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Hi and Happy new year,
I have been converting a 76 3 1/2 Strada to a cafe racer for my wife for over a year now and am approching the final hurdle in the run up to the MOT. I have a problem with the tarozzi rearset brake pedal fouling the exhaust, I initially thought the fault lay with the rearset and the fitting of so; I dismantled the thing into it's component parts (yes, I now realise that was a mistake) only to find that, what I think is a custom made exhaust, does not fit into the cutout in the rearset as you can see from the attached photo. Never mind thinks I; I will bend the exhaust using my trusty blow torch! needless to say it did not budge and may have even laughed at me as I sat sweating, burnt and knackered in the corner of my garage.
I have trawled the forum for any hint of previous similar dilemas but to no avail.
Would any of you knowledgable and frienly chaps/chapesses know of anywhere in the south coast area I could get the left hand exhaust re-formed to fit the bike or have any other suggestions, clean prefereably! I contacted armour (Bournemouth)but they didn't want to know.
Having just joined the MRC following an enjoyable visit to the club stand at the autumn Stafford show I can't wait to get the project finished and try it out (on my wife's behalf of course).

Gary

That's not an uncommon problem. The rearsets were originally designed for the early bikes which had a tighter bend in the exhaust. Many of the copies are a more open bend than any of the factory systems. If it's only a small interference, then you can file a bit off the rearset plate. Is the exhaust mild steel and chromed, or stainless? I've had to cut and shut a couple of stainless exhausts for people to get them fit properly, even without rearsets fitted. One required two cuts and a total of 3/4" of pipe removing!

You could also dispense with the plate and weld/bolt a different mount to the exhaust hanger loop.

Tarozzis went on the 77 frame OK in harmony with what I *think* is a Ricky Racer 2:1 system. Getting the rear brake on to my liking was a bit trickier. Beware loosening footrest bolts. They are not easy to get at once the rearsets are in position.

I had a sweary half hour yesterday putting the 2:1 back on the 2C/375 after repainting it (matt black high temp). With a 350 motor in a 250 frame it can be done, but the clearance under the crankcase is approaching nil. You also can't use the original footrest mounting bracket and need an extra plate and spacer. The 'silencer' hangs a bit lower and further out, but I haven't managed to deck it out when using it before.

The pipes are full stainless with the silencer welded to the down-pipe, its all very slim and neat with no balance pipe so if I can, I will avoid the cut and shut route. I have tried a couple of custom car exhaust manufacturers but it seems that a custom exhaust often means 'a loud box fitting' and nothing more. If it wasn't for the welded on silencers I would simply try other pipes until I found one to fit without altering the footrest position as it is very comfortable and eronomic. It seems a compromise is in order and I hate doing that. That said; I am fast running out of options.I shall retire to my workshop (garage) with a large cup of tea and formulate a plan.

If you do need the services of a 'custom' exhaust pipe company, try CAMPBELL CUSTOM EXHAUSTS,Rear of Lockyer Motors, The Forge, Skibbs Lane, Chelsfield Village, Nr Orpington, Kent BR6 7RH . Age challenged Morini riders will remember Campbell Geometric at Brands Hatch a quarter of a century back. Campbell made me up an exhaust for vee twin Morgan so is not averse to making what you want.

Stuart Tallack

you would probably find pipecraft at lancing industrial estate would be happy to help, they have done bits and peices for me over the years, and are quite reasonable.

Regards mick h