1100 Sport exhaust question

[blakebird]

Spent my July 4th weekend driving up to Wayzata, MN to pick up a one-owner '97 1100i Sport with 5,770 miles on it.
The bike has been well maintained and stored, ridden often enough to keep it limber, so not a complete coffee table bike.

When I started it, I heard what sounded like a bit of an exhaust leak at the left head pipe.
The owner rode it so seldom, to him it sounded normal....to me, the whole bike was a new sound.

It has a full Staintune system along with the oem exhaust system that came with the bike.
Before I start taking things apart I thought I'd ask if there was anything to look for on disassembly/reassembly, as far as lining things up, gaskets to ensure are in the right place, etc. (do I want to order a replacement before I start...)

My test ride was fairly short, I suppose it's possible that once things warmed and expanded it might go away, but it doesn't seem like something I want to leak even a little, when cold.

[Vasco DG]

Nah, just pull the left header and replace the gasket. Staintoons on a Sport sound glorious.

Pete

[rocker59]

What Pete said. 

I replaced my exhaust gaskets when I installed my Staintunes in 2003.

If the previous owner didn't install new exhaust gaskets, that's likely the problem.

You could just check the nuts for tightness.  I did have them loosen on my V11 Lemans.  Could be that simple.

If you do disassemble the exhaust, it can be fiddly getting everything back in line.  Assemble it loose.  Check to make sure headpipes aren't touching anything, then tighten down all the clamps.

The bike will run much better with the full Staintune system.  From my experience, anyway.  I wouldn't even consider going back to stock.

FWIW, the last time that full system was available, the MSRP was $2,495.00   

[yogidozer]

might try loosening up, on the exhaust, on that side. Then tighten things from the header on back.
Costs nothing and just might solve your leak

[rocker59]

Great find on a nice bike, by the way!   

[jknight611]

Probably terminal, my Sport leaked and it was just awful!   Tell ya what, I take out of your garage, freeing up some space for you,and give you a healthy profit.  Say......50 bucks over what you paid....

Seriously,  nice low mileage bike!

Congratulations

[Orange Guzzi]

The bike is on a trailer.  That is a big problem.  It is probably upset with you.

[travelingbyguzzi]

Be aware that the left headpipe may have a bolt in the hole for the exhaust gas analyzer. This bolt will conflict with the sidestand bumper bracket and prevent removal. Simply remove the bolt.

[QCGoose]

Congrats on that gorgeous machine!

[blakebird]

The bike is on a trailer.  That is a big problem.  It is probably upset with you.

It was 940 miles away and the window of time to meet up with the seller was small. The fly 'n ride is my usual MO.
Not many folks here know me well enough to know how many of those trips I've done over the years - I had to borrow the trailer

Some of the weather I went through getting home made the hauling part seem like not such a bad way to go.
The rolling hills of north central Nebraska are beautiful, but they were getting hammered until I reached Grand Island.

Have a couple of exhaust gaskets on the way from MGCycle

[Tom]

Fun bike.  Enjoy!     For the heck of it.  Pull the plugs and see if they're burning properly.

[blakebird]

I replaced my exhaust gaskets when I installed my Staintunes in 2003.

If the previous owner didn't install new exhaust gaskets, that's likely the problem.

You could just check the nuts for tightness.  I did have them loosen on my V11 Lemans.  Could be that simple.

If you do disassemble the exhaust, it can be fiddly getting everything back in line.  Assemble it loose.  Check to make sure headpipes aren't touching anything, then tighten down all the clamps.

The bike will run much better with the full Staintune system.  From my experience, anyway.  I wouldn't even consider going back to stock.

FWIW, the last time that full system was available, the MSRP was $2,495.00   

I took the entire system off and replaced the gaskets the other day. The original gaskets were done, and there were exhaust leaks apparent around both of them.
New gaskets did the trick - no sign of a "pffft-pffft-pffft" at the head pipe at all.

And it was just as you said it would be... a bit fiddly getting it back together - always is the first time.
Now that I know what to look for it won't be bad at all. The "X" connector pipe was the tough nut to crack - it has a support bracket with two ~ 1/2" diameter nubs that go into vertical holes in a rubber grommet (x2). Getting the 'X' pipe back into place requires removing the metal pin and bracket on each side to get the 'X' pipe onto the head pipes.

Did it the first time working into the night....and it didn't feel centered when putting on the mufflers - so I got up early this morning and disassembled the whole thing and did it again.
Much smoother knowing what to look for. It went back together perfectly, and once I had it cleaned up and devoid of greasy fingerprints I pulled the db killers and took it for a couple hundred mile ride today, with a buddy on his 900SS CR.

Did a fastener check when I got back - all good.

There's a bolt that goes thru the sidestand and oil cooler mount that has stripped threads in the block - nothing is loose without it, but at some point I might see if there's enough material around that hole to Time-sert it.

[Blueboarhound]

The bike will run much better with the full Staintune system.  From my experience, anyway.  I wouldn't even consider going back to stock.

Sound better too!

Congratulations on the find.

[Tom]

Congrats on fixing it.