Bimota Forum

brian · Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Posts: 3790 Location: Australia

Looks fantastic Steve. Good to a weight saving as a bonus to the lower temperature, great looks, better sound and maybe even a little more power (with no cats) ? Question

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'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

Cheers brian, the two bikes certainly sound more throaty, and the early hesitancy after starting and waiting for the cats to heat up has gone also...so initially am impressed, will have to see on running if I need to change the fuelling but so far so good...

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

Well it was a dry day and I was at a loose end....so I decided I had time to polish up the front pipes of the titanium end cans on the Db5R as they were looking a little "tired" compared to the camcoated headers. ("tired" being a very relative term with my bikes and OCD....)

Fortunately the end cans a sinch to remove, undo indicators, and let flop loose, 4 bolts for the cans, remove springs and they swing out of the way to make it easy to pull out of the headers...

First rub down with various grades of wet and dry, before and after piccies

Both pipes now wet and dried back to remove burrs and rough finishes prior to buffing with polishing mops

Now onto the three stage polishing process....First run with rough/coarse mop

And now the finished product ready for fitment, after also doing the bolts, washers and springs of course (there goes that OCD again...)

And as fitted to the bike...

And seeing as its still dry even if a little windey...time for a run out and see what falls off... Laughing

851jim · Joined: 25 Apr 2013 Posts: 48 Location: Scotland

That final pic looks fabulous.

Corona · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 118 Location: Norfolk

Incredible Shocked

We have the same kitchen worktops

Nice bikes 2bims

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

851jim · Joined: 25 Apr 2013 Posts: 48 Location: Scotland

You Have A DB1 !!!!

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

SpikeC · Joined: 20 Aug 2013 Posts: 450 Location: Portland, Oregon

Really lovely result! I am looking forward to a report on how the bike runs with these pipes sans cat, after the system realizes what you have done!
And what is with having the cat on only one pipe, and only one sensor?
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Spike C.
Portland, Oregon, USA
2008 Bimota DB5R
1965 Triumph T100SC

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

So far so good Spike....both the Db5 and DB6 start easier than before and there none of that waiting for the Cat to warm up whilst its strangling the bike...doesnt seem to be any fuel issues either.....bike had been tuned to run with baffle free end cans anyhow at the factory...just the cats removed but pipe diameter is the same as before....The cats is strange...on the 5, the front header has a cat and a lambda sensor...and the collector branch for front and rear header also has a cat...so one starvation on rear cylinder and 2 on the front...just speaks of Bimota really...Engine picks up quicker...although I still warm them up first as always...exhaust note better... Laughing

But you can ride pleasantly and quietly if you need when the need arises.....if you know what I mean...

brian · Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Posts: 3790 Location: Australia

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

SpikeC · Joined: 20 Aug 2013 Posts: 450 Location: Portland, Oregon

I have a set of Zards pipes coming! An American dealer is getting them for me butt I don't know if I will be able to hold off on installation long enough to get them coated! A bit of polishing might be all that they get........
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Spike C.
Portland, Oregon, USA
2008 Bimota DB5R
1965 Triumph T100SC

2bims · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 7314

Hi Spike...I'm presuming this is a set of the headers only and the rear collector x shaped branch...but without the cat in the front header or X-piece?

Hope youre American dealer isnt robbing you on the price...I dealt direct with a wonderful lady at Zard factory in Italy....paid direct and some 3-4 weeks later both turned up....Bit of a Knack fitting them, but certainly easier than the DB6 model where I had to strip the whole back end, seat unit and subframe and everthing to get them on....Db5 easy enough...I only removed the ride side fairing panel, and rear indicators to get the cans off...one of the springs joining the x piece to front hader I think is a bugger to get in place (all joints are purely springed together)...had my trusty spring puller but wasnt long enough so had to add wire to it and pull that...you'll know which one when you start out fitting them

SpikeC · Joined: 20 Aug 2013 Posts: 450 Location: Portland, Oregon

Yes, it is the cat-less system minus the end pipes, which I already have.
My source is actually giving me a very good price, lower than the price on the Zard website! Disabled veteran discount, the shop owner is also a vet, so I got the old fart cripple price.
Judging from the looks of it the job looks easier than when I replaced the midpipe on my 2009 Ducati monster 1100. That thing had everything coming from different angles and was a sweaty bear to get done!
As the weather cools down and rainy season starts working in the garage is more attractive, butt I will be riding through the winter regardless, I'm planning a mud flap for the back!
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Spike C.
Portland, Oregon, USA
2008 Bimota DB5R
1965 Triumph T100SC