Mikeys 73

[Mikey]

I didn't think I was going to have many questions specific to this 73
Well... It's probably not the bike so much as me
What has anyone used in the past to repair stripped threads going from the header pipe to the muffler
I bought a set of small files thinking I could just clean up the threads and be good to go but the coupling will just go on and off with no resistance
I bought a couple of OEM clamps for the header side of that coupler so that should stop it from coming apart
As in the muffler and the header pipe are stationary the clamp would just stop the coupling from moving ( I also have new gaskets on hand for each side for that coupling
I was thinking of getting some graphite thread to wrap around the male threads
I've used it before repairing packing glands on valves and such and it should fill the gap

 

[Jim]

What has anyone used in the past to repair stripped threads going from the header pipe to the muffler
I bought a set of small files thinking I could just clean up the threads and be good to go but the coupling will just go on and off with no resistance

Indispensable for working on these old bikes. Link.
Of course, won't help much if the threads are stripped past holding. Still a good investment though.

 

[5twins]

The threads look like they're coated with carbon. I think I'd wire wheel them very clean, as clean as I could get them, then liberally coat them and the inside of the coupler nut with anti-seize. Work the nut on and off until it spins on smoothly.

 

[Mikey]

Indispensable for working on these old bikes. Link.
Of course, won't help much if the threads are stripped past holding. Still a good investment though.


View attachment 207945

I have one of those 2

 

[Mikey]

The threads look like they're coated with carbon. I think I'd wire wheel them very clean, as clean as I could get them, then liberally coat them and the inside of the coupler nut with anti-seize. Work the nut on and off until it spins on smoothly.

the threads are worn down enough that you can just slied the coupling on and off so there's no threading to be had

 

[gggGary]

wonder if a muffler pipe expander would bulge it enough to get it back to threading?
I'm thinking if it slides on and off any sort of packing isn't going to hold much.

 

[GLJ]

Mike
I think I would buy a couple of new nuts and see if they bite better into the threads. I think Mikes has the nuts.

 

[Mikey]

wonder if a muffler pipe expander would bulge it enough to get it back to threading?
I'm thinking if it slides on and off any sort of packing isn't going to hold much.

Or could I just take it to a muffler shop and have him put a little squeeze on it to get the threads to take

 

[Mikey]

Mike
I think I would buy a couple of new nuts and see if they bite better into the threads. I think Mikes has the nuts.

I have may have to go that route if repairing it won't do it
I just don't want to goober it up with like something like high temp caulking

 

[GLJ]

Try new nuts first. They are not horribly expensive. If they don't help then think about drastic measures.

 

[Mikey]

Try new nuts first. They are not horribly expensive. If they don't help then think about drastic measures.
View attachment 207947

What !
Drastic measures ?
No I'm the worry about it overthink it kinda guy

 

[Mikey]

they had to have been running loose a long time to take out that much thread

 

[Mikey]

wonder if a muffler pipe expander would bulge it enough to get it back to threading?
I'm thinking if it slides on and off any sort of packing isn't going to hold much.

I see what your getting at expand the muffler end

 

[Mikey]

I may take it to a friend Roger the muffler man as he's only a few blocks from here
I know he's going to say what do you want to weld the fuc***g thing or what but it's all he does is exhaust work so maybe >>>

 

[gggGary]

The nut is the more easily replaced (cheaper part) so if he can shrink that....
one way to shrink it is run a bead around it.
But you could just let Bill deal with all this...

 

[Mikey]

I had to check if he was logged in first


Bill

 

[Mikey]

Went to the muffler shop today and of course Roger wanted to weld the 2 together but
After us 2 old farts did a little brainstorming
We came up with the idea of using high temp chimney caulking
The stuff is rated to 1382 F
I also found 2 OEM clamps with brackets that will stop the nut from moving
I will use the OEM like gaskets inside the nut to seal it like original and use the caulking to fill the gaps of the worn threads
At least the repair will reversable and for $6.00 from the home center it's worth a try

 

[Mikey]

I know this gas cap is not from a 73 but I needed to rebuild it any way cause if I would tip it upside down it would leak
It might be off a 74/75 looks like it
Anyway I rebuilt it just like I did on my 75
Do the rebuild parts look correct
Last diagram is of a 73
Thanks!!

 

[willis]

Mikey, here is my adventure in rebuilding my 75 cap. Follow it to the end though, as I made some mistakes along the way.

https://www.xs650.com/threads/correct-gas-cap-gaskets-needed-for-1973-tx650.54076/page-2#post-635052

 

[gggGary]

That looks like the correct 73 cap, they were the same 73 to 75