To expand on the house of smthng weirdness this week...

I was riding the KLR home from work and had just pulled on to the HOV lanes on i-395 near the Pentagon (I work in DC) when I noticed the sound of someone with a really bad exhaust somewhere.  I happened to be passing a little old Honda car of some kind that looked like it's exhaust should have rusted off years ago, so I continued on my merry way without thinking to much about it.  Then I noticed it was getting louder. 

I generally ride a few miles an hour faster than the traffic around me, so I don't usually have people hanging on my rear tire for very long.  I checked my mirrors and did a quick head check... nope, no one gaining on me.  But, I was getting tired of hearing the thing, so I hit the gas to get away from whatever was making the noise.

That's when I figured out it was me. :(

The KLR exhaust is held on by two big bolts through the rear sub frame.  I'd read a few reports telling people to loc-tite them, but I never did so.  I checked the fairly regularly when I first got the K, but they were painted over and didn't appear to be loosening at all, so I forgot about them.  Oops.

The exhaust can was hanging off the header pipe, resting on the swingarm when I noticed it.  I pulled over to the shoulder, which is when it immediately fell off completely.  Current Interwebtube thinking is that there's a catalytic converter in the '08 mufflers.  Judging from how hot it was and how long it stayed hot, I'd have to agree.  It melted some plastic bits and the rear brake line on the way off.

While waiting for it to cool enough to pick up, a roadside service van pulled up behind me.  A few minutes of experimentation later, I had it duct taped to the rear rack, wrapped in newspaper and a wet rag.  Riding home was sad and awkward.  A single cylinder 650cc bike with no exhaust is painfully loud.  I'd be willing to bet that it could be easily heard for a mile or so... if I was trying to be quiet!

I took it up to Loudon Motorsports a few days later.  Got pulled over on the way out of my neighborhood, but the cop was cool and realized that I really was just trying to get to the dealer.  They'll probably call in a few days to tell me how long it'll take to get the necessary bits.

Until then, I'm riding the FJR again.  She's sure gotten a lot of exercise since I bought the K. ;)