So I've got a set of Steve's (BBB Fabrication) link pipes for my carbed 750. Had them ages, but as its a slow project, I've only now acquired the cans for it. It was only when I went to offer the cans up that I noticed the link pipes don't look right. They look way too long and possibly at the wrong angle too. As you can see in the photo, there's no way the cans can line up to the hangers etc. Sure enough, they're miles out. I know there's gonna be bugger all clearance to the swinging arm, and I'm pretty sure the headers are fitted correctly - although no doubt there's scope for a few mm either way if I loosen it all off again. They don't look the same as pics I've seen on here with them (e.g Arquebus' bike - I think that's what you have, AL?). Anyone else had this issue? Bright ideas welcome before I contact Steve (or try to!). MICK..
Mine are 750 SS IE Laser link pipes and cans............the link pipes are fixed / welded to the cans. You can see them in the topic about the rear shock currently running. My cans are 400mm long.....
Yeah, that's one of the pics I was using for reference, AL. Didn't realise yours were Lasers though. I didn't think he did pipes for the ie, but I'm probably wrong. Be good to hear from anyone who had Steve's pipes fitted to a carby. Certainly, they don't look like the pic on his website. Mick..
Could be that - the right amount of tubing, but not bent enough leading to too much overall length? Also wondered if the first section (from header joint to first upward bend) is just too long. Someone on here must have them and either had same issue or had no bother, surely... I'll need to contact Steve and see what he reckons... Mick..
looking at the piccy in post 4 your link pipes in post 1 look like they sit about an inch further back looking where the top bend is in relation to the footrest hanger bolts on the frame but could be optical illusion between 2 pictures
Try cutting 25mm or more off the link pipes or at least stick a can on them and then try rotating things around to see if things improve.....it took me ages to sort mine and I didn't have the luxury of separate link pipes.
Had a can on - nowhere near. There's some wriggle room, but nut close to enough. They're sold for the carbed SS specific so I don't reckon I should have to be chopping them up. I've e-mailed and PM'ed Steve, so let's see.. Mick..
I've got a pair of steve's link pipes he did say when I bought them he leaves them over length so you can alter them to what ever length you want, on the stock pipes the can starts right on the bend and is welded on which is what I plan to do. Will try and put up a pic later if it helps.
When I made my hangers, I took all the relevant dimensions from the frame and the cans and then I made cardboard templates to start off with and fiddled around with two versions checking that the pipes and cans sat correctly. I then produced Cad drawings of the templates and decided to use 3mm thick stainless steel for production (the card templates were 2.5mm thick). Having imported the cad details into a laser cutter (CNC machine) the development flat hangers were produced, all of which allowed for bending (However, I had increased the thickness to 4mm) These were then stuck into a bending press and the appropriate angles were formed. I was expecting to have to do some minor tweaks, but on fitting them, things were way out.........simply because of that extra 1mm thickness.........It meant one part of the hangers (the smaller piece that bolted to the cans) had to be bent more........... Imagine trying to bend such a small piece of 4mm stainless accurately..........It took a few clumps with a sledgehammer while the parts were held in a very large vice. So I reckon if Steve has allowed enough for cutting down the link pipes, that's where to start..........if you look at all the pics in this thread, the top bend appears to be just in front of the front hanger mounting bolt on the frame, but I do think the top bend of the pipe in the OP's pic seems too much as the angle is obviously out somehow.........rotating the pipe inwards will raise the top of the pipe, but it then makes the angle worse.
I'm sure the headers on a 750 are narrower than a 900 which have a fatter can this would make a big difference to the angle, I will have a measure up later.
These are my link pipes next to a stock superlight one. As I thought the 750 headers on mine are about 40mm narrower where the link pipes join than a 900.
Cheers Rhubarb, that's really helpful. Mine are pretty much the same dimensions (pics below just for completeness). So maybe, as you say, they are supposed to be cut to fit - would have been handy of yer man had mentioned this when I bought them, like. Couple of photos below to show how far out they are with 400mm cans on: Bit of a PITA, really. MICK..
It seems to me that even if Mick cuts his link pipes down, the can outlets will still be sticking out past the number plate........ If you look at my hangers, you can see that the lower part is quite a way back to fit the cans.........maybe an extra plate on the hanger will do the job.
I reckon I could get about 2" - maybe a tad more - off the end of the link pipe and the equivalent movement forwards of the can. It'll stick out a wee bit then, but might look OK. I'm not sure whether that will a) bring it high enough to meet the hanger or b) as AL suggests, far enough to put the hanger far enough up the can's length to give it any stability. What's most irritating - and I'm sorry if I'm labouring the point a bit - is that these pipes and hangers are sold as for this bike specifically, and no mention if having to cut pipes, make extra brackets and wotnot. I've tried email, PM and phone and haven't been able to raise Steve (as other members on here have experienced recently). Shame. MICK..
Looks as though you could lose about 25mm from the lower end of the link pipes to help the situation. BTW....The pic below shows how close my link pipes are to the swingarm........(The fact that I have since changed the swingarm and the can sleeves, it didn't make any difference)........ ......the previous owners' set-up allowed the cans to hit the swingarm, so when I made my hangers, I started by working from the swingarm clearance first.
Yes, I think some off either end is the starting point. I have less clearance than that to my swinging arm AL. At least without endless fiddling with the angles, I do. Anyway, next task is some cutting. I'll post the results but could be a while... MICK..
