Just bought a Big Gun spark arrestor a couple of weeks ago, installed it, and after about six hours of riding time all I have left is the ring.
What is it that you guys use or do to get more life out of the arrestor? Does flipping the dome outward instead of in help any?
I need a quick fix, something I can whip together in the garage. Heading to Dumont this weekend and thought I had all bases covered...

I also have a Yoshi and haven't found any type of arrestor for it. I need something that will satisfy the Rangers, if need be.
HELP Gents
Thanks

 

Go to local hardware store and get some stainless steel screen and install it on the inside of your pipe this works very well and is the same thing as a spark arestor.
My question is why did your bike burn out a factory screen in 8 hours. Is your bike running that hot of an exhaust.

 

The yoshi comes with a spark arrestor. It is the screen type. You can also buy a sound reducing insert called the TEC kit. Here is a link to one.

 

aceisbacks,
I agree. I don't see why your sparkarrester is gone either. I rode my DS in Colorado for about 8 hours a day for a week and it is fine. I had the dome on mine faicing out though. I don't see hoe that would make a differance.

 

Well, I don't "believe" I'm running hot. Fan cycles on and off regularly, no red light other than right before ignition, header pipes don't look out of the ordinary. Just a lot of pressure I'd think. The little strands that were left didn't look burnt, just shredded. Not alot of carbon in the area. Now you guys have me worried! Could the pipe needing repacked cause this? I think it's still good, doesn't seem much louder right now.
It's the Big Gun, been rejetted and OldManRacing's carb mods applied. This is the third one of these that has blown out but this one only took six hours. My thinking is that it's just the design and material, but it is (was) stainless steel. It's not the insert or anything like what sanddaholic (thanks) linked to. It's just the 2 inch ring with the screen molded and tacked to it. $20 from Big Gun but definitely not worth it IMO.

So ya'll think it's something more than just exhaust pressure creating this?

By the way, what do the BLM folks use when they do check for a spark arrestor? Never had it happen...

 

Man that doesn't sound right. I have ridden in 115+ degree weather with no problems, except I could not have my leg within 6 inches of my pipe due to radient heat. You would know if you were running that hot. The heat required to melt stainless steel has got to be incredible. If you were running that hot I would think that you would realize it. What are you running a jet engine? If you did melt it, then something is wrong. Jetting? I am just wondering if it could be anything else?

 

I have seen the home made SS screens blow out in a matter of minutes. I have never ran the TEC insert in my yoshi although I do pack it incase I ever get pulled over for a sound check. The normal spark arrestor has lasted me many rides with no signs of wear.

The BLM do two things to check for SA. First they put a rod down the exhaust, if it doesn't hit anything then it doesn't pass. They also check for a stamp or sticker that states it is an approved spark arrestor. On my yoshi the stamp is on the body of the exhaust. So it says its approved even though some one can easily pull the SA out.

 

How long is this rod, because the screen I purchased from BG was only an inch deep if that, sat right at the end cap. Was clearly visible. Is that steel screen that the packing wraps around not sufficient? Some of the other make spark arrestors that I've seen had the same size holes, it was just an insert that was about six to eight inches deep, not as small of a hole as the stainless steel screen that you get at the hardware store.
Somebody clue me in please.

Do they drive around the dunes doing random checks or is it where they check if they've gotten you for something else?

 

I have never seen or heard of a SA check at any So Cal dunes (pismo, glamis, or dumont). I have heard of some sound checks at pismo on a busy weekend.

At hungry valley I have been checked for a SA. They do a visual check for the stamp and then the had a wooden dowel that was about a foot long, obviously they only put it in a few inches until it hits the screen.

The core that packing wraps around is not a spark arrestor. There are two type of spark arrestors, a screen type and a disk type such as the super trap.

 

Spark Arrestor 101


1) Most dune rangers dont check for spark arrestors unless you are pulled over for some other reason.

2) Spark Arrestors must gain USFS approval (takes about 6months and $1500) to be truely legal. They have to meet certain criteria including durability at specified temperatures, removable, and yes, actually arrest sparks.

3) Screen type spark arrestors need to be cleaned every few months. Thats why they have to be removeable. Once they clog up, they will push out. If you are too rich, you can expect to clean a lot more often.