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Post by armstrongracer on Mar 31, 2019 13:13:56 GMT
Looking for some advice. I'm re-sleeving an Akropovic can and despite messing about with race bikes for years it's actually something I've never done before. I've no access to a pillar drill and am using a hand drill but I've managed to drill the Stainless steel sleeve ok and matched it to the end cans (only 2 broken drill bits). The finishing strips are also un-drilled which is where I have a problem/concern. Past experience of drilling thin stainless has shown it has a tendency to grab the grill bit and rip up, even when you clamp it. Am I mad to even attempt to drill these, are there any tips & tricks to help or should I just find a sheet metal company and bet the holes punched out. All advice greatly received.
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Post by Droog on Apr 2, 2019 3:45:36 GMT
If in doubt, take it somewhere local to have the holes drilled or punched out. Pain in the arse but better than attempting it and potentially ruining it.
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Post by beefus on Apr 3, 2019 7:51:23 GMT
Helped a mate re-line the Akros on his RSV Mille a few years back, but he had a standing drill and rivet gun....made it a relaitvely easy job for two "incompetents"!!
Good luck!
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Post by pantah on Apr 3, 2019 14:15:05 GMT
I agree with Droog. It helps if you have the right gear. Drilling stainless works better with drills for ST ST with added cobalt. High speed steel drills blunt easy, you push harder and break the drill.
If you are desperate to do it yourself, centre it first, turn speed down to slow, and don't force it. A bit of oil helps too.
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Post by armstrongracer on Apr 8, 2019 11:21:10 GMT
Cheers folks. I phoned UK importer to see if they had punched bands and they said it must be a very old legacy kit from a time before Akrapovic got a laser. Everything comes pre-drilled now. They also said to measure my old band carefully so I could get some more laser cut as I would almost certainly bollox it up. Must admit that wound me up and my stubborn streak kicked in. So after G-clamping the band between some wood and a strip of flat steel with a 5mm hole in it as a drill guide plus using 3 different TIN coated bit sizes, lube and a slow speed.... Voilà.  |
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Post by pantah on Apr 8, 2019 18:37:36 GMT
Perseverance pays off. Glad you got a happy ending
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Post by armstrongracer on Apr 9, 2019 17:41:49 GMT
Cheers, looks the biz, shame Akro changed the style of their can stickers and only supplied one....ffs
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Post by pantah on Apr 9, 2019 19:31:45 GMT
When i bought my Aprilia Falco SL1000 new, it had tidy looking stainless steel cans but muted it to death. End caps were welded on but i cut them off with a cutting disc and was shocked to find inside that the exhaust gases had to travel backwards, then forwards to front of can, then back up to the arse end in a series of tubes. Weighed a fucking ton too. I removed most of the tubes leaving the centre one and got a mate to weld the caps back on then dress it up so it actually looked better than original. Sounded brilliant, but not Harley loud. The fuzz couldn't do me as the kite mark was still intact. Also saved a good few kilos in weight. I miss that bike  |
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