SBN Silencer Weld Cracked Again

BritTwit

BritTwit

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
3,933
Country flag
The weld on my right side SBN Dominator silencer bracket has fractured again. This is the second time.
This problem, along with the chain clearance and rubbing problem, damn, can't believe this crap!
This exhaust system has been problematic since day one.

Matt at CNW - Is a new hi performance exhaust system for the 961 planned any time soon?


SBN Silencer Weld Cracked Again


SBN Silencer Weld Cracked Again
 
I can see from your picture the muffler mounting cracked. Is this the same spot again ? Why don't you ask if he will let you trade those in for their new style pipes . Does their upswept pipes use a different x-pipe as well ?
 
Yes,

The weld fracture is at the join between the plate bracket and the silencer skin. Exact same spot.
My last communication with SBN about the weld was not a cordial one.
I had to get my dealer involved, and even then it was difficult to get SBN to repair it.
Eventually they agreed to repair it.
My dealership was sold a year ago to new owner.
Don't know if the new owner will be willing to go 12 rounds with SBN for me.
The system is almost 3 years old now.

I'm thinking about cutting my losses, and trying something new.
Something with better cornering clearance and no chain rubbing issue.

My dilemma is that I like the classic look of the SBN 2-into-1-into-2 system.
I just wish they were fabricated properly.
 
You can take it to a machine shop or welding shop and get that fixed . It won't cost too much . The real problem I have with the SBN system is no under frame mount and that is adding to the stress on those mounting plates. It has to carry the weight of the entire system. Now I would suggest that the repair be made such that the welded bracket be an L or J shape . This so that it carries underneath the muffler as well as along the inside. Best to have the new bracket surround the muffler from the bottom up along the inside . This bracket can also be made thicker say .020 to .030 in. thicker . It should be welded in three places . IT WONT BREAK HERE AGAIN . I wonder how long the new SBN's will last. They could be redesigned , lets ask Dallas Norton. If you would like I can measure the thickness of the Motad plates as a reference. This gives credence to the Italian Zard system , I believe it uses an under frame mount. I have not broken any part of the Motad Short/loud system yet if your wondering .
 
Tony,

When I first say the design of the Dominator bracket with its single linear weld, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
It just looks too fragile and weak to survive the stresses that it will have to deal with.

The J shaped plate welded on three sides to the silencer's sheet metal would be a much more robust bracket.

I had a welder from a custom bike shop who was supposed to cut up my existing SBN system and reshape it to avoid the chain rub.
He does beautiful stainless systems for Harley drag bikes.
But he got too busy and blew me off and told me to call him in the Fall when things slow down.
Maybe I'll call him and see if he can take care of this for me.
 
Hi Ed. Sorry about your weld crack. You been clipping your pipes on those twisties? I had a good scrape once. Don't think it was the cause, buy my clamp on the X pipe broke. Had to replace it of course. My silencers came undone. Good thing for the rear bolts. Hope you get it sorted soon.
 
Ever have a bad thing happen to you and when you tell someone about it they try to make you feel better by saying something ridiculous like " I know just how you feel"? BritTwit, I know just how you feel. When I looked at the pictures of your broken weld on your right hand SBN DT silencer bracket I thought you had stolen the pictures from my phone camera. Then I read the text and found that this was the second broken weld in the same exact place and I had to check to see if I had written the blog and it just slipped my mind. The same EXACT thing happened to mine. When it broke the first time I sent it back for repair to SBN along with my ECU for a remap and ordered the x-pipe. After getting all back and installed, I really enjoyed the bike for about 200 miles and the repaired weld broke in the same place off the silencer. I talked to SBN and Matt and Carlos were very helpful and easy to work with. The problem is I'm not getting to ride that bike. They said that I could get the bracket welded locally and they would help me out with the cost since I had only ridden a couple of times before it let go again. I explained the problem to a local welder, trucked the bike and muffler to him to insure proper alignment of the bracket, and he welded it on a little more secure than it had been previously welded (curling the weld around the top of the bracket on both sides). The cost was $108.00 which I thought was good for custom work, welding stainless, special fitting and instructions. I told the folks at South Bay Norton that because I don't have a nearby dealer, and with them in California and me in Indiana, any compensation in parts or maintenance materials would cost them less and be much more useful for me than paying me any money. Hopefully that will work out good.
I do agree that it would seem the x-pipe should have the additional mount to the bottom of the frame. If I was the engineer it would've been on there, but I'm not an engineer. I hate to say that I got mine welded last week and have so far been to busy to put everything back together. I also have new cush drive bushings to install before it's on the road again. Just need a little time to get it done. Good luck to you.
 
I have the SBN pipes too. Not looking forward to that. But speaking of a crack in the 90 degree bend of the bracket, that's where my chain guard broke. Odd that it had rust being the bike only got rained on once and dried off. Changed to the carbon fiber. Seems more rigid, CF doesn't rust. I guess vibes could crack it, but I'm confident its better than the steel.
 
I have the SBN pipes too. Not looking forward to that. But speaking of a crack in the 90 degree bend of the bracket, that's where my chain guard broke. Odd that it had rust being the bike only got rained on once and dried off. Changed to the carbon fiber. Seems more rigid, CF doesn't rust. I guess vibes could crack it, but I'm confident its better than the steel.
 
cehenard said:
Ever have a bad thing happen to you and when you tell someone about it they try to make you feel better by saying something ridiculous like " I know just how you feel"? BritTwit, I know just how you feel. When I looked at the pictures of your broken weld on your right hand SBN DT silencer bracket I thought you had stolen the pictures from my phone camera. Then I read the text and found that this was the second broken weld in the same exact place and I had to check to see if I had written the blog and it just slipped my mind. The same EXACT thing happened to mine. When it broke the first time I sent it back for repair to SBN along with my ECU for a remap and ordered the x-pipe. After getting all back and installed, I really enjoyed the bike for about 200 miles and the repaired weld broke in the same place off the silencer. I talked to SBN and Matt and Carlos were very helpful and easy to work with. The problem is I'm not getting to ride that bike. They said that I could get the bracket welded locally and they would help me out with the cost since I had only ridden a couple of times before it let go again. I explained the problem to a local welder, trucked the bike and muffler to him to insure proper alignment of the bracket, and he welded it on a little more secure than it had been previously welded (curling the weld around the top of the bracket on both sides). The cost was $108.00 which I thought was good for custom work, welding stainless, special fitting and instructions. I told the folks at South Bay Norton that because I don't have a nearby dealer, and with them in California and me in Indiana, any compensation in parts or maintenance materials would cost them less and be much more useful for me than paying me any money. Hopefully that will work out good.
I do agree that it would seem the x-pipe should have the additional mount to the bottom of the frame. If I was the engineer it would've been on there, but I'm not an engineer. I hate to say that I got mine welded last week and have so far been to busy to put everything back together. I also have new cush drive bushings to install before it's on the road again. Just need a little time to get it done. Good luck to you.
Click to expand...

We're not alone.
Last year I met another 961 owner from New Jersey who also had the same experience with his SBN system.
Obviously the original design of the silencer bracket is at fault.
I realize this now, and expect to have my system modified by a custom builder that I know.
I have asked him to re-contour the silencer lead-in pipe and X-Pipe to avoid the chain, which now rubs the silencer, without sacrificing cornering clearance.
Just have to wait until he has time to address the problem. Will probably be in November unfortunately.
Until then, the 961 will be a garage prop. :(

No big deal, I've been here before, know the drill. :lol:
 
Why doesn't SBN warranty these failed mufflers? I have American racing headers and exhaust on my 2016 Mustang Shelby GT350 and the exhaust is all made of 304 tig welded stainless steel and its all made in the USA with a lifetime warranty. You guys just made my choice of exhaust easier, I'm going to use the Motad short system.
 
Voodooo said:
You guys just made my choice of exhaust easier, I'm going to use the Motad short system.
Click to expand...

That's why I went with Motad. The lack of good support underneath is a problem I'm familiar with on my '75 Norton 850. Those pipes rattle like crazy.
 
In the pic you can see the silencer has dropped a long way. That means that the bracket is under constant stress from that silencer wanting to fall.

Stress + vibration = failure.

I would suggest looking into this when you have it repaired, a stronger bracket may only delay the failure, or move it (rip the muffler apart for example).

I would look at a minor re-angling of the pipes to remove the stress and / or some additional support of the down pipes under the motor.
 
Fast Eddie said:
In the pic you can see the silencer has dropped a long way. That means that the bracket is under constant stress from that silencer wanting to fall.

Stress + vibration = failure.

I would suggest looking into this when you have it repaired, a stronger bracket may only delay the failure, or move it (rip the muffler apart for example).

I would look at a minor re-angling of the pipes to remove the stress and / or some additional support of the down pipes under the motor.
Click to expand...
Quite right.

The right side silencer bracket is over-stressed.
The real problem with this exhaust is that the component pieces are not well or precisely aligned, or supported.

The X-Pipe has no under-frame support such as the stock Norton factory exhaust x-pipe has - strike #1
The silencer bracket has one (1) linear weld where it attaches to the thin skin of the silencer itself - strike #2
X-Pipe cross over section is perfectly located directly below sump plug, so draining the oil is difficult, and produces a God awful mess - strike #3

In American baseball - three strikes and you're OUT!. :lol:

My SBN exhaust was one of the first 2 produced by SBN for the 961 back in December 2013.
In fact, the X-Pipe was not yet available at the time.
I had to wait 2 weeks for the first one to ship to my dealer.
So I was one of the pioneering owners of this exhaust system.
There is a old saying - the pioneers get the arrows.
So true.

Fixing this system will be one of my winter projects.
 
Hey Voodooo, Did I say the folks from SBN were trying to be helpful. They DID warranty my busted weld. Both times! I requested oil filters, gaskets, etc. instead of a cash refund for the local weld job on the second fix. The first repair was done at no charge to me from South Bay Norton. They did stand behind their work. My complaint is not about that issue, but the fact that my Norton is parked way more than I want. All the waiting, and shipping stuff back and forth, and minor parts failure is starting to get to me. I really like the Norton and I love to ride it. I have other bikes and I ride often, but that horse is spending too much time in the barn.
 
cehenard said:
Hey Voodooo, Did I say the folks from SBN were trying to be helpful. They DID warranty my busted weld. Both times! I requested oil filters, gaskets, etc. instead of a cash refund for the local weld job on the second fix. The first repair was done at no charge to me from South Bay Norton. They did stand behind their work. My complaint is not about that issue, but the fact that my Norton is parked way more than I want. All the waiting, and shipping stuff back and forth, and minor parts failure is starting to get to me. I really like the Norton and I love to ride it. I have other bikes and I ride often, but that horse is spending too much time in the barn.
Click to expand...

I completely understand. My point is, all the freebies are not free after all. The down time, shipping and waiting game is bs. I've been in the automotive performance business for nearly 30 years and it's things like what you're going through that takes the pleasure and fun out of owning a enjoyable piece of mechanical machinery. In my opinion the pipes I see are a poor engineering design. It's no secret this bike vibrates, it's no secret the SBN X pipe doesn't have a mid mount like the stock X pipe, it's no secret the mufflers do not have a more solid mounting tab. Theirs more way to do something then one way. The stock Motad mufflers have a channel welded to the muffler and then the hanger tab bolts to the channel. The channel allows for more weld area. Or SBN could of made a "J" tab and that would of allowed 3 welding areas on the sides and bottom of the tab, even 4 weld areas if they welded the top portion. They could of also put a mid mount on the X pipe to take weight and stress off the mufflers. Im not saying the guys at SBN are not helpful or that they didn't offer you assistance, but if you bought something from me and I made it, I would stand behind it with a lifetime warranty or refund your money. As I said I been in the game long enough, and I know what it's like. Also as a business owner I know how to please my customers. SBN pipes are not chump change, you pay for a quality part and expect it to last. As I said on my Shelby mustang I have American racing headers and exhaust and they are USA made and have a lifetime warranty and Nick, the owner is a stand up guy. These are the kind of guys that make owing a performance vehicle "toy" worth owning. Nobody wants to buy a motorcycle or car, boat etc to repair it and not enjoy it.
 
SBN Silencer Weld Cracked Again

SBN Silencer Weld Cracked Again

SBN Silencer Weld Cracked Again


Hello , I don't want to beat this to death but here are images of the Motad short/loud system hanger brackets. The plates measure 3.0 mm thick . I like the sound very much. Some people think they are too loud , I do not. I just throttle down when I need to be quieter . These are also much lighter than the stock factory quiet mufflers if your wondering and power output is great . Also fit and finish is good on my set , they are stainless steel . There is no need to flex , bend or push these to fit . They fit right in place like they should. If you are still looking for an exhaust system and do not like these , have a look at the Italian Zard system . I like that one too ! Fast Eddie posted a link on the forum. You can also just do a web search and find them.
 
Tony I agree 100% with you. I think the Motad pipes are the way to go! Since the bike came factory with Motad, they know the best fitment. I'm not putting SBN or other brands down, but after seeing your pipes I know which ones I'll be getting! Did you buy these from Norton directly?
Thanks again
Scott
 
You need to check with your dealer or go to MCC Chicago. Lets ask Contours how he got his Motad loud Long mufflers. I got mine directly from England , but you shouldn't have to do that now. A couple of years ago they were not available here. MCC 630-782-2010 ask for parts or selection 2.
 
Hey guys! I ordered mine through Phil at Krazyhorse, of course. :mrgreen:

Beware, however - the x-pipe is in the way of the oil sump drain plug. My current woe aside from needing a better map.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top