Cracked pretzle pipe

Found this today 07 1100 to weld or replace or other solutions?[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Unfortunately pretzels have been NLA for a number of years. While not so important on the 2V pushrod motors they are really pretty vital on the 1200-8V.

Your bike being an 1100 you could substitute another, straighter, mid pipe with few issues. The early pretzels were crack prone, it was a mounting problem and the factory actually made up a sort of supplementary bracket that mounted the pipe with less stress. If you do weld it up I'd suggest doing the same. Make up a stress relieving bracket to mount it to the same point as the original.

If you do decide to replace it, please don't junk it. I'll happily pay postage for it and get it repaired here for use on an 8V.

Pete

I'm looking at the agostini ,arrow and the one from gtm that he makes but i don't get paid till thursday and lucky i have use of my sons jeep till he gets stationed in alaska . I'll get get back to you when i have more info

I recommend the Arrow.

Will it require those gaskets ? And can i keep the stock can? I'll probably get another O2 sensor incase it doesnt want to free up

I don't think so. Pretty sure it's a snug fit. The Arrow headers don't require gaskets when used with the midpipe.

@Pete You use the Arrow headers with the pretzel. Thoughts?

I use pretzel with Ti headers. Gaskets required. Whether gaskets are required with the Arrow Ti mid pipe is your area. I'd guess not but depending on what muffler you're using you may need a centrepipe to muffler gasket.

I'll have to measure my pretzel, stock headers, Arrow headers and midpipe to make a determination.

I want to keep my stock headers and muffler. I remember it was a pain in the ass getting the pipe to header and muff gaskets for my old 8v when they failed from the deaker in jacksonville florida when it was in for warranty I think there are alternative gaskets available. The pipe Todd sells claim not to use gasket but his would be last option. If i can't get a arrow quickly ill opt for agostini this is my daily rider and need it on road soon before my son in the Army gets stationed in Alaska h's finising up AIT and will be going to Airborne jump scool for a few week so i have his jeep till then and i looked at the current pipe and i dont think welding is an wise solution as it will probably crack somewhere else again, I used to be a welder many years ago I stopped for health reasons

Stock headers and Arrow headers are the same size where they enter the midpipe/pretzel. The Arrow midpipe will be a snug fit on the stock headers. Gaskets not required.

Thanks I've been looking around for availability the parts guy Tim at cadre is seeing how quickly i can get one . Guzzi tech has their home made unit that also slips on but not sure if they are easy fit although he says plug and play ,for all intents a purposes it looks very close in design to arrow . I have use of my sons jeep for a few mor weeks till he gets back from Army airborne jump school . Every Guzzi I've owned has always had atleast 1 issue where patience is required

I was hopeing someone had 1 used from a wreck . Now i wish i would have kept my 15 for a parts bike

I had a similarly cracked pipe on my 1100 welded up by a specialist st steel exhaust fabricator and its been good for a few 000 miles so far. Made sure the mountings were good and replaced original can with a lighter MG branded can ?name? off a 1200 which may relieve some stress.

This one is really bad . I just don't want to waste $ on something like this, the cost of weld and gaskets is just alittle less than replacement plus i have the past experience of my 15 GRiSO puking out the gaskets at the y section. It may be a pain in the ass waiting for parts but these bikes are fantastic after the bugs sorted. I'm just a bit bummed out at the moment hoping i could get something a bit quicker that's all.

After searching for a mid pipe and discovering all the delays involved I was able to find a pipe it's going to be shipped today. Hamlin cycles in Ct. Had a Agostini in stock it'll be here by the 17th the only arrow unit might be in Italy but could'nt get straight answer of availability. All the arrow dealers said the GRiSO mid pipe isn't on the arrow current product list. The pipe offersd by Guzzitech was expensive especially shipping from california was grossly overpriced for what it is unless it just wasn't calculated right . Pete pm me about how we can make arrangements for me to get the old item to you

Question for beetle while I have the stock can off how important is it to keep the catcon in as far as running properly especially with the new mid pipe ( Tracking says it's in my po but closed for holiday) just wondering that's all as to how restrictive it may be

I'd leave it alone, as it will help keep the fueling the closer to as it was when you install the Ago midpipe.

Thanks , I can't wait to get this thing on the road again. It's so frustrating knowing it's at the post office 1 mile away and closed for a holiday. But could be worse

Ago pipe arrived i does use the muffler gasket glad i didn't trash it or send it to Pete before I got it . I notice no performance changes but it has a better rumble at idle.The old pretzle will be going to Oz this week as soon as i find a suitable box [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Well guess what I found on the way home yesterday?..... a crack in the Ago mid pipe!!! Lasted 10k miles Going to bring it and old pretzle to a welding shop this morning to cobble it together one way or another. Waiting for sunrise then I'll take a pic and take off the pipe. I'm tempted to turn it into a 2 x2 to eliminate this shitty setup but I know it'll make it run even shittier

Yeah, Tim the pictures help with the discussion last night.

More to Pete’s point of a pretzel support added to the later model GRiSO makes all the sense in the world.
The first photo shows the exhaust being unsupported between the heads and muffler.
I’d engineer something to hold the pretzel/collector.
I’ll be home tomorrow and try to get som pictures of my ‘13 for reference.

I still have the old pipe the welder said beyond repair . Put the ago back in all welded up after some relief holes made and filled in . I will be making a hanger bracket asap

Here are a couple shots of the pretzel support on my '13.

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Hope it helps.

Sorry about late reply I had a local shop repair the ago pipe and later in the day my phone screen went dark and no local shop had the screen and the one that got installed didn't work so the thing was bricked and just got new one this evening. The weld is holding fine sofar and am looking at a bracing point to support it better. My job was demanding this past week with springbreak and all the families at the Hotel going on cruises at the port