Replace a silencer

Ten steps to losing weight and improving performance

1

Style, the law and what’s in the box?

Before you fit an aftermarket exhaust, you need to consider your type and style choices carefully and also make sure that it is legal for road use. Before you start removing anything from your bike, check the list of parts supplied against what’s in the box, making sure it is all there before you even consider picking up a spanner.

2

Read, read again and then lift

Although your can, link pipe and mounting bracket may at first glance look straightforward to fit, you should always check the procedure in the manufacturer’s fitting instructions – which may be in the box or listed on the firm’s website. When you’re confident in the process, put the bike on a paddock stand, ensuring it’s secure on a level surface.

3

Getting easy access to the area

Gain access to the exhaust mounting bolts by removing any ancillary parts and bodywork, storing them securely for later use. On bikes with side-mounted exhausts, like this Kawasaki ZX-10R, there is no need to remove additional parts to gain access, however other bikes will potentially need footrests and lower cowlings removing.

4

Unclamp, wiggle and be patient

Undo the clamp that secures the link pipe to the main exhaust. Because of its location it’s likely that there will be corrosion or rust around the clamp. Give it a squirt of penetrating spray before you attempt to loosen it. If it is tricky at first, don’t be aggressive; work the bolt backwards and forwards in small increments, adding additional penetrating fluid as required.