how do you straighten an exhaust manifold?

[tunnermann]

Hey, I've bought a bike (zx7r) a while back as a project, but as it was my daily commuter I wouldn't do some parts cuz it would take longer - now that I've lost my license I have another 4 months left before I can hit the road I can do whatever to it.

When the previous owner dropped it, the dropped it on the exhaust side, the RH footpeg brakcket broke, so he had the exhaus just wired to what was left of the bracket. I tought that was just a matter of getting a new bracket, but the actual manifold is bend in a way that the exhaust "strap" part that connects to the bracket won't match the hole. If I force it and maybe with the help of somebody else too i could get the holes to match, but I'm afraid that when I let go of theexhaust it's gonna pull back and snap something. I tought of strapping the manifold to hold it in place untill it matches the holes, and leaving the strap there for a couple of weeks untill the manifold stays there and doesn't pull back anymore. A friend of mine thinks that won't work, can't remember why.

What are you toughts about it? Do you think I should strap it and leave it, or there is a better and easier way to do it?

can get some pics too later on

cheers

[Hewie]

If you could post pics that would be ideal.

[Rich]

You could bolt it into place...

It will now have some stresses in it...

Heating with an oxy torch at the right location/s will relieve that stress...

[zx10seb]

Heat your manifold with oxy set to releive the stress that has been put inot it by the knock. remember to heat it the right side....
I.e. heat the pipe and the way you want the pipe to go apply a cold wet cloth so that part of the metal cools and shrinks faster than the side side that is still hot. that will pull it the way you want it.

If that doesnt work for you then gently heat and apply pressure to the exhaust until it has lined up with the hole. bolt it and let it cool down on its own.

If you need an oxy set i have a set if you can come to mine.