Solo to Sidecar by STD

[Bruin]

Finally warmed up enough for me to sneak into the garage. I put a closer eyeball to the muffler I cut to salvage the megaphone section of it. At first I thought it only had a shower drain baffle in that section. But a closer look and flashlight revealed it was stuffed with an inner pipe and sleeve baffle. So there was no way the flow was going to benefit from the cone shape. I ripped the guts out so now its a hollow megaphone. Next I hope to fashion a reverse cone on the end.

[Kansas Bad Man]

DROP BY SOME TIME

KANSAS BAD MA

[Bruin]

Arrrgh, it's 3 degrees in the garage this morning and I'm itching to mutilate some metal. I guess I can put the time to good use by doing some writing. I'm working on my second book, a novel about a mechanic scrounging to survive in a post apocalyptic world. Think rediscovery of the old west with modern knowledge but only the remnants of technology. Early feedback from my writers group is very positive. Some forum members have mentioned they liked my 1st book, "My Paradise Lost, misadventures to manhood in the Panama Canal Zone" so I'm going to put purchase info in the Landracing For Sale by Private Individual page. Stay warm out there.

[Old Scrambler]

Its below zero in my garage and -17 is predicted ................So I am writing a feasibility analysis for a potential hotel development. To bad I can't write fiction

Another book from Brian may be a good thing.............Your first effort was easy reading and a good story about real life. It has a direct meaning for all of us.................except the part about ending up in Kansas

[Bruin]

Dennis, In 2007-8 I wrote a year long series about preparing the 250 Triumph to run Bonneville for THE HORSE BACKSTREET CHOPPERs magazine. Unfortunately they don't post their articles on-line. I'm currently writing a post apocalyptic novel about a motorcycle mechanic who scavenges machinery to rebuild, and he rides a BSA... and a camel for long distances. It sounds odd but it works. When it is available I'll send up a flare.

[Bruin]

The new BUB supplemental rules kick my Honda 500 off the 5 mile mountain course. I've run 106 mph and they have set a minimum of 125 for that course. I have geared the bike up and use every inch of the 2 mile approach to reach top speed. The 3 mile course will be a freakn drag race for me. I'm going to have size up the rear and shrink the front sprockets... at a loss of top speed thank you very much.

I do understand and champion the need to keep traffic flowing. But sub 125 mph bikes on the 5 mile course is much less a problem than the large chunks of time when no bikes are on the course.

The line for the 3 mile course is going to be epic.

[JimL]

A little late, with this note,  but kudos on your Panama story.  That is an excellent look into a world most Americans never see.  My mother read it cover-to-cover and really enjoyed it (91 years old and reads several books a week).

I wish my boys had experienced a firsthand look at other countries, as so many of our generation did (perhaps without having to become proficient at "nickel and a dime, head space and timing")!

I think that your cone is too steep and short to do you any good.  I have made my own megs, in the past, by gore cutting 2 1/2" exhaust pipe and then slowly bringing it together with a series of hose clamps.  You can tack weld in between the clamps to hold, and then remove the clamps for finish weld.  A "death wheel" or an air hacksaw with broken-off bimetal blades will cut the section out of the pipe.

Calculate the circumference of your small end, mark a centerline, and then mark a cutline on each side of centerline.  Leave the last 1/2" of 2 1/2" tube uncut, so your clamping process starts straight.  Leave enough space between the clamps to work the metal with a rubber mallet.  The clamps will survive mallet contact just fine.

Or...heres how I do it these days for cheap.  Use the 1 5/8" to 3 1/2" and cut off what you need.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search.html?query=Megaphone

JimL

[Bruin]

Thanks Jim and please tell your Mom I tip my hat to her.
Also thanks for the megaphone tip, I'll look into it.

[Koncretekid]

"about a motorcycle mechanic who scavenges machinery to rebuild, and he rides a BSA... and a camel for long distances"

....I resemble that remark!  Just substitute "Toyota" for "camel."
Tom

[JimL]

I forgot to mention; using a slice out of a 2 1/2" exhaust pipe elbow does exactly the same thing as a reverse cone.  Just cut out a piece of elbow, up to 90 degrees worth (or whatever suits your layout) and weld it to the end of the meg cone.

A certain famous motorcycle company discovered that their flat-tracker pipes worked best with a 45 degree slash cut on the end (before the days of mufflers in AMA).  They won a whole bunch of championships.  That little story was published after the fact, when a good writer got curious during an interview of the head of their racing department.

Slash, curve, or reverse cone....they all spread the wave effectiveness a little bit, is what I was told by the fellow who designed and built my exhaust systems.  11 records later, I have no reason to doubt his work.

Regards, JimL

[Bruin]

JimL, a 2 1/2 inch elbow welded onto a cone? Wouldn't the cone have to be tapered down to 2 1/2? thus already reversing the cone? I'm not visualizing it, How's about a sketch or a visual of some kind?

[Bruin]

I've got Tucker's bike off the lift. It is about ready to ride. She wanted to show it at the Race Against Breast Cancer booth she worked during the ABATE bike show.

[Old Scrambler]

Nice looking........couple   The white blanket/sheet is great   and you look a little under-sized for your leathers

[Koncretekid]

Brian and Tucker,
It's great that you have a cause to help support.  I've been trying to figure out a way to do the same, but the idea keeps getting shoved aside.  My living in two places doesn't help, as my racing is in the U.S. but my cause should be Canadian. You keep me reminding me, and I'll think of something.
Tom

[tauruck]

Nice pic Brian.

Way to go.