[Snowdaysrule1]

Area Reserved for Upcoming Tutorial​

 

[Snowdaysrule1]

Alright, so the tutorial above will be a work in progress. so far I've taken the headers off the bike, and swung by a local automotive shop I'm a regular customer at to see if they could do some welding for me / the costs involved. The auto body shop only has a MIG welder, and the gentleman who would be doing the welding for me said that he is unable to weld aluminum or stainless steel with the equipment he has at the shop. So...

First Question for The Forum:

What metal are the headers made out of?

I'm really hoping they're made out of plain old steel (he can't weld stainless) so the shop can help me out! Really would like to cut the headers open this evening, and need to call the shop back with a confirmation of what type of metal I'd need welding done on. So a prompt answer to this question would be much appreciated!

 

[Lugnut91]

Not sure. Try sticking a magnet to it. Most ss isn't magnetic

 

[Schooley]

Or, you can buy an 09-current header and decat it yourself. Thats what I did for my 07. It bolts right up no modifications needed.

You will have to run an exhaust from an 09-current though.





^video

 

[N20zuki]

Alright, so the tutorial above will be a work in progress. so far I've taken the headers off the bike, and swung by a local automotive shop I'm a regular customer at to see if they could do some welding for me / the costs involved. The auto body shop only has a MIG welder, and the gentleman who would be doing the welding for me said that he is unable to weld aluminum or stainless steel with the equipment he has at the shop. So...

First Question for The Forum:

What metal are the headers made out of?

I'm really hoping they're made out of plain old steel (he can't weld stainless) so the shop can help me out! Really would like to cut the headers open this evening, and need to call the shop back with a confirmation of what type of metal I'd need welding done on. So a prompt answer to this question would be much appreciated!

Either stainless or titanium... those are the only options used on modern sport bikes headers.

 

[Snowdaysrule1]

Not sure. Try sticking a magnet to it. Most ss isn't magnetic

Great suggestion! I just did the test with a big neodymium magnet I have, and it stuck pretty much everywhere! So now I can assume it's steel, and my shop can weld it!

Or, you can buy an 09-current header and decat it yourself. Thats what I did for my 07. It bolts right up no modifications needed. You will have to run an exhaust from an 09-current though.

And good to know, I will keep this in mind!

##################################################

So I just called the shop and let them know that it was made of steel, and one of the employees said he would do it, as a side job, for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. In my mind, I really was looking to pay only 20-30 bucks; but I figured it would most likely cost more than that though, just not $100! Like it's just a tiny weld, how long can it take?

What do you guys think about this price quote for the job? Fair, or a rip-off?? Here is what the guy would be welding for me:

 

[Sandman]

* header

Singular.
One.

 

[Schooley]

Great suggestion! I just did the test with a big neodymium magnet I have, and it stuck pretty much everywhere! So now I can assume it's steel, and my shop can weld it!



And good to know, I will keep this in mind!

##################################################

So I just called the shop and let them know that it was made of steel, and one of the employees said he would do it, as a side job, for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. In my mind, I really was looking to pay only 20-30 bucks; but I figured it would most likely cost more than that though, just not $100! Like it's just a tiny weld, how long can it take?

What do you guys think about this price quote for the job? Fair, or a rip-off?? Here is what the guy would be welding for me:

Good welders can make 25-35 bux an hour. Add in all the material plus the fact that he knows how to weld and you dont, I would call it a decent price.

 

[CKwik240]

Are you having him weld those two parts together? If so, you really should jig up any mounting sections as its going to be hard to get it right. Even better if you can bring the bike in and mount the header and the lower section so they line up with the mounting points on the bike. I forsee you struggling to get it to line up unless there is a lot of slop in the mounting hardware or you are okay with slotting/drilling out mounting holes. If the muffler needs to be in a specific location, misalignments here can make it worse as well.

If you can't bring the bike in or create a jig, I would have them tack weld it first so you can take it home to test fit it. If it fits, he can weld the full seam, but if not, he cuts the weld makes and adjustment and you try it again. Make sure it fits tack welded together before he fully welds the seam.

 

[N20zuki]

Don't get too excited.... stainless is magnetic too