Pacific Crest Pipe Repair

Pacific Crest Pipe Repair

CW EVALUATIONS

When buying new isn’t an option

ORDINARILY, when you damage your dirtbike’s exhaust pipe, you seize the opportunity to replace it with a high-performance aftermarket unit. But what do you do if you damage the replacement? Or worse, what do you do if no replacement exists?

Our Executive Editor faced such a dilemma when he high-sided his cherished Cagiva WMX500 during a recent SuperTT outing. The Cagiva warehouse isn’t exactly overflowing with spares for this mid-’80s MXer (a faxed reply from the Italian manufacturer’s PR person read, “Yes, it is difficult to find parts for that model”), and no aftermarket pipemakers list it in their catalogs.

Fortunately, there is Pacific Crest Pipe Repair. Established in 1995, the company vows to repair any dented two-stroke expansion chamber for just $40, with a promised one-day turnaround and money-back guarantee. Sound familiar? An East Coast firm has been offering a similar service for years, but West Coast residents will save time and money with Pacific Crest because they won’t have to ship their pipes cross-country. Moreover, owner Brett Mitchell claims his firm is the only one capable of repairing nickelplated aftermarket pipes without discoloring the finish. The two caveats are he won’t touch streetbike pipes and will only repair four-stroke dirtbike pipes if they’re dented, not bent.

Mitchell’s work lives up to his word. Our Cagiva pipe spent less than a week away from home and returned looking as though it had never been dented, let

alone heated up, pressurized, popped back into shape and repainted.

Now if we could just find someone who straightens handlebars...

DETAILS

Pacific Crest Pipe Repair 3120 Hanley Rd. Central Point, OR 97502 800/460-6880 Price........................$40

Ups Cheaper than a new pipe Better than a dinged pipe Free fender sticker kit Downs Not quite new Original performance at best “Diesels” need not apply