Every time you hand your bike to someone else to work on, remember these words, "We noticed that, it came in that way."

I was having a friend help me with new hardwood flooring at my house and he made a cut that was too short and he said, "it'll look good from my house." He's a good guy but that was the last board he cut for me.

If you aren't going to do it yourself, don't expect the person doing the work to have the same concern as you might.

 

I heard the stock headers crack at the "Y" (sounds perverted) after so many miles, so I bought a brand new takeoff from Craig's a couple years ago for like nothing. So far, haven't needed it. You wouldn't believe what they cost new from the Dave!

 

When you weld a used pipe, it isn't going to last long. That's a nasty crack, LOL. That is a week spot on OEM headers also. After you get it repaired or welded, keep an eye on the hangers to make sure they're tight. Good Luck.

 

Good comments from everyone and thanks

 

Heli arc that thing. If you can weld put a similar metal patch on it and don't worry.

 

Bring it to a welding shop and get someone who welds for a living to weld it up correctly. That should be an easy table job for them and probably only hit you for $20

 

Weld a patch over the area and it will not bug you again. We use to make and repair the pipes on our old vibrating shovels and such and never had an issue.
Done correctly it will be fine.

If you try to just weld up the cracks then it will likely fail but who would just weld up the crack ??? The ones who say welding will not work and it failed !!!!

 

the pipe cracked probably cracked due to stress. I'd make sure the system was sitting on the hangers well, and tack weld the break on the bike. removing and closing the gap would probably put a stress back on the pipe. remove the pipe and finish the weld. heli arc would be my choice. back up the crack with a small patch. re-install and hide with the shield.....last forever.....snip

 

The above post is the best yet.

 

Dropped it off at a reliable welding shop this morning. They told me "if it can be repaired, we can do it". Supposed to be ready this pm.