My names Louy and this is my first post on this Forum. Hoping somebody can offer some advice. I own a 53 pan and on a recent ride it started backfiring like hell. On closer inspection I spotted about a third of the exhaust manifold has dissapeared.Probably shot it out the exhaust pipe! So its sucking air cold air in which is causing the backfire. Anyway I plan to get it fixed but I was wondering if riding the bike in this condition can do any damage to the engine? I want to ride it to a bike show this weekend, approx 40 km round trip. It only backfires when I de-accelerate. Flames actually shoot out the end of the pipe. Its the rear cylinder exhaust port.

Nice ride Louy, If it's only popping on decel I wouldn't be to concern with riding a 40km round trip, I would however get the exhausts fixed after your show though.
Anyone else see a issue with riding her 40kms?

Got a pic of what's missing? Can you stick some sheet metal over it and clamp it with hose clamps?

Check ya points and timing

a third of the manifold? are you saying that a piece of exhaust manifold , port. flange, gasket, what exactly has shot out the pipe?

Up to you, Luoy, I can understand the desire to get it to the show.

If it suddenly started during a ride, I'd be very wary of it. The backfire (or maybe more correctly, after-fire) is a symptom of something not right. My point is, even if the 'backfire' doesn't do any damage, what's causing the backfire may get worse.....

Maybe you could consider putting it on a trailer for this show?

Thanks guys, Points, timing ect is all ok. Because the exhaust pipe hasn't much of an exhaust outlet port to clamp onto, it sucks in cold air  which causes the backfire when I let the revs off..When I get home from work today I will use a thin bit of sheetmetal (bit thicker than coke can) and make a shim to wrap around whats left of the port.Then clamp the exhaust pipe over it. I will also upload a pic when I get a chance to explain further. If the temp shim works ok I will ride it to the Dandenong show. Any of you blokes going to Dandenong show tmr?

Have uploaded pics. Louy

I know age and wear and tear can stress metal, but ouch, I was not expecting that. Looks like more is breaking off too and I always err of the side of caution, but it's your dime.

Enjoy the show but get it fixed before you ride again mate.

Wrapped a bit of sheetmetal on the inside and outside of pipe. Got to the show ok. Started backfiring on way home so time for a more permanent fix. Thanks for the help guys.

Louy

normal Old pan problem, a good fix is to find machinist who can make a metal insert to replace the stock cast alloy exhast mount. then no more trouble.what happened to the Drum Brakes Pans have Drum brakes?

Anyone know off a good machinist in Victoria who does as Krash suggested?

PS- Krash, I upgraded to disc brakes on my pan. Front end is all DNA. Frame is a 1975 Shovel frame.