Muffler options

[Wayne]

You guys out there that have upgraded your mufflers, tell me what brand you went with and how you like it.
I'm looking to upgrade to a more sport looking muffler, but I want it to be a slip on as I don't want to or need to buy a whole new exhaust system. I have 4 to 2 now a plan to keep it that way.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Ride Safe,

[Tim Johnson]

I have been thinking of a simalar issue. I bought my bike with out any pipes on it what so ever. so I cant even use slip ons.

I was wondering can I take the bike in to an auto musffler place and get some front pipe custom bent for me. so I could at least put some slip ons on it.

Any sugjestions?

[Wayne]

Tim,
Your best bet is to get a whole exahust kit.
Jardine products seems to be the most popular around here.
You can get them from several moto catalogs and online stores.

[chopper]

hi tim i recommend http://www.motad.co.uk/range/fullrange.html they co a 4 into 2 into 1 (used to list right or left exit for silencer) all parts are availlable from them as individual spares.that said i recommend you buy the full system(either with or without silencer) i run one of these, they really help torque.sounds great without silencer(really quiet and neighbour/police friendly with it) e mail them with your requirements. the uk xs11 is the same bike (might have to make a bracket to go from frame to silencer tho? hope this helps (phone from usa) +441922 725559

[Tim Johnson]

Well problem with buying a new system is, all I find is chrome pipes. I do not want chrome. I want them in a matt black finish. I dont feel it is practical to buy and spend money for chrome jus to strip it off to paint them.

I am blacking out the bike. most surfaces are going to be black including the engine. So this is why I was wondering if a muffler shop would be able to bend me new pipes. then I could just use a slip on. I had been thinking of usinf a sport bikes aluminum mufflers.

[Wayne]

I can understand that Tim, you might try ebay. I know there are a few exhaust systems for sale there now. Might be worth a looksee.

I myself don't want to replace the whole system but just the mufflers, I guess I will just have to do some measurements and start looking around the local shops to see what will fit.

Good luck to you.

[Wayne]

BTW, let me know if you do have a muff shop do it custom for you. I'd be interested in seeing how it turns out and what it cost you.

[chawks]

There is a set of Jardine Slip ons on eBay right now. The auction ends in 9 days. I have these on my 80 G and like them very much.

[Red Baron]

I used the harley fat boy muffler fix (available to print on this site), my headers were in fair shape, although rusted. I cut them as described in the article and inserted an adapter i found at the local Auto Zone for 1.50US. OK back to why i replied to your post.
Having been a mechanic most of my younger life i can assure you that a good muffler shop can build you some headers cheaper than buying a full kit. your best bet is a neighbor hood shop that makes dual exhausts, bigger shops tend to blow us riders off. There are however three sure gotcha's, the first is the header band located about 1.5 inches from the flare at the header to head junction, used to secure the headers to the head. pay close attention to placement and to the skill with which this ring is attached, weld only on the head side. The second is the header collector or collectors, the junction of your pipes into one for muffler placement, 4 to 2 or 4 to 1, not having any pipes to build from you might want to, if possible look at someone elses bike for this junction. When using stock pipes the collector is flattened and shaped to hug the frame, not having used anything else i am not sure about ground clearance using regular exhaust piping. i would make the headers to the collectors a soild run by welding up, etc. After this i would add a boltable or clampable extension to this assembly, measure and fit by the mufflers you choose.
I used harley fat boys because i have a friend who works on harley's and he always has spare mufflers and most of the time misc. pipes. He gave me two fat boys and a set of pipes to fit the mufflers, i cut and fitted these to my '78 XS. this was a very simple process and with just a small amount of money and planning.......painless. Took me about three hours including welding. The note became a little deeper, not louder and the back pressure is close enough that a carburetor re-jet is not necessary. i only adjusted the air mixture and got excellent results. The third is the most overlooked, a kickstand stop. be sure to check for ground clearance, my neighborhood has tall speed bumps, so i had to re-do this. be sure the stand has a resting point when up, it will rub a hole in your pipe if not.
i cleaned my rusted headers and painted them with black header paint, and i was fortunate enough that the pipes i was given still had the chrome heat shields which i used as eye candy for the pipes. I'm pleased with the results. i guess the point is there are quicker, less expensive ways than ordering and waiting. replacement of mufflers is now a snap. This is my first post, when i figure out how i'll add a picture of the results.

[webbcraft2150]

Mufflers

My 80g stock mufflers died a painful death (rust). After looking at all the options, I got a JC Whitney catalog in the mail. They had a "extra long" muffler for $40 each. Took a chance and bought a pair. With the proper beverage and a whole day to do it, I attacked my cancerous system. 3 hours later, one trip to pep boys for some adapters, I had a new set of mufflers that looked almost stock!!. With some slight bending, I was able to use the stock mounting brackets. Had to fabricate a stop for the center stand. Overall, I am very pleased with the look and the sound. Also dropped at least 10lbs (no crossover). Slight tweaking of the carbs to get the idle right. Can send pic if needed

[skids]

Re: Mufflers

I hope that they work out for you. I bought something like that from Whipme and I could not achieve a good tune. At first, I thought it was a problem with rejetting, then with the electrical system(s). Finally Blaine Hoops clued me in that the fiberglass wrap mufflers are no good and that a steel baffle is the only way to go. I found that at certain rpms, the pressure pulses would come into and blacken the No. 4 carb. Something about sonic velocities, exhaust scavenging, etc, etc, etc. I switched out the muffs and got the bike running good again.

Originally posted by webbcraft2150
My 80g stock mufflers died a painful death (rust). After looking at all the options, I got a JC Whitney catalog in the mail. They had a "extra long" muffler for $40 each. SNIP

[Bill__Woods]

Hey Red Baron,
Email me the picture of the harley mufflers installed and i will post it in this meassge. I have my own dedicated webserver and can host anything I want to. Wayne is not the only one that wants to see the picts. Send them to billwoods@wideopenwest.com and I will make it so EveryOne can see them!

[Bill__Woods]

Here is the picture Red Baron sent me of his bike, with the H-D Fatboy mufflers




Red Baron Is it possible of you to take some close up pictures of the headers meeting the muffler? I would like to see that view if possible.

[Poprock]

Here's Kong, 80 SG with a new set of Sportster muffs. Runs very well, sounds nice too. Local shop charged $75 for adapters and fabricated hangers.

[skids]

I am always glad to see success with the HD muffs. Where you able to incorporate the cross-over pipe? Any significant loss of torque (pull) at about 3000 rpms?

Originally posted by Poprock
Here's Kong, 80 SG with a new set of Sportster muffs. Runs very well, sounds nice too. Local shop charged $75 for adapters and fabricated hangers.