Added clearance to the plastic exhaust side cover on my 2010 400 XC-W

[Mike_in_Ontario_Canada]

I didn't like that the side plastic cover was contacting the exhaust pipe, after running it, the foil covered foam to protect the plastic was melting, figured it was a matter of time before the plastic cover would melt. Nice place for a cover though, helps save your boots or pants from getting burned.



First I heated up the side cover with a heat gun, not too hot to melt it, but hot enough that I could deform it a bit away from the exhaust pipe a bit (about 1/4" gap to the exhaust pipe), heat the plastic that wraps over the frame too, and then I just held it in position, holding it away from the exhaust pipe with a pair of leather gloves until the plastic cooled off.


Then I added a spacer, pry the cover off the frame a bit with a screwdriver, stuck a piece of adhesive foam on the frame as a spacer, it's dirty now, but it can be seen in the center of the image.


Now the cover has more of clearance to the exhaust pipe, just don't stick your finger in there when the pipe is hot.




Cheers,
Mike

[bajadog]

Great mod Mike.

A riding buddy of mine replaced his plastic pipe guard with an E-line
carbon fiber guard.

I think I will show him your mod so he can fume over the $60 he paid.

[Mike_in_Ontario_Canada]

Thanks bajadog. The funny thing is that I work at a big automotive carbon fibre company, but just thought to add clearance.
Cheers,
Mike