Scooterotica

Went to 'abscond to the pond' today (shame about the weather!) with newly fitted stainless Sterling exhaust on my Li Special. On the way home, I thought Ihad dropped an exhaust nut, as it sounded like it was blowing, on inspection both nuts were good and tight. So I carried on, 1 mile later the exhaust completey sheared off on the u bend!
Although the exhaust was second hand, it appeared to be in almost mint condition, with bearly 300 miles on it.
What is likely to be the cause?
Cheers
Dave

Personally, I wouldn't build an exhaust for a Lambretta out of stainless steel: it is too brittle. It is very easy, with a the convoluted shape of the Lambretta exhaust, to put strain on the structure of the exhaust which then becomes a weak-spot in brittle SS.

Mild steel, gas welded, rubber mounted with spring slip joint at the barrel and bronze welded backets.

:freak: Dave, haven't I warned you off SS exhausts before man? :freak:

Donnie wrote::freak: Dave, haven't I warned you off SS exhausts before man? :freak:

Yes, yes, I know, but it looked, sounded great and gave better performnce on the way to Rutland water

Is it possible to get a mild steel u-bend for a Sterling type exhaust Donnie?

i might have one dave, i'll have a look and let you know

gee wrote:i might have one dave, i'll have a look and let you know

Thanks Gee
did you both get home ok?

Yes mate got home fine (but wet). Bad news is the sterling down pipe was for a vespa but i do have a lammy U-bend but it's 48mm, probably too big but you're welcome to it if it's any good to you.

Im not 100% sure if all the sterling u bends were stainless anyway? I remember they were shiney so either stainless or chromed.

Could it have been the stainless getting hot and the rain cooling it, that caused it to snap? There seems to be an awful lot of stainless exhausts out there, without problems.
Just had a closer look and the main part of the exhaust has split aswell, this might have been caused by the exhaust bouncing up and down on the back of the recovery truck. :baddevil:
I'll post some pics. shortly.

By thatnuttysound at 2011-06-13


By thatnuttysound at 2011-06-13


By thatnuttysound at 2011-06-13