Clamps, Flanges, Hangers & Hardware
About Clamps, Flanges, Hangers & Hardware
An exhaust system is held together and held to the frame by small parts that live in heat and constant vibration. Clamps close the slip-fit joints, flanges and studs pin the head pipes to the cylinder head, hangers and brackets carry the weight of the muffler, and springs, O-rings and straps keep joints and end caps from working loose. Riders shop here when a muffler starts to rattle, a clamp rusts through or strips, a bracket cracks after a tip-over, or a new exhaust arrives without the mounts the bike needs.
Start by identifying the job. Muffler clamps are sold by size, so measure the outside diameter of the pipe or can the clamp has to close around and match it to the listing. Brackets and mounts are usually made for a particular model or a particular muffler, which is why the listings here name bikes such as the Honda CB650R and CBR650R or name the exhaust they belong to.
Spring and O-ring kits are matched to the pipe that uses them, and hardware kits bundle the bolts and nuts for one install. Stainless steel resists rust and heat discoloration better than plated steel, which matters on a part that sits under the bike in the weather. Rubber O-rings harden with heat over time, so replace them whenever the joint is taken apart.
Brands in this category include Bolt, Cobra, Helix, HardDrive and Drag Specialties. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page for parts made for your model. If a joint is leaking rather than loose, the fix is often a fresh part from Exhaust Gaskets & Seals, and for sections that carry the clamps see Manifolds & Headers and Silencers, Mufflers & Baffles. The whole group is Exhaust & Emission Systems.
FAQs on motorcycle exhaust clamps and hardware
What size clamp does my motorcycle muffler need?
Measure the outside diameter of the pipe or muffler inlet that the clamp wraps around, then match it to the clamp size on the listing. Slip-on mufflers often include their own clamp, so check the instructions or the listing for your model before buying a separate one.
Why is my motorcycle muffler rattling?
The usual causes are a loose or cracked bracket, worn rubber mounts, a clamp that has lost tension, or a missing spring on a slip-fit joint. Check each mount with the exhaust cold. Replace worn parts instead of over-tightening them, because overtightening can crack a bracket.
Can I reuse exhaust clamps and O-rings?
Reuse a clamp only if it is straight, not stretched and free of rust. Replace any that are distorted. Rubber O-rings and springs soften and weaken from heat, so fit new ones whenever you separate the joint, especially on a slip-on.
Should I use anti-seize on exhaust studs and bolts?
Many shops apply high-temperature anti-seize to exhaust fasteners so they can be removed later. Some exhaust makers specify dry threads or a particular tightening order, so follow the instructions that come with your exhaust or your service manual.
Are stainless steel exhaust fasteners worth choosing?
Stainless steel resists rust and the discoloration that heat puts on plated hardware, so it tends to look better and come apart more easily after a few seasons. Plated steel works, but the coating can burn off near the engine and then rust.
