Peashooters...pea soup?

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Commando75

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Aug 25, 2008
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OK here is an odd situation. This morning when I started my 75 MK3, water dripped out from the base of my new peashooter mufflers! I must assume this is condensation but this has not happened before. The bike is kept in my garage in central California so a cold night is in the 40's. What gives?
 
Exhaust gas contains water vapour/vapor which will condense on the inside of a cold exhaust system.
 
The reverse cones don't usually suffer too much from condensation as they're not too restrictive. Are they 'standard' type ? Did it have a good run before you parked ?

Could the ethanol content of the fuel be causing more water in the exhaust gasses ?
 
I heard awhile back that coating your exhaust pipes and mufflers(if there bran new) with fresh engine oil is the way to go, I tried it, just short of a hundred miles, it smoked a lot for the first bit but my pipes are not blue yet.
 
ALWAYS run your bike long enough to totally burn off not only the condensation in the pipes, but any moisture inside the engine. You need to get to full temp then run for a good 10 minutes to boil off typical amounts of condensation inside an engine that's been parked a while.

If you just occasionally fire up your bike "to keep the battery charged", you are doing more damage than good. the moisture that is then circulated in the system combines with the byproducts of combustion in the cylinders, and contaminates the oil with the reultant acidic compounds.
 
Bottom line is you have to burn off that moisture.. ( same also applicable to the gearbox ) or it will cause long term problems ~

Short running will allow water residues to accumulate in pipes and or mufflers ~ Rust!!
 
+1

A good-running engine with produce a lot of water vapor. Placing your hand near the exhaust, you should feel moisture in the exhaust gas- even droplets falling out the muffler- and the exhaust smell a little 'sweet'. You want to get the engine hot enough, not only to evaporate any condensation that may have collected in the engine/gearbox/exhaust, but also to keep the vapor created from condensing.

A happy bike is one that is still warm an hour after riding, and the exhaust makes that little 'ting, ting' sound for a few minutes after shut-off. :D
 
Thanks for all the great info! I was guilty of several short engine runs the night before so that clears up the mystery. I am happy to report lots of 'TINK' 'TINK' sounds after my last ride :eek:
 
Commando75, where are you in Central California. We have a Norton ride in the Delta near Sacramento on 10/26 with a cook out and all.
 
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