VH exhaust fitting

[bruno.crossley]

Hi, it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted on here, but I think I will soon be a frequent flyer, having bought a 54 VH rolling project.
I’m currently trying to replace a non-standard silencer. However the new one doesn’t line up with the footrest hanger.

I’ve now obtained a new exhaust pipe, in the expectation that it would help with the silencer alignment. It sort of helps positioning of the silencer, but the pipe bracket bolting to the front engine Mount doesn’t then line up.

Is it normal to re drill bolt holes?
Does the exhaust pipe touch the underside of the footrest bracket?

Is there a trick to sealing the exhaust to the cylinder head?

Thanks,
Mark

[Julian Murphy]

Hello Mark.

Something seriously wrong there.

Should be a simple assembly job, and bolt together- no drilling or bending required.

I would return to the supplier as 'not fit for use' and either get a replacemnt or go to another supplier.

Who is the supplier, can you tell us?

[SteveShone]

Is that an ali cylinder head? Should a 54 vh have a cast iron head. I only suggest it as it may account for the misalignment. Others with more Ariel experience may confirm or poo-poo my suggestion shortly

Steve

[will_curry]

That's the head I'd expect to see on a 1954 VH but the exhaust pipe is
not a good fit onto the stub at all. I'm not surprised the silencer bracket
won't align with the frame bracket.

I wonder if the exhaust pipe is from a 350?

[bruno.crossley]

Thanks for your help chaps. Sorry though, I think my last photo was misleading. Both ex pipes are quite a close fit over the cylinder head stub. I left the pipe partially withdrawn to show the stub, rather than the later style heads with the ‘into head’ fitment.
Both headers are pretty close, but was trying to work out whether I need to ‘pull’ the hole on the header bracket, shorten and re-drill the silencer bracket or come up with another solution.
When I do fit one of the exhaust pipes, what is the best way to seal the head/pipe joint?

Here’s a pic of the bike as bought.

Thanks again for your help.
Mark

[will_curry]

Getting a good seal between the exhaust pipe and the ally stub can be challenging,
especially if the stub has worn. I use 'ordinary' exhaust sealant from my local
motorists shop. The clamp on the exhaust pipe must close up enough to clamp
the pipe to the stub and I get that done before tightening the other fixings. It may
be necessary to bend the bracket on the exhaust pipe an amount to get it to
align with the stud in the frame.

A pair of tank badges, touch up the paint on the tank and get riding. I've always
prefered the look of the 1954 and 55 Ariels with the half-sided brake over the
later full-width brake models.

[bruno.crossley]

Thanks very much Will. And you read my mind about the badges!

[will_curry]

That's so much better!