Exhaust (muffler) Degradation '012 Bonneville

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by otari_99, Dec 19, 2024.

  1. otari_99

    otari_99 New Member

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    Greetings!

    There are small rust spots and bulges occurring on my right-side muffler. The left-side muffler appears to be fine. What's even more interesting (or disturbing) is that it's occurring around the circumference.

    The spots are hard to see in the pic, but basically there two areas (identified within the two sets of red markings) where the issue has occurred.

    Anyone out there observed similar degradation?

    Thanks!

    IMG_6842_0.jpg
     
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    Last edited: Dec 19, 2024
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  2. otari_99

    otari_99 New Member

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    Okay, so I received a quote for re-chrome plating the muffler...

    ~350 USD. That's better than ~656 USD for a new muffler replacement from Triumph.

    I have another right-side muffler that I acquired off of flee-bay that has some long scratches and scuffs that just won't buff out. I'll likely have this unit re-chromed instead...

    Or maybe I should just accept the imperfections.o_O
     
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  3. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

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    Bulging possibly caused by the internal baffles expanding and contracting when hot. It appears to be rusting from the inside and will only get worse so re-chroming might not be an option if the steel is about to hole?
     
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  4. Samsgrandad

    Samsgrandad Senior Member

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    I agree with Triple X your problem appears to be coming from the inside out probably the baffles rusting. No point in re-chroming that one and your secondhand one may still show the scratches after chroming if they are deep
     
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  5. otari_99

    otari_99 New Member

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    @TRIPLE X and @Samsgrandad

    Thank you for your insight! I'm confident you are correct.

    I don't think the scratches on the 2nd unit are too deep, but I'll see what the plating shop has to say about it.
     
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  6. otari_99

    otari_99 New Member

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    Update: After pulling the right-side muffler yesterday, I noticed there is something loose (and rattles around) within the baffle area.
     
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  7. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

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    Could be worth checking the left one as well. Might be that they both need replacing? Nothing rattling inside your spare right one I take it?
     
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  8. otari_99

    otari_99 New Member

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    Indeed...going to pull the left one today.

    My spare is functionally fine. I was going to have it re-chromed, but now I'm thinking of going with a yet-to-be-determined after-market set instead.
     
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  9. otari_99

    otari_99 New Member

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    New Update: I checked the left muffler today...no rattle observed.

    The flee-bay seller still has the left muffler. Perhaps I'll go ahead and purchase that one as a back-up.

    Also, I tried the chrome buffing compound again on my flee-bay muffler. I just kept at it, over and over. I'm happy to report it looks quite good now. It's not perfect, but honestly, I'm probably the only one that would notice. :)
     
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    Last edited: Dec 28, 2024
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  10. joe mc donald

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    Myself i would try to find a nice set of stainless cans. easy to polish and hard wearing.
     
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