Clearance issues
 

Hi guys, I had another tweaking session this afternoon to see if I could create any more clearance with the link pipes on my new cans.

I've taken some pics to show what little clearance there is between the link pipe and the swing arm on the right hand side, and the link pipe and the chain on the left hand side.

I've also included pics of the clearance with the original pipes on.

Original link pipe right
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/1991/imagescpv.jpg

MTC link pipe right
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3801/imageoggz.jpg

Original link pipe left
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8201/imagedzc.jpg

MTC link pipe left (touching chain)
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/5245/imagefkc.jpg

MTC right link pipe
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1363/imageshg.jpg

MTC left link pipe (touching chain)
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/6198/imagehfei.jpg

The pictures were taken with the bike on the side stand. When I stand the bike upright, there is slightly more clearance and the chain lifts off the link pipe, however this can't be right surely?

Also, when I put the bike up on the paddock stand the chain rubs on the link pipe when I turned the wheel by hand. My fear with this is that it either cuts through the link pipe or snaps the chain or both.

Another issue is with the hanging brackets. In order to get both cans sitting at the same height, I have to have the brackets at different heights (one side at the top of the adjustment and the other at the bottom).

As I mentioned on someone's post yesterday, when I gave it a run around the block yesterday, the left baffle came flying out and landed on the road, which I only discovered as I pulled back into the estate. Needless to say I have now lost the grub screw that holds the baffle in and have had to use an M4 pan headed bolt as a temp. May have to ask MTC to send me one as the temp bolt is difficult to tighten due to it being a slot head and not enough clearance to tighten properly with a screwdriver.

Anyway, can I have your thoughts please whether you think it will be safe to use the bike with such little clearance or will I have to stick the originals back on.

Sorry for the long post but I really need replies with this please.

What bike you got? X R or Z

Looks like an X swing arm but just to confirm

Had an 06 R few years ago with twin CCC cans and never had my link pipes that close to either chain or swing arm (both vertically or horizontailly) but then again the R has the box section swing arm and not larger cast version.

Only issues with MTC cans or CCC cans (near the same can/link pipe) ive heard is more to do with the cans themselves sitting in too close to the tyre so when compressed it rubed the cans and broke straps.

I would send these to MTC and see what they say

It's an X mate.

*Bump*

Any other thoughts on this please.

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I've got exactly the same problem!!! I've tried adjusting the things to death, but seem to end up with the cans not symmetrical (as viewed directly from behind the bike). Chain only rubs when up on axle stand lubing chain. Right hand side is millimetres from swing arm & link pipe gets VERY hot - a little too close to rear brake line for my liking. Try sitting on bike, with bike upright (hold onto railing/wall), & look at clearances with all your weight on bike. Seems to be much better, although definitely NOT perfect. I think MTC should look at this, possibly re-design the link pipes, & offer us X owners some sort of exchange programme. They're a good outfit at a decent price, so I'm happy to be a guinea pig if it comes to it. I live a little far from their workshop mind!!

MTC are looking into this. Thank you for your input.

Forgot to mention: the indentation in the link pipe I thought was damage caused by courier at first!!! Also, how do you keep your chain soooo shiny?? I use Silkolene chain gel, which seems to lube great & lasts ages, but it spatters all over the link pipe & bakes on. A real PITA to clean off!!!!

I use a silkolene non fling lube. I'll stick a pic on later. Apart from thr just wipe it with a cloth before lubing.

Quick update.

I have emailed MTC this morning asking for some assistance with this and have included all the pictures.

Hopefully they will get back to me with an answer as I cannot use the bike like this. Either the chain will end up cutting through the link pipe or the chain will snap in my opinion. If it means that a link pipe with a more severe bend in it is required then so be it but I need a solution.

Inflamatory content removed by the admin.

We are open to discussion with MTC, but we do not to act the way you suggested. Thank you.

And when you sit on the bike there's even more clearance right?

Does the chain actually rub up against the pipe while moving? Can't imagine the noise...

Have you got dog bone riser doo da's fitted?

No doggy doodahs fitted.

With bike upright and on paddock stands the chain rubs also. This would also end up damaging either chain or link pipe or both.

MTC have replied to my email and have said that they will send rePlacement link pipes to try. Hopefully this will make a difference.

It wasn't funny the first time, and it sure isn't the second time.

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Keep us posted - maybe you can take a picture of new pipes & originals side by side? Would it be too much to ask to actually measure both sets?? I am in a similar position, although not quite as bad. I'm sure its to do with the later model X non-box section swing arm, & MTC may have overlooked the geometry difference...

Not a problem, I'll take some pics when they arrive and measure if Possible.

To be fair MTC replied quickly and have said that it is possible that the pipe bending machine had a bad day that day.

I will keep you posted when they arrive. (hopefully soon as I'm getting withdrawal symptoms).

Thanks for starting this post, as I two have the same problem, on a 61 plate, x model,
Wot I did, was to cut 4 longer spacer, so it pushes out the end pipes a bit, it doesn't look very good but it works,
Good luck with MTC,

Inflamatory content removed by the Admin, we are getting close to a ban. Watch out.

What length are new spacers? Did you need to source longer bolts? How much was total cost???
I hope MTC can sort this out - a good product at a good price. I bet they didn't test it out on the newer, non-box section, X swingarms though..........

Sorry to take so to reply,
My spacers are 40mm long, and the bolts 80mm long,
Cut from steel tubing, I got from work, its the same metal that MTC supply,
The chain no longer rubs know does the right hand side touches the swinging arm, when on the side stand.

I have taken some photo's. But being a bit thick, I can't see a way to do so,

Thanks for info. My pipes aren't too bad, so will leave it for a rainy day. There's a post on this forum somewhere with instructions on photos - its real simple as even I managed it!!
Is anyone from MTC monitoring this thread? Maybe Capt Moto could email them a link? Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy the sound the pipes make, but have yet to dare to remove baffles for fear of being banished from my neighborhood!!!

I have received the new link pipes from MTC yesterday. Will take pics with measurements on Thursday when I'm next off.

Just looking at the pipes I can see obvious differences in where the indents are for the chain and swing arm. As I say I will go into more detail and let you see the difference...fingers crossed.

Good luck,
We are all here in support, .

Just spent the last couple of hours in the garage trying the new link pipes. Let's just say I'm not impressed and on the verge of sticking the originals back on.

I'll post the pics shortly.

Right here we go.

Both sets of link pipes, you can see a slight difference between them.
http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/5770/21010964.jpg

This is the 2 left side link pipes
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6846/45628559.jpg

You can see the indent which has been cut and re-welded to give more clearance to the chain. You can also see very slight markings where the chain has rubbed on the pipe.
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/1774/78322193.jpg

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/4112/93551525.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/4350/25214441.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6880/12224712.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1601/84134982.jpg

This is the 2 right side link pipes
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/12/94135475.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1866/92080216.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5738/78656399.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5630/39743029.jpg

All going well at this point so I fitted them to the bike. On the right hand side, I immediately noticed a big difference with loads of clearance.
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9852/41315504.jpg

However, the left hand side was a different story
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/7752/22328778.jpg

The cut out is a great idea, unfortunately it's been done at the wrong angle and doesn't make much difference.
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9392/28918141.jpg

The next problem is that the end cans now sit at very different heights
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/9284/56058187.jpg

Right side
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1027/76289695.jpg

Left side
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3482/28180601.jpg

So after all that I still cannot use the bike and have almost lost the will to live today.

Also, they told me they would send out quieter DB Killers and the screws since they didn't tighten them properly in the factory resulting in one falling out during the initial road test...They didn't arrive.

I know someone had asked for measurements however I would just say that all the dimensions are the same between both sets of pipes, only the angles may be slightly different and I have no way of measuring that.

Now off to bed in a fecking great huff as I'm up for work in 6 1/2 hours. And having to take the car!!!

Hmmm............ Not great.....
I'm still very surprised you seem to be the only one with such drastic problems with chain clearance. I had similar problems with spacing/symmetry, but after a bit of fiddling with the hangers/spacers, it looks about right. I did, however, need to buy some washers as none were provided...
MTC appear to be trying, but not sure they've cracked the geometry of this yet.
As for better dB killers: I thought the whole point of these pipes was to get a fruitier noise????

Yes they have tried with this set of link pipes which is obvious with the cut out for the chain.
However it would be much more beneficial for everyone if they had the bike there to see where the chain rubs on the pipe in order to mark it for cut outs.
Unfortunately I am much too far away to drop in.
As for the noise, I did want it a bit louder for safety reasons as im fed up with cage drivers changing lane without noticing me. But i also wanted them for cosmetic reasons.

I would love to go, its only a 600Mile round trip, maybe one day, :sleep01:

The only joke I see in this thread is you. Please try to be constructive, keep your inflamatory views to yourself, this is not the ethic of this forum. We are here to help one another with handy suggestions.

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MTC cans fitting
 

For what it's worth I've had MTC cans on my 2009 XTX for about 6 months now.

Had a nightmare fitting them and getting the cans at the same height and sideways position. Had to force them while tightening the straps which is not really doing the front pipes or the integrity of the joint any good. Still not perfect. Yamaha can do it but apparently MTC can't !

In my opinion the bends are not accurate enough on the
link pipes and they need to re visit this. Chain is very close to the link pipe although it doesn't rub.

I imagine I would have been back and forth repeatedly to get these spot on which was not convenient.

I have also lost a DB killer from one side and had no reply from MTC yet on replacement.

They do however look and sound great.

I did also try forcing the end cans into position however as you say, it appears that the angles are just all wrong. Surely more customers must have had problems other than a few of us???

Or is it a case of as long as they attach and the bike runs it'll be fine?

Why don't they just follow the shape of the genuine Yamaha originals?

MTC Exhausts
 

Hi
Thought I'd wade in with our side of this situation. Just over a year ago we purchased our own pipe bender so we could make all our own link pipes and save ourselves a lot of problems.
The machine came with the 2" tooling as that is what 98% of our link pipes are made with however we needed smaller tooling to make the XT pipes and as it was winter time and the tooling cost a few thousand to buy, this would have to wait till the spring.
We borrowed an XT660R from our local yamaha dealer and made a set of link pipes that fitted the bike perfectly. They weren't pretty as they were made up from random pieces of pipe welded together but they were perfect to make a jig around.
We sent the link pipes away to one of our suppliers who had the right size tooling in and asked them to make a jig and supply us with 100 sets of link pipes which they happily obliged.
After we recieved the link pipes back we began to use them for orders which all seemed to be followed by positive feedback, it is only over the past fortnight that we have recieved two complaints of these not fitting the bike. Judging by the photos we were sent we tried to make a quick fix to keep the customers happy and for one of the customers this worked perfectly but for the other there was still a problem.
Since hearing of the problem we have borrowed another bike from our local dealers and we intend to go through every set of link pipes we have in stock to hopefully solve the problem, and if the problem cannot be solved we will cut our losses and scrap the link pipes that were supplied to us and make our own sets.
Rest assured the matter is in hand and we will have this solved as quickly as possible. We have requested our sample link pipes back to find out what went wrong and once this is sorted we will happily exchange any faulty link pipes you may have for new ones.

Regards
Paul
MTC

My appologies for butting in on this one...

Maybe that's the problem? Aren't the clearance issues related to the XTX, and from what I can tell, those with the cast alloy swingarm? Just a minor observation...

Thanks for the reply. I thought I would include the link to this post in my email to give you a better idea of the circumstances.

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I think that comment is a little strong to say the least......
MTC appear to be a small outfit selling an otherwise decent product at a good price. Not only that, Paul at MTC has personally posted on this forum to try to resolve the issue & stand by his product. Can you imagine the boss of Micro$oft doing similar for the multiple bugs in Window$??
I would ask Paul at MTC to exchange my link pipes, should a general geometry problem be found (which seems likely), as they are too close to the chain/swingarm for comfort.....

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I'd just like to say that I did not start this thread to publicly critisise MTC, I was merely posting on the forum to highlight my problem and looking for advice in case any member had a similar issue or I was doing something wrong when fitting.
I did contact MTC by email and they were good enough to send out replacement link pipes which they had attempted to alter to assist with clearance. Unfortunately as you know these did not solve the issue.
The one thing I would have preferred was if they had told me after my initial contact that it wasn't in fact themselves who had made the link pipes which would have made it more understandable as to why they did not fit.
However as a company I can say that they replied quickly to my emails and attempted to resolve the issue.
I hope this incident does not spoil the relationship between MTC and XT660.com as other members have dealt with them in the past without any problems.

+1 to Grim Reaper.

Call me old fashioned, but using foul language & generally slagging off a company does not resolve anything. I, like millions of others, work in small business, & the vast majority of us have the best intentions.

Inflamatory content removed by the Admin.

Errr.... Its not actually my exhaust, its Grim Reaper's.....

And enough of the mud slinging - I think Grim Reaper wants a decent set of pipes for about half the cost of Akras - just like the rest of us. If MTC sort it out, surely that's a result?