600 Mile Maintenance - Found some scars

[FightinTxAg]

I've had my bike about 3 weeks. About 1 week into ownership, I'm riding home from work on I35 about 7:30pm (dark this time of year). As I'm merging I hear a loud, high-pitched *PING* and the bike shakes a little. Slowed down some (as much as I dared while riding on a crowded post-rush-hour highway) made sure the bike still felt stable and nothing in the steering, suspension, or tires seemed out of whack. I got home certain I had run something over. So I went over the bike paying very close attention to the wheels and tires, but found nothing.

Today I did my 600 mile maintenance (all except TBS - need balancing tool). Go to change the oil and I find the very bottom of the left lower fairing has a long scratch leading to a deep gouge - nearly a hole completely through the plastic. A little heartbroken, but glad it's inconspicuous enough that with the dirt and the lowness, I hadn't noticed it until now.

Then I realized the oil pan appears to have a little shield cast into it to protect the drain plug from such flying debris. That cast tang had been bent and deformed and was touching the drain plug such that I couldn't get a socket on the plug. So I tried an open end wrench. The wrench and about 75% of the cast feature both broke at the same time. So then I was able to get a socket on it and proceed.

Here's a pic of what I'm left with. You can see the long scratch and then the deep gouge. You can also see how a good deal of the cast feature that shields the drain plug is now gone. Finally you can see a pretty good sized dent in the header pipe. There's also a slight dent/deformation in the 2-1 collector.

My question is:

a.) Is the dented header pipe something to worry about? Will the dent restrict flow enough to cause that cylinder to run different/out of tune/out of balance?

b.) Is this worth involving insurance? If I made a claim would fixing the exhaust, the fairing, and the oil pan exceed a $500 deductible? Then there's the premium implications. It would of course be unethical to lower my deductible and then make a claim on this damage months down the line <ahem>.

If the answer to both of the above are no, I'll probably just ride on. It's not in an easy place to see.

 

[Ignacio]

I think I remember somebody I believe saying that a dented header to this level probably isn't a big impact on performance.

A new header alone is probably in the $600+ range....so it might be an option with a deductible combined with the plastic and what an insurance company would do with a lost oil tang.....which seems like a required piece of equipment for future rock hits.

 

[The Professor]

That really bites that your bike got dinged so soon after getting it! As for your questions...

a. The dent in the exhaust will have negligible effects on performance.

b. Don't lower your deductible and make a claim later. This will give your insurance company an opportunity to claim fraud and not pay at all! But don't just go and file a claim without first getting an estimate from your dealer on the cost to repair it. If the flange protecting the oil drain plug is missing, the only way to repair it might be to replace the whole piece. That will probably be very expensive.

Bottom line: Don't defraud your insurance company, but don't make a claim until you have all of the facts. That way you can make sure you get everything coming to you.

 

[HaulinAshe]

If you have access to someone that does custom or race exhaust systems, they can heat the header pipe and apply air pressure to remove almost all of the dent. A dent of that size will typically cost you about 1-2% of power on that cylinder.

 

[V GER]

What's all the white stuff?

 

[E1Allen]

Last time I checked you can choose replacement parts. Like the header, you might be able to choose an aftermarket one to replace the stock one, you just pay the difference if it is more. Stuff is expensive though, it might be less.

 

[skyway]

What's all the white stuff?

Its either playa dust or dried tears?

A claim for the damage shown will far exceed your deductible. As far as the broken tab goes you might want to head to a hardware store and see if you can find some sort of a cup style washer to help protect the now vulnerable oil drain plug.

If you were close by I'd spin something up for you while you wait.

 

[Geezer]

Well, if that bike was from NY I'd say the white stuff was road salt.

 

[FightinTxAg]

Thanks for the help so far.

The white appearing stuff is road sand/salt. We had about 2 days of ice here in January before I got my bike. They go a little crazy with the stuff IMO anytime that happens around here. There's still a ton of it on the roads. I think the camera flash made it look whiter and brighter.

Well, it sounds like this is mostly cosmetic. I guess the decision is whether to just try to put it out of mind or else start getting quotes and consider involving insurance.

 

[V GER]

As far as the broken tab goes you might want to head to a hardware store and see if you can find some sort of a cup style washer to help protect the now vulnerable oil drain plug.
If you were close by I'd spin something up for you while you wait.

COOL!

The SKYWAY "Oil Pan w/integrated Drain Plug Skidplate" is on for a group buy!!!!!!!!!!!!

:dribble: :clapping: :yahoo:

 

[tapsport]

run it, my shield on the plug was broke off when I got the bike 5K miles ago

 

[Fencer]

run it, my shield on the plug was broke off when I got the bike 5K miles ago

+1

A hole blown in the bottom of the engine from a future impact and getting a new motor from the insurance Co with more miles on the bike will make the premium rise easier to swallow B)

Also should you choose to claim now. I think Warchild is working on a GB on the exhaust system.

 

[feejer222]

To repair the header you need a gas welding set. Weld the end of a thick welding rod onto the header smack in the middle of the dent. Grip the other end of the welding rod with a pair of vice grips. Heat the whole dent evenly until red/orange then pull gently on the grips and the dent will come out. When cooled, cut off the welding rod and grind/file the stub away. A dab of heat resistant paint to prevent rust where the rod was welded.

I am pretty certain it will affect that cylinder if left. The pipe is that shape and diameter for a reason. If it were a 2 stroke it would even possibly cause a siezure.

 

[donaldb]

your lucky what ever it was did not flip up and do that to your foot or leg.

I was on I20 between B'ham and Jackson back last October, when a 18 wheeler kicked out a chunk of retread that shot out sideways as I was passing to the inside. It hit my right foot, lucky for me it hit the steel toe and there was only a thud sound and no pain associated, but at 75 mph it could have been ouchful

 

[TheAxeman]

With Warchilds Group Buy for exhaust systems currently in progress, you may be able to pick up a good condition used OEM one from one of the feller's at a reasonable price....although they do look good as wall art in the garage.

 

[FightinTxAg]

With Warchilds Group Buy for exhaust systems currently in progress, you may be able to pick up a good condition used OEM one from one of the feller's at a reasonable price....although they do look good as wall art in the garage.

Yeah, I was considering a used stock header off ebay or something. It sure looks and sounds like a ton of labor to replace the exhaust though. Gotta take off all the plastic and then the radiator?
I'm leaning toward just riding it and trying to put it out of mind. Sucks that it happened so early in ownership, but I plan to keep this thing a long time. I'm sure it's just the first of several badges of character.

your lucky what ever it was did not flip up and do that to your foot or leg.

Tell me about it. There's pretty considerable damage here, and textile pants, leather boots, and my supple flesh wouldn't have held up as well as the aluminum oil pan, steel exhaust, and plastic.