Thanks mate..... Yep, pipes are off and you're possibly going to think Im the luckiest sod out there as, I didnt give them any prep, just carefully tweaked each one and they all came off. A couple of the studs came out too, but was more bothered about them breaking off in there! Im actually thinking about putting the pipe on it and having this summer with her before ripping it apart for the restoration!

 

Ride it If you ask me.
I put mine away Oct/ Nov every year. I then spend till now( Easter) doing all the jobs that need doing.
Do the refurb next winter !

 

Yes you're one lucky guy, saved you from a world of pain. The mechanics Gods are smiling on you!

As Wes says, stick the pipes on and ride it, plenty of time for spannering when the weather is bad.

 

Hi guys, hope your all keeping good......
Ok, on with the ongoing problematic bloody Fireblade.
I took the old down pipes off and did the normal i.e rubbed my hands together with anticipation of getting these shiny shiny things onto the bike, so....
Took the front fairing off and discovered the guy who had owned the bike before me had stripped the thread on the main bloody captive nut that the 1 bolt just above the headlights goes into, so had to grind that off and put a rivnut in there fo time being.
Got the radiator off and made good room to do the work on down pipe studs and gotta be honest, I came out real lucky on that as none of them snapped on me!!!
Took pipes off with relative ease, stuck a rug on the floor, so as not to scratch up new pipes, thats when things started going to s**t!
These are aftermarket downpipes from Black Widow and I thought for £185 it was a pretty good price, but when I offered them up I had to pretty much have to force them into place and struggled like f**k to get them into the ports....
Long story short, they blew pretty badly and I had to kick the bike and walk away for the evening feeling a bit disappointed.
I went and attacked it again the day after and took the pipes off. I measured them and found the originals were 7/8" wider than the ones I bought, although all the bores and lips were pretty bang on.
I got a spreader bar and put that between the No1 & No4 pipe, cranked them apart and tried to refit. Top and Tail is that they are still blowing, so I still cant balance my carbs etc.....
Any recommendations that don't involve a rag in petrol tank and box of matches?????
Cheers guys
Rob

 

You could probably go back to the manufacturer and explain the fitment. 7/8ths is way out. Is it possible they sent you the wrong part?

Some aftermarket manufacturers watch their reputation, so if you stand your ground a bit they might offer to replace the part (they might not, but it's still worth asking)

If not, it's probably a junk part. Sorry