Straight swap can with luggage and centre stand?

[Chris H]

How do folks, I've searched the forum for a while and this has probably been covered numerous times but I can't find a straight answer.

I'd like to replace the stock end can with something a bit more noisy (for want of a better word). But don't want to be bothered with replacing the full system. Ideally just a straight swap, unbolt the stock can and bolt on the new one. I have factory Suzuki metal luggage / rack and a factory centre stand so want to retain these. Any ideas? (oh it's a 2011 650, pre-model upgrade) TIA

[tallpaul]

I think you replace the full system on those bikes. I think Hondaman did a post years back when he gutted the catalyst out of his bike. Not sure if he also modified the end can too, but it is a fully welded assembly. The early wee bikes (pre 2007) could have the old end can cut off and a new can fitted but once catalytic converters were fitted (all 650s 2007 onwards) that option wasn't available. I modified the outlet on my wee (2009 model) to make it loudererer and that was a success right up to the point when the new owner took it for an MOT, but that is another story...

[Chris H]

Ah OK many thanks, I guess that explains why I couldn't find the answer I was looking for.

I've read that compatibility of aftermarket exhausts and the centre stand is an issue? I guess what I'd probably be looking for then is one that is compatible with centre stand, luggage rack and has a removable baffle that I can put back in at MOT time.... help!

[tallpaul]

Try Delkevic or MTC exhausts?. I The GPR system is centre stand compatible too.

[Chris H]

many thanks 

[AlanK]

Chris,
Like you I have the 2011 (pre model change) Vstrom 650 and last month I was considering exactly the same questions as I have a main stand, side pannier rails, top box rack plus an engine bash plate. I contacted Delkevic, explained my concerns and they were extremely helpful. They confirmed that the fitments on my bike should not cause a problem when fitting one of their systems apart from the bashplate. More research and I found another forum member who commented that he had fitted the bash plate without problem. I then went ahead and ordered from Delkevic and received a well packaged box within two days. I have yet to fit it as I am waiting on the weather being slightly warmer before I commit to a session in my garage. I would add that I did not want a noisy system, just something with a deeper and more characterful sound. It has a removeable baffle if you want more noise. Suggest that you have a look at YouTube as there are a few video posts where you can hear the sound of the new exhaust. 

[Chris H]

Many thanks Alan, sorry I missed your post! Have you got this fitted yet?

[Fat Rat]

This is my review of a Delekvic on a 2008 DL650  https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=31226.msg308967#msg308967

This is another Delkevic on my 2016 DL650 https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=35154.0

I also have a GPR on my Africa Twin and the finish is coming off after a year 

[AlanK]

Chris
I have not yet got around to fitting it yet due to other competing domestic
 tasks but will be doing it when I return from my holidays in three weeks. Fat Rat's excellent post will be my fitting guide but I am not expecting any problems. I soaked all nuts etc in WD40 for a couple of weeks and they all have now been loosened to await me starting the job.
The boxed kit does indeed look to be a well made system but time will tell.
Alan

[harmony]

Fuel exhausts are also top.  Perfect fit on mine.

[Chris H]

Good info here thanks. I've just ordered the same exhaust. Out of interest, did yours stop blowing / leaking over time?

[Fat Rat]

Uncharachteristically, I sold the bike 

[Chris H]

Hello folks.

Right I spent several hours swearing at my bike getting the old exhaust off and quite a few more swearing at getting the new Delkevic exhaust on.

My main issue was getting it in with the centre stand and the factory bash guard. I realised after trial and error that I needed to do it on the side stand to give clearance for the centre stand (in a half up position) and remove one of the engine mount bolts (behind the rear brake lever) to release the bash plate support bracket. I thought I'd be able to bend the bash plate support down and out of the way just enough to get the old exhaust out and new one in, then bend it back again after. But the new exhaust link pipes are much lower than the original, so I ended up having to remove the side stand to get the bash plate bracket off. 

Anyway, long story short. What I need is to extend this bracket somehow by about 10-15mm each side to drop it lower than the new exhaust and allow me to refit the bash guard.

As you can see, the bracket is now nicely bent to buggery after my hamfisted attempt to get it to bend around the new pipes. Any ideas anyone?

[AlanK]

Hi Chris,
Eventually decided to get on with my Delkevic replacement last weekend and went thro' exactly the same issues as you encountered. After several hours I wished I had not started the job but by then I had sawed through the front pipe as I could not separate it at the downpipe ( the clamp had two spot welds I later discovered! With some assistance I eventually got the new system fitted and I do like the sound from the new system. Like you found, the rear bash plate mount no longer fitted and is currently sitting in my garage floor awaiting modification. I will need to expand some of the cut areas on the bash plate to allow the lower sitting pipes to not hit the bash plate plus I will modify the rear mounting bracket.
I thought this was going to be a simple job...…..!!! Alan

[Chris H]

Quote removed

Haha, yeh I started it thinking it was a 2 hour job max, 5 hours later I was still swearing at it. I'm going to try attaching the side stand side of the bracket and then use a small extension bracket to drop the other side enough, it means the back of the bash guard will sit squint but I don't think it will be noticeable (will see once I've done it).

I know it means the bash guard bracket will be a lot weaker, but to be honest I don't really need it to act as a bash guard, more as a crud flap to protect the engine a little.

[AlanK]

Hi Chris,The bash plate is more of a cosmetic accessory as far as I am concerned as I will not be taking it off road! Like you, I am going to modify the rear bracket plus cut out part of the bash plate so that it will hang higher without hitting the new pipework. After that is done I will need to decide whether to go with modifying the bracket on the near side ( side stand side) by extending the bracket or just chopping the bracket at the  side stand side and relying on the one o/s fitting to secure it - reasonably confident that one mounting point will suffice !

Alan

[Chris H]

So after a bit of wrangling and a botch or two, I managed to get the bash plate refitted. I attached the side stand side of the bracket back in its original position and bent the bracket back up on the RHS to attach to the exhaust fixing point rather than the engine mount bolt as it originally was. Then used one of the longer bolts from the original exhaust to keep one side of the bash dropped a little and level it off. It's actually very solid and the only side effect is the bash is slightly lower at the back.

[AlanK]

Chris
Glad to hear that you sorted it! I ended up doing much the same on the o/s. Ended up making a short bracket and used the original mounting point on that side and all is well (not touching the new system either).
Alan

[hotbulb]

I fitted a Fuel system to my 2014 Glee with no difficulties (other than dropping the old system by mistake and scratching the previously pristine shiny end cap!). I have a centre stand, which caused no problems that I recall, and the SWMotech baseplate fitted straight back on.