1800 question

[Whiskerfish]

Rode up to Buffalo yesterday. I was not gentle, seldom am. Bike ran perfectly all the way. Today I noticed my exhaust pipes looked significantly different. One is very black as Normal but the other has a definite brown/ rust appearance. Anyone ever seen anything g like this??

20230701_170216.jpg

20230701_170212.jpg

[Sagebrush]

O2 sensor, maybe? Gas mileage get worse? IIRC you only get a sensor fault if the heater circuit in the sensor stops working.

[Whiskerfish]

Truthfully I have not been paying close attention to the economy. Generally this bike gets about 33 to 35. If I get a break tomorrow I will go fill it up and check it. I replaced all the o2 sensors when I got the bike 4 years ago.

[pidjones]

Aftermarket pipe beginning to rust out on one side? And, why replace O2 sensors? 125k miles on my '06 didn't need them.

[Whiskerfish]

I finally got a few minute that was not raining and I could sneak away from Mom and Dad, so I ran out and filled the bike. Fuel economy is exactly 35 mpg. Right where this bike runs normally.

Looking things over I remember that I do have a bit of a leak on the exhaust crossover tube. It has been there a while but never concerned me. This discoloration really does not concern me but I find it very curious. When I get back to Norfolk I will pull the plugs and check them. Pretty sure they only have about 15,000 miles on them. Bike is not throwing any codes so I really do not expect to find anything. I will also address the leak on the crossover

Pid When I got this bike 4 years ago I was unhappy with the fuel economy. One of the troubleshooting steps was to replace all the O2 Sensors. It made no difference.

[ritalz]

35 mpg is a little on the lower side but you do ride more aggressively than I do. My norm is 40 and even higher on smaller roads at a much slower pace.

[pidjones]

35 sounds about right for sea level. Take it to the BRP and you might see 40 or more.

[Whiskerfish]

I have been told by more than one person there was a tweak to the ECU that resulted in a MPG decrease in the 8-10 models. Not sure if it is factual or not but seems like others running 08's are getting exactly the same mpg. Anyway got home this afternoon so maybe after getting caught up with chores in a day or 2 I will check plugs and try to fix that crossover leak

[Sagebrush]

That color does suggest rust. Only reason I suggested the O2 sensor is because you have one in each exhaust pipe, trying to think of what could be different from one side to the other. Could be a head gasket leaking coolant on that side rotting out your pipe

[Whiskerfish]

Checking coolant level and of course a plug inspection is on my list.

[Whiskerfish]

Coolant level is good, plugs all good, front right (# 1 presumably ) looked a touch hotter than the rest but still Okay. Right at 15,000 miles on them. Oil level good etc etc etc.

Re positioned the clamp on the crossover and was able to reduce the leak but not eliminate.

Gonna live with the discoloration.

[Rat]

Ride it underwater for a couple of miles … like we did on the way home from Deadwood … that should make them pipes all look the same …

Gord

[Whiskerfish]

Ha I did think maybe it is rust from being on the left side and lower when parked on the side stand.

[Oldewing]

Me thinks, cheap steel is the trouble. Bike is fine.

[Whiskerfish]