exhaust fix ???

[jcn59]

My 1986 Aspencade has a noisy exhaust. It does not sound like someone messed with the mufflers, rather like leaky exhaust before the mufflers as one might expect from 30+ year old pipes. The noise isn't particularly loud, just objectionable. If my Sportster made a similar noise I wouldn't even notice it.

I have only put 500 miles on this recent purchase but it seems to run well enough. Nonetheless I am reluctant to put a new exhaust system on it. There are so many areas of neglect on this bike, I don't think I could ever get my money back if I fixed everything, and the exhaust is a big item.

So here is my question: Could I wrap it with one of those 2" wide exhaust wrap products to seal up the small exhaust leaks? I have never used these products. Do they solidify when you put some exhaust heat in them? I wonder how permanent the fix would be if it looked like a possible solution? What do you think of this as a semi-permanent fix?

Thank you for your help!

[Good Hondog]

Before you wrap the exhaust with the product you're talking about try to locate the exact place it is actually leaking from. I started off with a neglected bike similar to your situation and it also had a leaky exhaust. Mine was leaking from the slip connections between the mufflers and header pipes. Some idiot tightened all the clamps with an impact gun or something, to the point all the pipe openings were collapsed and crushed out of shape. It leaked straight out the gaps. I removed the whole system and straightened all the pipe ends and got everything expanded back out perfectly round again. Now it fits nice and is quiet again like it should be. If your exhaust is to the point there are rust holes through it, maybe a better and more permanent fix would be a complete used set, or just a used set of whatever section (mufflers only or head pipes only) that is rotted out for replacement.

[winguyjo]

the exhaust gaskets between the header pipes and the mufflers are about $26 for the pair plus shipping. far less money, fairly easy install, and far more effective than the trendy and, IMHO, useless exhaust wrap.
if you have actual perforations somewhere, that's a whole nother story.

[Wing--Man]

Get a BBQ glove and grab around wherever seems to be the noise is.

Small holes can be plugged with muffler patch (in a squeeze tube).
Do not expect it to last more than a 6 months to a year.

Others had success with screwed on sheet metal over larger holes.
Again use muffler patch for best results.

Crushed exhaust outlets via tight clamps? That is a hard fix.
I had 9 months luck with fiberglass stuffed in one, but still sealed it with muffler seal.
MUST stop the heat from escaping so not to burn or blow out the fiberglass.

Overall best solution, a better used muffler.

[dnehasert]

I've had the rh exhaust header developed a crack in the seem. Had it on 3 different GL1100's, Had it welded and solved problem. Doug

[jcn59]

Thanks for your help everyone! You inspired me to crawl around on the ground & discover that the leaks seem to be at the front muffler joint. So I probably need to replace the gasket there.