Brock's low exit Alien head exhaust

[Fallenangels]

I just thought I would post up a thread about a recent development we had with Brock's new system. As you all know Brock's systems are manufactured by Hindle exclusively for them, and when they came out with their new Alien Head system, we happened to get one of the first on the market. Seems there was a little left to be desired for development of the system, but over all it is a nice additon to any performance bike.
When we got the system it was so new they hadn't yet test fitted it on a bike to know how it worked, and these are a few of the problems that we ran into.
1. The exhaust have a clamp and tube that is bolted to the head, and like most true race systems each individual cylinder tube is then held in place by a set of springs. We haven't quite figured out a remedy, but this set up seems to have an exhaust leak around the individual cylinders...you could have them welded in place, but that shouldn't be necessary for the cost of this pipe it should be fixed at the manufacturer once they learn of the problems. I think it is that there is to much space where the tubes slide together, possibly a stronger spring could hold it tight enough to keep the leeking down.

2. The spacer that was sent with the kit doesn't properly clear the rear brake so in effect it becomes unusable. We have spoken with Brock's and since telling them of our findings they have started to include a spacer system with their kits. It is a fix, but we chose not to run it because it seemed poorly designed. We ended up designing our own spacers and adding an adjusment to it like that on the Vortex or Giles system. The result is nice and tunable to the individual riders placement preferance. If done in a raw finish we are able to keep the cost relatively low, if you like it is possible to powdercoat them to match the frame.

Here is a picture of our fix for the exhaust placement problem. If any one is interested please feel free to contact me if they need any assistance with their system spacers or if you are unsatisfied with the remedy that Brock's developed. This set up should also give some extra clearance and adjustabliity for those of you with custom wide tire swingarms or wishing for more cornering clearance(each of the holes are threaded for adjustment).
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k146/unit176/GetAttachment.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k146/unit176/GetAttachment2-1.jpg

[zx10sander]

not bad.. i still have a slight exhaust leak with mine too.. the spacers were sent with my kit.. for not they are ok but i might be ordering these soon.. this pipe sounds great on the 10 tho

[Fallenangels]

Yeah I do like the sound of the pipe on my bud's bike...the exhaust leak issue was in my oppinion unacceptable considering the price of the pipe. The bad thing is that Brock's is the only ones that make a full pipe for my B-king, and with my plans to convert a Triumph SS arm that I have laying around to work on my bike I may have to go with their system.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k146/unit176/IMG_2351.jpg

[zx10sander]

nice should be a hot b king.. yes i agree about the leak its unacceptable.. i put some silicon exhaust gasket around the flange and the primary tubes and that stopped it 4 a while.. i got into it a few times maybe it wasnt totally dry and i blew a lil bit out.. i'm ganna try one more time if that dont solve it they are going back.. i just dont want the down time.. i'm a rider

[Fallenangels]

nice should be a hot b king.. yes i agree about the leak its unacceptable.. i put some silicon exhaust gasket around the flange and the primary tubes and that stopped it 4 a while.. i got into it a few times maybe it wasnt totally dry and i blew a lil bit out.. i'm ganna try one more time if that dont solve it they are going back.. i just dont want the down time.. i'm a rider

I feel you about the down time, but I can say this about Brock's system and the tweeks that will come over time as we talk with them and develop the quirks out the system. I can say this about Brock's and it should not be taken as badmouthing them at all, but praise for their speedy corrective action:

When the sytem was received it was so new it came with no spacers
The supplied exhaust bracket didn't clear the rear brake and made it ineffective
The connector tubes for the individual cyclinder spiggots seemed to leak from cylinder#1 and possibly some other cylinders

As soon as we contacted them about the issues they worked with us to make several exhaust hanger brackets and finaly some spacers. They overnighted many of the parts that they were developing so that the system would work correctly. The only issue that wasn't remedied was the exhaust leak, which the owner of the bike didn't want to address, because like you he wanted to ride (nothing wrong with that). But, I am positive that had we brought up the leaking issue it would also have been addressed.

I just want to be clear that had they the opportunity to take corrective action on the exhaust leaking issue, I am sure they would have worked it out with us...they did do right by us on everything else they were so inclined to please the purchaser of the system because of the down time that he experienced that they issued him a credit which was enough to purchase one of their TRE systems for his bike.

[Fallenangels]

Now for the more possitive side of the install, it has been complete for a few weeks now and the owner swears by it. I think a tad more information on the system is in order from the perspective of an installer. The system is a true race system, the owner is so pleased with the power that he is considering cancelling the idea of purchasing a new zx10 and getting rid of his current one. This part is for the home mechanic or possible installer...the system is designed with the racer in mind, here are some of the key features:

The exhaust spiggots bolt to each individual cylinder and can if desired be left permanetly installed in the event of exhaust removal
the individual cylinder tubes are connected to the spiggots via a spring retainer system so they can be easily removed or installed
The greatest feature of the system (best for the home mechanic)was that it didn't require the removal of the radiator to install it. You simply unbolt the radiator and lean it forward. So this saves alot of install time considering you don't have to drain the coolant from the bike, take the radiator off, and reinstall the cooling system. Also you don't have to worry about getting air-pockets in the coolant system that can be a pain in the rear to blead out!!!

The sound is pleasing...I will try to get a sound clip or video of the system and spacer asap. We just took a ride of 100 miles or so and no troubles. The spacer system we designed was done while the owner was waiting for Brock's to send the final spacers they desinged. He liked them so much, we added the various bolt holes to manuver the foot peg placement to his liking, that he decided to keep them...they are just waiting for a black powdercoat when the down season comes and he isn't riding so much. :bling2:

[Lee]

Thanks for the review Edgar!

[zx10sander]

edgar i agree 100 percent on everything u said.. it was a easy install. does his "pop" alot and shoot flames under decel.. they sent me a fix for that also.. i am very please with the power.. i'm not runnign a tre.. i just took out the secondary butterflys

[Fallenangels]

I did notice the pop when we were riding and would come to a stop or if he free reved the motor...I figured that is a common thing to most full exhaust systems that haven't had a custom map done for them. My old Muzzy's used to do the same till I played around with the fueling systems. He just installed a PC and one of Brock's maps. What was the fix that they suggested for the popping???

[zx10sander]

to plug the lil black tube off the air box.. i have a email from them.. i have my pcIII mapped right from brocks.. send me a email address i can forward it to ya