Used Bike Guide - Issue No.

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On the Bench

Fitting a slip-on can

Story: Iggy Pics: Iggy

On The Bench

Fitting a replacement or aftermarket can is one of the simplest jobs you can do on a bike and can instantly transform the looks and increase the power of your bike too.

There are plenty of aftermarket exhaust systems and cans to choose from but I’m an advocate of ‘Buy British’ so Motad, Quill, MTC and Scorpion are a few names that instantly spring to mind. As the factory is just down the road from where I live I nipped in to Scorpion Exhausts to have a can fitted to a brand new 650 Bandit.

A new bike is always going to be easier to work on because it’s not been subjected to our dodgy weather, road salt and muck. If you’re working on an older bike it may be necessary to spray rusty exhaust clamps and joints with WD40 or something similar just to help ease things when you undo them. In any case it shouldn’t take longer than half an hour to fit a slip-on can, especially if you follow the instructions in the box. The hardest part is sussing out the various clamps and bolts.
 

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Step 1

Winter Warmers Start by undoing the clamp attached to the pillion hanger and then the clamp near to the footpeg (obviously some bikes will be slightly different).

Step 2

Winter WarmersWith these loosened you can work the old can free, it’s usually easiest to gently twist it as you pull. The standard exhaust is big, ugly and weighs a ton so don’t drop it on your toe when you remove it!

Step 3

Winter WarmersWith the can removed it’s worth giving the downpipes a good clean or it’ll look a mess once your shiny new stainless exhaust is on in a few minutes.

Step 4

Winter WarmersThe Scorpion system is road legal so you won’t have any problems on track days or at MoT time. It comes with all the necessary brackets, clamps and fixings and is available in different finishes including carbon and titanium, you can also choose between oval and round cans. The stainless silencer costs around £189 and comes with a full warranty.

Step 5

Winter WarmersUsing the supplied clamp, simply slip the pipe onto your existing down pipe, then slip the end can into position. If you find it a tight fit another spray of WD40 will help things.

Step 6

Winter WarmersIt’s best to get the carbon strap into place and the rear bolt through the hole before tightening anything up, just to make sure it all lines up properly and the exhaust won’t be strained.

Step 7

Winter WarmersWhen you’re happy that everything is fitted correctly simply tighten the bolts and fire the bike up to check for any leaks etc. If you’ve put the clamps in the right place everything should be fine.

Step 8

Winter WarmersI think you’ll agree the new can looks a tad better than the standard item; it’ll also save you a few kilos of all important weight and sounds much nicer without being loud enough to attract unwanted attention.

Step 9

Winter WarmersWe ran the Bandit on Scorpion’s Dyno where it made 75.2bhp as opposed to 72.8bhp with the original can on. Not a bad improvement for 20 minutes’ work. There’s no need to use a Power Commander or re-jet a bike when you fit a Scorpion, it’s simply bolt on and ride away.

thanks to

www.scorpion-exhausts.com for help with this feature
 

Do you have a biking related problem that no one else has an answer for?

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