Yes, it may rust, right ....BUT:

As you know, I have now a (pretended copy of) Akrapovic (less and less sure the more I look at genuine Akrapovic mufflers!) on my 200cc. bike. At first, it was fitted by Hien Motos on a mild steel, black painted header pipe, of a rather bad design (too short radius elbows) and finishing where it connects to the (apparently) big Akrapovic intake with a large flat piece to fit in this intake but without increasing the diameter of the header pipe. The sound was excellent (with db. killer) and the revving-up and power of the engine a pleasure!
Then, as I did not like not the materials neither the aspect of that header pipe, I had one made at the same place as yours, but with a three stage enlargement starting underneath the bike, in order to fit with a big pipe into the big intake of the (pretended) Akro!
Lost a lot of power!!! Now I have a "hole" in my acceleration, and have to open the throttle more for the same result!
The thing is that this big intake of this muffler is a dummy: there is a diameter reducer inside, right after the big intake. The result is that I have now got a "chamber" between the normal diameter section of the header pipe and this reducer in the muffler, and that this chamber has not got the right resonance hence the loss of power. I shall then have to have that modified, starting perhaps with taking off the diameter reducer inside the muffler (and will try without the db. killer too...?) , but I may also have to fiddle with the diameter of the header pipe, the position where the increase of diameter starts, etc....etc.... I may even, in the end, try other mufflers, or get back with the black steel constant diameter up to the muffler (in stainless steel) fitted inside the increased diameter one, just for the look!
Ridiculous, isn't it?
With Joel's FFE, yes: it may rust and simply have to be properly re-chromed, but this guy undeniably knows his stuff (better than Mr. Haryono Adigunawan of automotivespartsshop, for sure!) and I really trust that his FFE is the best available design at the moment....for the 153/ 180cc. engine.
For our crazy 200cc.: just keep on experimenting!

I meant get the whole system from Yoshi or LV, Not the slipon.
I've got the yoshi header pipe for my old PS150. Stainless and no rust, Just discolored from heat. If JJ made a stainless option (for more $ )then that will be great.

Reg clutch operation

Hey guys

Can you pls help me on how to use the clutch for smoother shift transition and how to ride in traffic without half clutching since it will damage clutch plates (spare me if I'm wrong).

Is it quick pull in and slow release?

Is it necessary to drain engine oil if we want to replace/inspect clutch plates in FZ16 since it is wet clutch system?

Thanks in advance

I feel that gear shifting becomes smooth only when you do clutch release patiently. Since my bike is 600km ODO, I can't be sure of what I am experiencing. I think in very thick traffic you need to be on first gear instead of second gear. sometimes I don't even catch the half clutch I will full release the clutch and balance the bike with allowing her to knock. If the traffic is in bullock-cart mode then you can off the ignition and start pushing with your legs (haven't done that with my new bike yet) so that you can save both money and clutches and also pain in your fingers

About inspecting clutch only shiv18 or madmik or any experienced guys can answer you query

Yoshis are too heavy on my pocket and I have personally seen Joel's magic with FFEs.There is really less chance of rust,since I always make it a point to clean my bike after a ride,to avoid accumulation of dirt.

I am speaking from personal experience. My friend has a full TBR system on his R15. While I have one of Joel's. I absolutely agree that there is a huge difference in the quality of materials used in both of them. The TBR uses SS header pipe and carbon fiber canister. Joel's system is made of mild steel and undoubtably falls short on the finishing part. Mine has been rusting since day 1, but I am not too bothered by it. Once it becomes too rusted, I will either take a call on ordering a new one or to refurbish this one.

All that said, performance wise there is such a huge difference between these systems that I personally can't help but ask and wonder if the TBR has actually gone through any sort of development. The fact is that the TBR uses a canister that is same as used in the bigger bikes like R6 and R1. The canister looks out of proportion to the bike (it looks BIG). Only the header pipe is different. Now the fact that the gain in performance is so little that you can't help but question if any development has been even done to this system.

Personally, the difference in cost is huge, and add to that the difference in performance, I will pick up Joel's system any day till something comes along that will match its performance and has superior finish.

Does the FFE rust if rainwater splashes on it while riding in the rain?

^^^ the fact is that it is made of mild steel. No matter how much you try to prevent it from rusting, in a place like Mumbai, rain, salty air, humidity will get the upper hand ultimately.

my bike is overheating. i have checked airfilter, its clean
cleaned and lubed drive chain
checked engine oil level its b/w max and min markings..
i have never changed mixture settings of the Carburetor
it heats up even when i ride @ 3k rpm or lower. what should i do?

its 10months old, with 3600km on the clock. 4 servicing done, and 5th free service is due on 27th july.

That is the core of the problem: seems nobody but Joel has it!

I do not remember, Mik (but shall soon know when you are back! ), what header/ muffler yo have got on your "FZ-20", and what extras and other leftovers you have too.

Part of the problem is that most aftermarket muffler makers do not make header pipes, but only mufflers! Specially for our bikes which are of limited diffusion (India, Philippines, and some South American countries, but no Europe or US) and moreover once they get modified as much as ours are, it is just impossible to find a complete system: it simply does not exist!

The FFE from Joel Joseph is certtainly the closest we could find to get the best performance from our bikes without fiddling around for months and spending lots of hard earned cash! Even there, we're not sure to ever get the best result, and can damage the engine in the meantime!

Trouble with Joel is his very limited availability, and I may add (my feeling!) a rather difficult character! He responds to mails - when he does! - in telegraphic style and only responds to one question on five - or ten! Anything that is not already in his shop, he does not bother to respond at all! That is a pity, as I could very well imagine the FZ owners in Vietnam - and they are ready to spend much more than our Indian friends here - would be delighted to have a well studied exhaust made in stainless steel under license (even perhaps carbon fiber/ epoxy outside of the canister!).
I am going to propose this to Joel, to just send his drawing and have a contract with a reliable, honest person like I believe Josh is (another difficult character, though!) or else. Will see what he eventually responds...???

any guys from bangalore here who do touring and weekend riding ? please join in for the rides if you are interested. just check out my signature. dont be astonished by only r15 v2 there its for all yamaha owners.

p.s : sorry for being OT here, please dont kill me for this :P

New bike advice and queries.

Hello everyone!

I'm Arijit... a very new member of the xBhp community. Cheers to all!!

Bought my Yamaha Fazer (Black Cyber Green) just last week and about 280km on the odo with all of it being city riding.

Have a question regarding the bike about smoke. Though i've had to ride mainly in traffic, i've occasionally got to ride at 35-50kmph continuously for abt 10-15min. But after that I've noticed smoke coming out of the mid-section of the bike (roughly right under the rider's seat). I cant be sure but it smells kind of like burning rubber. Engine doesn't feel any different though. My friends have told me smoke is normal initially but I cant ignore it especially when other motorists on the road bring my attention to the smoke. Thought it might be oil burning but when I took it to the SVC they checked and said that the oil was perfectly fine and its fine if I change it during my first service.

Any suggestions??

can anyone tell me how can I get this 200cc kit in India??actually I wanted it from Yamaha original but in India these are not available...my current bike is 9 months old with odo of 9k kms.....will be waiting for approx more 3k kms then planning for an upgrade. I love to tour with my bike and in highways the fazer at times feels less powerful...any suggestions...or anyone has any idea about Yamaha made 200-250cc launch???any time this year or may be early next year??

though i dont own FZs now, but m sure that smoke comin gout of there is not a good sign i mean smell is fine and normal. but if its heavy and if you see SMOKE then its serious. plz get it checked soon.

AFAIK yammi is coming up with 250 cc bike this year. have no idea what bike it will be though.

It is normal.. most likely the protection paint on the exhaust is heating up and emitting the smell or smoke or else if riding in the rain, the dried up muck on the exhaust is leading to such smell/smoke.


No need to worry.

Cheers,