Exhaust Studs - "pre-emptive" maintenance?

[Oldie]

I have a fairly tidy 1100RT with 35k miles which will hopefully last for a few years yet but the exhaust studs/nuts are
pretty crusty and I was thinking about replacing them now, before they really degenerate. They're not the worst that I've seen but I know that they aint going to improve with age and I just wonder if it's worth the hassle/cost, or just forget about them and face up to the problem if, and when, it becomes one. There will, no doubt, be bigger issues to deal with as the bike ages gracefully, but rusty studs bug me.

 

[Deak]

Leave them alone be would be my advice. The chances are they will shear off and potentially you may have to remove the heads and spark erode the remains out.

Why create work? Replace them when you absolutely need to. If you're worried about the aesthetics, find some stainless caps to cover the nuts.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

I'm all for "pre-emptive" maintenance, and its how I maintain my R1100RT along with its normal regular servicing, I have done the job you describe, fitting new domed nuts and found the studs in good shape, they now get checked yearly and regressed, but beware though, you may get into this job and shear one or more of the studs and have a much bigger job to deal with! ..... could your nearside head gasket be weeping?

 

[Oldie]

..... could your nearside head gasket be weeping?

Yes, I see what you mean. The O/S is nice and clean and also has some nice domed nuts on the studs. Must investigate

 

[Bada bing]

Looks the perfect winter job to me, lots and lots of penetrating fluid over a week or two then deep breath and good quality tight fitting socket......

 

[Andy B]

Exhaust Studs - "pre-emptive" maintenance?

Go on - scratch that itch!

 

[Blackal]

If you do replace them - fit dome-head nuts.

I always preferred Aluminium-based anti-seize on exhaust bolts and flanges (on Diesel engines of all sizes) - as it seemed to stand up to the temperatures better than Copper-based alternatives.

Al

 

[Myke Rocks]

In a lifetime of experience

I'm all for "pre-emptive" maintenance, and its how I maintain my R1100RT along with its normal regular servicing, I have done the job you describe, fitting new domed nuts and found the studs in good shape, they now get checked yearly and regressed, but beware though, you may get into this job and shear one or more of the studs and have a much bigger job to deal with! ..... could your nearside head gasket be weeping?

Pre-emptive maintenance causes more problems than it cures, and one finds that people without knowledge start jobs they are incapable of doing. This is true of all fields, but especially motorcycles.
For me, the motorcycle I possess is something to be ridden, taking my enjoyment from this, not from spending endless hours treating it as a God replacement which needs to be cosseted and polished.
Look round the problems people have with their motorcycles on this site, and you will find a surprisingly high proportion are brought about by pre-emptive maintenance.
Then look again for he ones caused by a lack of pre-emptive maintenance. These will be difficult, if not impossible to find.
Myke

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Pre-emptive maintenance causes more problems than it cures, and one finds that people without knowledge start jobs they are incapable of doing. This is true of all fields, but especially motorcycles.
For me, the motorcycle I possess is something to be ridden, taking my enjoyment from this, not from spending endless hours treating it as a God replacement which needs to be cosseted and polished.
Look round the problems people have with their motorcycles on this site, and you will find a surprisingly high proportion are brought about by pre-emptive maintenance.
Then look again for he ones caused by a lack of pre-emptive maintenance. These will be difficult, if not impossible to find.
Myke

That may be an answer in your opinion but not mine, I have seen plenty of hacks run into the ground by lazy uncaring owners who do zero maintenance & whine on here about unreliability when the thing inevitably breaks down at the worst moment! and there's a difference between "cosseted and polished" and pre-emptive maintenance.

I get most of my enjoyment in riding my bike, in fact I'm of to Europe in a few days all the pre trip checks done of course, I'm confident the bike will get through the trip with no problems as usual in fact due to pre-emptive maintenance and regular servicing I have never had a problem with breakdown's on the road!

I do know what I'm doing with bike maintenance, having spent some part of my life being paid to do it, the rest of my experience comes from 47 years of working / servicing my own bikes with a well equipped workshop, I assume when answering post the poster has a modicum of skills but even so we all started somewhere and I respect people who are prepared to have a go, there's always plenty of help on here if needed!


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[Deleted account 220427001]

well said easyrider , where you going in Europe then

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

The clues in the sig line