they sell exhaust repair cloth at Autozone that you put under a clamp, but it might leave a mess on your pipe, so be careful.

[mdubya]

I'm pretty sure welding Ti isn't the easiest, but it's definitely possible. Someone here should know a welder that could do it, and since it's just some cracks, it shouldn't be too expensive.

If you can get a clamp around it, I'd think that could help in the meantime. I know they sell exhaust repair cloth at Autozone that you put under a clamp, but it might leave a mess on your pipe, so be careful.

Welding Ti isn't too much of a big deal with the right equipment and an experienced weldor. I am not too worried about looks or mess at this point. My DRZ has been to hell and back and looks it.

I will have to check out what A-zone has. Thanks for the tip.

[Roadracer_Al]

Most experienced weldors (good use of the proper term, a welder is the tool) will probably turn the job down due to the difficulties of welding contaminated, unknown titanium.

Cracks in any material are notoriously hard to clean and have to be ground out to good metal before welding.

Titanium is very picky about matching alloys between parts and filler rod, unlike most steels and some aluminum, i.e. you can weld 1020 mild steel to 4041 cro-moly with no downside. There are about 30 different alloys of Ti, and about 6 or 8 in common use, so it's a bit of a crap shoot unless you can find out what Yosh uses.

IMHO, a good bet is to send it to Yosh to be repaired.

And, DON'T wrap Ti exhausts, ever. Ti becomes pretty reactive when hot, and any moisture trapped by the fiber wrap will quickly oxidize the Ti, and literally cause it to crumble.

[mdubya]

Most experienced weldors (good use of the proper term, a welder is the tool) will probably turn the job down due to the difficulties of welding contaminated, unknown titanium.

Cracks in any material are notoriously hard to clean and have to be ground out to good metal before welding.

Titanium is very picky about matching alloys between parts and filler rod, unlike most steels and some aluminum, i.e. you can weld 1020 mild steel to 4041 cro-moly with no downside. There are about 30 different alloys of Ti, and about 6 or 8 in common use, so it's a bit of a crap shoot unless you can find out what Yosh uses.

IMHO, a good bet is to send it to Yosh to be repaired.

And, DON'T wrap Ti exhausts, ever. Ti becomes pretty reactive when hot, and any moisture trapped by the fiber wrap will quickly oxidize the Ti, and literally cause it to crumble.

Thanks Al.

Good thing I have a plan "B"....and a plan "C"....

[badguy]

[quote="Roadracer_Al"And, DON'T wrap Ti exhausts, ever. Ti becomes pretty reactive when hot, and any moisture trapped by the fiber wrap will quickly oxidize the Ti, and literally cause it to crumble.[/quote]

Thanks, I didn't know that

[mdubya]

Well, it is looking like hose clamps and Red Bull cans might be getting me through the weekend. I thought I had an E model head pipe, but it is AWOL.

[Bucho]

Well, it is looking like hose clamps and Red Bull cans might be getting me through the weekend. I thought I had an E model head pipe, but it is AWOL.

It will probably work better then the original!

[Rut Row]

Well, it is looking like hose clamps and Red Bull cans might be getting me through the weekend.

and anyone who looked at the bike would immediately recognize it as mdub's bike with the Red Bull cans!

[mdubya]

Well, it is looking like hose clamps and Red Bull cans might be getting me through the weekend.

and anyone who looked at the bike would immediately recognize it as mdub's bike with the Red Bull cans!

Don't let the smoove taste fool ya!

O wait, that is something else.