How do I get out the rivets around the muffler?

Question

I have a V&H exhaust and want to replace the dented/scratched can. I found this: http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/product~pf_id~3199619~dept_id~1183301.asp which should fit perfect. I'm just unsure of how to remove rivets. Everything I've read says "drill them out". Does that mean drill all the way through them and they'll come out?

Answer 1

well how the hell else are they gonna come out?! maybe you should pay someone to do it numbnuts!!!

Answer 2

I am a aircraft structural repairman, the best way assuming the rivets are solid and are not mechanical, mechanical meaning they have a center that is either hollow or has a stem in the center. If they are solid,and you don't know the diameter of the rivet, start with a smaller bit like 1/8 the dia. in the center, you'll also need a set of punches, 1/8th, 5/32nd, 3/16th and maybe 1/4, unless you know the diameter. drill down through the head till you go far enough to break it off with a punch and punch the stem out, if they are mechanical rivets the procedure is the same but they may have a locking collar at the top of the stem you'll need to drill into till you can pop it off because it will start spinning.It isn't really tough. see if you can get the rivet dia. first.

Answer 3

You only have to drill a fraction of an inch, until the head falls off.
Imagine the rivet as a nail (hammer a nail into a piece of wood).
Now imagine the exhaust was put together with nails.
Drill down into the center of the nail through the head.
When the head falls off, the rest of the nail will fall into the muffler.

Answer 4

yeah basically
just get a good metal bit, and make sure it's big enough to remove the core of the rivet.

Answer 5

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