Triumphrat

biker7 · 02-14-2009, 12:53 PM

I am taking my new '09 Bonny apart before I even ride it being true to my motorhead madness...to remove reflectors, adjust the handlebars down...remove seat strap...you guys get the picture.

Close to top of my list is a bafflectomy of course to make it sound like a motorcycle. I likely would have ridden the bike by now but old man Winter is hanging tough for a while longer...will likely be early March when I make my maiden ride.
Removing the silencers, I noticed the factory applied what appears to be clear silicone between header and silencer pipe. Please see pics below.
Is there anything special about this sealant, i.e. does it have a higher melting point than traditional silicone? Is it clear RTV? Anybody know for sure? I want to keep the muffler and header flanges from getting too cozy and don't want any backfiring due to lean post combustion burn.
Thanks,
George

dkreidel · 02-14-2009, 12:58 PM

Hi George;

I researched this when installing my Togas, and found that Triumphs OEM clear silicone is not the hi-temp, or sensor friendly variety. I have been using Permatex hi-temp gray silcone that is almost invisible if any weeps out during cure. I used clear (non-hi temp) silicone on my Montana based bike and it seems to be fine too.

I'm sure any quality RTV will be okay. By the way, gasoline works well to clean up the OEM silicone residue on the headers before re-installing the mufflers.

Dick

biker7 · 02-14-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkreidel

Hi George;

I researched this when installing my Togas, and found that Triumphs OEM clear silicone is not the hi-temp, or sensor friendly variety. I have been using Permatex hi-temp gray silcone that is almost invisible if any weeps out during cure. I used clear (non-hi temp) silicone on my Montana based bike and it seems to be fine too.

I'm sure any quality RTV will be okay. By the way, gasoline works well to clean up the OEM silicone residue on the headers before re-installing the mufflers.

Dick

Thank you Dick for the advice. I believe I have some sensor safe gray RTV around I can use. I forgot about the sensor safe issue btw and glad you mentioned it even though you stated that Triumph doesn't use a sensor safe sealant per se. Perhaps being down stream of combustion there would be no contamination of O2 or Map sensors indigenous to the new EFI bikes.
I love this forum and thanks again,
George

mikeinva · 02-14-2009, 03:14 PM

make sure its high temp to not all of it is

biker7 · 02-14-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeinva

make sure its high temp to not all of it is

Thanks Mike...will look into it.
George

Calliway · 02-14-2009, 03:33 PM

Doesn't have to be sensor safe, its downstream of the 02 sensors.

I use muffler cement and not silicone. Did them once and they have never leaked. You can't even tell that there is any on there as the cement doesn't fully cure until its warm.

Oh and your next project should be to pull off that black valve cover as it doesn't match the bike as well as my chrome one will - lol.

PAAS · 02-14-2009, 04:55 PM

The Triumph workshop manual states - "Apply 4cc of clear silicone sealer to each silencer at the joints with the header pipes. Spread the sealer evenly around the joints."

I.e. it does not state it needs to be high temperature silicone. I've used a standard clear silicone sealer from Loctite a number of times without problems - the joint is far enough away from the heat source to not require high temp silicone. In fact, I believe cheap bathroom sealant would be fine if you've got any clear lying around.

biker7 · 02-14-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calliway

Doesn't have to be sensor safe, its downstream of the 02 sensors.

I use muffler cement and not silicone. Did them once and they have never leaked. You can't even tell that there is any on there as the cement doesn't fully cure until its warm.

Oh and your next project should be to pull off that black valve cover as it doesn't match the bike as well as my chrome one will - lol.

It is on my list.

Btw Cal, have you found a gas tank removal DIY in the archives? I see the rear tank connection quite clearly with the seat removed but nosing around the front of the tank, it isn't clear to me how the front of the tank is secured to the frame. Is it tongue in groove interference holding the front of the tank in place? I don't see any fasteners up front.
Thanks,
George

biker7 · 02-14-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAAS

The Triumph workshop manual states - "Apply 4cc of clear silicone sealer to each silencer at the joints with the header pipes. Spread the sealer evenly around the joints."

I.e. it does not state it needs to be high temperature silicone. I've used a standard clear silicone sealer from Loctite a number of times without problems - the joint is far enough away from the heat source to not require high temp silicone. In fact, I believe cheap bathroom sealant would be fine if you've got any clear lying around.

Thank you PAAS. I thought the interface between rear of header pipe and muffler maybe away from combustion enough to live with the std. melting point of generic silicone. What you write reflects Dick's comments. Thanks for the affirmation as I wasn't sure.
George

rodburner · 02-14-2009, 06:03 PM

[QUOTE=biker7;1201259 the front of the tank is secured to the frame. Is it tongue in groove interference holding the front of the tank in place? I don't see any fasteners up front.
Thanks,
George[/QUOTE]

There are 2 little mounts under the tank that capture rubber covered studs on the frame.Make sure you get the studs into the mounts and not riding on top of them. Tank will still be secure but look too high in front.