Now I might be talking bollocks here (it has been known) but when I'm working on the back end of the bike when it's up on the centre stand I use a ratchet strap to tie the centre stand to the front wheel rim to make sure I don't accidentaly push the bike forward off the stand.
Be patient with me, I'm getting to the point.
As mine has a front balance pipe I'm sure it might be possible to do the same thing but this time with the strap from the front wheel to the balance pipe so as to put a decent tension on the exhaust pipes (i.e. both at once) while you belabour them with a hammer.
I can't say for certain if this is possible, it's too cold to go out to the garage to confirm but I'll try that myself next time if it works, I know how tight the buggers can be sometimes. When I have to use a hammer, I use a piece of softish wood some 20 inches long bearing on the inside of the bend of the downpipe and hit that with the hammer rather than hit the pipe itself.
I've just read the bit about the piece of wood back, I'll try and explain it better: I meant put the side of one end of the piece of wood in the bend so that you have its length sticking out sideways from the bike. Hold the other end in one hand and then hit the wood with the hammer as close as you can to the pipe. Remember to put some thing like Optimol on all the joints and the exhaust nut threads before you put them back.
PS If I'm planning to do this job in a day or two I give the joints a good soaking with WD40 or whatever so it has a chance to work and also free the exhaust nuts a few turns if it won't be used till then.
Be patient with me, I'm getting to the point.
As mine has a front balance pipe I'm sure it might be possible to do the same thing but this time with the strap from the front wheel to the balance pipe so as to put a decent tension on the exhaust pipes (i.e. both at once) while you belabour them with a hammer.
I can't say for certain if this is possible, it's too cold to go out to the garage to confirm but I'll try that myself next time if it works, I know how tight the buggers can be sometimes. When I have to use a hammer, I use a piece of softish wood some 20 inches long bearing on the inside of the bend of the downpipe and hit that with the hammer rather than hit the pipe itself.
I've just read the bit about the piece of wood back, I'll try and explain it better: I meant put the side of one end of the piece of wood in the bend so that you have its length sticking out sideways from the bike. Hold the other end in one hand and then hit the wood with the hammer as close as you can to the pipe. Remember to put some thing like Optimol on all the joints and the exhaust nut threads before you put them back.
PS If I'm planning to do this job in a day or two I give the joints a good soaking with WD40 or whatever so it has a chance to work and also free the exhaust nuts a few turns if it won't be used till then.
(no "pun" intended)
