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Cracked Cal 14 Exhaust Parts

I just completed a 3,900km trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town and back.
The left side connection broke off during the last 300km. Currently on 24,000km's - at 13,000km's the right side broke off which was welded, still intact.
What type of metal is used for the exhaust (not chromed bit) and connector pipe, mild steel or stainless steel?
I was thinking to have it brazed if it is mild steel which I understand is stronger than welding of stainless steel.
The welding/brazing option is much more affordable as opposed to importing a complete better quality system - our exchange rate in South Africa is very weak against the USD, Euro or British Pound.
Advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
Hi Chris, please read this thread. You will find most of your answers. Exhaust is low grade stainless. Braze or welding is temporary/futile. The headers will crack and come apart as well.
 
Chris J. Haasbroek said:
I just completed a 3,900km trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town and back.
The left side connection broke off during the last 300km. Currently on 24,000km's - at 13,000km's the right side broke off which was welded, still intact.
What type of metal is used for the exhaust (not chromed bit) and connector pipe, mild steel or stainless steel?
I was thinking to have it brazed if it is mild steel which I understand is stronger than welding of stainless steel.
The welding/brazing option is much more affordable as opposed to importing a complete better quality system - our exchange rate in South Africa is very weak against the USD, Euro or British Pound.
Advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you.
Click to expand...

Chris,

What Todd said...

But, if you can swing it financially with the exchange rates, Todd offers an H-Pipe replacement her in the "Store" that I bought and installed on my California 1400. After the right side weld on the crossover breaking while on a trip I had it welded by the guys at Harper's Moto Guzzi. Later, on the same trip, the left side broke. Welding (or brazing) is a temporary fix as the design of the OEM crossover does not allow for thermal expansion and it will fail again.

Best of luck on whatever solution you choose!
 
Do you have an example of any exhaust system on an internal combustion engine that doesn't
have to deal with 'thermal expansion' ? Next question , how many exhaust systems are not welded ?
Just asking . Peter
 
Moto-Uno said:
Do you have an example of any exhaust system on an internal combustion engine that doesn't
have to deal with 'thermal expansion' ? Next question , how many exhaust systems are not welded ?
Just asking . Peter
Click to expand...
Peter,

1. No, I am sure there is no internal combustion engine that does not have to deal with thermal expansion.

2. Many exhaust systems are welded. However, the ones that do not have a problem with splitting, cracking and breaking due to thermal expansion have at least one point that is designed to flex, thereby keeping stresses from getting high enough to cause a failure in material or weld.

In the case of the OEM exhaust crossover on the California 1400, one side of the crossover pipe slides into the crossover pipe from the other side. The fit is very tight, even when cold. Then, MG placed a clamp on the connection. Maybe to ensure that the pipes could not separate? I don't know why they chose to add a clamp at this juncture since it is not possible to get the pipes separated until you unbolt one of the headers at the cylinder. But, this is how the OEM design is done. The problem with this, relative to thermal expansion, is that the "sliding" pipe joint is held captive (1) by friction as they heat up and (2) by the factory installed clamp. In order for this to all work, something has to flex. The weak point turns out to be where the crossover pipe is welded to the header.
 
Also , the exhaust headers ( and crossover) are mounted to a rubber mounted engine and rigid
mounted mufflers ( at least on my 2018 Eldorado ) ! They do have a chance to flex at the mesh
point however . I'm not sure of the earlier models , but on mine there's an added (welded) bracket
from the header to the crossover , that may be a later fix to prevent this cracking from happening.
Peter
 
Moto-Uno said:
Also , the exhaust headers ( and crossover) are mounted to a rubber mounted engine and rigid mounted mufflers ( at least on my 2018 Eldorado ) !
Click to expand...
The OEM muffler mounts, below the passenger pegs, do in fact have rubber mounts hidden in the cast portion of the hangers.
 
^ That's correct , the thing is they have such an extremely limited amount of movement . Just went out
and attempted to move them about and the alloy foot-peg bracket deflected almost as much as the mufflers.
Peter
 
Thank you for all your valuable responses.

I found this as a possible solution to consider with a shorter flexible insert between crossover stubs from each side?

thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_exhaust_-_flexible_crossover_pipe.html
 
My 2014 California 1400 Custom still has none of these issues. 28000 miles so far. Bought new in 2015. Almost immediately replaced the stock Muffler/cats with the Mistral stainless items they were selling in 2015 (they offer a differently appearing model now). They are a huge amount lighter than stock, as they are basically straight pipes with an included DB killer.. Guess that's why my crossover hasn't cracked...
 
James Chance said:
My 2014 California 1400 Custom still has none of these issues. 28000 miles so far. Bought new in 2015. Almost immediately replaced the stock Muffler/cats with the Mistral stainless items they were selling in 2015 (they offer a differently appearing model now). They are a huge amount lighter than stock, as they are basically straight pipes with an included DB killer.. Guess that's why my crossover hasn't cracked...
Click to expand...
I know I'm probably testing fate by posting this but 85,000kms on my Eldo with original mufflers and no cracking.
 
After 100 years of manufacturing, that is just inexcusable. Chinese parts supplier no doubt. When will people realize that cheap goods are just that, cheap goods. It's a shame really...
 
Well , I know most of the electrics on my 2018 Eldorado are of Chinese manufacture , but are you sure the exhaust
system is also ? Peter
 
Not sure but these types of issues have never happened to any other exhaust ever on another Moto Guzzi motorcycle that I can remember.

The caliber of the components manufactured in Italy has always been excellent.
 
My 2015 California broke the balance pipe at about 30,000 miles while on a weekend ride with mates. In New Zealand I didn't have the option of the H pipe replacement as the exchange rate, postage and taxes put it financially out of the question. After doing some googling on the effect of removing balance pipes I decided to give it a crack. So I cut off the balance pipe, tidied up the holes, made up covers using stainless steel tubing and sealed the covers with exhaust cement. All reversible if the result wasn't any good. The common view seems to be that removing the balance pipe improves bottom end and reduces top end because it is a bit more restrictive. Seat of the pants the bike seems to go just like it did before, although the exhaust sound has changed a bit. A NZD20 fix. If anyone has real data on performance balance pipe vs no balance pipe it would be great to see it.
 

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SONZ said:
My 2015 California broke the balance pipe at about 30,000 miles while on a weekend ride with mates. In New Zealand I didn't have the option of the H pipe replacement as the exchange rate, postage and taxes put it financially out of the question. After doing some googling on the effect of removing balance pipes I decided to give it a crack. So I cut off the balance pipe, tidied up the holes, made up covers using stainless steel tubing and sealed the covers with exhaust cement. All reversible if the result wasn't any good. The common view seems to be that removing the balance pipe improves bottom end and reduces top end because it is a bit more restrictive. Seat of the pants the bike seems to go just like it did before, although the exhaust sound has changed a bit. A NZD20 fix. If anyone has real data on performance balance pipe vs no balance pipe it would be great to see it.
Click to expand...
I have a 2014 Custom. It appears mine has had a similar issue (18000 miles). Was hoping this common problem would skip me. Oh well... Todd's solution is a good one of course, but not something I can afford. Luckily, I have a few friends who can weld locally. We'll figure something out eventually....
 
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