What's in my cans ?

[Alvarez5044]

During some recent on going maintenance I had both exhausts off the bike. When I tilted them all around taking a good look at them I heard (stuff) rolling around inside nothing would come out. I realize she's and older supermodel '91 w/ 136,000+ on the clock but could this cause any restriction or general issues with her. I presuming it to be baffling or ?
Any thoughts/opinions are welcome

 

[Mark]

Rust scales or was it the sound of marbles?

 

[Blrfl]

The innards do deteriorate over time, and it could be bits of rust as other Mark suggested or chunks of carbon that have built up and fallen off. Whatever's in there will be difficult to get out, because mufflers are a maze on the inside.

I was going to guess that your muffler bearings need replacement, but that's probably not any help.

--Mark

 

[Alvarez5044]

Rust scales or was it the sound of marbles?

Hmmm. I'm thinking rust scales but let's say it sounds like marbles, then what? baffles?

 

[Mark]

I was thinking you might have some *friend* who actually put marbles in them!
DOH!

If caused by rust scales you might be able to dissolve them with a weak acid (ever see a rusty nail in a can of cola (Coca Cola))?

If caused by something larger cutting them open and then re-welding them?

Both would be expensive choices IMHO.

What damage would be done by ignoring the noise?

 

[Alvarez5044]

I was thinking you might have some *friend* who actually put marbles in them!
DOH!

If caused by rust scales you might be able to dissolve them with a weak acid (ever see a rusty nail in a can of cola (Coca Cola))?

If caused by something larger cutting them open and then re-welding them?

Both would be expensive choices IMHO.

What damage would be done by ignoring the noise?

You got me with the marbles : I only noticed the sound when I tilted them up and down while they we're off. All is good back on the bike.

 

[Mark]

I only noticed the sound when I tilted them up and down while they we're off.

Note to self: Do not shake or tilt exhaust if/when they have been removed from the bike.

 

[ST1100Y]

...could this cause any restriction or general issues with her.

Quite the opposite...
When the baffling rotted out the cans of my '92 ST1100, the exhaust noise grew noticeable... drove me nuts, installed new ones to get the genuine low sound back...

 

[Coop]

I was going to guess that your muffler bearings need replacement, but that's probably not any help.

--Mark

I replaced my muffler bearings with tapered racing bearings and my bike is faster as well as quieter. If you want a part number let me know.

 

[Alvarez5044]

Quite the opposite...
When the baffling rotted out the cans of my '92 ST1100, the exhaust noise grew noticeable... drove me nuts, installed new ones to get the genuine low sound back...

no doubt the exhaust noise is louder than the videos I've watched (all I have to compare it to) actually sounds a little throaty. Not nearly what my pro circuit pipe sounds like on the ole KLR650 i've got but still I think it should purr not rumble a bit.