FMF spark arrestor and the packing thereof

[treelimb]

Greetings from Alabama The Beautiful.

So with a little time on my hands, I am going over my KDX. I have been racing the SORCS series this season and although I have been maintaining my bike, I have not yet spent an excessive amount of time on it.It is a KDX so I cover the essentials.
Anyhoo,I have found an FMF spark arrestor silencer in my collection of goodies and decided to rest my PC 304 non spark arrestor for a bit and am repacking this FMF. Looking down into the end,there is packing that I simply can't entirely get out,not with long screwdrivers,not with knocking it out,not with spraying high pressure water, nor by long skinny sticks.

Short of drilling out the rivets,what can be done? Does it really matter if the residue packing doesn't entirely come out?

Thanks in advance.

[KDXGarage]

Check your phone, paw paw.

[treelimb]

I did and low and behold. I was waiting. I'd hate to hold that pristine system that shall remain nameless hostage. I suppose at 59 I might qualify as a paw paw.

Who else has OCD and would allow a little exhaust packing throw you off?

[Kdxfan4130]

You tube has a bunch of repacking 2stroke silencer vids.

[SS109]

I admit, I drill out the rivets each repack and clean everything. That's how OCD I am!

[doakley]

I only repack what I can get out.

[treelimb]

I only repack what I can get out.

Yes sir I attempt to do the same however this FMF silencer was aquired when I bought a box of KDX goodies from a rider in Cartersville,Ga. about 2008. The box of parts was $100.00.

In the box was the hardly used looking FMF silencer, A Fredette shorty kick lever, a brand new in the box Wiseco piston/rings,I'm thinking a new chain,some yamalube oil,and assorted sundries. YES it was a heck of a deal.The guy did race motocross and apparently was rather good and he had a KDX that he had sold and still had the parts which he sold to me. He had it for sale at Ga offroad site and I jumped on it.

All that short story long stuff above summed up - it was packed by him I assume and it had a stiff wire coiled around the packing and some tape and looked like a pro job. It probably didn't even need repacking but I decided to do it.

[treelimb]

I admit, I drill out the rivets each repack and clean everything. That's how OCD I am!

I blew what I could out with an air wand and my air compressor and quickly reassembled it. I didn't want to get too involved and i was headed that way. It didn't really even need repacking. KDX G can attest to my issues. He has preached to me for years now regarding over-tightening things. In case one has not noticed,our friend is of dry wit-

[ericr]

I admit, I drill out the rivets each repack and clean everything. That's how OCD I am!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with OCD. I even bed the rivets in ultra-copper so they won't leak.

[SS109]

I admit, I drill out the rivets each repack and clean everything. That's how OCD I am!

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with OCD. I even bed the rivets in ultra-copper so they won't leak.

I use standard high temp silicone on each end cap, the bolts, and yes, even the rivets!

[doakley]

Sigh...I confess to using silicone also.

[kdxsully]

We wouldn’t use it if it didn’t work, aesthetics aside

[treelimb]

YA! I did use high temp silicone,BLUE in color and have repacked a silencer or two over the years just never encountered left over packing stuck in the end. I APPRECIATE the replies. This site is incredible!

I rode 32 miles of 3,4,and 5 diamond trails at Highland Park and am thinking that I can tell a difference,ever so slightly,between the FMF spark arrestor and my Pro Circuit 304. perhaps it is in my head. Regardless, i came home whipped and felt great and my KDX performed flawlessly as usual.

Racing and/or riding she has never let me down. I've had this particular KDX about 13 years now. I tell her "good girl" often-