Dent in Exhaust - big deal?

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
559
Location
Atlanta
On my recent trip to Colorado I hit some really big rocks on Tin Cup Pass. First I thought I had bent my brake lever, then I realized the skid plate had taken major abuse and interfered with the pedal, and when I took it off to hammer and bend it back into shape, I noticed a decent dent in what I suspect is the catalytic converter.

Should I be forking over several Ben Franklins to buy a new header or is a dent not a big deal? I don't push the bike much so marginal performance is totally irrelevant. And I will be watching my gas mileage because I am a cheap SoB (which is why I ride this bike in the first place). But could I inflict further damage by riding around with slightly constricted airways, or is there anything else I should know?
 

tuonodave

Member
Joined
May 22, 2015
Messages
42
Location
Brooksville, Florida
A small to medium dent is usually not a big deal especially on either end or in the middle of the converter. However a larger dent ( or smaller for that matter ) located where the ceramic core material is could compromise it's integrity. It may start to break apart causing a rattling sound and an eventually a restriction in performance. Post up a picture of the dent when you get a chance.
 

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
Joined
Nov 17, 2014
Messages
559
Location
Atlanta
I am not too much into aftermarket cans - don’t like the noise.
When I bought my Harley many years ago, the first thing I did was take the Sceaming Eagle pipes off, though the looked better.

Here are two pictures of the dent for anybody who wants to offer an opinion on the potential impact.

Rode 250 Miles today and couldn’t detect any issues.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

pooh and xtine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2014
Messages
288
Location
UK
I’d just ignore it and ride - it’s nothing to worry about. I had a similar dent in one of my exhausts but it made no difference to how the bike ran.
 

twinrider

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2011
Messages
1,882
Location
Yokohama
I am not too much into aftermarket cans - don’t like the noise.
When I bought my Harley many years ago, the first thing I did was take the Sceaming Eagle pipes off, though the looked better.

Here are two pictures of the dent for anybody who wants to offer an opinion on the potential impact.

Rode 250 Miles today and couldn’t detect any issues.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You can swap out the header for an Arrow header and get more ground clearance and a nice increase in performance without increasing the sound level since you'll still have the stock muffler.
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
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Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,489
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Damascus, MD
I am not too much into aftermarket cans - don’t like the noise.
When I bought my Harley many years ago, the first thing I did was take the Sceaming Eagle pipes off, though the looked better.

Here are two pictures of the dent for anybody who wants to offer an opinion on the potential impact.

Rode 250 Miles today and couldn’t detect any issues.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LOL - Reminds me of this oldie:


Not something I'd worry about.
 
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